Browsing by Author "Thoradeniya, WBM"

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item: SRC-Report
An Analysis of the current middle level engineering technology education programmes in Sri Lanka
Wanigatunga, NL; Thoradeniya, WBM
Basic technical education provided to fresh school leavers can be divided into four main categories according to the depths of subject matter taught and the skills involved: craft level, certificate level, diploma level and the degree level, In the Engineering fields of technical education these four categories could be distinctly identified. However, the entire workforce engaged in an engineering project is usually categorized into three levels. The personnel holding a degree or equivalent qualifications are categorized as upper level, the skilled craftsmen are categorized as the lower level. The diploma holders and the certificate holders fall into the category of middle level. This category accounts for all the jobs in between the other two levels and require both theoretical knowledge of the subject matter sufficient to interpret and appreciate designs, and skills needed in the relevant job to turnout a quality assured final product. The careers starting from foreman grades up to junior assistant engineer level could be accommodated in this group. This research aims to analyse such currently available programmes
item: Thesis-Abstract
Design phase stakeholders' involvement for success of building projects
(2014-11-03) Weerakkody, DC; Thoradeniya, WBM
Success of a building project is conventionally judged in terms of, completion within the scheduled time, completion within the budget, and fully complying to the clients’ satisfaction with minimum subsequent modifications and reworks. Several researchers worldwide have highlighted the contribution of the building design phase for achieving the success of a building project. Irrespective of this awareness, instances are not rare to find, where clients are facing various difficulties in completing/operating their buildings. Research and many case studies from the industry have provided evidences for cost overruns, delay in completion, mismatch between the delivered product and the clients’ expectations, and high cost and time expenditure on variations and modifications in building projects. Literature review also indicates the comparatively low attention given by previous researchers for stakeholder management during design phase within design management as well as in overall project management. The objective of this research study is to develop an understanding on significance of timely participation of design phase stakeholders and effective coordination amongst them during the design phase of a building project for better achieving the project objectives. This broad objective was studied under four sub-objectives, in addition to the two hypothesis framed for testing. The study utilized an expert opinion survey conducted among the experts of building industry. Data collected through the survey were analysed using both descriptive and statistical analysis techniques. The findings of the survey validated the two research hypothesis. In addition, this study proposes two novel concepts. a) Division of Design Phase, based on the particular deliverables, for managing the involvement of stakeholders. b) ‘Design Teams Diagram’ which is a Process Diagram, proposed as a tool for managing the involvement of design phase stakeholders. Based on the findings it is recommended to form and maintain dedicated design teams from the beginning of design phase to the completion of a building project.
item: Conference-Full-text
Importance of design phase stakeholder management for successfully achieving objectives of building projects: a Sri Lankan perspective
(2012-06) Weerakkody, YDC; Thoradeniya, WBM; Weerakkody, Y.D.C., & Thoradeniya, W.B.M. (2012). Importance of design phase stakeholder management for successfully achieving objectives of building projects: a Sri Lankan perspective. In S. Senaratne & Y.G. Sandanayake (Eds.), Global challenges in construction industry (pp. 386-395). Ceylon Institute of Builders. https://ciobwcs.com/downloads/WCS2012-Proceedings.pdf; Senaratne, S; Sandanayake, YG
Contribution of the building design process for achieving the project objectives with a higher degree of success has been highlighted in several researches worldwide. Conventionally, success of a building project is judged in terms of, completion within the scheduled time, completion within the budget, and fully complying to the clients’ satisfaction with minimum subsequent modifications and reworks. In achieving these, design phase of a building project alone offers the greatest scope. Irrespective of this awareness, instances are not rare to find, where clients are facing various difficulties in completing/ operating their buildings. Research and many case studies from the industry have provided evidence for cost overruns, delay in completion, mismatch between the delivered product and the clients’ expectations, and high cost and time expenditure on variations and modifications in building projects. The aim of this paper is to present the outcomes of a research, which identified the importance of acquiring the timely contribution of design phase stakeholders and effective coordination amongst them, throughout the design phase for better achievement of the project objectives. The discussion is based on findings of a comprehensive questionnaire survey carried out in Sri Lanka on a sample of design phase stakeholders who holds hands-on-experience in building trade. Based on findings recommendations are made to encourage higher investment on stakeholder management during the design phase.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Optimisation of irrigation water releases in the wet season using probable rainfall
