Faculty of Architecture, Building Economics

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item: Thesis-Abstract
Accurate estimating on labour productivity in Sri Lankan construction industry
Amarasekera, EALSB; Rameezdeen R
Sri Lankan Construction Industry is greatly concerned about Labour Productivity. Estimating labour accurately has become predominantly a difficult task in the industry. Literature survey was conducted to ascertain indices developed by other countries to measure labour productivity, Factors affecting labour productivity etc.. Case Study research was carried out in Three buildings types Namely High Rise, Medium Rise and Low Rise categories in relation to Cement Block Work, Plastering and Tiling trades. Hrs per Unit Measurements together with Novel Tool Time Analysis Techniques were used in conducting case studies. All parameters pertaining to the labour study were kept equal in all three building types during the case study research, but the study carried our in open environment where no controls have been introduced. Research suggests that single labour rate is not meaningful for every eventuality in construction. It was found that the Best Tool time in other words Best Productivity exists in Medium Rise Buildings, and the Least Productivity recorded in High Rise Building projects. Average Productivity was evident in Low Rise Buildings. Keywords: Labour Productivity, Tool l'I'ime, Construction Industry
item: Thesis-Abstract
Achieving the best value through environmental sustainable construction : integrated process model
Manewa, RMAS
Value Management (VM) and Environmental Sustainability (ES) are increasingly becoming important tools to be considered in construction. VM is one of the recognized techniques that made substantial cost savings on construction projects and sustainability is about delivering better long term value for the built environment and its inhabitants. The attention on ES issues in VM remains untapped area due to scarcity of information. Theoretically, the intrinsic capabilities and the positive relationships between these two heighten VM position as an effective means for sustainability improvements. The purpose of this research study is to identify how the ES criteria could be incorporated into the VM process and it's acceptability by the construction clients. The research is focused on a development of a process model by combining both ES and the best value criteria to select construction materials. The research was placed in qualitative research philosophies as the aim was to generate rich data from the experiences of VM team to find the means of ES delivery in VM. This -research begins from the data gathered through a comprehensive literature review and unstructured interviews. Based on the literature review the Integrated Process Model (IPM) was developed. The developed model was tested through multiple case studies to find the client's acceptance towards the environment favourable material selection. It was found 47% of materials derived from the IPM are purely matching with the client's choice. By adopting this process model at the very early stages of material selection the acceptance can be improved further. The research can concluded that the VM and ES can be incorporated through the Integrated Process Model to select construction materials. Further the model has the high level of acceptance among the construction clients and the early application of the model provides multiple benefits to the project stakeholders. Key Words: Best Value, Value Management, Environment Sustainability, Construction Materials, Integrated Process Model
item: Thesis-Abstract
Adaptability of a new national building code to the building sector in Sri Lanka
(2024) De Mel, CD; Disaratna, V
Building Construction is one of the main economic activities where planning, designing, construction, funding and maintenance are included in completing a building project. Building controlling systems (BCs) have been identified as a necessary engine of global economic progress. Therefore, need arose to establish an important guideline for ensuring safe, innovative, energy and cost-effective building construction. Many countries utilize building codes to meet key requirements for health, safety, well-being, of people and the built environment. After facing many disasters Sri Lankans have understood the absence of a national building code. This study identifies six objectives after identifying the problem to examine the adaptability of a new National Building Code to the Building Sector in Sri Lanka. Lack of building code and awareness is noticeable as a gap in Sri Lanka and need for a National Building Code for building sector was significant. To address this gap as a problem, the researcher conducted qualitative research including semi-structured interviews to collect data and three main construction professions were identified, namely Chartered Architects, Chartered Engineers and Chartered Quantity Surveyors. Primary data collection method and a literature review as secondary data collection method. The respondents were identified by using the snowball sampling technique since the population is not précised and sample is limited to 12 participants in saturation. The data collected was analyzed by using manual content analysis. Research findings revealed the answers for the six research questions derived from the research objectives. The findings of the study reveals that, the Sri Lankan government will have to take major action in making awareness of the opportunities and challenges in future, to adopt a National Building Code to protect public health, safety, and well-being while lowering disaster risk and working towards a sustainable built environment. At the conclusion findings were presented as what is a building code ? Impact created by a building code, functions, opportunities created, challenges faced and recommendations to overcome those challenges were presented accomplishing the objectives. Keywords: Building Code, Construction Industry, Chartered Architects, Engineers, Quantity Surveyors, Impact, Public Health, Safety, Well-Being
