Browsing by Author "Dissanayake, TL"

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item: Conference-Full-text
Analysis of construction delays in mini hydropower projects in Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2018-06) Abeygunawardana, IK; Dissanayake, TL; Swarnachandra, NI; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
The share of mini hydropower plants in electricity generation is becoming more important in modern power generation due to the national policy targets to move from the fossil fuel brown energy to sustainable green energy. Therefore, the demand for construction of the mini hydropower plants has become higher but these projects show a significant rate of delays in project delivery. This research was carried out to identify the project delay phases and the main delay factors in mini hydropower projects. Furthermore, it was expected to derive mitigating measures for mini hydropower project delay based on the findings. The data collection process was based on multiple case studies where the project planning documents of three mini hydropower projects were reviewed to extract delay information. Here, projects managers validated the information in the documents to be correct and gave an overview of what has happened during the project. Here all information extracted was discussed under the headings of the case studies (P1, P2 and P3). With information extracted, delays in ten significant phases of the mini hydropower projects were identified with its delay percentages. The most delaying phase of the mini hydro project was the weir construction while least being the fore-bay construction. Delays in hydropower projects occur mainly due to the natural consequences such as adverse weather conditions and environmental conditions such as an earth slip. Protests by the interested parties were the next major concern when it comes to delays in mini hydropower projects. Proper management of the identified delay factors and awareness of delays in relevant phases is required. Nevertheless, it was found to be essential to make the interested parties fully aware about the environmental impact even before the initiation of the project in order to successfully mitigate the significance of delays.
item: Conference-Abstract
BIM As an instrument to minimize sources of conflicts in construction projects
Rajaweera, A; Jayasena, HS; Dissanayake, TL
It is a general acceptance within the construction industry that the conflicts in projects are inevitable; and it is a regular phenomenon due the unique nature of the construction industry. However, this is not the expectation of the clients of the industry and the society at large. A responsive construction industry should therefore take all steps to minimize conflicts in construction projects. Many sources of conflicts were found to be directly or indirectly related to information and communication. With the introduction of Building Information Modelling it was able to reduce the need for re-formatting or re-gathering information. This resulted in an increase in the speed and accuracy of transmitted information, automation of checking and analysis, unprecedented support of operation and maintenance activities and abatement of limitations associated with a lack of interoperability. It is an expectation in the construction industry that, adoption of BIM therefore will reduce the sources of conflicts in construction projects. This research study was aimed on identifying the modes to minimize sources of conflicts in construction projects with adoption of BIM. A desk study analysis was conducted using various standard publications published by construction stakeholders and the collected data was subjected to content analysis. Through findings of the research, modes which can be used to minimize sources of conflicts using BIM were identified. The findings of the research will provide a guideline for the adoption of BIM to minimize sources of conflicts.
item: Conference-Full-text
Cost effectiveness of sustainable electricity consumption in domestic buildings
(2018) Dissanayake, TL; Wahalathanthri, AA; Samarawickrama, S.
Saving electricity has become a challenge in Sri Lanka due to the warmer climates prevailing throughout the years and it has become a major requirement to have fans and air conditioners occupied in most of the houses. That may effect to electrical consumption and the monthly electricity bill. However, in order to reduce electrical consumption in domestic buildings there are some methods which can be adopted in practice. This study has covered areas of cost effectiveness of solar electrical installation systems and importance of sub-metering houses along with benefits of using light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs instead of using compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and incandescent (filament) bulbs. Data collection carried out through interviews and questioner surveys with customers and suppliers of solar electrical installations. After analysing the data gathered, even with a highly initial cost, solar electricity installations can be considered as a cost-effective method. Furthermore, specifications and details gathered on CFL, LED and filament bulbs proved LED bulbs are more cost effective than other bulbs for the same illumination level. This study also revealed that sub metering a house under the rules and regulations of Electricity Board is another cost-effective method where a house owner can adopt in their houses.
