International research team, September 12, 2025
News Summary
A research team has introduced tSDT and openBIMdisk to make BIM exchanges leaner and traceable. tSDT records semantic, object-level differences so only real model edits become transactions, while openBIMdisk exposes a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk that stores lightweight change records on-chain and keeps bulky files off-chain. In a modular construction pilot the method used about 0.007% of disk space for change records and returned version/object queries in around 5.3 ms. The approach reduces bandwidth and storage waste and offers fine-grained traceability, though larger trials and improved change-fusion remain next steps.
New openBIMdisk system promises traceable, low‑redundancy BIM exchange using a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk
Summary
Researchers have published a new method to cut redundant data and improve change tracking in building information modeling (BIM) exchanges between disciplines. The study presents a traceable semantic differential transaction (tSDT) approach and a working system called openBIMdisk, describing how a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk can support secure, efficient BIM transfers and object‑level traceability. The work appears in Frontiers of Engineering Management (2025) and is available via DOI: 10.1007/s42524-024-4006-x.
What the research did
The authors identify two persistent problems in multidisciplinary BIM workflows: excessive redundancy when entire files are exchanged even if only small parts changed, and weak traceability for semantic changes between versions. To address these, they developed tSDT, a method that records and applies semantic‑level differences (deltas) between BIM objects rather than re‑transmitting whole files. They implemented tSDT inside openBIMdisk, a virtual disk built to operate across multiple blockchain services and to present an intuitive interface for practitioners.
Key findings
- Storage efficiency: In a pilot on a modular construction project, the tSDT method stored and restored BIM changes using an average of only 0.007% of disk space compared with naive whole‑file methods.
- Performance: openBIMdisk supported BIM version management and object‑level semantic traceability with an average response time of 5.3 milliseconds.
- Traceability: The approach enables semantic‑level trace logs for object changes, improving the ability to audit who changed what and when at the object level rather than only at the file level.
- Pilot validation: The method was demonstrated on a modular construction workflow to verify both practicality and the claimed efficiency gains.
How this fits with earlier work
Earlier prototype systems combined blockchain and distributed file systems to protect file integrity and copyright while avoiding on‑chain storage of large BIM files. Those hybrid architectures typically stored small metadata and signatures on chain while using an off‑chain distributed file system for large binary or IFC files. Prior semantic diff methods reduced redundancy by calculating design deltas, and off‑chain storage like IPFS was commonly used to avoid central points of failure. The new tSDT and openBIMdisk build on these ideas but extend semantic traceability and integrate a multi‑service virtual disk concept described as Blockchain 3.0.
Technical approach
The tSDT approach computes semantic diffs of BIM content and records those diffs as transactions that can be traced and replayed. The openBIMdisk system layers these transactions on a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk that is designed to interoperate with multiple blockchain services. The research notes practical constraints: blockchains cannot directly store large IFC files, so a hybrid on‑chain (metadata, diff records, signatures) and off‑chain (file storage) design is retained. The work references consensus and permissioned ledger designs as relevant for consortium settings.
Contributions and limitations
The authors list two main contributions: (1) a novel and efficient method for semantic BIM change traceability via tSDT, and (2) a working Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk prototype called openBIMdisk with user‑oriented interfaces for BIM exchange. The paper also acknowledges limits: the semantic diffing and fusion steps add processing overhead, and tSDT performance will need further work for very large BIM datasets. The study calls for future work to integrate fusion steps more tightly with consensus to reduce extra overhead.
Why it matters to construction teams
For teams coordinating architectural, structural and MEP models, exchanging only true content changes rather than whole files can reduce bandwidth, storage, and versioning confusion. Traceable semantic deltas can improve accountability during design iterations and modular build workflows where many small changes are common. The approach aims to balance decentralization and tamper resistance with practical scalability for real projects.
FAQ
What is tSDT?
tSDT stands for traceable semantic differential transaction. It is a method to compute and record semantic diffs (object‑level changes) of BIM models so that updates can be exchanged and replayed without sending entire BIM files.
What is openBIMdisk?
openBIMdisk is a prototype virtual disk that implements tSDT and is designed to work with multiple blockchain services. It stores transaction records and supports version management and semantic traceability while using off‑chain storage for large files.
How much storage savings were reported?
In the reported pilot, tSDT required an average of 0.007% of disk space compared with storing complete repeated files for all changes.
Is this secure?
The design follows a hybrid pattern: cryptographic hashes and signatures and ledger records on chain provide tamper evidence and traceability, while off‑chain distributed storage is used for large files. The paper discusses permissioned ledger models and consensus mechanisms appropriate for consortium use.
Is this ready for large projects?
The pilot results are promising, but the authors note that fusion and diffing steps introduce overhead and that further scaling tests are needed for very large BIM datasets and dense collaboration scenarios.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Description | Measured or noted result |
|---|---|---|
| tSDT (semantic diff) | Records semantic‑level changes to BIM objects as diffs rather than whole files | Average storage footprint for changes: 0.007% of disk space in pilot |
| openBIMdisk (virtual disk) | Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk layer to manage transactions, versions and trace logs | Response time for version management and traceability: 5.3 ms |
| Hybrid storage | On‑chain metadata and signatures combined with off‑chain file storage for large IFC files | Balances security and scalability; follows prior hybrid models using distributed file systems |
| Pilot | Tested on a modular construction project to validate workflow and metrics | Pilot verified both efficiency and traceability improvements; further scaling advised |
| Limitations | Fusion and diff operations add overhead; very large datasets need further evaluation | Authors suggest integrating fusion with consensus to reduce extra processing time |
Study reference: Lingming Kong, Rui Zhao, Chimay J. Anumba, Weisheng Lu, Fan Xue. Frontiers of Engineering Management, 2025, 12(3): 510–528. DOI: 10.1007/s42524-024-4006-x.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Newswise: Open BIM exchange on Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk (openBIMdisk)
- Wikipedia: openBIMdisk
- Nature (Scientific Reports): s41598-022-20321-5
- Google Search: s41598-022-20321-5
- ScienceDirect: S0926580523003953
- Google Scholar: S0926580523003953
- Cointelegraph Magazine: Stablecoins threat, China & crypto (Asia Express)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: stablecoin
- CCN: UK cabinet reshuffle — BIM, Afolami, crypto
- Google News: UK cabinet reshuffle Afolami crypto
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