BIM integrated smart contract for construction project progress payment administration

In recent years few blockchain based progress payment methods have been proposed to improve the traditional payment process for construction projects. The blockchain based methods require the off-chain real world in-formation to be connected to the blockchain which could be challenging for construction projects. This paper presents a novel building information modeling (BIM) integrated smart contract progress payment administra-tion system, in which as-constructed BIM is used to link the real world with the blockchain. Results of a survey of construction professionals revealed that the proposed system has a significant potential for improving the traditional payment procedure by accelerating the process and by making the progress payments less prone to disputes, especially for lump sum projects. The results also indicate the potential of future research on semi-autonomous BIM integrated smart contract systems to accelerate the adoption of the BIM and smart contract technologies for progress payment administration within the construction sector.

Automated summary

This paper introduces a novel progress payment administration system based on blockchain, which integrates building information modeling (BIM) to connect the real world with the blockchain. The proposed system has the potential to improve the traditional payment process for construction projects, accelerate the process, reduce disputes, and holds promise for lump sum projects. Future research can further accelerate the adoption of BIM and smart contract technologies for progress payment administration in the construction sector.