item: Conference-Full-text
The legal framework for design liability in building information modelling
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2015-06) Dissanayake, TL; Jayasena, HS; Abeynayake, M; Sandanayake, YG; Fernando, NG; Karunasena, GI
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a solution to achieve productivity, efficiency, life cycle enhancement and sustainability in the construction industry. It also promotes the two symbiotic factors information sharing and collaborative approach among the professionals. Transference from the conventional practice to BIM will make the design liabilities change and create legal uncertainties among the professionals. This was expected to be acting as an obstacle to achieve the desires in BIM’s wider adoption and a suitable legal framework was found to be necessary. The solutions for the legal uncertainties arising from the new environment needs to be formulated and on the other hand in order to adopt BIM in an effective manner it requires identifying of these legal uncertainties and provides a clear vision for the client and the design team on how they should work in the changed environment. With this prime intention, this research was conducted adopting mixture of legal and scientific research methods. Initially preliminary literature synthesis was carried out which discussed the present legal environment with the expected change through BIM. The legal analysis was carried out following the flexible iterative style where the researchers’ opinion blends with the experiences from primary sources of law to build up the tentative hypothesis. Through semi structured interviews with a group of experts representing different proficiencies in the construction industry, this tentative hypothesis was tested; the collected data from construction industry experts were subjected to content analysis based on opinions and suggestions, these findings were then interpreted to identify the suitable legal framework. The legal framework which was identified includes the preventive mechanism of negligent acts, liabilities of the human factor, process and enforceability, actions, proposed provisions and suggestion. Hence, this framework is recommended to be implemented in the BIM environment.
item: Conference-Full-text
The Legal Framework for Design Liability in Building Information Modelling
(2015-08-24) Dissanayake, TL; Jayasena, HS; Abeynayake, MDTE
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a solution to achieve productivity, efficiency, life cycle enhancement and sustainability in the construction industry. It also promotes the two symbiotic factors information sharing and collaborative approach among the professionals. Transference from the conventional practice to BIM will make the design liabilities change and create legal uncertainties among the professionals. This was expected to be acting as an obstacle to achieve the desires in BIM’s wider adoption and a suitable legal framework was found to be necessary. The solutions for the legal uncertainties arising from the new environment needs to be formulated and on the other hand in order to adopt BIM in an effective manner it requires identifying of these legal uncertainties and provides a clear vision for the client and the design team on how they should work in the changed environment. With this prime intention, this research was conducted adopting mixture of legal and scientific research methods. Initially preliminary literature synthesis was carried out which discussed the present legal environment with the expected change through BIM. The legal analysis was carried out following the flexible iterative style where the researchers’ opinion blends with the experiences from primary sources of law to build up the tentative hypothesis. Through semi structured interviews with a group of experts representing different proficiencies in the construction industry, this tentative hypothesis was tested; the collected data from construction industry experts were subjected to content analysis based on opinions and suggestions, these findings were then interpreted to identify the suitable legal framework. The legal framework which was identified includes the preventive mechanism of negligent acts, liabilities of the human factor, process and enforceability, actions, proposed provisions and suggestion. Hence, this framework is recommended to be implemented in the BIM environment.
item: Conference-Full-text
Worker awareness of workmen’s compensation in the Sri Lankan construction industry
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2018-06) Wanigasekara, NA; Dissanayake, TL; Ridmika, KDH; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
Work-related injuries and illnesses are common in the construction industry, which can lead to deaths, injuries or disabilities (temporary or permanent) to the workers and Workmen’s Compensation Ordinance (WCO), deal specifically with employment injuries. There is no mandatory insurance clause in the WCO that requires employers to be insured against Worker injury risks. However, insurance companies offer Workmen’s Compensation Insurance (WCI) policies to cover workmen’s compensation liabilities and employer may opt to insure his liability at his own discretion. The aim of this research is to identify the awareness of Workmen’s Compensation (WC) among Workers in the construction industry. This research has been carried out through literature review and data collected from a preliminary interview, questionnaire survey followed with semi structured interviews. Research findings show that most workers have a poor awareness about WC; therefore, benefaction from WC to the workers has to be improved. The main reasons for this matter is that the Workers are not retaining under same employer for long time duration and there are no awareness programs in the construction sites about WC. In order to overcome this issue, mainly safety officers can comprise short seminars about WC once in four months in the monthly meetings and safety officers should come across as an intermediary to make sure that the workmen’s compensation process is being carried out as required in the site.