Blockchain-enabled platform for the quality management of the ready-mixed concrete supply chain

Abstract

Currently quality information management of the ready-mixed concrete (RMC) is manually operated, facing risks like poor traceability, information tampering, and fragmentation in the RMC supply chain. To this end, this study proposes a Blockchain-IPFS (interplanetary file system)-enabled information management platform for improving transparency, traceability, and effectiveness of RMC quality management. Specifically, through a semi-structured interview investigating the potential benefits and applications of Blockchain, a transformative Blockchain-based management mode for RMC quality management is constructed. Based on that, a novel Blockchain-based architecture is further proposed by integrating with IPFS and cloud service for addressing its data storage limitation. Furthermore, the information flows and smart contracts representing physical and cyber interactions among multiple supply chain stakeholders are illustrated in detail. Finally, a real-world case study is presented to verify the feasibility of the proposed model. A prototype system is established with solutions for client-cloud collaboration, multi-source data fusion, and enterprise privacy protection, detailing the practical application of proposed model in actual projects. The evaluation results indicate that the proposed model can improve the quality management of RMC supply chain from three aspects: transparency, traceability, and information sharing. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by offering a novel architecture leveraging both Blockchain and IPFS in storing small-sized and large-sized information. Meanwhile, this research moves beyond conceptual framework and implements the theoretical benefits of Blockchain into engineering practice. Technical components in this paper can be adapted for multiple applications in the construction industry, providing valuable references for future search efforts.