item: Thesis-Full-text
Adaptability of digital technologies in construction practices in Sri Lanka
(2018) Gunawardhana, WHT; Perera, K
Enormous literature sources suggest that with the development of digital technologies many industries tend to change their business models, strategies and applications. Accordingly, some scholars argue that the construction industries are facing significant challenges as more processes are digitised and automated. Therefore, this study aimed at studying how developing technologies affect the future of construction industry. In this study, the objectives were formulated as, identify the current level of application of modern technologies in Sri Lankan construction industry, identify the possible developments in modern technologies in Sri Lankan construction industry, and explore the possible issues of modern technologies in Sri Lankan construction industry and solutions for them. The qualitative approach was adapted to attain the aim and objectives of the research. A manual content analysis was done to analyse the responses received from semi-structured interviews and validated. One of significant findings of the research indicate that lack of awareness about the advantages of adopting technologies in construction industry activities has become a severe problem, in this case, actions should be taken to increase the awareness of the entire industry. There were some identified limitations throughout the whole research process. Mainly, time was recognised as a crucial boundary for the research, especially for the data collection process. However, these study results suggest to carry out some research in the future to assess effect through economic, social and environmental aspects of technologies used in the construction industry and to develop a framework to understand the future role of each expert in Sri Lankan construction industry due to due to changes in technologies.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Adaptability of flexi hours concept in the government construction consultancy organizations in Sri Lanka
(2020) Wanniarachchi U; Perera BAKS
To aid the employees towards balancing their work and personal life (work life balance), most of the organizations (apart to the construction industry) tend to offer flexible working hours. It allows employees to elect their work start and end time, consequently providing them with an opportunity to avoid travelling during peak traffic times. As a solution to overcome from the traffic congestion during peak hours and also to consume energy more efficiently, the selected research topic is essential by being vigilant to the Sri Lankan working culture and economy. Therewith, the timely need of the adaptability of flexi working hours concept to Sri Lankan construction industry is required to address the existing literature gap and to reduce the job stress with in the industry. The purpose of this research is to grasp the real essence of understanding how employees and employers experience about the usage of flexible working hours and how to adapt it to the government sector construction organisations in Sri Lanka by limiting to consultant organizations. The objectives were achieved with qualitative approach and data were collected from two rounds of semi-structured interviews. Findings were analysed with the use of manual content analysis to encode the collected data from the interviews. The study originates minimising work stress, minimising work-family conflicts, and improving business continuity to be major enablers of the flexi-hour concept in any sector and that flexible working hours will enable handling of emergencies. Non-availability of public transport, personal attitudes, restricted technology access, and increased expenses were the barriers identified to implement flexi-hours in any sector. Time and employee management related issues are the barriers to implementing flexi-hours in the construction industry. Thus, changing legislation to accommodate flexi-hours, enhancing awareness about flexi working hours among project stakeholders, and introducing monitoring systems were the strategies suggested for implementing flexi-hours in government construction consultancy organisations.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Adaptability of OHSAS 18001 as a regulation in the Sri Lankan construction industry: consultant's perspective
Senaratne, GRN; De Silva, N
