ERU - 2003

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/14680

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item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium 2003 (Pre Text)
(The Engineering Research Unit University of Moratuwa, 2003-08) Kumarage, AS
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
The study of the environmental aspects of waste dumping in the city of Kandy
(2003) Thaldena, SNB; Pathinather, S; Werallegama, DRIB
Inadequate collection and disposal of solid waste poses serious health risks to the population and leads to environmental degradation in many cities of Sri Lanka. Many local authorities do 110thave adequate funds and resources to manage the solid \\ asic generated within their local bodies.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
The role of the mottled water hyacinth weevil (neochetina eichhorniaes on biological control of water hyacinth in Sri Lanka
(2003) Gamage, NPD; Jayaweera, MW; De Silva, SD; Kasige, AP
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipesi has become one of the most obnoxious freshwater weeds \~ith numerous widespread infestations occurring in the North Western. Central and Southern provinces in Sri Lanka. Water hyacinth competes with native plants and phytoplankton in aquatic system for essential nutrients and space due to its rapid grow tho Further it clogs waterways thereby restricting recreational activities including fishing and navigation. lowers dissolved oxygen in water and limits light penetration due to the formation of an extensive network of mats.
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The importance and usage of documented procedures in construction contracts
(2003) Karunaratne, CD; Gunawardena, ND; Kodikara, GW
A construction contract is a unique venture carried out to meet the needs of a client and other stakeholders within the parameters of cost. schedule and technical specifications. For a contract to be successful in all aspects. it is necessary to focus on the quality of both the final product and the processes. The benefits of focusing on the quality of the processes. in addition to that of the product. can be realized within a project on the short-term and organization-wide in the long-term. The quality of project processes is usually assured in terms of standardization and uniformity: this is achieved through the use of documented procedures. which enables consistent performance in carrying out the processes. regardless of time. location or person.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
The effect of out-of-plane loads on heavy mechanical systems - a case study of a rail car dumper system
(2003) Kahangamage, U; Burgess, S
New design solutions for heavy mechanical systems arc generally developed based on similar historical designs. However. new solution requirements hardly ever match exactly with a historical design. Historical designs thus have to be altered or design modules from different past designs combined together in order to develop an acceptable design solutionis. The general agreement among researchers is that design reuse is an imprecise and error-prone activity. There are many technical problems associated with the design reuse process. Most of the technical problems (risks) are not apparent during the conceptual design stage. but can materialise during detailed design stage. manufacturing. installation or while in service.
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Tea polyphenols as an indigenous natural plant resource in preparation of azo dyes for dyeing textiles
(2003) Gunararne, KPN; Wijayapala, S; De Silva, NGH
For thousands of years. until as recently as the discovery ofthe first synthetic dye in 1RS6. all colouring substances were of natural (vegetable. animal, lichen and mineral) origin. After the discovery of first synthetic dye, there was a gradual decrease in the use of natural dyes. which were more expensive and in many ways more difficult to use. Today. many of the natural dyes have been replaced by synthetic dyes. The major problem threatening the textile industry today is the environmental pollution, arising out of the wet processing of the textiles. The production of synthetic dyes involves many violent reactions. using. manv hazardous petroleum based primary chemicals as well as the production of hazardous intermediates. Therefore it is high time that the over utilization of synthetic dyestuffs should be thought about in the context of health of the people and environment. Natural dvcs extracted or developed from natural resources exhibit better biodegradability. higher compatibility with the environment and also a lower toxicity and allergic reactions not to mention the unique and fascinating colours.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Study on the suitability of cation selective membrane and the effect 011 current density for electrodialitic removal of heavy metal joils
(2003) Dissanayaka, DMDOK; Jaaweera, MW; Gunawardhana, WDDH; Wijekoon, SLJ
Heavy metal pollution of the environment is a major environmental problem facing the modem world. Their persistence in the environment and the difficulty in removal from wastewaters make them available for aquatic and terrestrial fauna. This would enable the transfer of heavy metals up in the food chain causing severe damages in the higher organisms due to bioaccumulation.
