Master of Science in Construction Project Management

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item: Thesis-Full-text
A Study on site records maintained by the construction contractors
Kumara, GWS; Gunawardena, ND
The recognized goal of maintaining site records is to provide the right information to the right person at the right time at the lowest possible cost. This goal can only be successfully achieved and sustained through application of a systematic and thorough approach. Keeping site records is a daily practice on all the building & the civil Engineering projects and these records are maintained for different reasons. These range from providing a means of monitoring construction activities to performing a fundamental role in resolving any disputes. From the literature survey and the informal pilot survey involving interviews with several senior engineers, construction managers and the site in charges that may need to be used to prepare the questionnaire survey for the thesis. Major construction contractors who work in the city of Colombo participated to answer the questionnaire survey. All the data were collected walk in interviews were conducted with the local construction contractors. The questionnaire requested respondents to indicate on a "Yes" or "No" basis answers to the questionnaire. All the questionnaires inquire in general items to be maintained by the local construction contractors, work in the construction industry to improve the productivity & the legal activities. The questionnaires were categorized in to 8 project management principles to analysis the average documents maintained by the local construction contractors of the construction industry in Sri lanka. The results were indicated in the histogram form in each project management principle. The analysis was further extended to study j:he level of record keeping practice by the construction contractors. Further all the construction activities were separated with considering time duration of the project. Initial, construction and the final stages are the main divisions of the project activities. The results of the highest and the lowest level of the documents usage in each stage were selected and presented in the histogram form
item: Thesis-Abstract
Analysis of organizational factors causing job stress of contractors' engineering staff in water supply projects
(2016) Lakmal USV; Ekanayake LL
This study is an exploratory research study within the perspectives of the present research. It was designed to analyze the organizational factors causing job stress of the contractor's engineering staff in Construction projects with particular reference to Water Supply Projects. The construction industry has grown to be one of the most significant contributors to the growth of the country. This study aims to identify key organizational factors affecting the job stress of Engineering Staff in Construction Projects with special reference to Water Supply Projects. Because, organizational factors might be mange while implementing the projects that benefited the project management unit to overcome any issues regarding job stress. Here, the researcher referred to different models related to work stress and developed a model to find out the factors causing job stress. Empirical evidence was obtained from the responses of supervisory engineering staff in the water supply projects. Literature review and factors recommended by experts were considered to categorize the factors. It was selected Five factors, which were analyzed through 19 determinants regarding employee job stress. questionnaires were distributed among Engineering Staff in Construction Projects. It was concluded, four factors have a positive relationship, and one has a negative relationship between independent variables with the Job Stress of the Engineering Staff in the Water Supply Projects. It is recommended to develop human resources through proper and continuous training programs frame a strong assignment, vision, and a planned approach to overcome the disturbances on the performance of the Engineering Staff in the Construction Projects.
item: Thesis-Full-text
An Analytical study of effective formwork systems for high-rise building construction in Sri Lanka
(2015-02-22) Gunatilaka, WADA; Ekanayake, L
Formwork system is the most important factor determining the project success especially, in high-rise building construction projects in terms of speed, quality cost and safety of the work as it accounts 40% of the total project cost of the structure. The contractor needs to complete the project in the shortest time possible as a means to minimise the cost and the clients wants the building to start the business as early as possible. The most effective way to speed up the works in high-rise buildings is to achieve a very short floor cycle to have the structure of typical floors completed in the shortest time. That directly depends on the selected formwork type for the particular construction project. Thus, appropriate selection of an effective formwork system is crucial factor in successfully completing any high-rise building project. Two case studies were carried out to analyse the cost for different types of formwork: modern conventional method; semi-system formwork; and, Aluminium panel system formwork use in construction projects. Case study projects were selected among high-rise buildings projects more than 25 stories which are located in Colombo metropolises in Sri Lanka. The results indicated that the cost of formwork does not directly affect to the total project cost but the type of formwork is highly affected to the total project cost especially, in high-rise building construction projects. Accordingly, the Aluminium panel system formwork reduces the project duration and hence, the total project cost and gives construction structure a very high quality finish though the Aluminium panel system is very expensive itself. Moreover, this study reveals most cost effective formwork system for high-rise buildings more than 25 stories is the Aluminium panel system comparatively. Thus, this outcome is useful to decision makers to select the most appropriate formwork system for high-rise building construction.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Applicability of priority based fixed asset maintenance in construction contractors : a case from Sri Lanka