The management of health and safety is an issue that is relevant and crucial to all organizations across all industries in the globe. It is more significant and crucial for the construction industry. In Sri Lanka, the construction industry is one of the largest industries,accounting about 8.7% gross domestic product in 2013. It employs about 681,000 in 2012 of the national workforce and generates an annual turnover of up to Rs.423.4 billion. However,construction industry still remains one of the most dangerous industries due to its high work force, heavy use of high risk machineries sand lack of safety culture. This research is focused to study the potential of implementation of OHSAS 18001 as a regulation in local construction industry. Thus three objectives such as study the standard process of OHSAS 18001 requirements implementing at a site , Level of current practice of OHSAS 18001 requirements at consultants organisations and Analyse the possibility of implementing OHSAS 18001 as a regulation were set. The survey method was employed in conducting this research. Data collection was mainly through questionnaire survey that consists with structured and semi structured questions. The findings of the research showed that 15.6 % of the companies are following OHSAS 18001 and another 12 .5% have obtained OHSAS 18001 certification. In addition, 59% of the companies are following OHS policies that are quite similar to OHSAS and 71.9 % of the respondents were of the view that OHSAS 18001 can be established as a regulation. These findings will inspire the stakeholders of the construction industry to implement OHSAS 180001 in their construction sites in order to optimize the operational performances and the legislature to introduce necessary legislations to make OHSAS 180001 a regulation for the benefit of the industry and the society at large.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Adoptability of community mobilisation concept for effective operation and maintenance of low-income condominium projects in Sri Lanka
(2023) Vipulaguna, MSV; De Silva, N
Sri Lanka's housing policy has welcomed the integration of high-rise condominiums In response to the demand for housing of low-income residents in underserved settlements, aiming to enhance population density. However, inadequate maintenance practices in these condominiums have resulted in considerable deterioration, posing critical safety and health risks to occupants. Community Mobilisation (CM) is recognized as an effective behavior-based strategy to foster behavioral change and active participation in regular maintenance activities. This research focuses on studying CM interventions that can influence the behaviors of low-income condominium dwellers regarding maintenance management and operational issues. In order to fulfill the research goals, a mixed-methodology was utilized, including expert interviews and a structured questionnaire survey involving 391 condominium dwellers. A comprehensive literature review identified 12 common operational and maintenance management issues in low-income condominiums. A CM model was developed using the CM approach and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to address attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The CM model incorporated strategies such as bringing people together, raising awareness, assisting in resource delivery, and facilitating community participation to enhance attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, respectively. The results illustrate that behavioral attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control exert significant influence on the behavioral intention and actions (behaviour) of occupants in operation and maintenance management. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, condominium developers, and low-income residents to improve the sustainability and livability of high-rise condominiums in Sri Lanka. Keywords: maintenance management, low-income, condominiums, community mobilization, theory of planned behaviour
item: Thesis-Abstract
Adoptability of management information systems (MIS) in consultancy organizations in Sri Lankan construction industry
(2022) Galgamuwa MP; Waidyasekara KGAS
Management Information systems (MIS) have been a dominant application in the era of computing due to the widespread commercial availability of computing technologies. This is the best information and communication technology (ICT) concept which performs easily and increases efficiency. MIS projects are identified for the high cost and time involved. The implementation and adoption of MIS are costly and lengthy. Many organizations in Sri Lanka are about to adopt MIS. However, it is questionable whether most firms realize the true importance of MIS. Hence, this research investigates the adoptability of Management Information Systems (MIS) in Consultancy Organizations in Sri Lanka. First, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to understand the MIS concept, types of MIS used by organizations, pros & cons of using MIS, and requirement for MIS in an organization. Next, the convergent mixed method research design approach was adopted for data analysis. Initially, nine interviews were held over the phone, using an interview guideline with industry experts from the three specific types of consultancy companies, i.e., Quantity Surveying, Engineering, and Architecture. Simultaneously, a detailed questionnaire survey was distributed among 72 industry professionals, including Quantity Surveyors, Engineers, Architects, Project Managers, and Draughtsman, with a response rate of 69%. The study is limited to the consultants’ perceptions, such as Engineering, Quantity Surveying, and Architecture consultancy firms. It was not extended to clients and contractors. It discovered