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Simulation study to jmprove out patient management at national hospital of Sri Lanka
(2003) Mathugama, SC; lndralingam, M; Lokupiriya, R
Out Patient Department of National Hospital of Sri Lanka functions mainly as a primary care unit which provides number of different services. This department comprises of' a General OPD section. Admission section. Clinic section and Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). In addition there is a small pathological laboratory. an X-ray room. Operation Theatre and a Health Education and Family Planning Room. At present. the Out Patient Department is headed by a Medical Officer In-charge and has a staff of 4~ Medical Officers
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Shade variations in narrow fabric dyeing - a case study
(2003) De Silva, NGH
This paper looks at the problems of a local narrow fabric manufacturer supplying its products to garment factories of the same group. The basic raw materials are (i) Filament yarns of Nylon 6. Nylon 66. Polyester and Lycra: (ii) Dyes and Chemicals. The yarns arc converted to narrow fabrics as per buyers' requirements by weaving or knitting machines and dyed and finished to match buyers' swatches using imported dyes and chemicals. To match the colour shade of the buyer's swatch. a computerised colour matching package namely "Data Color" is used to obtain few closely matching recipes. Using these recipes the respective fabrics are dyed and finished in laboratory scale equipment. These dyed sample swatches are sent for buyer's approval and the bulk is dyed using the buyer approved recipe.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Salinity variation and pollution of the Negombo estuary
(2003) Malawaraaratchi, RN; Rathnayake, N; Samarawickrama, SP
Negombo estuary. which is 3170 ha in extent, serves important economic functions including fishing and tourism. It is characterized by high secondary production rates reflected in important biomass values for benthic and pelagic organisms. Estuarine plants and animals are adapted to high environmental variability and possess potentially valuable genetic characteristics. However it is under heavy and increasing pressure li'0111 human activities since it drains water carrying nutrients, organic matter and toxic. materials [rom the terrestrial environment .and the river system to the sea. The disposal of waste oil from the fishing anchorage located at the inlet and the direct discharge of partially and untreated effluents from the Ekala and Katunayake industrial zones are the major contributors of .pollution. The ad-hoc expansion of piers and landing points has lead the alterations in the flow patterns and thus the sedimentation in the channels. Newly formed sand shoals have· obstrncted the previously navigable areas. Unplanned development, unauthorized encroachments to the water body and the siltation have reduced the effective water area by 791 ha during the last three decades. The eventual fate of this basin estuary would be degradation by sedimentation and pollution.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Robust human body model acquisition from images in the presence or occlusion
(2003) De Silva, GC; De Silva, CR; De Silva, LC
Automated detection of postures and actions of humans from image/video data is \ aluablc for many applications. Some examples are automated surveillance. effective Human- Computer Interaction and Entertainment such as computer games. An essential step ill performing this task is to detect the presence of a human in a scene and acquire parameters of a predefined body model. Most of the existing research uses multiple cameras to obtain a full view of the human body for modelling. Where monocular images are used. using markers for identifying different parts or joints of the body is common. In most svsterns based on monocular images. it is assumed that the human body is occluded onlv b~ itself Marker-less automated human body model acquisition using monocular video in the presence of occlusion is still a challenging task.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewaters by phytoremediation using water hyacinth ieichhornia crassipiesy
(2003) Wijeyekoorr, SLT; Jayaweera, MW; Hirimburegama, K; Kasturiarachchi, JC; Fernando, PUD
Water hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes [Mart.] Solms.) is one of the most prominent freefloating aquatic weeds found throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In Sri Lanka the water hyacinth was first introduced in 1904 to the Botanical Gardens. Since then it has been recognized as one of the most troublesome aquatic weeds in many freshwater bodies. However it has been documented that water hyacinth has a unique ability to remove nutrients and heavy metals from polluted waters.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Reinforcing activity of modified filler
(2003) Gunapala, O; Gunapala, PY
Sri Lankan rubber industries process approximately 90,000 tons of natural rubber per year for manufacture of tire tread. footwear. flooring, pneumatic tubes, rugs. dipped product and many others. Large quantities of reinforcing and non-reinforcing fillers are required to obtain rubber product of desirable quality. The fillers used commonly are carbon black. silica. mica. china clay. Reinforcing fillers usually consume large amount of energy when processed and treated, so that their cost is sharply affected by the market price increases of energy. Mineral fillers are non-reinforcing by nature, less energy sensitive and not susceptible to price increase. They are available and widely distributed in Sri Lanka. It was shown in earlier research that modified mineral fillers could be used as quite economical and versatile substitute for expensive imported reinforcing fillers. The purpose of this paper is to establish the factors, effecting the reinforcing activity of modified fillers and optimization of rubber -rnodified filler composite formula for industrial usage.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Optimum design of steel portal frames