Thoradeniya, WBM
Irrigation water has become scarce. The availability is decreasing due to the ever increasing demand for fresh water and the competition between the different uses of it. This scarcity persuades us to introduce improved management in irrigation schemes to get the optimum use of the available water. Sound scheduling of irrigation gifts is an important part of system management. Irrigation water releases are based upon two major factors: the crop water requirement; and the availability of water, from reservoir storage or run-of-the-river, and from rainfall. Crop growth stage and soil conditions can be translated into the evapotranspiration need, and seepage and percolation rates. The expected rainfall can be based on the seasonality of rainfall. The study concentrates on rice growing with emphasis on rotational water supply, even though the methodology could be adapted to other crops as well. Rice is grown mainly in tropical climates. The rainfall in the tropics shows a distinct seasonality. When rules for scheduling are developed, these are mostly based on dry season crops. Yet, saving water in the rainy season, by implementing strategies to use less irrigation water, increases the water availability for the dry season crop. The rules used to decide upon the irrigation gifts should incorporate the expected rainfall for the next irrigation interval. This study aimed at developing new rules and comparing them with existing rules for the supplementary irrigation of wet season rice crops. The formulated rules are used to simulate daily water balances of a unit field, which are then transformed into relative yields through the use of yield reduction functions for excess water and water stresses. Three equations to estimate evapotranspiration are discussed and compared. It was found that the latest method advocated by FAO is not yet fully developed and should not be used in its present form without suitable corrections of the crop coefficients.The expected rainfall computed by using the traditional method of 80% probability of exceedence was compared with rainfalls at other probability levels. Transition probabilities of weekly rainfalls were used as well to estimate the expected rainfall of the following irrigation interval. The formulated rules were also applied to three other rainfall records. The results of this application confirmed that a significant water saving -up to 60%, when compared with the usual practice- can be achieved by using a constant lower level of exceedence throughout the crop period, by having different lower levels of exceedence in different crop phases, or by using the transition probabilities of rainfall from week to week. From the point of view of water savings the two latter methods were found to be the better ones even though they have the disadvantage of requiring a more complex operation of the system.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Stakeholder involvement in the decision making for development projects using 'educated trade-offs'
Thoradeniya, WBM; Ranasjnghe, MALIK; Wijesekera, NTS
The premise of this research is that unless stakeholders are able to engage in educated (technically, economically, environmentally informed) trade-offs between the different uses/issues of a common resource, the stakeholder involvement in decision making will be emotional and not rational. The objectives of this research study are to develop and validate a decision making methodology based on 'Educated Trade-offs' for effective stakeholder involvement through participation and consultation, in development projects. The term 'Educated Trade-offs' means that stakeholders are able to engage in technically, economically and environmentally (including socially) informed (educated) decision-making between the critical uses/issues (trade-offs) of a resource. The research hypothesis is that with improved access to technical, economical and environmental information stakeholders can make rational decisions based on 'Educated Trade-offs' on competing resource uses/issues that affect them as interests of the multiple stakeholders for a resource is complementary than conflicting. The theoretical component of the research study involves the development of the five step 'Educated trade-off framework and two methods (models) for the stakeholder consultation sessions required in -the application of the framework for decision making in development projects. The case study application of the framework to a development project of the Ma Oya River Basin in the North Western Sri Lanka showed that the developed framework in application was robust and the methodology was validated by accepting the research hypothesis at 95% level of significance. The first step of the framework identified resource uses, impacted sections and stakeholders effectively. The second, third and fourth steps educated stakeholders in technical, economical and environmental spheres to make rational decisions, on development projects. A significant association was found in the responses of stakeholders between 'Pre' and 'Post' stakeholder education sessions concluding that the education session using 'Educated Trade-off framework is an effective tool in improving stakeholder decision making ability.