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Blockchain as an emerging technology has increased the interests within various industries because of its salient features. A potential application of blockchain for embodied carbon (EC) estimating is being explored. Though there are several databases/tools to estimate EC, the accuracy of estimates prepared using them is affected due to several limitations. As a solution, a prototype blockchain-based EC (BEC) Estimator for distributed supply chain-based EC estimating has been introduced. The data models and user flow diagram that lead to development of a BEC Estimator are developed and evaluated in this study.

A case study approach assisted in developing the data models and user flow diagram for the BEC Estimator. A Delphi-based expert forum was used to evaluate and produce the refined data models and user flow diagram.

The BEC Estimator adopts a waterfall model, a system development lifecycle model, in developing the application. The phases, system analysis and system design, consisting the development of the data models and user flow diagram for the BEC Estimator are discussed.

Estimating EC accurately plays an important role in construction. The BEC Estimator uses the supply chain based embodied carbon estimating method to estimate EC accurately. This paper demonstrates the data models and user flow diagram developed for the BEC Estimator.

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on creating sustainable buildings that have a reduced carbon footprint. The primary method to achieve this has been through reducing operational carbon of buildings. However, as the industry aims to produce “carbon neutral” buildings with extremely low operational carbon through measures such as insulation, embodied carbon (EC) component could get increased. As such, it is equally important to understand the state of EC emissions in buildings. The aim of this research was to analyse typical EC and cost profiles of school buildings within Australia to understand which building elements need more attention.

The research involved measuring EC of five classroom blocks in schools in Sydney through a case study research approach and document survey. Bills of quantities from these projects were analysed to estimate the EC and cost profiles of the buildings.

Results indicated that some elements such as roof, site works, upper floors and substructure had a higher cost also demonstrating an increased EC indicating a possibility of a relationship between carbon and cost. Accordingly, these elements were identified as the typical carbon hotspots within school buildings in Australia, which need greater attention in reducing EC.

The study explores the carbon–cost profile of Australian school buildings and highlights the importance of reducing EC in carbon hotspots.

Governments of many developing countries that are unable to develop their infrastructure in order to obtain financial resources prefer to establish public–private partnerships (PPPs) for providing the much-required infrastructure. Time is thus opportune for Sri Lanka, which is also a developing country, to make use of PPPs to develop its road network. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to identify the PPP models that suit road construction in Sri Lanka.

The study used a mixed approach. The characteristics of road construction, procurement selection factors to be considered in road construction, and the different PPP models that can be used for such procurements were identified through a comprehensive literature synthesis. The findings were validated using expert interviews. A questionnaire survey identified the PPP models that suit road construction in Sri Lanka. The most suitable model among them was identified by ranking the PPP models using procurement selection factors.

Build–Own–Operate–Transfer was identified as the PPP model that best suits road construction in Sri Lanka. However, investors may not find it attractive because of its high payback period, a result of the low traffic volume in Sri Lanka. Therefore, a PPP model that involves road construction alone will not be feasible in Sri Lanka. It will have to include the construction of other infrastructure as well.

The study identifies a PPP model that best suits the road construction projects in Sri Lanka.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems that are equipped with numerous features and functionalities help to improve the profitability of construction corporations around the world through enhancing the efficiency of the functions related to cost management. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of ERP systems for cost management of building construction projects in Sri Lanka.

A qualitative technique was used in this study, which comprised two-round Delphi-based semistructured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to determine the interviewees. Content analysis was used to evaluate the collected data.

The findings of this study identified the ERP system as a strategic tool for gaining a competitive advantage for an organization while confirming 14 uses of ERP systems and 16 stages of the cost management process. Eighteen issues were finalized at the end of the interview rounds while categorizing the suitable ERP applications at each stage of the cost management process.

Even though there are numerous distinct studies conducted on cost management and ERP systems, there has been a lack of studies conducted on the synergy between these two areas that can be adapted for the building projects in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, the findings of this study can bring a new paradigm to the Sri Lankan construction sector by influencing the adaption of correct ERP systems at numerous project stages by providing a competitive edge.