that the findings from literature were primarily appropriate to the Sri Lankan framework through the feedback provided by the experts. Additionally, it revealed that the Sri Lankan construction industry is at a preliminary phase of developing and using MIS in consultancy organizations. Further, this study found that most companies consist of a small group of employees handling small and medium-scale projects. They do not feel the requirement of working and analyzing the project progress through MIS and are used to following the traditional manual methods. In addition, it is confirmed that adopting MIS supports organizations to stay competitive or enter innovative markets and convert the business procedure system. The research findings disclosed some significant benefits such as data sharing, providing a valuable time-saving profit to the humans, flexibility and responsiveness, integrity, entree to appropriate knowledge and reports, balancing conflicting requirements, and development in structure and division techniques. Challenges such as the high-cost factor of developing new computer systems and losing information due to website and server crashes obtained the highest frequency percentage as identified. Finally, the study provides some recommendations for better and more accurate performance for the consultancy companies adopting appropriate MIS model/s
item: Thesis-Abstract
An Appraisal on pricing risk factor at tender stage
Jayalath, RAC; Chandrasen HD; Wedikkara C
Determining a fair margin of risk that forms a part of mark-up in a bid is a crucial issue when pricing bill of quantities at a tender. The results indicates that risk is not adequately priced by almost all the local contracting firms but they often use experience, intuition, rule of thumb or guesswork. However, in the present day context of competitive business environment, it is time a new emphasis placed on identifying and assessing risk factor as precise as possible. Hence, the thesis is aimed to examine closely and objectively the risk factor involved in pricing construction projects and to propose a way of assigning a monetary value to the risk factor so as to arrive at a reasonable margin of risk and a contingency sum. At this exercise, various risk management techniques such as risk premium, sensitivity testing, monte-carlo simulation, utility theory, risk adjusted discount rate and expected monetary value etc have been commentated including their relative merits, demerits and practical limitations. Further, the contractual provisions as to apportionment of risk in tender and contract documents have also been discussed with special emphasis on ICTAD Conditions of Contract Revised in January 1989, conditions by which most of local building contract are governed. A statistical approach, one that is already developed, to decide on the sum of contingency allocation supported with a worked example extracted from building schedule' of rates is also suggested for the quantity surveyors to adopt in their pre-tender pricing exercises. The research concludes with a proposal of guidelines and recommendations on how to cope with the risk factor. It is the author's belief that these guidelines will benefit both construction contracting and consultancy firms.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Analysis of accidents in shift work in container terminals in Sri Lanka
(2019) Dodangoda HP; Gunatilake S
Being one of the most competitive industries in globally, the port industry requires high efficiency rate at all levels of operation. In such circumstances, container terminals play a leading role. The competition among container terminals demands a high productivity and mainly it is achieved by increasing the efficiency of labor force. As a result, shift work has been functioning in container terminals at all levels of operation. However, it has been founded that shift work has a negative impact on health and safety of employees. It affects the accident frequency in work places. Therefore this study focuses on finding the impact of shift work on accidents in container terminals in Sri Lanka. At first, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to investigate the knowledge on the research area. Consequently, occupational health and safety management at work places, container terminal operation, prevailing hazards in terminals, shift work and effects of shift work for the accident frequency in different work places were reviewed. A mixed approach was adopted to capture quantitative and qualitative data for this study. Therefore, quantitative data was collected from AIR (Accident Investigation Report) data base of ABC container terminal for a period of five years from 2012 to 2016 and expert interview survey was carried out in order to capture the qualitative data. Finally, the quantitative data was analyzed using statistical techniques while qualitative data was analyzed via logical reasoning to identify relationships between accidents, activities relevant to accidents, impacts, severity, causes of accidents and work groups and further to investigate the relationship between shift work and accident frequency. Research findings asserted that, there is an effect of shift work on accidents in container terminals. But it was unable to quantify the effect using available data. However, there is a potential to do a further study on workers, who have been identified to be responsible for high accident frequency.