(2022) Arachchi GRV; Perera A
Construction industry is identified as one of the most asset intensive industries. The dependance on fixed assets such as construction machinery, equipment, plant and vehicles has made industry vulnerable to failures due to not having standard practices of utilization of these fixed assets. Being a fast-moving economy in South Asia, Sri Lanka is yet to fully standardize its Construction Industry and resources utilization. The published literature suggest that it heavily depends on utilization of better Fixed Assets and Fixed Asset Maintenance Systems (FAMS). Implementation of FAMS has been a challenging task for local contractors as failure cases have seen in the recent past frequently. Delays, idling, accidents, environment damage, low service level and less efficiency of fixed assets could be identified as major drawbacks, which in return produced finance outflow from the organizations. This paper elaborates on existing maintenance approaches like corrective, preventive and predictive while aiming to research the validity of Priority based Fixed Asset Maintenance approach (PFAM) in local Construction Contractors. Based on previously conducted relevant researches of more than 5 authors, it was decided to conduct a questionnaire survey followed by a Delphi consensus to establish priority parameters on a randomly selected sample of 56 organizations to develop a suitable priority score framework. Based on the survey responses and expert opinion, Physical Condition (PC), Performance (PER), and Criticality (C) were identified as three main priority categories under which subpriority factors were determined. 33 construction equipment were selected from a road construction company and assigned priority scores to validate the suggested methodology as a case study. 54.4% of all the contractor organizations have classified their fixed asset register including construction equipment, office equipment, spare parts or service units, furniture and fittings, plant and machinery, building and land and building fixed asset categories which are stated by IAS 16 global standard and LKAS 15 local standard. It could be concluded that majority of contractors still utilizes 'fail and fix‘ or 'preventive‘ maintenance approaches, where there is technical possibility implement PBFAM practices. The priority score framework has shown substantial validity while testing with the local road contractors with real world data.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Application and acceptance of Eco- friendly walling materials for state sector projects
(2022) Jansz NY; Jayasinghe C
Eco-friendly materials have promptly grown worldwide with its demarcating benefits to the construction industry. However, in Sri Lanka, construction industry still primarily use traditional methods and standard materials (e.g. conventional bricks and cement masonry blocks). The usage of the Eco-Friendly wall materials is still lagging behind in Sri Lankan construction industry. Developing countries are also largely responsible for increasing global warming from housing and construction industry. And 90% of households are having thermal issues due to the heated interior of the houses in Sri Lanka hence it is highly required to use alternative Eco-Friendly materials for construction purposes to solve these problems as a developing country. However, it is required to identify why there is less demand in using Eco-friendly construction materials for the construction purposes. This thesis aims to explore why there is a less demand for Eco-friendly materials for wall construction in Government construction projects in Sri Lanka. Further, it is required to analyze the factors that contribute to lack of demand for Eco-Friendly wall materials in Government construction sector in Sri Lanka and find the strategies to overcome this problem. The study analyzed the data under three factors namely, psychographic, product-specific and demographic, and found most critical barriers to implementation the Eco-Friendly wall materials in the Government construction projects in Sri Lanka. Strategies were recommended to increase and promote the Eco-Friendly wall materials (Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks and Eco-Friendly Wall Panels) in the Government construction sector in Sri Lanka. This thesis provides a critical evaluation on the preferences of EWM and strategies to encourage the adoption for the EWM in Sri Lanka. This study gives insights on ways to motivate Sri Lankan to use environmental friendly concepts.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Application of Mstmaccess for cost controlling
Punchihetti, AN; Perera, AADAJ
Information required to every person is increasing and we are now living in an information revolution era. Each and every commercial organization is taking benefits of information technology and computerizing their every activity to get information on activities. Sri Lankan construction industry is lagging behind compared to other industries and facing many problems. To overcome these problems information technology is the most powerful tool available. Construction contractor h as a vital role in cost controlling 0 f construction not 0 nly to his s elfsuccess but also to give benefits to the society. Generally the cost controlling practice in Sri Lankan construction contractors are in primary stage not giving enough information at correct time and those few good systems available among are also very sophisticated. RoadConstruction a nd Development Company (Pvt) Limited is t he largest government 0 wned road construction company in Sri Lanka. This company is operating its business all over the country.Major income for the company is the return from its construction projects. Hence there is a very big demand for information system from each project to know whether those projects are operatingwithin mark-up limits. To satisfy this demand there is a manually operating cost information system but there are so many shortcomings with this. Therefore this computerized information system was developed basedon existing system also to cover some other site activities in a construction project. Microsoft Access 2000 database management package was used to develop the proposed management information system. Only small changes were done in data collection methodologies andoutput reports of existing system. The proposed system was tested using an actual data set with small modifications in numerical figures to confirm security of the compan~'s financial information and results show that proposed system is easy to handle and give more accurate information. It was also demonstrated to few sitemanaging people of the company and they agreed that the proposed system would help them to managetheir site activities with efficient way.