Browsing by Author "Sachchithananthan, M"

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item: Article-Full-text
A Framework for sustainable materials selection for high-rise buildings in Sri Lanka
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, 2024) Sachchithananthan, M; Thayaparan, M
The construction industry, as a resource-intensive sector, significantly impacts the environment by consuming vast quantities of raw materials, energy, and water, while emitting substantial greenhouse gases and generating landfill waste [1]. Particularly, high-rise buildings are often associated with the consumption of significant amounts of energy and raw materials that result in negative consequences on the environment, economy, and society [2]. Consequently, there is an urgent need for sustainable construction practices, and the efficient use of materials plays a crucial role [3]. Hence this research aims to develop a framework to select sustainable materials for high-rise buildings in Sri Lanka. Sustainable materials in construction minimise environmental damage, protect raw materials from excessive depletion, and enhance long-term durability and efficiency of buildings [3]. The goal of these materials is to achieve a balance between environment, society, and economy without compromising the structural integrity and performance of the building [4]. The construction industry of Sri Lanka faces several challenges in the adoption of sustainable materials. One of the primary challenges is the lack of tools and data to sufficiently assess alternative materials to achieve sustainability in building [5]. In addressing this challenge, this research developed a framework to select suitable sustainable materials for high-rise buildings.
item: Conference-Full-text
A Simplified guide towards incentivising embodied carbon assessment: a case of high-rise residential building
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Sachchithananthan, M; Ramachandra, T; Geekiyanage, D; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
In recent decades, the increasing threat of global warming has emphasised the importance of reducing carbon emissions within construction sector due to its significant impact. Despite efforts to mitigate climate change, the construction industry faces a critical gap in effectively evaluating the carbon emissions and costing it. The major reasons could be attributed to lack of awareness of carbon performance and commitment, lack of data availability and inconsistent methodologies. Hence, this study aims to develop a simplified guide, as an extension to the typical cost estimation practice towards addressing the above concerns with respect to embodied carbon (EC). This study primarily involved a quantitative assessment of EC emission of a typical high-rise residential building in Sri Lanka. Therefore, BOQ of the selected building and additional information such as material and machinery requirements, EC co-efficient, fuel consumption and transportation distance were obtained from technical specifications, industry practiced norms and databases. Accordingly, the EC emission of the selected building was derived as 873KgCO2/m2 of GFA. Of this, 94% is due to material production stage, while remaining 6% is in transportation and construction stages. Key materials contributed include: paint, cement and reinforcement. The steps followed in deriving the above estimation is presented as a simplified guide that would promote and account the construction clients for the EC emission of their proposed building constructions. By integrating EC assessment (ECA) into the construction cost estimation process, this guide seeks to empower decision-makers to choose among carbon alternatives and aid in carbon taxation in the Sri Lankan context.