item: Thesis-Full-text
An Analysis of disputes related to earth retaining structure construction projects in Sri Lanka
(2019) Selvarajha S; Hadiwattege C
In last two decades, here the technical and economic circumstances prevailing in the construction industry have changed dramatically to take precedence over the shortcomings of project disputes concerning Earth retaining structures (ERS), such as technical disputes and procurement. Different ERS construction methods are available in the construction industry, recently populated is soil nailing construction, in parallel procurement approaches have arisen with the improvement of most of the construction industry to suit various projects, having their own set of assumptions for each strategy. Here the primary purpose of this research is to study an analysis of disputes related to earth retaining structure construction projects in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the study discovered that factors initiating conflicts in ERS construction are in numerous forms. So these concern the nature or characteristics of contracts in which contracts or agreements are also ambiguous and unclear, allowing contracting parties to conduct themselves as opportunistic when postal changes are necessary. Factors related to role functions exist when the parties are not performing according to expectations. This study shows that some project participants ' contractual failure and subsequent post - contract adjustments as well as unscrupulous behavior are the root causes of soil nailing projects. The study also found that, adequate mechanism for dealing with disputes in the standard contractual forms appeared in design and construction (D&B) and traditional procurement arrangements and where the provisions contradict the specific interests of the parties, the major party chose the friendly and amicable approaches to the resolution. Design and Build (D&B) procurement arrangements are better at resolving disputes, the availability of methodologies for dispute management in standard forms of contracts, the research study recommends as a strategy the framework that can decrease the conflicts occurrence in soil nailing projects.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Analysis of disputes towards effectiveness of negotiation in the Sri Lankan construction industry : contractors’ perspective
Viththakan, KP; Ramachandra, T
Sri Lankan construction industry is one of the growing industry from the recent past upon end of the three decade civil war. Because of the multi-party involvement in the construction industry and complex in nature, parties are always prone to face numerous disputes in their journey while attempt to safeguard their respective interests. Once the disputes emerged amongst the parties, they seeks suitable ways to solve the disputes in an amicable manner to the parties however it is not always possible for them to reach such amicable solution while maintain the interest of the all parties. Compare with the other approaches available for dispute resolutions, negotiation said to be as easiest, very efficient and economical and less time consuming process. However, the negotiation in the Sri Lankan construction industry is an undesired process for the parties in disputes due to higher rate of its failures. This research were conducted to analyses disputes towards the effectiveness of negotiation in the Sri Lankan construction industry by identifying the causes for the positive and negative outcome of the negotiations and investigating the relationship between negotiation outcome to project characteristics, professionals involved in negotiation, time taken for negotiation, monitory value involved, and causes of dispute etc. Data was collected and analyzed using document analyses methodology using quantitative data analyses techniques respectively. The research concludes that unethical, unprofessional practice of the construction professionals and appointment of in-house team of client as contract administrators and aging of negotiation along with some of the project characteristics such as types of the client, procurement method etc. were major contributors possess significant relations to the negotiation outcome despite the common factors: unpreparedness, skill level of negotiator, model and tactics, cultural barrier and gender mix in the team were found in the literature review.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Analysis of key causes of delay impacting contractor's profit in road construction projects in Sri Lanka
(2020) Stephen, DDDT; Disaratna, PAPVDS
Construction Industry can be identified as the most important sector in Sri Lanka that drives the economic growth to its potential value. It is also one of the most important pillars in achieving the country‟s vision and ability to create direct and indirect job/ career opportunities. In Sri Lankan construction industry “delays” are treated as a common and regular phenomenon dating throughout the recent history. Nevertheless, these so-called delays can negatively affect all the parties involved in the project by causing mitigations, cost overruns, loss of productivity/ revenue, and termination of contract. One of the major negative effect of delay is loss of profit of the contractors. This study was aimed to safeguard Sri Lankan contractor‟s profit through the mitigation of key causes of delay impacting on contractor‟s profit. To gain a more vivid perspective, questionnaire surveys were distributed among experts who were involved in the field of construction in Sri Lanka. Under the categorization of delay causes, six groups were identified as the most potential to affect the contractor‟s profit and was subjected to questionnaire survey one. To gain a better perspective sixty-three causes