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Application of project management concept on road and bridge construction claims
(2015-02-28) Gopallawa, T; Ekanayake, L
Road Development Authority of Sri Lanka (RDA) is the client organization for the National Roads administration operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Highways. Since 1986 up to end of 2003 most of the road and bridge construction works were handled by Road Construction and Development Co (pvt) Ltd.which was known as (RC & DC), the main contractor organization and the subsidiary of the Road Development Authority. Independent Consultants and Contractors were handling some of the road and Bridge construction works procured through competitive tenders that was mainly foreign funded projects. After the closure of RC & DC in December 2003, the works which could not be handled by RDA directly were given on contract following the procurement procedures provided in government tender guidelines. Those contracts were categorized as foreign and locally funded projects. In contracts administration claim situations are common due to disputes with parties where independent consultants administrate the works of independent contractors. The appointment of an independent consultant to work as the contract administrator is one of the important arrangements in contract Administration. It was examined in this research how far the Construction Project Management approach could be used to minimize delays in claim situation in road and bridge construction works. The main objective of this research is to study how far the Construction Project Management concepts can be used for road and bridge construction works while evaluating selected case studies to see how this concept could be applied in road and bridge construction claims. To full fill this purpose a literature survey was carried out. It was revealed that there was a necessity to appoint an independent Project Manager for large projects to take impartial decisions in the interest of both the client and the contractor. The findings are based on 7 case studies carried out in depth
item: Thesis-Abstract
Application of public - private partnerships model and effect on public infrastructure construction projects in Sri Lanka
(2021) Perera GAAU; Siriwardana C
Public Private Partnership is defined as a long-term contract between a private party and a government Agency, for providing public infrastructure and services, in this concept, there is an appropriate risk will be to the private party and where the private party bears investment and management responsibility on a long term basis .it reflects a continued collective effort between the public sector and the Private sector to achieve common objectives while both parties track their own individual goals. The government of Sri Lanka will require to think about substitute financing options to look over the monetary limitations and inadequate capital to develop infrastructure projects such as the Public Private Partnership financial model. However, the application of a centralized procurement model such as public-private partnership to develop infrastructure in Sri Lanka, trends to create financial implications attitudinal problems in government officers, control issues and difficulties in the management of contracts at the execution stage of the development project which needs to be completely understood by stakeholder institutes and strategy makers. Therefore, this study intended to identify the above consequences, barriers and the critical success factors that influence for application of the PPP model to develop infrastructure in Sri Lanka. The main objectives of this study were, Explore and study the critical factors identified in previous research for the successful delivery of PPP projects internationally. Identify current deficiencies and barriers in PPP practices and the critical factors that affect the Successful delivery of that model for infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka and propose, areas to be addressed the identified issues for the successful implementation of the PPP model in Sri Lanka by consolidating the above objectives 1 & 2. Information and the data for the study were gathered by reviewing various types of literature, conducting questionnaire surveys among professionals and semi-structured interviews with the ten selected industrial experts for the PPP procurement method. Identification of critical success factors of the international concept was done considering the identified critical factors by the ten studies carried out in the different regions of the world related to the same topic of this study. Used frequency of occurrence method to identify the most critical factors under the above research studies and ten factors were selected as the most critical factors for successful application of the PPP model to the international concept. These factors were incorporated into the questionnaire survey to analyze the effect of those factors on the Sri Lankan concept Delphi method and the average ranking method were used to analyze the responses received through the questionnaire survey. Ten critical success factors were identified as the most critical success factors that affected the application of the PPP model to develop infrastructure in Sri Lanka and validation of these factors was carried out by conducting interviews with the selected ten experts in the industry. Ranking of the above critical factors was done using the average ranking method .accordingly Project technical feasibility, Good governance, availability of financial market/viability funding, Sound financial package, effective negotiation between parties, political Support, the well-prepared contract document, competitive/transparent procurement process, Sound economic condition/ economic Viability, Appropriate risk allocation risk sharing. Between public and private parties were identified as the most critical factors that affect the application of the PPP model for the successful delivery of the infrastructure project under the PPP procurement model in Sri Lanka.