Blockchain based Digital Twin for smart asset lifecycle management
2020 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesisAlternative title
Blockchain baserad Digital Tvilling för smart fastighetsförvaltning (Swedish)
Abstract [en]
The ongoing digital transformation of the construction industry has been identified as a key facilitator for enhancing asset lifecycle management using smart information management technologies. While benefits of emerging technological applications including Blockchains and Digital Twins have previously been discussed, few holistic use-case mappings and integrability assessments are available today. The aim of this study is twofold. First, to assess the applicability and interoperability of a Blockchain based Digital Twin for asset lifecycle management. Second, to develop a framework which positions the Digital Twin within a broader context of current management practice and technological availability. Systematically, a model of the framework was developed with information from a literature review and a digi-tal survey including open-ended questions. An initial literature review resulted in a comprehensive use-case mapping for Digital Twins and Blockchains as well as two other prominent technologies, namely, Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Contracts. Quantitative and qualitative survey findings provided insight from industry professionals about the mapped use-cases’ integrability with current management practice and technological ecosystem. While it was discovered that a Blockchain based Digital Twin is highly applicable for asset lifecycle manage-ment: user friendliness, accessibility, as well as user- and implementation-manuals are necessary prerequisites for successful implementation. Integrability enablers include progression towards BIM level 3, decentralized program hubs, modular interfaces, and a set of mergeable and scalable Blockchains. Meanwhile, process effec-tivization is slow and real time decision support is lacking in current practice. Both aspects are anticipated to de-velop through digitalization progression. The results support the conclusion that there is significant potential to holistically approach current digitization initiatives with Blockchain based Digital Twins, as well as, the posi-tioning of the concept as both a strategic tool and a multifunctional on-field support application.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2020. , p. 10
Keywords [en]
Digital Twin, Blockchain, Smart Asset Lifecycle Management, Building Information Management (BIM)
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-49358ISRN: JU-JTH-PRU-2-20200192OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-49358DiVA, id: diva2:1441568
Subject / course
JTH, Product Development
Supervisors
Examiners
2020-06-222020-06-162020-06-22Bibliographically approved