Historic buildings can make a significant contribution to the history and culture of a country. Today, land scarcity has led to the demolishing of existing buildings to meet the demand for new constructions. Adaptive reuse of buildings (ARB) while preserving the hidden prestige of historic buildings plays a pivotal role in regenerating the built environment to cater to the demand that exists for new buildings. Sri Lanka has so far not embraced ARB, which can help to preserve the historical and cultural values of the existing building stock in the country. Hence, the study aims to analyze the remedial actions that can overcome the barriers to and challenges of ARB in Sri Lanka.

This study adopted a qualitative research approach by using three expert interviews and five case studies. The data collected from the case studies were analyzed using content analysis. As a part of the case studies, semi-structured interviews with 15 professionals who are already practicing ARB were conducted.

When making the ARB decision, key drivers and parameters of ARB have to be considered. ARB has socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits. Sri Lanka as a developing country will definitely face barriers and challenges when adopting ARB. These barriers/challenges could be categorized as social; environmental; economic; legal-regulatory; and physical-technical-other barriers/challenges. The economic barrier, “Higher opportunity costs,” and the legal barrier, “Health and safety requirements,” stipulated by the authorities were common to all five case studies.

The study identifies the actions that can overcome ARB barriers and challenges present in Sri Lanka to reap maximum socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits.

Despite a large amount of BIM data at the handover stage, it is still difficult to identify and effectively isolate valuable construction supply chain (CSC) data that need to be reliably handed over for operation. Moreover, the role of reconciling disparate data is usually played by one party. The integration of blockchain and BIM is a plausible framework for building a reliable digital asset lifecycle. This paper proposes a BIM single source of truth (BIMSSoT) data model using blockchain for ensuring a reliable CSC data delivery.

This paper utilises a blended methodology, the foundation of which is ingrained in business and management research with elements of information and communication technology (ICT) research wherever required. Knowledge elicitation case studies utilising novel interventions such as a data flow diagram (DFD), taxonomy and entity-relationship diagram (ERD) were used in this paper to develop the BIMSSoT data model. The model was validated using an expert forum, and its technological feasibility was established by developing a proof of concept.

The practical contribution of this research leads to the progression of BIM towards digital engineering to go beyond object-based 3D modelling by building structured and reliable datasets, transitioning from project-centric records to a digital ecosystem of linked databases by utilizing blockchain's potential for ensuring trusted data.

To the best of the author's knowledge, prior to this paper, no research had investigated a detailed data model development leveraging blockchain and BIM to integrate an immutable and complete record of CSC data as another dimension of BIM for operations.

As a remedy to usually voluminous, complicated and not easily readable construction contracts, smart contracts can be considered as an effective and alternative solution. However, the construction industry is merely known as a frontrunner for fast adoption of recent technological advancements. Numerous administrative risks challenge construction companies to implement smart contracts. To highlight this issue, this study aims to assess the administrative risks of smart contract adoption in construction projects.

A literature survey is conducted to specify administrative risks of smart contracts followed by a pilot study to ensure that the framework is suitable to the research question. The criteria weights are calculated through the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process method, followed by a sensitivity analysis based on degree of fuzziness, which supports the robustness of the developed hierarchy and stability of the results. Then, a focus group discussion (FGD) is performed to discuss the mitigation strategies for the top-level risks in each risk category.

The final framework consists of 27 sub-criteria, which are categorized under five main criteria, namely, contractual, cultural, managerial, planning and relational. The findings show that (1) regulation change, (2) lack of a driving force, (3) works not accounted in planning, (4) shortcomings of current legal arrangements and (5) lack of dispute resolution mechanism are the top five risks challenging the adoption of smart contracts in construction projects. Risk mitigation strategies based on FGD show that improvements for the semi-automated smart contract drafting are considered more practicable compared to full automation.