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Assess effectiveness of TIA method in forensic delay analysis in construction projects
Mendis, M; Perera, AADAJ
Results of delay analysis is the basis of many claims related to time and money of the construction projects. Results of delay analysis vary depending on the person how perform the analysis, delay analysis method, nature of data available, and many other subjective parameters associate with delay analysis. There is no delay analysis method specified in any standard condition of contracts. Therefore the selection of more suitable method is a liberty of person how preform the analysis. This inspire the background ofthis research. Forensics delay analysis is the process which measure the impact of a delay event to the date of completion of the project based. This process called ‘Forensic5 because it is based on the past data. The planned sequence of activities ofthe project agreed by parties at the beginning of the project will be the basis of this process. Sequence of activities of a project or project programme, has many dependencies. Most ofthose dependencies are subjective. Therefore it is very difficult to develop a mathematical model to assess the impact of a delay event to the programme and its date of completion. There are many delay analysis methods. TLA is a one of the most accepted method even recommended by society of construction law. Assessment ofthe effectiveness of TIA method to analyze delays in construction projects is the objective ofthe research. Effective method shall be applicable, justifiable and scientific. Assessing criteria to assess the effectiveness of a delay analysis method has been developed referring to basic requirements in analyzing project delays, provisions in contract law and experts views. The impact offew delay events would be analyze by TIA method and it could be assessed by the assessing criteria. Delay event and application of TIA method and results are the parameters which shall be assessed. This process have many subjective parameters. Impact of subjective parameters related to the delay analysis process, should be nullify to obtain more ‘generalized5 results. Therefore instead of obtaining results under few cases, it is planned to study the behavior of TIA results with the variability of its subjective parameters. Then these relationships are assessed by the developed criteria. Simulation followed by a case study is the selected methodology for the research. Simulation of the TIA has been done using a model developed based on critical path method. Simulation model should be capable of assemble each simulations together to observe the impact of one delay event on other. Results ofsimulations would be graphically illustrated. Effectiveness of TIA method has been assessed in view ofscientific method of measurement and applicability to the accepted industrial requirements and norms. TIA cannot fulfill the requirements of effective delay analysis method, all the times. TIA shall be perform with proper understanding of behavior of its results. Interpretation of TIA results and final decision over the time extension claim shall be still a job, highly depend on expert judgment ofprofessionals.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Assessing resilience of water infrastructure projects in urban areas (a case study of Colombo Metropolitan Region - CMR)
(2022) Anistonraj M; Siriwardana CSA
In the Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR), sustained productivity development is key to Sri Lanka's 2022 growth as a middle income economy. One of the most valuable growth engines in Sri Lanka is the increased productivity of the CMR or Western Province. However, the CMR must remain comparable with other Asian urban areas. Priority should also be given to reinforcing the most vibrant service industries such as Information Technology (IT), financial services and shifting from low to high valueadded production opportunities. Urban sprawl is the consequence of legal and structural restrictions on land prices and insufficient resources for effective and productive land usage and property development. Several underground water pipelines were built in the Colombo Metropolitan Region about fifty years ago. These pipes have reached the end of their useful life and require extensive repairs. Based on the literature review, it was identified that water and wastewater treatment systems require upgrades to meet contemporary environmental standards. However, as per the objectives of the research, it is to assess the resilience of water infrastructure projects in urban areas to examine the required level of policies for resilience of water infrastructure projects in urban areas and to examine the impact and externalities on the resilience of water infrastructure projects in urban areas. The capacity utilization and requirements, policies, strategy, and capital accumulation to the resilience of water infrastructure projects in Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR). Additionally, it implies that the impact and the corelation of the independent variables, capacity utilization and requirements, policies, strategy, capital accumulation to resilience of water infrastructure in Sri Lankan urban areas.
