Developing a Blockchain-based Framework for Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Trading

PhD Candidate: Mrs Shiyamini Ratnasabapathy

Supervisory Panel

Abstract

Waste generated through Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities is considered a valuable resource. Thus, C&D waste has great potential to yield a significant volume of recovered materials into the economy either by reusing, recycling, or remanufacturing. However, the recovery of resources from the C&D waste sector falls short of its maximum potential due to several reasons. To realise the utmost potential of resource recovery from the C&D waste stream, there is a need for a sustainable strategy that enhances both resource recovery and efficiency. Trading waste across different projects and regions is an innovative way to reuse or recycle materials. Unlike other trading, suppliers who have C&D waste and consumers who need that waste are interchangeable. As such, waste trading, like any trading, aims to bring a win-win situation for both the demand and supply sides. However, a particular obstacle is that the demand and supply of such materials arise periodically in separate locations, thereby making matching the two sides not always timely. Additionally, the capacity to digest waste is often limited, particularly within highly urbanised locations. To overcome these hurdles and promote waste trading, an innovative market mechanism that is capable of smartly shaping demand and supply is essential. C&D waste trading demands a decentralised market to automate the matching of waste more efficiently from various public and private projects.

While smart technologies are emerging to resolve these issues, their application is limited to C&D waste trading. Blockchain facilitates a decentralised market, enabling waste consumers and suppliers to match waste based on the stages of construction activities and share and trace waste information. It also enables the ethical handling of waste by ensuring high transparency and manages waste transactions without a trusted intermediary. Consequently, it improves operational efficiency with the least transaction time and overhead cost while facilitating a better reward system for both waste suppliers and consumers. In this context, this research aims to develop a comprehensive framework for a waste trading system utilising blockchain technology, striving to enhance the efficiency and transparency of C&D waste transactions. The major outcome of this research is a blockchain technology-enabled peer-to-peer C&D waste trading framework that incorporates several key components: a generic C&D Waste Management Process Flow Model (PFM), an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD), Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs), System Architecture, and domain-specific business rules. The subsequent phase will involve the development of a prototype for the proposed waste trading system.

Sources of Funding

Western Sydney University Postgraduate Scholarship

Biography

Shiyamini Ratnasabapathy, a doctoral researcher at c4SMC and a casual academic at the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, possesses a keen interest and aptitude for both teaching and research. Her academic journey and professional endeavours have been strategically aligned towards a career in academia. She earned her Bachelor's Honours Degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, where she also successfully pursued her Master of Philosophy. Prior to embarking on her PhD, Shiyamini held various research and teaching positions, serving as a casual academic at the Faculty of Built Environment, UNSW, a research assistant and lecturer at the University of Moratuwa, and a part-time lecturer at the International College of Business and Technology and College of Quantity Surveying, Sri Lanka. She has published several research papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. These experiences have enriched her understanding and passion for academic pursuits. Shiyamini was part of the winning team at Constructathon 2019, Australia's first-ever Construction Hackathon. Additionally, she has served as a Consultant Quantity Surveyor on multiple international projects, diversifying her professional expertise while maintaining her academic pursuits.

Education

• B. Sc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
• MPhil, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Honours / Awards / Grants

• Scholarship - Higher Degree Research (PhD) at Western Sydney University, Australia (2018)
• Scholarship - Master of Philosophy at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2004)

Professional Affiliations

• Probationer member of Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)
• Graduate member of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Sri Lanka (IQSSL)
• Affiliate Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ACSE)
• Member of Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS)
• Member of CIB Student Chapter, Western Sydney University
• Secretary of CIB Student Chapter Executive Committee, Western Sydney University (2022-2023)

Research Interests

• Project management
• Construction and property economics
• Circular economy and sustainability
• Construction and demolition waste management
• Blockchain technology

Related Publications

Journal Publications

• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S. and Alashwal, A., 2021, Investigation of waste diversion rates in the construction and demolition sector in Australia, Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 427-439. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-01-2020-0012
• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S. and Alashwal, A., 2021, Exploring the barriers for implementing waste trading practices in the construction industry in Australia, Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 559-576. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-04-2020-0077

Conference Publications

• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S., and Alashwal, A., 2022. A case study of construction and demolition waste management process flow in mega infrastructure projects in Australia. Proceedings of the CIB World Building Congress 2022, Melbourne, Australia, 27 – 30 June 2022. Available at: https://iopscience.iop.org/issue/1755-1315/1101/6
• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S. and Hardie, M., 2022. A study of liquid waste management practices in construction projects. In: Sandanayake, Y.G., Gunatilake, S. and Waidyasekara, A. (eds). Proceedings of the 10th World Construction Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 24-26 June 2022
• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S. and Alashwal, A., 2021, Drivers for implementing effective waste trading practices in the construction industry, Proceedings of the 44th AUBEA Conference, Deakin University, Australia, 27-29 October 2021, pp. 557 -569.
• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S. and Alashwal, A., 2020, Blockchain-based framework for a construction and demolition (C&D) waste trading system, The inaugural ‘Western’s Higher Degree Researchers Conference, Western Sydney University, Australia, 8-10 December 2020
• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S. and Alashwal, A., 2019. A review of construction waste data and reporting systems used in Australia. Proceedings of the 43rd Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA), Noosa QLD, Australia, 6 – 8 November 2019, pp. 396-405.
• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S. and Alashwal, A., 2019. A review of smart technology usage in construction and demolition waste management. In: Sandanayake, Y.G., Gunatilake, S. and Waidyasekara, A. (eds). Proceedings of the 8th World Construction Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 8-10 November 2019, pp. 45-55. DOI: doi.org/10.31705/WCS.2019.5. Available at: https://2019.ciobwcs.com/papers
• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S., Alashwal, A. and Lord, O., 2019. Assessment of Waste Generation and Diversion Rates in Residential Construction Projects in Australia. Proceedings of the CIB World Building Congress 2019, Hong Kong SAR, China, 17 – 21 June 2019, pp. 238-255. Available at: https://www.cibworld.nl/site/databases/publications.html

Other Publications

• Ratnasabapathy, S., Perera, S., and Hardie, M., 2021, “Liquid waste management in the construction projects”, Western Sydney University, Australia. URL/doi.org/10.26183/bsp8-b005

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