(2003) Perera, P; Hettiarachchi, MTP; Javanandana, ADC
The pitched roof. single bay, steel portal frame is now, a conunon structural form for single storey industrial buildings in Sri Lanka. It is adopted in preference to the conventional form of roof truss-stanchion or lattice girder-stanchion, type of steel building. Portal frames consist of pinned base or fixed base stanchions with rafters rigidly connected at the eaves. Hot rolled Universal Beam sections are used for stanchions and rafters. Haunches are often adopted at the eaves and apex to provide a greater moment carrying capacity. The relative ease of fabrication. the speed of erection of such frames and the effective use of space within this type of structure have led to its increased use as a structural form for industrial buildings.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Optimization of biogas production using water hyacinth (eichhornia crassipes)
(2003) Jayaweera, MW; Gamage, NPD; Wijekoon, SLK; Dilhanil, JAT
The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has been classified as an obnoxious freshwater weed in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world due to its rapid growth rate and asexual reproduction. In Sri Lanka widespread infestations occurred since its introduction to the Botanical Gardens in 1904. However it is reported that the aerial tissues (i.c. stems and leaves) of water hyacinth could be effectively utilized for biogas production under anaerobic conditions.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Kinetic coefficients for anaerobically pretreated crepe rubber effluent and optimization of activated sludge process by kinetic modeling
(2003) Wijeyekoon, SLJ; Hettiarachchi, IU; Senewiratne, WMG
Factorv efl:1uents from raw rubber processing facilities exhibit very high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). ammonia and suspended solids and therefore arc amenable for biological wastewater treatment. The Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka developed. pilot tested and commissioned a novel treatment system consisting of anaerobic digestion followed by aerobic stabilization and finally chemical precipitation and sand filtration. However. investigations have revealed that treatment plant design could be further optimized to enhance performance and reduce capital, operational and maintenance cost.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Investigation on using of high alumina ceramic roller wastes of fast firing kiln
(2003) Jayaratna, M; Rajasingham, S
Alumina and mullite ceramics are widely used ceramic materials due to their attractive properties combined with chemical inertness and high strength. These arc "ell-established ceramic materials. which have many industrial applications in both as structural and functional due to its exceptional properties. Alumina based materials arc used to manufacture abrasive materials, cutting tools. textile threads guides. grinding media, sealing. coatings. high strength bolts. nuts and washers. cement. refractories and manv more
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Gravity die casting as an alternative route for the manufacture of tyre moulds
(2003) Warnakulasooriya, FSK; Tiltagala, SR
Quality of a tvre is highly dependent on the tyre moulds that are being used to produce tyrcs. It has been found that in most of the situations. tyres are rejected due to defects and other problems arising from the existing poor quality moulds. The present tyre mould production process (dry sand casting method) has inherent drawbacks and difficulties in both casting and finishing processes. Dimensional accuracy and the geometry of moulds are hard to achieve. Moulds crack during use due to internal blowholes introduced In casting process and it is difficult to eliminate these defects in the present method.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Extraction of lignin from sawdust for rubber compounding
(2003) Gunapala, PY; Gunapala, O; Sagarika, APT
The increasingly stringent requirements of rubber product consuming industries have put demand on Sri Lankan rubber processing industry to provide rubber parts with better performance such as high tensile strength, good tear resistance and low abrasion. The economic recession and competition from abroad are other major challenges facing Sri Lankan rubber industry. To satisfy customer needs and meet competition local rubber industrialists have to realize the importance in basic research and their investment, Special attention is to be brought to upgrade and develop rubber formulation technologies based on cheap and locally available raw materials.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Deformation analysis in model soil slope studies
(2003) Rathnasiri, RM; Peiris, TA; Puswewala, UGA
In model soil slope studies as related to Geotechnical Engineering. the engineers arc interested in the failure surface and the maximum shear strength developed there upon failure. Monitoring the displacements and strains developed in the soil body during deformation. as a result of either surcharge loading or changes in the pore water pressure. holds a significant importance in Geotechnical Engineering. for example in investigations related to foundation engineering.

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