item: Thesis-Abstract
An Assessment into the development and adaptation of health and safety practices in road construction sector in Sri Lanka
(2021) Okandage CKW; Halwatura RU
The road construction sector is a branch of the construction industry in the world that consists of the most hazardous health and safety issues. It has reported the highest number of mortalities and the highest injury rates in recent history. The Sri Lankan road construction sector has grown enormously within the last several years and this has become a major factor in the country’s economy. It has created a lot of opportunities for the country’s economy. But, on the other hand, it is making a staggering problem to the worker’s health sector because workers are very familiar with poor health-safety aspects. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the influence of this matter on the commitment of management and employee response on the implementation of health and safety practices at the Sri Lankan road construction sector. Thus, the research problem is created as: What is the understanding of the management and employees of road construction companies (sites) in Sri Lanka on the implementation and improvement of health and safety practices? The research problem was mainly investigated by applying survey research methodology. Accordingly, data collection was carried out using developed questionnaires for this research. Apart from that, using semi-structured key informant schedules, some interviews were also handled with the participation of selected key informants. A sample of 160 construction employees participated in the questionnaire survey and 08 expertise personnel are interviewed in key informant interviews. The data was analysed by using Percentage and Relative Important Index (RII) data analysis techniques. The results indicated that management commitment towards the health and safety aspects are at a considerable level compared to employee responses, yet both need to be improved. The interrelationship between both parties needs to be developed according to the industry expert’s opinion and quantitative analysis. All three aspects will drive the health-safety activities in the Sri Lankan road construction sector. Therefore, improvements in each factor will contribute to the final task of development and implementation of health and safety aspect of the Sri Lankan road construction sector in Sri Lanka.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Assessment of barriers to accelarate small hydro power development in Sri Lanka
Senarath, SKM; EKANAYAKE, L.L
As Sri Lanka is non fossil fuel producing country, large amount of national income has to be spent for fossil fuel in producing electricity from thermal power generation. For example, CEB has spent 78.61 billion rupees for purchasing of thermal power from private sector through standard power purchase agreement in the year of 2008. Furthermore, expenditure on fossil fuel for electricity generation of CEB's own power plant has been 34.46 billion rupees in the same year. The volume of fossil fuel used by CEB alone for generating electricity was about 517 million liters in 2008. In this context, study on indigenous renewable energy sources looks very important. In this research, attempt was made explore the importance of small hydro power (SHP) industry and identify the factors, which retard development of SHP projects. The study reveals that land related issues, environmental issues, social issues and financial issues are main factor that causes 70% of effect for delay in SHP projects. Further it was revealed in this research that the total capacity of SHP project commissioned is 167 MW as at September 2009 and at least another 300MW of small hydro power capacity is available in the country. This study attempted to abstract the individual idea of the experts in the SHP industry for enhancement of the prevailing process. Further they believe that SHP projects need be developed as a solution for resistance to mega hydro power projects and high electricity cost. Literature reveals that. government of Sri Lanka has recognized the importance of non conventional renewable energy sources (NCRE) where SHP plays the major role. Government has set the target of 10% electricity generation from NCRE by 2015, which need 650 MW installed capacity and prevailing capacity is 179 MW as at September 2009. This research is exploratory research and effort was made to introduce guide line for smooth small hydro power implementation process catering the influencing factor identified in the survey carried out among the experts.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Assessment of electronic document and communication management systems in construction projects
(2019) Perera KES; Siriwardana CSA
Effective communication plays a major role in a project towards its success. Today, most of the construction projects deal with stakeholders around the world. Therefore, it is essential to have a proper communication channel for the smooth flow of the project execution. Traditional paper-based communication seems to be not practical in this context and the requirement of an alternative method is essential. In this regard web-based electronic document and communication management system can be proposed as a solution. In the construction industry, documents and drawings related to various disciplines such as engineering, architectural, planning, financial etc. are widely used. Electronic document and communication management systems can handle both incoming and outgoing correspondence related to a project in one place with a defined access. Nowadays, internet and other communication means are booming up and construction industry too has a tendency of moving to the electronic documentation and communication management systems. Since, it is a new transformation in the construction industry, most of the stakeholders are still in a dilemma on upgrading their existing systems. This research assesses the potential reasons, whether to adopt or avoid the electronic document and communication management systems for construction projects and further the benefits and challenges of implementation of such systems in a project by conducting the industry survey and the case study.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Assessment of key competencies for client management in health sector construction projects in Sri Lanka
(2023) Munasinghe, BSCK; Ekanayake, LL
