World Construction Symposium

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item: Conference-Full-text
AI models for predicting construction disputes in Sri Lanka
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Kiridana, YMWHMRRLJB; Abeynayake, MDTE; Eranga, BAI; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
Construction disputes pose persistent challenges in Sri Lanka's construction industry, leading to project delays, cost overruns, and strained professional relations. This research seeks to alleviate these issues by introducing an AI-powered predictive model designed to identify and analyse dispute risks at the project's outset. By offering proactive insights, the AI model aims to enhance decision-making and facilitate the implementation of dispute prevention strategies, thereby improving overall project outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study comprehensively examined project features contributing to disputes within the Sri Lankan context. Quantitative data on project characteristics and their correlation with dispute occurrence were gathered through structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights into dispute causes and stakeholder challenges were obtained via in-depth interviews with industry experts. Through meticulous analysis of this combined data, key predictors of construction disputes were identified, including contract ambiguities, unrealistic timelines, payment delays, poor communication, and unforeseen site conditions. These findings drove the development of a machine learning-based predictive model trained to recognise patterns, predict dispute likelihoods, and suggest their nature based on identified risk factors. This innovative AI tool has the potential to revolutionise dispute management practices in Sri Lanka's construction industry. By providing stakeholders with early warnings of potential disputes, the model enables proactive mitigation strategies, such as enhanced contract drafting, optimised communication, and timely alternative dispute resolution. The long-term impact of this research extends to fostering a more collaborative and sustainable construction industry, ultimately contributing to the successful delivery of projects across Sri Lanka.
item: Conference-Full-text
Applicability of smart building concept to enhance sustainable building practice in Sri Lanka
Bandara, KTW; Abeynayake, MDTE; Pandithawatta, TPWSI
With the expansion of economic activities, sustainable development in construction industry got more attention worldwide. Hence, industry practitioners are more concerned on achieving sustainable construction goals to make more effective and efficient services. The Smart Building concept can be implemented with advanced building technologies to achieve clients’ requirements with in the economic, environmental and social parameters while enhancing building performances efficiently. To explore the applicability of Smart Building concept to enhance sustainable building practices in Sri Lanka, the qualitative research approach was used in this research. The opinions of the smart and sustainable construction experts were obtained through semi-structured interviews. Smart Building concept is novel to the Sri Lankan construction industry and the implementation is still in the initial stage. However, the perception of the construction industry on the Smart Building concept is focused on a strong and positive direction. The recognised sustainable benefits of Smart Building concept implementation can be used as a promoting tool to make interest on Smart Buildings. Most of these benefits are long term and most of the clients do not recognise the value of Smart Buildings in terms of sustainability. Therefore, improving the knowledge and awareness of the developers is vital during the implementation process within the local context. Lack of financial resources, complex technology requirement, reluctant to commence new technologies and lack of knowledge of developers and owners are the main barriers that are existing within the local context. Mitigating these barriers will expedite the implementation process of Smart Building concept and will upgrade the performance of the local construction industry dramatically.
item: Conference-Full-text
Barriers for implementing dispute review board (DRB) method to Sri Lankan construction industry
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2023-07-21) Liyanawatta, TN; Abeynayake, MDTE; Sumanarathna, PMSU
In Sri Lanka, dispute resolution methods in construction contracts are Negotiation, Mediation, Adjudication, and Arbitration. Although the Dispute Review Board (DRB) method has been successfully used internationally for more than 30 years, it has rarely been applied in domestic contractual disputes. Thus, this research was conducted to identify the barriers hindering the implementation of the Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) mechanism in the Sri Lankan construction industry and to provide recommendations to overcome these barriers. This research was deemed necessary because the current dispute resolution methods could not effectively resolve contractual conflicts. Despite introducing DRB through Dispute Adjudication Boards (DAB), its potential benefits have not been fully realised in Sri Lanka. To achieve the purpose of the study, a comprehensive literature review was conducted first, and then a preliminary survey to identify the barriers to the implementation of DRB in the Sri Lankan construction industry. Subsequently, a questionnaire was administered to 44 professionals engaged in client and contracting organisations. The research findings revealed that the main barriers to the implementation of the DRB mechanism are unawareness of the concept of DRB, clients considering DRB as a burden and hassle for them, additional costs to be incurred, and lack of experience. Accordingly, the study recommends increasing the awareness of the DRB at the national level with the support of authorities to utilise it as a valuable alternative for resolving disputes in the Sri Lankan construction industry.