of delays were identified under these six categories. From the outcome of questionnaire survey one, twenty-one factors were identified as key delay causes by the risk matrix in road construction projects in Sri Lanka. Through the findings, Time and cost overrun were the common effects of delays in construction projects. Due to the magnitude and frequency of these overruns, these have come to pose a significant financial risk and negative impact to the contractor‟s profit. The identified twenty-one causes of delays, were subjected to questionnaire survey two. The professionals who responded in survey one, imparted on the survey two, by identifying major delay causes impact the contractor‟s profit. The research identified most effective methods to mitigate causes of delays in Road construction projects as frequent coordination between the parties involved, Effective project planning and scheduling, site management and supervision, frequent progress meeting and Accurate initial cost estimates. Key Words: Causes of delays, Road construction, Risk matrix
item: Thesis-Abstract
Analysis of land value caused by post war development projects in Northeast of Sri Lanka
(2014-08-07) Balakumar, N; Devapriya, KAK; PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Dissertations
There has been a significant growth in Northeast of Sri Lanka due to ongoing Post War Development Projects (PWDPs) such as road, bridge, water supply, electricity, public buildings, amenities, infrastructure and commercial development. They directly give the benefit for urban and suburb people while PWDPs increase the commercial and residential Land Value (LV) according to the theories of urban development, land economics and real estate terms. Meanwhile Land related investors and policy makers face sort of information about fluctuation of current and future LVs due to PWDPs which was special intention to attempt this study to find the trend of LVs. The study was entirely based on quantitative data collection of LVs in addition to the project information on PWDPs while data were collected from observation, websites and dissuasion with primary stake holders. The most of the LVs were collected from Valuation Department and finally all LVs were sorted out to 373 land transactions. The analysis part mainly focused to find the relationship between dependant variable of LV and independent variables of Life Cycle Phases (LCPs) of PWDPs, distance from City Centre and year of value. An important result of this study is statistical findings to claim huge increment for commercial LVs and appreciation level for residential LVs. But, there is no reaction for agricultural LVs during the PWDPs. Furthermore, it is expected that in some selected areas there will have higher value at the completion stage of the PWDPs in future. Besides City Centre upgrading and Outer City expansion have been found respectively urban and suburb areas. The results of the study clearly reveal the value increment for commercial and residential land owners by PWDPs. Therefore policy makers may think to collect betterment charges from land owners. The local authorities need to maintain and preserve the project deliverables of PWDPs to sustain the LVs without low down them in future. For the investment purpose the real estate involvement in selected areas will be more profitable than ever.
item: Thesis-Full-text
An Analysis of occupational safety and health hazards in the hot end section of container glass manufacturing industry
(2019) Kumara RDKS; Seneviratne I
The uncontrolled occupational health and safety hazards are hidden issue all over the world. Many people die and sacrifice their lives in short terms and long terms as a result of these uncontrolled and unidentified hazards existing in the working environment. The health care sector of countries have to spent billions of money for medical treatments for the occupations illnesses, in the developing countries. In addition, the contribution of victimized people to the economic development process of a country get limited in various ways and their personal lives get disturbed. Accidents caused in industries making partially disabled, fully disabled people, who are considered as dependents in the society making minimum contribution to the economy. The glass industry is known as an industry with high concerns of occupational health and safety conditions and with less studies in finding the long lasting solutions and remedies in remedying the hazardous conditions. In this study, preliminary the Sri Lankan glass manufacturing sector was considered and data collection done. Preliminary in data collection the structured questionnaire was used validated with a questionnaire pilot study with industry experts. In this study, the hot end section was selected in carrying the survey and out of 35 employees; the 32 employees were selected according to the small survey-sampling plan. The demographic data, health and safety hazards according to the criticality, company background of OSH and critical causes for the OSH hazards were collected with interview of employees by the researcher by face-to-face interview. All collected data tabulated and analysed through the excel and RII (Relative Importance Index) was calculated in facilitating the ranking the hazards and the cause. In most of the cases, the hazardous condition had been controlled with PPE applications and engineering controls where as the eliminating and substitution is a challenging initiatives in the glass manufacturing environment. Against the preventive initiatives the controlling of the hazards and exposures are quite unsatisfactory as during the case study the results showed are alarming. This study conducted by emphasizing to develop a better OSH environment in Sri Lankan glass industry.