The goal of this study was to identify the key competencies of a client who is responsible for the success of a health sector project in Sri Lanka. A literature review was carried out to determine the client's competency profile in terms of management and project success. To design the questionnaire survey and validate the competencies identified in the literature, expert interviews were conducted. A web-based questionnaire was distributed to clients in the health sector project, particularly medical doctors, and a few engineers in the Sri Lankan health sector. They were asked to rank the client competencies based on their experience, and 66 completed questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Respondents' perceptions of competency ranking were also evaluated, and the results revealed a strong relationship between Technical and Leadership competencies. The mean-variance analysis performed to examine the relationship between client representatives' work experience and their competency ranking discovered that it was not significant. A project's scope is a detailed outline that includes all the work required to deliver a product or service. Goals, deliverables, tasks, project members, deadlines, and milestones are all part of the project. The competency of the client is critical for management. It is critical to manage infrastructure scope management, particularly in the health sector, and this research can find the best selection method for client representatives for the work. Communicate the change with all affected parties was identified as the most important competency under the category of Leadership Competencies, followed by Obtain approval from at least three major stakeholders for variations in analytical thinking skills under the category of Technical Competency and Personal interests and expectations of client representatives over general requirements under the category of Leadership Competencies. The findings of this study can be used to guide the selection of client representatives for projects as well as the development of training programs for client representatives to improve their competencies. It is advised that the client implement a project-based project management unit.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Assessment of key competencies for project management in construction projects
(2019) Mendis LBSK; Siriwardana C
Purpose of this study was to identify the key competencies of a project manager who has the responsibility of project success. Literature survey was conducted to identify the Project Manager's competency profile towards project success. Expert interviews were conducted to design the questionnaire survey and validate the competencies identified from the literature. Web-based questionnaire was circulated among Team Leaders, Project Directors, Project Managers and Engineers in Sri Lankan construction industry. They were requested to rank the 57 competencies for an effective project manager, based on their experience, 66 completed questioners were returned and used for analysis. It was identified that Communication skill under the category of Leadership Competencies as the most important competency followed by Analytical thinking skill under the category of Technical Competency and Leadership skill under the category of Leadership Competencies. Results of this research can be used as a guideline to select project managers for projects as well to design training programs for project managers in order to develop their competencies. Respondents perception of the ranking of competencies also evaluated, and results showed that there is a strong relationship between Technical and Leadership competencies. The analysis conducted to check the relationship between project managers work experience and their competency ranking found that the meanvariance was not significant.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Assessment of key competencies for workplace health, safety concerns and minor injury accidents for building construction sites in Sri Lanka
(2023) Munasinghe, KGTC; Perera, A
Sri Lankan construction industry is experiencing a boom. The lack of skilled labor in the construction sector causes numerous problems for projects. Many medium sized construction projects heavily rely on skilled labor to be effective. In Sri Lanka's construction industry, Health, Safety and Minor injuries or accidents are not reported or kept track of. Health concerns like ergonomics and other issues relating to unsafe acts and labor exposure to the outer limits of human capabilities are frequently ignored. Therefore, establishing a safe workplace is essential to make effective use of the skilled labor that is available. This study will shed light on important variables influencing Health, Safety and Minor illnesses and injuries to skilled laborers on medium scale Sri Lankan Navy construction sites. In the data collection, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were taken in to account. Thus, a study was conducted to identify the underlying causes of health, Safety problems and minor injuries that skilled laborers do not count. A questionnaire survey for professionals working on medium-sized construction sites was conducted from SL Navy building construction sites' Management and skilled staff were participated in the initiation interviews and questioner survey. Back pain was found to be the health issue most significantly impacted by the study. Workers' lower back pain was a major contributing factor. With regard to the entire survey, 30% of attempts were near misses. For skilled workers, lacks of knowledge of important manual handling techniques and pushing human limits have led to numerous health problems. It was discovered that 4% of workers experienced more than four near misses while at work. Five why (5Why) analysis and accident investigation techniques were successful in identifying the roof causes of minor injury accidents involving skilled laborers at medium-scale construction sites in Sri Lanka. Poor safety practices on construction sites have been linked primarily to two factors: a lack of knowledge about site safety and a dislike of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Enhancing professionals' interests in active safety management and the implementation of awareness programs, which must be developed and implemented among construction workers, is one of the industry's most pressing needs. Site safety will be improved by workers and contractors being aware of potential risk factors and knowing how to reduce those risk factors. The study that ranked behavioral competency as the top important competency in health, safety, and minor accident prevention took the top spot. Technical competency came in second and core competency in third. According to the study's relationship between competencies for Health, Safety, and Minor Accident, Technical versus Core high, Technical versus Behavioral, and Behavioral versus Core moderate Finally, the study demonstrates that it is crucial to establish new guidelines and frameworks for using modern technologies in Sri Lanka.
