Browsing by Author "Wijewickrama, MKCS"

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5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management in Sri Lankan construction projects
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Wijesinghe, EDAT; Jayawickrama, TS; Tennakoon, GA; Wijewickrama, MKCS; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
The significant resource consumption and waste generation in the construction sector highlights the imperative for sustainable management of resources and waste, particularly in Sri Lanka. Over time, various techniques have emerged as potential solutions to address this challenge, with the 5S technique standing out as a widely discussed approach. This technique is focused on producing high-quality outputs with minimal wastage and high productivity, making it well-suited for sustainable resource and waste management. However, despite its potential, there is limited research exploring its application in this context within the construction domain, specifically in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the applicability of 5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management in Sri Lankan construction projects. Initially, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on the 5S principles and the concept of sustainable resource and waste management, which led to the development of a conceptual framework for the application of 5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management. Following this, a pilot study using interviews was conducted to investigate the specific activities that could be implemented under the individual 5S principles for sustainable resource and waste management. Integrating these activities within construction projects could help mitigate the negative environmental impacts associated with resource consumption and waste generation in the industry.
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Application of biomimicry concept to improve the sustainability of the construction industry: a literature review
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Silva, FHYD; Perera, BASK; Atapattu, AMDS; Jayanetti, JKDDT; Wijewickrama, MKCS; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
The growing need for urbanisation has resulted in the intense development of the construction industry, which has negatively impacted the conservation of the environment. In this regard, to preserve the ecosystems, the concept of sustainable development was introduced, however, the effectiveness of the existing sustainability practices in the construction industry is at a questionable level. Meanwhile, the evolving concept of biomimicry, which inspires and learns from natural processes, has proven the capacity to achieve sustainable parameters when incorporated into construction processes. Yet, there is a noticeable gap in applying the biomimicry concept to improve the sustainability of the construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to comprehend the applicability of the biomimicry concept in improving the sustainability of the construction industry. Accordingly, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on existing studies related to the biomimicry concept. The content analysis method was used to analyse the collected data. The findings suggested that the biomimicry concept can contribute to sustainable parameters such as material efficiency, energy efficiency and zero-waste concept. Accordingly, this study reveals the potential to improve the sustainability of the construction industry by comprehending the application of the biomimicry concept in detail. In this regard, the study discovers the enablers, barriers and strategies for biomimicry application in the construction industry. Accordingly, this study contributes to the theory and bridges the knowledge gap in utilising biomimicry applications to enhance the sustainability of the construction industry. It demonstrates how various biomimicry inspirations can positively impact sustainable parameters such as material efficiency, energy efficiency, and zero waste, thereby revealing the concept's applicability in developing a sustainable built environment.
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Challenges and solutions for women in construction industry related disciplines: a literature review
(Department of Building Economics, 2024) Rodrigo, N; Wijewickrama, MKCS; Rajenthiran, N; Jayathilaka, W; Chang, R; Sandanayake, YG; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranadewa, KATO; Chandanie, H
The construction industry has been male dominated for a long time, making it challenging for women to enter or advance in their careers. Despite significant reserves and initiatives by governments, organisations, construction, and researchers, the industry still has a significant gender gap, with women being underrepresented both in terms of numbers and seniority. Although many studies have been conducted into the education, recruitment, and retention of women in the industry, the reasons for their underrepresentation are still not fully understood. Efforts to attract and retain women in construction have been implemented unevenly on an ad hoc basis. This study aims to examine the challenges that women face while developing their careers in the construction industry-related disciplines and provide solutions to mitigate those challenges. Moreover, this study seeks to investigate the challenges and solutions through an extensive literature review. This literature review has exposed that extreme and inflexible work hours, gendered culture and informal rules, limited career development opportunities, and undesirable perceptions of women’s abilities are the main factors and problems that cause women to leave the construction industry. Moreover, considering solutions to overcome challenges in the career of women in construction mainly by training, targeting women in recruitment, developing new skills, mentoring, strong industry partnerships to create female-friendly work experiences and improved policies. This study would be beneficial for the government, construction organisations, and women who are willing to work in the construction industry-related disciplines.
