The contribution of distributed ledger technology (DLT) (e.g. blockchain) and smart contracts to the digitalisation and digital transformation of the construction sector is nascent but rapidly gaining traction. ‘Systematic reviews’ of DLT and smart contract applications that are specific to the construction sector are missing. This paper performs an extensive systematic review of 153 DLT and smart contract papers specific to the design, construction and operation of built assets. The protocols and processes of a systematic review were adopted to ensure full transparency, accountability, reproducibility, and updateability of the results.

Through thematic analysis, we identify eight distinct themes of applications for DLT and smart contracts in construction: information management, payments, procurement, supply chain management, regulations and compliance, construction management and delivery, dispute resolution, and technological systems. Each theme identified was analysed to understand current capabilities, applications, and future developments. A cross-themes discussion revealed that DLT and smart contracts are ‘supplementary’ technologies that are used in combination with other technologies (e.g. BIM, IoT, cloud computing) as part of ‘technological systems’ that need to co-evolve in order to enable the themes' applications identified. Research into DLT and smart contracts in construction is rapidly moving from theoretical insights and frameworks into developing proofs-of-concept studies (27 studies) and testing them in case studies (20 studies). The next stage of research involving wider academic communities and industry-wide engagement is expected to begin uncovering the anticipated benefits of DLT and smart contracts through investments into technological systems and testing in real-world pilot studies.

The discussion of the themes identified from technology, policy, process, and society perspectives exposed the need for an extended socio-technical approach to the solution in order to deliver the necessary change and impact from the adoption of DLT and smart contracts at speed and scale. The results of this systematic review provide a noteworthy reference point for academics, practitioners and policy makers interested in the future development of DLT and smart contract applications in construction.

分布式账本技术（DLT）（例如区块链）和智能合约对建筑行业数字化和数字化转型的贡献尚在萌芽阶段，但正在迅速获得关注。缺少对特定于建筑行业的 DLT 和智能合约应用程序的“系统审查”。本文对 153 份 DLT 和智能合约文件进行了广泛的系统审查，这些文件专门针对已建成资产的设计、建设和运营。系统评价的方案和过程被采用以确保结果的完全透明度、问责制、再现性和可更新性。

通过专题分析，我们确定了分布式账本技术和智能合约在建筑中应用的八个不同主题：信息管理、支付、采购、供应链管理、法规与合规、施工管理与交付、争议解决和技术系统。对确定的每个主题进行分析，以了解当前的功能、应用程序和未来的发展。跨主题讨论表明，DLT 和智能合约是“补充”技术，与其他技术（例如 BIM、物联网、云计算）结合使用，作为“技术系统”的一部分' 需要共同进化才能确定主题的应用程序。对 DLT 和建筑智能合约的研究正迅速从理论见解和框架转向开发概念验证研究（27 项研究）并在案例研究中对其进行测试（20 项研究）。涉及更广泛学术界和全行业参与的下一阶段研究预计将通过对技术系统的投资和在现实世界的试点研究中进行测试，开始揭示 DLT 和智能合约的预期收益。

对从技术、政策、流程和社会角度确定的主题的讨论表明，需要对解决方案采用扩展的社会技术方法，以便快速和大规模采用 DLT 和智能合约带来必要的变化和影响. 本系统综述的结果为对 DLT 和智能合约在建筑领域的未来发展感兴趣的学者、从业者和政策制定者提供了一个值得注意的参考点。