Martins, Matheus Gomes; https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0438-5653; https://lattes.cnpq.br/9676767786456048
Resumo:
The concrete supply chain in the construction industry still relies on analog processes that hinder traceability, compromise transaction reliability, and lead to conflicts between contractors and suppliers. These challenges are especially critical in cast-in-place systems, where the control over concrete delivery, receipt, and payment is fragmented. This study proposes a smart contract prototype, named BIMLedger, which integrates blockchain technology, smart contracts, and Building Information Modeling (BIM) with the goal of optimizing the payment flow for cast-in-place concrete wall systems. The research adopts the Design Science Research (DSR) approach, structured in the following stages: (i) Awareness, through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on current gaps in automated payment models; (ii) Suggestion, by means of an exploratory study conducted on a real construction project; (iii) Development, involving process modeling in a second project, including delivery receipt, verification, and validation flows supported by BIM; (iv) Evaluation, through experimental testing of the smart contract in a simulation environment and qualitative assessment via semi-structured interviews; and (v) Conclusion, presenting proposals for scalability and broader application of the prototype. The main outcomes include a Relational Entity Model (REM), an Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD), BIM models derived from the building, business flowcharts and the BIMLedger prototype itself. It is concluded that BIMLedger is a viable solution for the digital transformation of payment flows in the construction sector, with the potential to reduce disputes, accelerate payments, and strengthen contractual governance.