item: Thesis-Abstract
An Analysis of perceptual differences of "quality" in the construction industry
(2014-12-10) Kalyani, AM; Wedikkar, C
“Quality” is a one among cost and time in the traditional golden triangle affecting for a successful project delivery. However, many disputes are arising on that among the design and construction personnel in a construction project as it is the least understood and least valued due to its subjective nature. Therefore, identifying an objective quality definition on common ground is necessary. That led this study to identify the perceptual differences on quality in the construction industry. Therefore, this study identified the prevailing quality concepts among the design and construction personnel of a construction project and the structuring of their quality image. For this task, it used a qualitative research method. Collected data through open interviews and coding being the analysis tool in content analysis and using both inductive and deductive methods, analyzed the responses for quality and structuring of the quality image due to the affecting factors which are aroused in grounded theory approach. Through that process, it identified a common quality definition as ‘as per the specifications and drawings’ prepared considering the quality in every aspect of a product which is a quantitative measure. Furthermore, quality perception depends on the culture. Education, occupation, experience and organizations represent the different cultural levels of culture and all of them were significantly affecting to structure the quality image. Quality image constructs on one, more than one or on all these cultural elements. Moreover, quality image moves from the basics to comprehensive quality definitions with the increase of educational, occupational, experience levels within different organizational cultures. Structuring the quality image is in a web within the pool of culture and experience was the most affecting cultural element while education and organizational cultures being the secondary. Therefore, parties especially the management including project managers in a construction project should give more concern on the preparation of project specifications and drawings considering the quality in every aspect with accuracy and also achieving them at site. Meanwhile, to give more concern on quality incorporating quality culture into education through educational policies and strengthening the standards, rules and regulations by regulatory and standard institutes as a nation is necessary. Seminars, courses, continuous professional developments, making a relationship between the occupants and motivating, making quality policies into organizational strategies by individual organizational may be beneficial.
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Analysis of safety issues in road construction in Sri Lanka
(2024) Tharaka, JC; Thayaparan, M
The construction industry plays a pivotal role in the economic development of any country, with road construction being a key component in enhancing infrastructure. However, the safety concerns associated with road construction projects pose significant challenges that warrant comprehensive investigation. This research report delves into the safety issues prevalent in road construction activities within the context of Sri Lanka. The study employs a multi-faceted approach, combining literature review, on-site observations, and questionnaire survey with industry executives to identify and analyze the key safety issues in road construction projects across Sri Lanka. 45 construction executives who were involved in road construction projects in Sri Lanka were responded for the questionnaire survey. The study identified several key factors contributing safety of Sri Lankan road construction. These factors are attitudes towards safety, insufficient training, ineffective site management, lack of knowledge among site engineers and technical staff, inadequate provision of personal protective equipment, insufficient attention from top management, and a failure to enforce safety regulations. Based on the findings, allocating funds for safety measures and equipment emerges as the most crucial potential remedy for addressing safety concerns in the Sri Lankan road construction sector. Enforcing penalties for non-compliance with safety measures, offering rewards to companies that prioritize safety in road construction projects, and conducting more safety inspections at road construction sites by authorities all contribute to improving road construction safety in Sri Lanka. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for policymakers, construction companies, and relevant stakeholders to develop targeted interventions aimed at fostering a safer working environment in the road construction sector in Sri Lanka. Ultimately, the objective is to contribute to the reduction of accidents and fatalities, ensuring the sustainable growth of the construction industry while prioritizing the well-being of its workforce. Keywords - Road construction, Safety issues, Sri Lanka
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Analysis of the perception of legal and institutional framework relating to public private partnerships
(2024) Goonatilake, MDMJ; Kulathunga, U
