2021 - (Vol. 08, Issue 01)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/18678
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- item: Article-Full-textAn Analysis Of Daylighting Performance Of Learning Spaces In Local Government Sector Schools In Kandy(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Wijesundara, A; Gamage, WNatural lighting creates a pleasant environment, promotes healthier conditions and saves energy, and is an important factor in the design of education institutions. Many research indicates the positive impacts of better daylighting integration in educational spaces for student's health and wellbeing. For this research, an in-depth lighting integration analysis was carried out in three typical classrooms in Berrewaerts college Kandy, Sri Lanka. A field study comprised of a questionnaire-based survey and measurement of illuminance was combined with daylight simulation using Autodesk Ecotect 2011 & Autodesk Revit The study reveals that lack of awareness in integration of natural light with the design can either result in increasing the negative effects of excessive daylight exposure or lack of adequate daylighting. In upper levels and east facing classrooms the main problems were associated with high levels of daylight such as excessive shadow and light patches, uneven light distribution and color distribution and impede perception of objects and text. At ground floor level and south facing classrooms, when natural light is not properly integrated with the design resulted in uneven light distribution, non-uniformity of light resulted in difficulty in reading at work plane and impede the visual perception of objects and text.
- item: Article-Full-textSignificant Factors Affecting The Life Cycle Cost Elements Of A Building(2021-12) Samaranayake, J; Ramachandra, T; Madushika, UGDLife Cycle Cost (LCC) is a vital decision-making tool for realization of investments. However, it is often challenging to forecast the LCC of a building as it comprises of several elements which are influenced by a range of factors. Hence, this study was carried out to identify the significant factors affecting LCC elements of buildings. Twentyfour (24) factors and ten [10] significant LCC elements identified through a comprehensive literature review were presented to thirty-four [34) experts reached through a purposive sampling method. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect their views on the significance of those factors while a weighted mean was used to determine the relative significance and thereby identify the level of influence of each factor on the respective LCC elements of buildings. The study concluded that the [6) six most significant factors include: plan shape of the building, size of the building, number of occupants, quality of materials and equipment used, the function of the building, and technology used. Further delving into analysis indicates that all 24 factors influence the construction and maintenance management cost elements at different significant levels. Further, the highest number of elements [8 out of 10), such as construction, utility, administration, services management, cleaning, external work, repair and replacement, and maintenance management are highly influenced by the function of the building. Next to the function, lifetime of the building highly influences the six LCC elements such as construction, utility, administration, services management, repair and replacement, and maintenance management Similarly, every LCC element is influenced by each factor in different levels and further discussed in this study. Hence, the study recommends that cost practitioners should give due consideration to highly influencing factors to optimise the LCC of a building during its early life cycle phase.
- item: Article-Full-textVegetation Cover Effects On Outdoor Thermal Comfort Around High-Rise Developments A Case Study Of Havelock City, Colombo, Sri Lanka(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Weerakoon, LRT; Perera, NGRColombo, with its rapid development, is experiencing an influx of high-rise developments. These developments create a significant influence on the microclimate of the area around them, and therefore impact outdoor thermal comfort With the intension of mitigating outdoor thermal comfort concerns, the enhancement of the vegetation cover is an often-proposed strategy. This is a research initiative to ascertain the optimum vegetation percentage to achieve outdoor thermal comfort around high-rise developments, utilising Havelock City, Colombo, Sri Lanka as a case study. A computer simulation process is adopted, using the software ENVI-met, to explore the optimum form and coverage of vegetation for outdoor thermal comfort. Results show, overall thermal comfort levels diminish, with the increased infusion of vegetation. Vegetation cover had a little or no impact in the daytime, while the strategy had distinct negative impacts in the night-time. The nature of the built morphology of the development together with the vegetation cover increase is shown to have significant impact on wind movement and nocturnal heat loss, therefore outdoor thermal comfort levels. Conclusions highlight the need for the extensive exploration of morphological studies, while encompassing key amelioration strategies, particularly for the high-rise development typology. cover
- item: Article-Full-textResilience To Covid-19 Through Lean Construction(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Parameswaran, A; Ranadewa, KATOCOVID-19 pandemic has been an alarming issue from the beginning of 2020 and is a significant disaster that affects each industry. In dealing with the consequences of the pandemic, the construction industry confronts several interruptions for the sustainable delivery of the projects. Many researchers stated that lean construction can minimise this impact Lean thinking is about engaging everyone, every day in handling interruptions and learning to react better. However, few discussions are there pertaining to how to implement and why to implement lean. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry' and evaluate the ability of lean construction to resilient COVID-19. Therefore, a comprehensive literature review has been carried out The findings revealed 67 negative factors categorised under resources-related issues, project management issues, quality issues, financial issues, contractual issues, safety issues, technology-related issues, and other issues for the construction industry due to the pandemic. Continuous improvement for the work under any risks, improvement in project performance, more satisfaction, and better value for the employer were highlighted as the main benefits of lean construction during the new normalcy. The developed conceptual framework unlocked several research arenas on lean in post-COVID implementation for the construction industry.