The literature is limited in terms of the adoption of smart contracts, while the topic is receiving more attention recently. To support easy prevalence of smart contracts, this study attempts the most challenging aspects of smart contract adoption.

This study aims to investigate the literature related to the use of digital technologies for promoting circular economy (CE) in the construction industry.

A comprehensive approach was adopted, involving bibliometric analysis, text-mining analysis and content analysis to meet three objectives (1) to unveil the evolutionary progress of the field, (2) to identify the key research themes in the field and (3) to identify challenges hindering the implementation of digital technologies for CE.

A total of 365 publications was analysed. The results revealed eight key digital technologies categorised into two main clusters including “digitalisation and advanced technologies” and “sustainable construction technologies”. The former involved technologies, namely machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, big data analytics and object detection and computer vision that were used for (1) forecasting construction and demolition (C&D) waste generation, (2) waste identification and classification and (3) computer vision for waste management. The latter included technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain and building information modelling (BIM) that help optimise resource use, enhance transparency and sustainability practices in the industry. Overall, these technologies show great potential for improving waste management and enabling CE in construction.

This research employs a holistic approach to provide a status-quo understanding of the digital technologies that can be utilised to support the implementation of CE in construction. Further, this study underlines the key challenges associated with adopting digital technologies, whilst also offering opportunities for future improvement of the field.

Despite the unique features and potential applications in various industries, widespread blockchain adoption is hindered for several reasons. One of them is the lack of government regulations regarding blockchain and cryptocurrencies. However, a deliberate preliminary analysis of the policy initiatives by various jurisdictions proved otherwise, and a lack of sound academic literature on the policy initiatives on blockchain worldwide was evident. Addressing this gap, this study aims to summarize the policy initiatives of jurisdictions around the world, assessing if governments do not enact many regulations.

A systematic literature review was adopted in this study, in which the authors shortlisted a set of research papers and policy reports using several selection criteria and a screening process.

It was found that numerous policy initiatives have been enacted by governments worldwide, and blockchain applications are also being piloted or practiced successfully in several nations. It was also evident that governments are reluctant to accept cryptocurrencies as legal tender while embracing their underlying technology, blockchain.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper appears to be one of the first attempts to summarize the blockchain policy initiatives contributing to the body of knowledge on blockchain adoption.

The aim of this article states that in each stage of the industrial revolution, only a few initiatives have been real game changers. In Industry 3.0, “Internet of Information” has transformed the business landscape via connectivity and communications. Enterprises could come together to spur innovation in a cooperative or competitive manner. In Industry 4.0, the “Internet of Value” has shown considerable benefits; and, blockchain technology is expected to touch all layers of a business ecosystem, and the construction industry is not an exception.

This study aims to answer the “How do enterprise blockchain solutions contribute to the vibrancy of the construction ecosystem from social, economic, and environmental aspects?” Following a comprehensive literature review, the Grey Ordinal Priority Approach (OPA-G) is employed in multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA). OPA-G can select functionally rich enterprise blockchain solutions that meet the needs of the future construction industry, while there is uncertainty in the input data.

The results from the case study show that organization under observation welcomes an enterprise blockchain solution that delivers services related to “renewable energy certificates” in the context of “smart cities and built environment”. Employing high-ranked blockchain solutions brings vibracy and sustainability to construction ecosystem in terms of “C₆. decentralized finance and investment,” “C₃. multi-party and cross-industry collaboration,” and “C₈. data-driven value creation”.

At the micro level, blockchain solutions automate processes, streamline operations, and build new capacities on a new business model. At the macro level, blockchain creates a vibrant ecosystem based on transparency, decentralization, consensus-based democracy, interoperability, etc. Indeed, the capability of blockchain solutions at an enterprise scale (enterprise blockchain solutions) can shape a new construction ecosystem. The practical implications of current research are preparing executives for a fundamentally different next normal in construction.