Browsing by Author "Kumarathunga, JU"

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Exploratory study on adaptability of wall-mounted solar panels for high-rise buildings in Sri Lanka
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Yahanpath, R; Wijekoon, WMCLK; Kumarathunga, JU; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
The global energy crisis and the unsustainable resource consumption patterns of the construction industry has driven a growing interest in sustainable practices. The integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, has emerged as a key strategy to achieve sustainability goals. While various applications of solar systems exist, wall-mounted solar panels have not been widely utilised in Sri Lanka, and no prior research has been conducted on this topic in the country. This study acts as an exploratory study which aims to investigate the feasibility and adaptability of implementing wall-mounted solar panels in high-rise buildings in Sri Lanka. Data was gathered through a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews with experts on solar energy and construction practices. The study found several barriers towards the implementation of wall-mounted solar panels in Sri Lanka. Notably, the effectiveness of the wall-mounted solar panel system was found to be hindered by the path of the sun in Sri Lanka. The absence of proper regulations or Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) specific to wall-mounted solar panels presented an additional challenge. Despite the barriers identified, expert interviews revealed potential strategies to overcome these challenges. The findings of this research study contribute to the understanding of the feasibility of implementing wall-mounted solar panels in high-rise buildings in Sri Lanka, shedding light on the unique context and factors influencing their adoption. This study underscores the importance of considering local factors and developing appropriate regulations to promote sustainable energy practices in the construction industry.
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Incorporating smart interior design concepts in Sri Lankan apartment construction
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Karunanayaka, RR; Kumarathunga, JU; Gamage, I; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
Smart interior design can be interpreted as the integration of technology, innovative materials, and sustainable approaches in creating functional and aesthetically pleasing living spaces. In response to the global shortage of affordable housing, countries have begun to explore the potential of smart interior design for space-saving and cost-effective construction. This concept is still novel in Sri Lanka, where the retreat of the construction industry due the economic crisis has caused a recession in apartment construction. Thus, this research serves as a preliminary study that aims to investigate the adoptability of space-saving smart interior design concepts in Sri Lankan apartment construction, with an emphasis on the constraints faced and strategies to overcome them. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and primarily, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to define the implication of space-saving smart interior design along with the upsides of applying this technique into apartment construction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to identify the main constraints when incorporating this concept in Sri Lanka considering both design-stage and implementation-stage. A significant obstacle uncovered was the lack of demand for the use of this concept in Sri Lanka, stemming largely from the lack of awareness of its benefits. This study recommends that the concept of smart living should be promoted through education, small-scale construction and government intervention. The strategies proposed through this study serve towards enhancing the preparedness of incorporating this concept in Sri Lanka so that the benefits of the concept may be obtained while overcoming the constraints.
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An IoT-based electrical and electronic appliance management system for Sri Lankan residential buildings
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2023-07-21) Sandaru, SAD; Liyanage, DLCP; Anuradha, IGN; Kumarathunga, JU; Kalugala, C
Sri Lankan household energy consumption was accounted for around 34% of national energy consumption in 2017, and residential applications were accounted for 36% of national energy waste in 2018. Therefore, reducing the energy wastage in the household environment is essential. Researchers from all around the world are working to develop IoT-based solutions to reduce energy wastage, but there are certain challenges in adapting them to the local context as those techniques were developed for foreign domestic usage. As a result, it is crucial to come up with IoT-based solutions which are appropriate for the local environment to assist the reduction. Therefore, this article examines the importance and feasibility of adopting IoT-based electrical and electronic device control systems for household use in Sri Lankan environments. Further, a mobile application was developed to monitor and control the system, which was installed for a residential building after an analysis of the domestic requirements. This system may simply fix into an existing building, making it a cost-effective application for reducing energy wastage in developing countries.