Institutional-Repository, University of Moratuwa
Welcome to the University of Moratuwa Digital Repository, which houses postgraduate theses and dissertations, research articles presented at conferences by faculties and departments, university-published journal articles and research publications authored by academic staff. This online repository stores, preserves and distributes the University's scholarly work. This service allows University members to share their research with a larger audience.
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Recent Submissions
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Neo4j-powered graph-rag system for financial insights on the Colombo stock exchange
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Shamila, B; Silva, S; Talagala, S
Financial annual reports contain rich but unstructured corporate information, making it difficult to efficiently extract relationships such as directors, subsidiaries, auditors, and ownership structures. Knowledge graphs provide a structured way to model these relationships and integrate
heterogeneous information sources [1]. With recent advances in retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), graphbased retrieval can be combined with large language models to improve factual accuracy and context grounding in downstream analysis [4]. In this work, we transform Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) annual reports into a Neo4j-based financial knowledge graph and integrate it with an LLM-driven Graph-RAG pipeline that supports naturallanguage financial querying.
Our method introduces a focused retrieval strategy that extracts entities only from the most relevant text segments, overcoming LLM context limitations. This targeted approach enables near-complete entity capture and more accurate graph construction than full-document extraction.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Binder chemistry and its impact on geopolymer compaction: predicting compaction parameters
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Fahee, TJ; Nihaaj, NMM; Ekanayake, LL
Soil stabilization enhances the engineering performance of weak soil [1], [2]. Chemical stabilization is a common method that incorporates additives to form strong interparticle bonds [2]. Traditional binders like ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and lime have been widely used for stabilization, but their production causes about 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions and 11% of energy intake [1], [2], [3]. Geopolymer, which is also referred to as alkali-activated binders (AAB), is a sustainable alternative to OPC in soil stabilization [1], [2], [4], [5]. Geopolymer involves the alkali activation of aluminosilicate precursors like fly ash (FA), rice husk ash (RHA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) [1], [2], [3]. The use of geopolymers enables a substantial reduction in process-related carbon emissions, approximately 60-80% compared to conventional OPC production [4]. Each precursor contains a unique combination of chemical compounds that strongly influences the geopolymerization reactions and the resulting material properties. Binder chemistry governs geopolymer performance through major oxides such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO, Na/Al, and Si/Al ratios, which influence geopolymerization and gel formation [1], [5]. Key geotechnical parameters like maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) help to evaluate stabilization efficiency [1]. However, predicting these parameters from binder chemistry remains complex. Instead of relying on random trial-and-error to determine the optimal composition, it is essential to establish a systematic mechanism for formulating effective soil reinforcement. Therefore, this study aims to develop a standardized predictive model to estimate compliance with required mechanical properties, moving beyond inefficient trial-and-error methods [1], [2].
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Developing sustainable chain case rubber bush from glove trimmings and rejected gloves in Sri Lanka
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Sewwandi, HPGPA; Polkotuwa, PWCLK; Ramanayaka, RAIU; Senarath, TGKC; Sanjeewa, MS; Pallegedara, PGMPB
The global rubber industry is a critical backbone of modern manufacturing, providing indispensable materials for automotive components, industrial machinery, and personal protective equipment [1]. However, the sector faces significant environmental challenges due to the accumulation of rubber waste, particularly in developing nations such as Sri Lanka. A notable contributor to this issue is the disposal of nitrile glove trimmings and rejected gloves generated by the local rubber product manufacturing sector. Traditional disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration not only squander valuable resources but also contribute to long-term
environmental degradation.
In line with sustainable development goals and the principles of a circular economy, there is growing interest in converting such waste into high-value products. One viable avenue is the fabrication of rubber bushes critical components in automotive and industrial systems that mitigate vibrations, reduce mechanical wear, and enhance durability. This research investigates the feasibility of developing a sustainable chain case rubber bush using mechanically recycled nitrile glove waste. The study employs a systematic methodology involving material collection, mechanical pulverization, advanced rubber compounding, and performance testing. Preliminary findings suggest that the recycled rubber composites demonstrate mechanical properties comparable to conventional products, indicating strong industrial applicability [2]. This innovation promotes eco-efficient manufacturing while addressing Sri Lanka’s pressing rubber waste challenges [3].
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Peak detection of PPG signals using fixed-point digital filters implemented in VHDL
(Engineering Research Unit, 2025) Niroshana, HKY; Wimalasiri, WM; Hettiarachchi, C
Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a non-invasive optical method widely employed in biomedical signal processing to estimate vital parameters such as heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. Accurate and real-time peak detection is essential for reliable feature extraction in PPG analysis. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), with their inherent parallelism, low latency, and energy efficiency, provide an effective hardware platform for implementing such algorithms in embedded healthcare systems. Integrating PPG signal processing with FPGA-based architectures thus enables highperformance, real-time physiological monitoring for nextgeneration wearable and portable medical devices.The VHDL implementation and simulation scripts are available at GitHub repository.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Suitability of using textile waste for making mud cement paving blocks, used in industrial floor
(2025) Sampath, PMWP; Guluwita, SP
The construction industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable alternatives to conventional building materials. This research investigates the feasibility of using mud cement composite blocks as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for industrial floor paving applications. Locally sourced lateritic soil was stabilized with varying proportions of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and textile waste fibers to develop blocks with improved mechanical and durability properties. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted to evaluate compressive strength, water absorption, and impact strength. Microstructural characterization was also performed to analyze the material behavior at the microscopic level. Results indicate that the incorporation of textile waste not only enhances the toughness and crack resistance of the blocks but also contributes to effective waste valorization. The optimum textile waste content was found to be 15%, as it provided a balance between impact resistance and mechanical strength. The optimal mix design parameters within acceptable limits for light- to medium-duty industrial flooring, while significantly reducing the carbon footprint and raw material cost. This study underscores the potential of mud cement blocks as a sustainable paving solution and contributes valuable insights into the development of green construction materials for industrial infrastructure.