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Challenges of transcending BIM information from design phase to real time on-site construction phase
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2017-06) Wijewickrama, MKCS; Jayasena, HS; Ariyachandra, MRMF; Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Gunatilake, S
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a revolutionary paradigm which espouses modernization and innovativeness to the conventional Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) industry. Successful BIM model is enriched with information which was congregated during design phase and such information should be circulated throughout the project life cycle without disturbing its originality. Nevertheless, when the complete BIM information is transferred to the site office, the on-site personnel are not absorbing the real essence of effective BIM information for on-site construction activities. Improvements in Mobile Computing Technology (MCT) have succeeded in linking this communication gap through forms of electronic pocketbooks, personnel laptops and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA). Even though, there is a greater push from technology, site personnel are not willing to accept it and they still prefer the traditional procedure. This discloses that site personnel are not prepared to practice such technologies due to their nature of Resistance to Change (RTC). Subsequently, the aim of the research is to identify the challenges of transcending BIM information from design phase to real time on-site construction phase. To accomplish the aim, a qualitative research approach was followed, steering semi-structured interviews. The gathered information was analysed rigorously through computer based content analysis. This topical study manifest that, all the recognized resisting factors extensively challenge the transcending of BIM information to the on-site construction phase. Hence, the research has successfully identified the challenges which barricade the transcending of BIM information to real time on-site construction phase.
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Current practices of sustainable procurement in the Sri Lankan construction industry
(IEEE, 2018-05) Rosayuru, HDRR; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Wijewickrama, MKCS; Chathuranga, D
Construction project procurement is a fundamental process in construction project management. The current conventional procurement practices have been widely criticised due to associated issues including disregarding sustainability. Even if, Sustainable Procurement (SP) has been emerged as one of the best solutions for such issues, current practice level of SP in Sri Lanka (SL) is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review SP practices in Sri Lankan construction industry. Concurrent triangulation mixed method was used in this study by combining both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data was collected through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews and analysed using statistical analysis and content analysis respectively. Data triangulation was used to combine the results of all three research tools. The study proved that SP principles have been used in Sri Lankan construction industry at a moderate level. Limited sustainability initiatives were used in the project procurement, while economical sustainability criteria were given the prominence. Furthermore, SL is at a lower level of practicing SP when compared with most of developed countries like United Kingdom (UK) and Canada. Non-availability of policies, procedures and legislations in regional or national levels is the main factor that limit the SP practices. Further , the study identified drivers which influence the practice level of SP in SL.Thus, the study recommended that strengthening drivers and mitigating constrains are the appropriate strategies to increase the level of practice of SP in Sri Lankan construction industry.
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Expected impact on design delivery risk in BIM based project implementation in Sri Lanka
(2018) Dissanayake, AGND; Jayasena, HS; Wijewickrama, MKCS
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an innovative concept which has been using in the construction industry to increase the productivity by creating object based multi-dimensional parametric models. Though Sri Lankan construction industry is in the kindergarten stage of the BIM implementation, most of the developed countries are getting benefits through BIM. BIM can be adopted to the whole life cycle of the construction project not only for the specific phases. Construction industry is a place where it faces plenty of risks throughout its life cycle. Early stages of every project create more and more uncertainties because most of the decisions are made on early stages. Major construction risks were identified through extensive literature survey. Using that list, identified thirteen design delivery risks to carry out the research. Furthermore, carried out a questionnaire survey by using thirty-one respondents to identify the current design delivery risk rate in Sri Lankan construction industry. Semi structured interviews were carried out by using BIM experts to identified expected impact on design delivery risk after BIM implementation. At the end of the study conclusion is addressed to identify the expected impact on design delivery risk in BIM based project implementation in Sri Lanka.