The research on “Analysis of the Perception of Legal and Institutional Framework Relating to Public Private Partnerships” is undertaken to form an opinion of the aforementioned framework from the viewpoint of Contracting Authorities and the private sector. Public Private Partnerships (PPP) is the way forward for countries like Sri Lanka, in developing infrastructure. The PPP model enables Governments to be pro-active and envisage development, without being constrained by limitations in national budgets. Also the ability to allow advanced technologies in infrastructure development to be brought in by private investors under the PPP model greatly enhances the capability of developing countries to move up the development ladder. Sri Lanka has been implementing PPP projects for more than 2 decades, however, the consistency and continuity of implementation is not observed compared to neighboring and countries with similar economies. The flipside of such inconsistency is the lack of economic benefits to the country and slower economic growth rates. Accordingly, it is crucial that the current PPP framework is analyzed from the perceptive of both the public and private stakeholders involved and understand its’ strengths and weaknesses, while also seeking avenues to improve and develop the framework to be more hospitable for PPP project implementation. Key areas identified as issues and challenges in the current framework are disconnect between the existing legal framework and the project document preparation, lack of policy on prioritization, optimization and economic benefits, lack of coordination between stakeholder government institutions and identifying the current PPP framework only as a guideline. Through the comparisons with successful frameworks and suggestions by experts the key improvements would be establishing an independent centralized committee with a mandate to prioritize, coordinate and implement PPP, introduction of PPP policy and a dedicated legislature with standardized documents, and improved accountability of document preparation and review committees. Keywords: Public Private Partnerships, Perception, Legal and Institutional Framework, Challenges and Improvements
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Analysis on resettlement process : landslide disaster
Vijekmara, PA; Karunasena., G
The landslide is one of the major disaster event in Sri Lanka, which has increased its frequency and after it strikes leave people homeless than any other disaster event. However, setting of pre and post disaster activities like mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and development have very important roles in reducing the future hazard risks in disaster prone areas. Resettlement has been a major policy in post-disaster reconstructions in developing countries. However, resettlement can result and has resulted in significant adverse impacts on the resettled population. In this study, factors affecting to failure in landslide resettlements in Sri Lanka and related issues are addressed while proposing a suitable framework for landslide disaster resettlement for the future resilience in Sri Lanka. Data was gathered through structured interviews with implementing agencies and affected communities of selected four landslide resettlement cases of Sri Lanka. The findings reveal that, there is no systematic procedure/approached is used in any of selected landslide resettlement programs. Limited studies on climate and history of natural hazards, participation by different institutions in sectors, need and capacity assessment, socio-economic and cultural studies, coordination among the stakeholders, prevent the settlement in affected and at-risk areas, rational decision making on resettlement alternatives and options, safety assessment, accessibility to existing public and social infrastructure and livelihood opportunities, community involvement in house designing and consideration of socio-cultural values of the affected community are the main factors affecting landslide resettlement programs in Sri Lanka.
item: Thesis-Full-text
An analytical study of project management challenges in utilization of proprietary formwork systems in high rise building construction in Sri Lanka
Wijetunga, WMKG; Seneviratne, I
An Analytical Study of Project Management Challenges in Utilization of Proprietary Formwork Systems in High Rise Building Construction in Sri Lanka Selection of a formwork system for construction projects is mainly based on the individuals’ experience which may not be the optimum. Since, best possible way to gear up the work is achieving the shortest possible floor cycle in typical floor construction, this directly depends on the type of the formwork selected. This research, therefore, aims to analyze the project management challenges in utilization of proprietary formwork systems in high rise building construction in Sri Lanka. To fulfill the aim of the research several objectives of the research are formulated. They are to, identify adoptable forming systems in high rise construction, influential factors impact the Project Management in the selection of a proprietary formwork system, proprietary formwork systems available and their limitations, and develop a guideline for selection of a proprietary formwork system to ensure quality management in construction projects. To fulfil the research objectives, based on the comprehensive review of the literature a theoretical framework is hypothesized by identifying the influential factors discussed, and an online survey on Conventional and Proprietary formwork systems has been carried out among project managers in the construction industry to identify most influential factors in the selection process of a proprietary formwork system. The results indicated that the systematic erection of formwork will definitely reduce the time and cost respect to conventional method. As the structures in high rise construction projects are complex and designed as precise, concrete fair face finishers are a major requirement of a system formwork as the finishing details are the governing factors. Therefore, it is very conclusive that the selection of a system formwork is highly based on the reusability of the system within the project and the speed of work. Thus, the outcomes of this process are useful to decision makers to use as a framework to assist in selecting the most appropriate formwork system.