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Assessment of the effects of LICIT and ILLICIT drug use on Sri Lankan construction labour productivity
(2023) Sajotha, GHAB; Siriwardana, C
It is assumed that licit and illicit drugs are commonly used by construction workers. The risk profile for alcohol and drugs on construction sites varies, from catastrophic accidents that result in severe injury or death to minor incidents. An investigation of the impacts of substance misuse among construction workers was carried out in Sri Lanka, which served as the basis for this study. Information was gathered about the issues that lead to substance abuse among construction workers, and qualitative and quantitative research method was used. According to the study's findings, many construction workers do not use drugs or alcohol to cope with the financial crisis. Additionally, these issues affect the workers' families, generating a setting that encourages the "vicious cycle." The research findings highlight the significance of eliminating substance abuse in the construction industry due to the socioeconomic impact it has on construction workers and the industry as a whole in Sri Lanka. The management of safety measures as well as the views, attitudes, and conduct of construction workers were the main subjects of this study. By dissecting its conclusions, this study shows that the major construction firms in Sri Lanka that were taken into account have a high level of risk awareness and perceive health and safety as critical issues, notably the effects of legal and illicit substances on productivity. This study aimed to understand the data collected and create a question-and-answer survey based on it. This study examines and compiles quantitative data on productivity in the construction sector to give the first systematic examination of the economic effects of drug usage in Sri Lanka. As a result, policymakers will better understand the current condition and the problem’s severity. Productivity loss is one of the consequences of drug abuse. Costs of healthcare, crime, institutionalization, and incarceration, as well as the cost and loss of welfare. Many of these costs must be borne by the industry, which has an adverse effect. Externalities are borne by society as well. Due to Sri Lanka's continued development, it is essential to calculate the economic cost of drug misuse in order to assess the severity of the issue and how it affects the nation. The value of resources lost as a result of a specific illness is referred to as the direct cost. According to this study, the total cost of drug abuse for institutionalized people includes direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs, and lost productivity due to drug abuse. According to the study, Sri Lanka project management is experiencing a micro- and macroeconomic crisis, as is the construction industry, and as a result, the use of expensive drugs and alcoholic beverages is very low, with some inexpensive substances such as smoking beedi and bit betel being used. In terms of productivity loss, it is estimated to be very minor. Keywords: Project Management, Construction Workers, Productivity, Drug Abuse, Substances
item: Thesis-Abstract
Attitudes of site personnel towards waste management of building construction projects in Sri Lanka
Jayaweerarathna, JPKN; Manatunge, JMA
Waste management is a very widely known subject and it has served with many aspects of research areas already carried out to avoid waste in construction industry. But the problem still remains as this is very severe problem to the construction industry in terms of cost and time involvement to the waste reduction efforts and the cost of wasted materials. Although the designers, planners and managers trying to develop various means of waste reduction efforts, finally the people who are actually engaged with the work have more influence towards the outcomes of waste management. Therefore the examination of their attitudes regarding this concept is worthwhile to the successfulness of this effort. In Sri Lanka it is hard to find any widely published research that, has addressed attitudes and behavioural factors of site personnel towards waste management of construction industry. Since the construction is a highly labour intensive trade of work, the attitudes and behaviours of individuals involved in the construction work influence its growth and performance. This research intends to provide insights of what attitudes and behaviours have the more significance towards waste management of building construction industry in Sri Lanka. Further the individuals who ,are actually work at construction sites or the operatives of the construction work were selected for this research, since they are the more influential cluster of the construction works towards waste management. The ultimate intention of this research is to find out the important attitudes of site personnel towards waste management in Sri Lankan Building construction industry to overcome the negative attitudes for a successful project waste management
item: Thesis-Full-text