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Factors affecting the selection of a procurement method for steel building construction
Perera, GPPS; Tennakoon, TMMP; Kulatunga, U; Jayasena, HS; Wijewickrama, MKCS
Construction procurement involves organizing processes of acquiring services and products for activities starting from project investigation to completion of a project. Along with the development of new concepts and technologies, construction procurement arrangements were also developed to draw the best value for construction organizations. Selecting the best procurement method for a specific project is a challenge since the availability of diverse procurement options and subjective factors affecting the selection of procurement methods. An inappropriate selection of a procurement method leads to project failure while adversely affecting the expectation of stakeholders and the economy. Since the number of steel building constructions are increasing in the Sri Lankan context this study aims to identify factors which highly influence the selection of a procurement method for steel building construction in Sri Lanka. In order to achieve the aim, initially, a comprehensive literature survey was carried out to identify factors which influence the procurement selection for building construction. Accordingly, 42 factors were identified. Subsequently, a quantitative research approach was followed to list down the factors on their significance in selecting procurement method for steel building construction in Sri Lanka. Consequently, 26 factors were concluded as the most significant factors, which influence the procurement selection of steel building construction through Relative Importance Index (RII). Procurement Path Decision Chart was used to analyses the procurement selection factor and construction management was identified as the most suitable procurement method for steel building construction in Sri Lanka.
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From grave-to-cradle: quality assurance system for the demolition waste management
(Ceylon Institute of Builders - Sri Lanka, 2023-07-21) Wijewickrama, MKCS; Chileshe, N; Rameezdeen, R; Ochoa, JJ
The recent decade has witnessed significant demolition waste (DW) due to rapid urbanisation in many economies. Transforming from the traditional linear supply chains into a circular arrangement while thinking from ‘grave-to-cradle’ is a value-adding approach to managing DW effectively. Consequently, the concept of ‘reverse logistics supply chains (RLSC)’ has captured the attention of the construction industry. However, the poor quality of re-processed products has hindered the successful adoption of RLSC in the construction industry. Therefore, this study examines aspects of the quality assurance system needed for RLSC to manage DW effectively and efficiently. The study used a qualitative approach, including 20 semi-structured interviews with internal stakeholders of the RLSC of DW. The study empirically confirmed that the RLSC of DW should embrace an integrated system for QA, including four aspects: process, people, policy, and technology. Under process for QA, standard practices are to be undertaken separately during building dismantling and off-site waste processing stages. While people in RLSC are skilful, competent, licensed, supervised and monitored, internal and external organisational policies should also be available for QA. Besides, espousing traditional practices with innovative technologies is also imperative for QA in RLSC of DW. The study makes a significant contribution by empirically proving that an integrated system of process, people, policy and technology is needed for QA in RLSC of DW. The developed quality assurance system provides useful insights for industry practitioners about the aspects that they should embrace in enforcing QA throughout the transformation from ‘grave-to-cradle’ in the construction industry.
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Identifying existing constraints in carbon footprint calculation tools and addressing the improvements to bim
(2017) Rathnayake, KKND; Jayasena, HS; Madusanka, HWN; Wijewickrama, MKCS
The world faces “an inconvenient trouble” of global warming which is immensely catalysed through the emission of different forms of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs). Construction industry is a prominent sector which accounts for a higher percentage of GHGs emission to the globe. Buildings embody and consume a large fraction of energy and cause for more than 50% of the carbon emission of a building during the whole life span. Therefore, the need of curtailing embodied carbon emission from construction is essential. In order to address this issue, an emerging concept of “Carbon Footprint” has been introduced to the modern construction industry. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the method which holds number of tools to assess the carbon footprint of a product. However, these assessment tools enclose number of limitations which barricade the precise assessment of carbon footprint. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an emerging technology which has an ability to optimize the energy efficiency in the buildings. Thus, the research aims to address the potential of using BIM to quantify the carbon footprint in the construction industry over the existing non-BIM LCA tools. To accomplish the aim, a qualitative research approach was followed. The topical study exhibits that, BIM can be identified as the most suitable option among existing tools which should be upgraded to improve the accuracy and reliability of final output by mitigating the existing shortfalls.
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Influence of organisational culture on knowledge management in a BIM enabled environment
(2018) Tennakoon, TMMP; Wijewickrama, MKCS; Kulatunga, U; Jayasena, HS; Samarawickrama, S.
Knowledge Management (KM) is increasingly recognized as a flourishing discipline within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation (AECO) industry as the rapid change in the industry can only be handled through a coherent approach to KM. The enriched information and communication technologies such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and responded soft issues as culture, people and work environment are the main approaches to KM. Hence, the research is directed at the cultural influence on the KM in a BIM based environment to embed the individual’s knowledge in projects to increasing organisational cohesion and performance. A comprehensive literature analysis was conducted on currently available scientific knowledge in reliable sources such as indexed scientific journals, conferences, edited books and the most congruent facts were constructed in a logical order to realise the influence of organisational culture on KM in a BIM enabled environment compared to a traditional construction environment. It was established that construction project activities are knowledge incentive and knowledge could be stored in databases commonly known as Knowledge Management Systems (KMS), once the subject experts validate it. The implementation of a suitable organisational culture, where knowledge sharing, shared learning and collaboration were entrenched, was acknowledged as essential to KM.