item: Conference-Abstract
Challenges and issues of environmental protection instruments related to infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka
(2021-07) Wijerathna, BVMK; Abeynayake, MDTE
The construction industry is required to improve sustainability to increase the rapid growth of the economy of Sri Lanka. The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has introduced Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) survey, Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), and Environmental Protection License (EPL) as environmental protection instruments that have been correlated with construction projects. To interrupt the smooth performance of the EIA, IEE, and EPL, many challenges have been associated with these procedures. The research problem was approached through six preliminary interviews to refine the identified challenges and issues related to EIA, IEE and EPL with their processes within the Sri Lankan context. Based on the preliminary interview results, forty questionnaires were distributed to investigate the level of significance of the challenges and issues with regard to EIA, IEE, and EPL related to development projects. For this research, mixed research approach is used. Collected data were analysed in terms of statistical analysis and content analysis using NVivo 12 software respectively. The analysed data were revealed different issues of EIA, IEE, and EPL instruments in Sri Lanka. Especially challenges related to regulatory bodies were identified. According to the research, there were many adverse effects due to the ineffective implementation of environmental protection regulatory instruments. Similarly, it revealed that issues were affected to the time, cost, and quality of the construction projects. Ultimately, it provided proper guidance for implementing EIA, IEE, and EPL instruments and the necessity of implementation of a post-monitoring mechanism for environmental protection instruments.
item: Conference-Full-text
Challenges on bonds and guarantees under the payment security regime in the construction industry of Sri Lanka.
(2022-06-24) Manohara, PWV; Abeynayake, MDTE; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
The construction industry is a significant contributor to the national economy. Since construction has been facing risk management issue, bonds and guarantees have become a feasible solution, as a management too and mechanism. Professionals will have to undertake consequential responsibilities in managing bonds and guarantees. However, no significant efforts have been taken to identify how bonds and guarantees affect the construction industry of Sri Lanka. This research aims to explore the challenges and problems in bonds and guarantees, which are used in Sri Lankan construction projects, and to make recommendations to projects in the Sri Lankan context. Initially, a literature review has been carried out on different bonds and guarantees. Consequently, a mixed research approach has been used, which included expert interviews and a questionnaire survey. The collected data from expert interviews were analysed using content analysis that supported the design of the questionnaire. To achieve the study's aim, the bonds and guarantees were ranked against merits, demerits, issues, and suggestions in questionnaires using a Likert scale, considering the significance of those competencies in bonds and construction guarantees. The collected data were also analysed using the Relative Importance Index The research findings are revealed that there are several suggestions to overcome the barriers in bonds, guarantees and payment securities in Sri Lanka. Additionally, contractors' requirement to set up a special guarantee fund to protect business practices and it was identified as new suggestions that would aid the challenges and problems in line with bonds and guarantees in Sri Lankan construction projects.
item: Conference-Full-text
Drivers and barriers to implement green building practices in higher education institutes in Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2022-06-24) Illeperuma, IE; Abeynayake, MDTE; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Gunatilake, S
Higher education institutes have a vast variety of humans, processes, and activities with significant waste generation, transportation, water and material consumption, and energy and electricity consumption. They have the potential to disseminate and lead future generations in the transition towards sustainability. Green buildings are designed, constructed, and operated by efficiently utilizing resources to provide a healthy and comfortable built environment while minimizing the life cycle cost. Higher education institutes across the world are several steps ahead of Sri Lanka in implementing green building practices. Thus, this research aimed to find approaches to increase the implementation of green building practices in higher education institutes in Sri Lanka. The research aim was approached through a qualitative case study. Accordingly, three cases were studied by collecting data through nine semi-structured interviews. Collected data were coded by using the NVivo 11 software and analysed using the cross-case analysis. Findings revealed that benefits associated with green buildings, leadership, specialization of the institute, institutional policy, and imposed regulations drive Sri Lankan higher education institutes to implement the green building practices. Lack of awareness, professional knowledge, skilled labour, and funds, political regime changes, poor planning, and stakeholder management were identified as barriers. The research outcomes guide the policymakers and management of the Sri Lankan higher education institutes to effectively implement green building practices. Further, the research outcomes will help to make strategies to reinforce the drivers and mitigate the barriers.
item: Conference-Full-text
Incorporating digital technologies for alternative dispute resolution in the Sri Lankan construction industry
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Abeywickrama, APTM; Abeynayake, MDTE; Eranga, BAI; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
The Construction Industry (CI) faces disputes that cause several negative impacts such as project delays and cost overruns. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods are often recommended in resolving disputes due to their time and cost efficiency. However, with the technological advancements of the CI, it is necessary to incorporate Digital Technologies (DT) for effective dispute resolution. Thus, the study aims to explore the applications of DT in ADR in the CI to address the challenges in the Sri Lankan context. The research aim was accomplished through a quantitative approach by conducting a questionnaire survey with the participation of 37 respondents. Collected data was analysed through descriptive analysis. The findings identified three major causes of construction disputes in the Sri Lankan context contract-related factors, financial and economic factors, and task factors. Further, negotiation was found the most commonly used ADR method in Sri Lanka followed by arbitration and adjudication. Findings indicated that DT such as MS Office Packages, Virtual Online Dispute Resolution (ODR), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have high levels of effectiveness in enhancing ADR processes. BIM and Virtual ODR were highly valued for their ability to facilitate visualisation and remote dispute resolution respectively. The study suggests that DT applications can significantly improve ADR processes, enhancing efficiency and decision-making in dispute resolution, and calls for further research on global applicability and ethical implications.
