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 system cuts BIM file duplication to almost nothing and tracks changes on a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk
A team of researchers has published a new method and a working system that aim to make building information model (BIM) exchanges much leaner and easier to track. The paper, published in a 2025 engineering management journal, describes tSDT — a traceable semantic differential transaction method — and an implementation called openBIMdisk, a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk designed for real BIM work across teams.
Top-line results
In tests on a modular construction project, the approach stored and restored BIM changes while using on average only 0.007% of disk space for recorded changes, showing that redundancy can be driven down to near-zero. The system also supported fine-grained, object-level traceability and version management with a reported response time of 5.3 ms.
What problem this tackles
Traditional BIM exchanges are often file-based. That approach sends whole files between disciplines even when most objects in the model stay the same. The result is repeated transmission of unchanged content and weak traceability of what changed and why. Existing standards such as the IFC format help with data structure and semantics but do not fully solve redundancy, tracing of semantic-level edits, or security around shared model history.
What the team built
The research presents two linked advances. First, tSDT calculates semantic differences at the object level — not just a file diff — so only true model changes are recorded as transactions. Second, openBIMdisk acts like a virtual disk backed by a Blockchain 3.0 layer and supporting services. The disk stores lightweight records of changes, links to model content, and metadata needed to prove integrity and authorship while relying on off-chain storage techniques for large files.
How it differs from past solutions
Earlier work combined blockchain and distributed file systems such as IPFS to protect files and store hashes while keeping big files off-chain. Those systems used a semantic differential approach for deltas in some cases, but they did not fully tie semantic change records into a virtual disk experience nor claim the same level of storage efficiency and quick response reported here. The new work focuses on minimizing redundancy while enabling semantic-level traceability across multidisciplinary teams and multiple blockchain services.
Pilot and measurements
The authors tested the system on a modular construction pilot. They recorded and restored BIM changes over the virtual disk, demonstrating a tiny storage footprint for change records (0.007%). Interface and version operations returned results in 5.3 milliseconds, showing that object-level tracing and version management can be quick enough for practical use. The paper lays out the implementation details and the test setup, and it is available via an open DOI link for those who want the full methods and data.
Technical approach in brief
- Semantic diffs compute the actual model changes (add, delete, modify) rather than storing whole files.
- Hybrid on-chain/off-chain storage keeps metadata, signatures and small records on the ledger while leaving bulky model files to distributed file stores.
- Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk offers a familiar virtual storage view for users and links to multiple blockchain services for traceability and tamper resistance.
- Object-level versioning and history let teams see who changed what, when, and which elements were affected.
Why this matters to project teams
Reducing duplicate data transfer saves bandwidth, lowers storage cost, and speeds up synchronization on large projects. Clear, semantic-level traceability helps reviewers and coordinators understand the exact intent and scope of changes without scanning whole files. The virtual disk view makes the system easier for practitioners to adopt while retaining blockchain benefits such as tamper evidence and distributed records.
Limitations and next steps
The paper flags that fusing change records and keeping performance high for very large BIM datasets remain challenges. The authors suggest future work on tighter integration between change-fusion steps and consensus processes so that the system avoids extra overhead when many edits arrive at once. Broader trials across different project types and larger teams are also recommended before wide rollout.
Where to find the research
The study appears in a 2025 volume of an engineering management journal and is available with open access through its DOI for those who want full technical details, data and implementation notes.
FAQ
What is tSDT?
tSDT is a method that records the semantic differences of BIM content at the object level so only real model changes are stored as transactions.
What is openBIMdisk?
openBIMdisk is a working system that implements tSDT and exposes a Blockchain 3.0 virtual disk experience for BIM exchange and versioning.
How much storage does it save?
In the pilot, change records used on average about 0.007% of disk space compared with storing full files for each change.
Is it fast enough for daily work?
The reported response time for version and object queries was 5.3 ms in the pilot, indicating the approach can support interactive workflows.
Does it work with IFC models?
The approach is designed to work with standard BIM file formats and to add semantic change tracking on top of them to reduce redundancy and improve traceability.
Is it secure?
The model uses blockchain properties for tamper evidence and records author signatures and hashes to support integrity checks while relying on off-chain stores for large files.
Where can I read the full study?
The paper is published in a 2025 engineering management journal and is available open access via its DOI.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | What it delivers |
|---|---|
| tSDT | Semantic, object-level changes recorded instead of whole files to cut redundancy |
| openBIMdisk | Virtual disk view backed by blockchain services for traceable BIM exchange |
| Storage efficiency | Change records used ~0.007% of disk space in the pilot |
| Performance | Object-level version queries and management with ~5.3 ms response in tests |
| Traceability | Object-level history with authorship and time metadata for clear audit trails |
| Compatibility | Built to layer on standard BIM formats and work with hybrid on-chain/off-chain storage |
For technical readers who want full details on methods, dataset and experimental setup, the original paper provides complete implementation notes, pilot data and references to prior work on semantic diffs, blockchain plus distributed file systems, and consensus mechanisms.
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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