Barriers face by Sri Lankan civil engineering graduates to become entrepreneurs
(2020) Liyanagama PM; Ekanayake L
Entrepreneurs are viewed as a noteworthy supporter of national economy and advancement, which has been affirmed in numerous nations around the globe. A century back, individuals accepted that business abilities were conceived ability, however now the entire world has acknowledged pioneering aptitudes can be instructed, and that training can build up an individual's innovative reasoning. Our engineers are furnished with key subject matters and investigative aptitudes, and show extraordinary execution as far as present day suspecting. This study expects to think about hindrances to enterprise among Sri Lankan Civil Engineering graduates. Information from project engineers, consulting engineers were gathered with their own businesses background and industry expertise which contribute to the society to add to the fundamental learning. Questions were chosen from several areas for the questionnaire for inspecting comfort for each area and information was broke down utilizing a Microsoft Excel.Final information demonstrate the consequences of low-level business levels Sri Lanka engineer, however all interior factors in the example examination are sure, it can advance enterprise. Notwithstanding, it has been discovered that there are some outside variables, for example, non-accessibility of assets and the absence of family consolation for the business visionaries. Civil Engineers have demonstrated gentle enthusiasm for working with individuals, and this can cause issues when those aptitudes are fundamental for a business. Researchers found that poor strategic policies, which could be viewed as a noteworthy snag. As we as a whole know, in the present circumstance, engineers should expand the degree of business. By changing the educational program, college culture change, increasingly inventive opportunity for understudies, giving a wellspring of financing to imaginative undertakings and bringing issues to light of work laws and tax assessment arrangements, can improve the degree of business enterprise.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Causes and effects of contractor oriented cost overruns in building project
(2015-10-07) Kandiah, C; Perera, AADAJ
One of the main problems, faced by the construction industry is cost overrun. The final cost at the completion of the project exceeds over the initial cost, during the time of inception of the project. As a result of this, the projects have to be stopped or reduced their scopes, without fulfilling the total requirements of the end users. So, it is necessary to analyze the main causes for the cost overrun in construction projects. After the end of thirty years of war and recent Tsunami, there are many reconstruction projects, especially in building sector undergoing in Sri Lanka. It is observed that the cost overrun at the end of the project, created unpleasant situations among the clients, consultants and contractors. The contractors are the most affected by the issue of cost overrun, because they have to wait for their payments for a certain period due to the unavailability of excess fund. The aim of the research project is to identify the main factors contributing the cost overrun in the view of contractors and how they are distributed. The other focusing area of this study is to find out the steps to mitigate the cost overrun in future. The preliminary data for this research have been collected through a literature review from Sri Lanka and worldwide. The main factors causing cost overrun listed from the literature review, were modified using the facts obtained from the case studies and the opinions of some experts in the field. A detailed questionnaire form has been prepared using the modified factors and circulated island wide.77 questionnaires were received, out of 180 issued questionnaires and the response rate of 43%.The data analysis was carried out using the relative importance index method. The Five point priority scale was used to rank the significant factors according to the rating of respondents. In addition to that, an open ended question was added in the last part of the questionnaire form to get the views of the mitigation of cost overrun in future. From the results, "Cost due to extra work" is identified as the top most influencing factor of cost overrun in overall basis. "Cost due to extra quantity", "Changes in design", "Changes in scope", "Cost due to adverse weather" and "Price fluctuation of materials" are identified as the next five significant factors. The analysis was further carried out in relation with the project size and the type of the fund and almost similar results were obtained. In the case of remedial measures of cost overrun, the respondents suggests that the adoption of proper planning and using efficient methods in estimate preparation are the best solution for avoiding the cost overrun in future. They further stress that the frequent changes in scope are to be avoided, in order to keep the contract value in control.