item: Conference-Full-text
Issues caused by employment of migrant workers in the Sri Lankan construction industry
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2023-07-21) Nawarathna, WGHK; Abeynayake, MDTE; Illeperuma, IE
Construction is one of the industries with a very high growth rate in Sri Lanka. With this growth, recent decades have seen a considerable rise in the number of migrant workers because of globalisation, wars, conflicts, poverty, and economic developments. While this wave offers the construction industry, organisations, and migrants many benefits, it also has drawbacks. Due to several reasons, migration has an impact on the Sri Lankan construction industry. However, this migration has several negative consequences and difficulties for the industry. Therefore, it is vital to recognise them and offer solutions. This paper discussed issues caused by the employment of migrant workers in the Sri Lankan construction industry, and research aimed to develop strategies to mitigate the issues caused by migrant workers in the Sri Lankan Construction Industry. The study used a mixed-methods approach, collecting data through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews. Through a questionnaire survey, the research findings identified the top 13 issues brought on by the employment of migrant workers in Sri Lanka. "Communication issues," "Language barriers," "Competition for jobs," "Outflow of currency," and "Spread of Diseases" are the top five most important issues. Through expert interviews, the definitive significant management methods for those identified significant concerns were developed. The suggested solutions are divided into two categories: Strategies that construction organisations can use to overcome the issues and Strategies that the Sri Lankan government can use to overcome the issues Implementing training sessions, forming support groups, improving visual communication, modifying Sri Lankan government rules and regulations, and promoting an open Health and safety culture are the key strategies suggested in this study.
item: Conference-Full-text
Role of prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction in enhancing construction productivity: Sri Lankan perspective
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Madushan, F; Abeynayake, MDTE; Illeperuma, IE; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
Low productivity is an inherent characteristic of the construction industry. Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) is widely acknowledged for its high level of productivity. Thus, this study focuses on increasing the Construction Productivity (CP) in Sri Lanka through the implementation of PPVC. Herein, the research objectives are to explore the role of PPVC in increasing the CP and investigate the barriers to implementing PPVC in Sri Lanka. The research aim was accomplished by collecting data through expert interviews and analysing it through manual content analysis. Findings revealed that in Sri Lanka, the average CP rate can be doubled by implementing PPVC. Overall, PPVC increases the CP by reducing labour, accelerating project duration, making project management much more effective and minimising wastage. Nonetheless, the use of PPVC is relatively limited in Sri Lanka. The high initial cost is the main barrier to the adoption. Findings identified the necessity of specialised machinery, production plants, and skilled labour as the main cost drivers. Complications and high costs in transporting PPVC modules are critical barriers to the implementation of PPVC in Sri Lanka. Additionally, less demand, lack of technical expertise and less enthusiasm for research and development act as barriers. Most of the contractors do not have the technical capability needed for PPVC. Moreover, less governmental support and material shortages hinder the adoption of PPVC. Having an in-depth understanding of the barriers forms the foundation to tailor strategies and overcome the challenges. Accordingly, this research sheds light on the realm of concurring PPVC in Sri Lanka.
item: Conference-Full-text
Smart contract applications for mitigating disputes in the construction industry
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Bandara, RMOH; Abeynayake, MDTE; Illeperuma, IE; Eranga, BAI; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
Disputes frequently arise in construction projects due to the complexity of the processes and challenging environment, resulting in cost overruns, delays, wastage, and low productivity. Thus, the Construction Industry (CI) is enthusiastic about innovative dispute mitigation measures by incorporating digital technologies. Consequently, Smart Contracts (SCs) have emerged as a pioneering approach to digitise construction contracts and thereby mitigate construction disputes. Accordingly, this research aims to investigate the applications of SCs to mitigate disputes in the Sri Lankan CI. The research aim was approached through an explanatory mixed method. Initially, a questionnaire survey was carried out to collect quantitative data which was followed by qualitative expert interviews. Quantitative data were statistically analysed through Mean Weighted Average (MWA) and Relative Importance Index (RII) whereas qualitative data were analysed through content analysis. The study identified the root causes of construction disputes in the Sri Lankan context as poorly written contracts, poor preparation and approval of drawings, lack of communication and coordination, poor supervision and site management, and contain of contradictory and inaccurate information in the contract documents. The findings highlighted that SCs can significantly reduce construction disputes by replacing ambiguous processes with clear, automated processes. By linking payments to milestones, storing project data transparently, and potentially triggering actions based on safety or quality data, SCs streamline communication, ensure everyone plays by the agreed-upon rules, and thereby minimise disputes. Future researchers are suggested to explore the practical challenges and strategies for implementing SCs in the Sri Lankan CI.

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