Browsing by Author "Perera, BLSH"

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item: Conference-Full-text
Applicability of green certification system for domestic construction projects in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Architecture Research Unit, 2022-12-02) Perera, BLSH; Ranathunga, RAAS; Madhuwanthi, LPTP; Coomasaru, P
Consistently, researchers have noted that 20 to 30 percent of damage to the environment can be attributable to residential construction. There are a plethora of green certification systems available for implementation throughout the construction phase in Sri Lanka, and the number of adoptions has increased in recent years to lessen the impact on the environment. Even if there has been progress in the implementation of green certification systems, the procedure and associated expenses have been a major concern in the business community. Consequently, the objective of this study is to identify the best appropriate green certificate system for Sri Lankan residential construction projects. The literature review was conducted and analysed using "NVivo." Initially, a questionnaire was deployed to collect primary data, which was subsequently confirmed through interviews with subject matter experts. Sixty-nine professionals with 10 to 15 years of industry experience responded to the survey, and five specialists with more than 30 years of professional experience validated its results. Both the significance of adopting the green certification system and the hurdles that developed during its adoption were addressed in the study. It was recommended that state assistance, social awareness, and continuous education for professionals could facilitate in overcoming the obstacles. Finally, it was determined that the LEED system is the most appropriate green certification system for residential development because it generates environmentally and user-friendly sustainable products.
item: Conference-Full-text
An exploratory study on abandoned construction projects in the western province, Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2023-07-21) Jayamal, D; Gunarathne, N; Perera, BLSH
The construction industry creates a considerable impact on the country’s economy. The current economic crisis has severely affected the Sri Lankan construction industry whereby also affecting the entire construction supply chain. Researchers have mentioned that a project abandonment has an overall negative impact on both economy of the country and the construction industry. Thus, this research paper aims to explore the reasons for the abandonment of construction projects during the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka and identify the remedies to avoid in the future. A comprehensive literature review, a questionnaire survey, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data in both qualitative and quantitative procedures. Semi-structured preliminary interviews were conducted to gather preliminary data before developing the final questionnaire. The empirical findings revealed that the material import restrictions imposed by the government, price increments in materials due to restrictions, disruptions in machinery operations due to scarcity of fuel, rising labour costs, and shutdowns in government-funded projects are the main reasons for the projects to be abandoned during the economic crisis. Encouraging foreign investments, controlling inflation and keeping on track of the country’s economy, easing tight import restrictions, and proper pricing mechanisms for construction materials are some of the remedies proposed to avoid projects being abandoned during the crisis. The research findings deliver valuable evidence to the practitioners with an in-depth understanding of the remedies to take over during a period of a crisis and thereby minimize the projects being abandoned.
item: Conference-Abstract
Managing concrete wastes by implementing contemporary construction practices in Sri Lanka
(2021-07) Senarathna, DR; Perera, BLSH
Material waste is one of the main reasons for the client to suffer due to increments in unnecessary costs. Among all construction material wastes, concrete waste highly draws expenses to the project stakeholders. As a main component in construction, the volume of the concrete waste in Sri Lankan construction projects are considerably high, when comparing with the other material wastes. Currently, most of the countries are moving towards the sustainable developments while minimizing concrete waste. Therefore, applying traditional practices to minimize concrete waste have not been successful over the years. The aim of this research study is, to minimize concrete wastes by implementing contemporary practices that assists to reduce the project cost in Sri Lankan construction industry. In order to achieve the aim, comprehensive literature review, a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data in both qualitative and quantitative procedures. The empirical findings revealed that concrete waste has a positive relationship with the project cost. Same time, discovered the drivers and barriers that gains while implementing contemporary practices in Sri Lanka. Concrete recycling, precast elements, lean construction techniques, value engineering methods and few more other contemporary practices were identified that leads to minimize concrete waste. The results from the interviews found that many projects are willing to implement mentioned contemporary practices within their construction projects although there are few barriers. These findings deliver a valuable evidence to the practitioners with an in-depth understanding about the essential necessity of contemporary practices to construction projects.