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Selecting suitable procurement system for steel building construction
(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2021) Perera, GPPS; Tennakoon, TMMP; Kulatunga, U; Jayasena, HS; Wijewickrama, MKCS
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to select a suitable procurement method for steel building construction in Sri Lanka following a systematic method which weigh, both procurement selection factors and existing procurement systems. Design/methodology/approach – An abductive research stance is followed in this empirical study. Procurement selection factors were selected through a critical literature review which was followed by a quantitative questionnaire survey. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistical analysis and relative important index. Findings – The critical literature review outlined 46 procurement selection factors, out of which 26 factors were very important in steel building procurement selection. Short construction period and higher constructability of design are ranked at the top with the highest priority rating factors. Managementoriented procurement system was selected as the most appropriate procurement system for steel building constructions within the Sri Lankan context. Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to widely use three procurement systems in Sri Lankan construction industry. Yet, the process followed in selecting the most appropriate procurement system could be applied for other contexts. The implications of the study are mainly identifying management-oriented procurement as the most suitable procurement method for steel building construction in Sri Lanka. Practical implications – The systematic procedure of procurement method selection for steel building construction may use in the Sri Lankan construction industry to limit the resource loss due to wrong selection of procurement. Originality/value – A study which critically and comprehensively presenting a procurement selection process for steel building construction is not recorded in Sri Lanka prior to this study.
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Suitable government initiative strategy for bim Implementation in Sri Lanka
(Ceylon Institute of Builders, 2018-06) Siriwardhana, MS; Jayasena, HS; Wijewickrama, MKCS; Kolugala, LMBN; Sandanayake, YG; Gunatilake, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS
Construction industry has encountered various innovative technologies over the past decades. Growth of these innovative technologies has paved the way to improve the performance and productivity in the industry. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a revolutionary paradigm which supports Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) industry to improve its efficiency and effectiveness to deliver economical and quality products. AECO industries in many countries are gaining immense advantages by adapting BIM. There are six roles which foreign governments have played in BIM implementation strategy. Government authorities in other countries have adopted these roles in their BIM implementation strategy, while encouraging private sector to acclimate. Moreover, there are various BIM implementation strategies developed by different governments all around the world. Majority of successful BIM implementations rest with the improvement of the basic BIM competencies. In Sri Lankan perspective, fewer people aware on BIM and government has completely disregarded this novel technology which can contribute massive benefits to the local construction industry. There are numerous challenges which barricade the adaptation of BIM in Sri Lanka. This research aims to identify a suitable government initiative strategy that can be adapted to implement BIM in Sri Lanka. Espousing this suitable strategy will eliminate barriers against BIM and improve basic BIM competencies which are needed to improve BIM implementation in Sri Lanka.
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Sustainable bim-based integrated project delivery system for construction industry: theoritical framework
(2017) Rosayuru, HDRR; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Wijewickrama, MKCS
The construction industry is an open and dynamic system, and the construction project procurement systems practised in the industry are subjected to changes resulting in many newly-innovated procurement systems, which is one of the best solutions for existing issues of conventional procurement. A new era of construction began with the technological improvements with Building Information Modelling (BIM), which is a novel advancement to establish a sustainable construction industry. Several countries have implemented BIM-based approaches to public procurement in recent years, among them, the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is an innovative procurement system that facilitates easy BIM adoption. It is evident that the establishment of an innovative procurement system such as BIM-based IPD is essential to adopt sustainable procurement successfully. Hence, this paper presents the drivers, benefits, challenges, and remedial measures, concerning the BIM-based IPD procurement when implementing the sustainable procurement concept to the Sri Lankan construction industry. Accordingly, comprehensive literature review was carried out to identify the above existing gaps in the literature and finally developed a theoretical framework to achieve sustainability targets via BIM-based IPD in construction projects, bridging the challenges of conventional procurement methods.