Browsing by Author "Chandrathilake, SR"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

item: Conference-Full-text
Applicability of socio-economic factors in sustainable construction for sri lankan context
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2013-06) Amarakoon, AMDC; Chandrathilake, SR; Nawarathna, RAG; Sandayake, YG; Fernando, NG
“Sustainability” has emerged as a vibrant field of research and innovation over last few decades. The concept is based on three basic factors; environment, social and economic, namely the Triple Bottom Line. Frequently, the environmental aspect, despite the social and economic aspects, is given a major emphasis in the global arena of sustainable construction. The World Green Building Council (WGBC), being the leading institute in sustainability, has initiated the first step towards assessing the socio economic factors in the field of sustainable construction, which are being neglected in rating green buildings due to its immeasurability as a tool, by developing a framework for assessing the concerns addressed in the Triple Bottom Line. The WGBC criteria presented in seven sections hold concepts developed by the expert panel representing 14 countries, for assessing the social and economic factors. Since the concepts are in contrast with Sri Lankan context, they seek readjustment in order to match Sri Lankan context. Research agenda hascommenced with a comprehensive literature survey, followed by expert interviews and a questionnaire survey. The process of developing the theoretical framework to determine the appropriate weightages between each rating has proceeded using the indicators and benchmarks of the available frameworks. Adjusted criteria of the social and economic factors would be able to improve the applicability of GreenSL to assess the green buildings in Sri Lanka. Developed framework through the evaluation process in the research would be capable of assessing the Sri Lankan sustainable constructions in a more appropriate manner, with proper compositional integration of socio-economic and environment factors. A comprehensive assessment of sustainable construction could be achieved through the developedtheoretical framework that is fitted in to the Sri Lankan context with due consideration on aspects addressed in Triple Bottom Line; economic, social and environment.
item: Conference-Full-text
Cool pavement systems as a mitigation strategy of urban heat island effect: a literature review
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2013-06) Asmone, A; Chandrathilake, SR; Ranadewa, KATO; Sandanayake, YG; Fernando, NG
The urban heat island effect is the rise of ambient temperature in urban areas due to the progressive replacement of natural surfaces. Buildings and paved surfaces are contributing most to this phenomenon as per the properties of their material. Conversely, urban heat islands have a direct influence on building occupants' comfort levels, building cooling loads and energy costs as well. Although there are existing researches on green buildings, there is a significant lack of literature on cooler paved surfaces; particularly in tropical countries. To bridge this research gap, and to explore the applicability of cooler pavement systems in search of mitigating urban heat island effect in the micro and meso level, this study was executed as a desk study based on a literature survey of environmental implications of unsustainable rapid urban development, their mitigation strategies, and where existing pavement systems stood in all this. The literature synthesis of existing work by authors from around the globe led to the discussion and analysis of the paper, and resultant further study areas. This paper compares alternative “cool” pavement systems, which are defined as pavements with improved solar reflectivity and permeability characteristics. The paper suggests how these can be used effectively in a sustainability conscious building facility, and by infrastructure developments which has a wider role of reducing local heat islands, increasing pedestrian comfort and reducing runoff water. The scope of this paper was limited to pedestrian pavements and gives reference to construction professionals who are engaged with sustainable building and infrastructure projects on their usability.
item: Conference-Full-text
Developing a framework for selection of sustainable materials based on the embedded energy for building construction
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2013-06) Victoria, MF; Senarath, SBR; Chandrathilake, SR; Sandanayake, YG; Fernando, NG
Material selection in conventional construction projects concentrate on various criteria. However, sustainable construction must take into account of embodied energy of materials during material selection which is rarely addressed by construction professionals. Analysis of embodied energy of construction materials is important as increase in energy consumption will indirectly trigger a series of collisions leading to instability of the environment. Therefore, this research study aims at developing a framework for selection of materials based on embodied energy and other identified main parameters. The study was carried out based on figures retrieved from literature survey as well as on the perceptions of professionals involved in construction through questionnaire survey. The study categorized the identified significant materials based on five major elements (foundation, wall, roof, floor finishes and doors &windows) with two materials per each and evaluated their performance based on the parameters of embodied energy, price, durability and maintainability. According to empirical findings, most of the selected materials of the same element have performed in similar manner on the selected parameter. However, in some selected materials the results for embodied energy has a significant difference with their counterparts which had an impact on the overall score of those materials. Further, even though embodied energy parameter ranked last in the importance weightings, the parameter is of acceptable significance which can have a huge impact on material selection. Ultimately, framework for material selection was developed with the aid of research findings which comprises of four combinations of each of the selected materials with each other in terms of their performance on each individual parameter and on overall performance.
item: Conference-Full-text
A study on applicability of bamboo fiber reinforced mycelium bonded saw dust material for partition wall
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2015-06) Vithanage, ODPC; Chandrathilake, SR; Halwathura, RU; Sandanayake, YG; Fernando, NG; Karunasena, GI
In building construction there is a need of alternative materials which are low cost, high efficiency and environmentally responsible. This research presents an innovative solution for partition walls. The solution is produced by using sawdust, mycelium and other ingredients which are normally used in mushroom cultivation. In this material the mycelium acts as a natural glue to bind sawdust particles. Also bamboo fibre was introduced to increase the strength of the innovative material. The panel making process was done by four steps as preparing mixture, preparing mould to grow mycelium, getting mushroom cultivation and compressing and drying the panel. To find the standard of the properties of the material, compression strength parallel to surface and water absorption tests were done by using the test specimens of the new material. All the tests were conducted according to the ASTM D 1037 (1978) standard to keep the test results at a standard level. The compression strength test showed that the optimum amount of bamboo fibre proportion in order to get the maximum compressive strength. Other than that ultimate compressive strength, yield strength, density, specific strength and Young’s modulus were calculated too. The properties of new material were compared with Gypsum and MDF panels to find the position in the market. In this process mushroom is harvested as a by-product which leads to make a link between food industry and construction industry. This material fulfils the requirements of partition walls and can be applied as a green solution in partition wall construction.
item: Conference-Full-text
A Study on Applicability of Bamboo Fibre Reinforced Mycelium Bonded Sawdust Material for Partition Wall
(2015-08-14) Vithanage, ODPC; Chandrathilake, SR; Halwathura, RU
In building construction there is a need of alternative materials which are low cost, high efficiency and environmentally responsible. This research presents an innovative solution for partition walls. The solution is produced by using sawdust, mycelium and other ingredients which are normally used in mushroom cultivation. In this material the mycelium acts as a natural glue to bind sawdust particles. Also bamboo fibre was introduced to increase the strength of the innovative material. The panel making process was done by four steps as preparing mixture, preparing mould to grow mycelium, getting mushroom cultivation and compressing and drying the panel. To find the standard of the properties of the material, compression strength parallel to surface and water absorption tests were done by using the test specimens of the new material. All the tests were conducted according to the ASTM D 1037 (1978) standard to keep the test results at a standard level. The compression strength test showed that the optimum amount of bamboo fibre proportion in order to get the maximum compressive strength. Other than that ultimate compressive strength, yield strength, density, specific strength and Young’s modulus were calculated too. The properties of new material were compared with Gypsum and MDF panels to find the position in the market. In this process mushroom is harvested as a by-product which leads to make a link between food industry and construction industry. This material fulfils the requirements of partition walls and can be applied as a green solution in partition wall construction.