- item: Article-Full-textSustaining The Image Of The City: What Matters More? An Investigation In The City Of Colombo(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Rathnasekara, SN; Munasinghe, JNHow a city is known to its inhabitants is largely impacted by its physical environment and this knowledge in turn, impacts the behavior and the sustainability of the city. From Kevin Lynch's landmark study in 1960, many studies attempted to explore the 'image of a city' and revealed that the image was a collectively held psycho-spatial phenomenon that evolved with the changes take place in its physical environment. Colombo, the primate city of Sri Lanka has experienced a fast growth both internally and externally over the last four decades. A large number of highrises, modern shopping facilities, etc., have been dramatically changing its physical environment. This study investigated the changes evident in the image of the City of Colombo as a result of ongoing developments through the Findings of a survey, carried out during 2019-20 period. Analyzing the free recalling responses of 150 participants from different age and user categories, the study reveals that there is a shift in the constituents of the image of Colombo, and the emerging high-rise developments and modern facilities do have, but only a marginal impact on this shift. What matters more are the spaces and physical elements experienced at the ground level.
- item: Article-Full-textStudy On Level Of Vegetation Land Fragmentation In Western Province, Sri Lanka(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Ranaweera, MNN; Jayasinghe, AB; Abenayake, CMuthurajawela Marsh and Negombo Lagoon have lost their marshland and mangroves from 41% and 21% accordingly from 1997 to 2017. Vegetation land fragmentation (VLF) is the foremost reason that accelerates the vegetation cover change. However, Sri Lanka has not been given sufficient attention to investigate VLF with case studies. Further, fragmentation patterns like dissecting, shrinking, and disappearing are still essential to investigate with empirical studies to comprehend the phases of VLF. Therefore, this study attempts to quantify the level of vegetation land fragmentation (LVLF) in the Western Province’s Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) from 2000 to 2020 by applying the Landscape Division Index (FRAGSTATS). It further analyses the patterns of VLF by using 200 fragmented locations. The key findings demonstrate that 54% of GNDs have more than 60% of the LVLF in the Gampaha District from 2000 to 2010. Although it has reduced up to 49% from 2010-2020, the Gampaha District remains in the highest position. It additionally discloses the significant increment in LVLF along the expressways from 2010 to 2020. 46% of fragmented patches indicate the mixed of dissecting, shrinking, and disappearing patterns. Therefore, the study provides methodological application and quantitative insights for planners to investigate VLF and its patterns.
- item: Article-Full-textAnalysis Of Relationship Between Urban Sprawl And Its Driving Factors: A Case Of Small And Medium Town In Sri Lanka(Faculty of Architecture University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Manesha, EPP; Jayasinghe, AMeasuring the level of urban sprawl is a challenging task that lacks a clear universal method. Therefore, it is worthwhile to investigate whether results differ with the methods utilized, to compute the level of urban sprawl. Consequently, this paper will also contribute to overcome the two limitations of emerging researches. Frist, Recent studies have utilized various methods to measure urban sprawl. However, the results of these studies were not compared and contrasted. Second, empirical studies have given less attention to identify the relationship between the level of urban sprawl and its driving factors such as urban form, urban landscape, population density, built-up density, accessibility, etc. Hence, this study supposes to quantify urban sprawl and identify the key factors influence on the level of urban sprawl. The study was conducted using the Expansion Intensity Index, Shannon’s Entropy value and Landscape Metrics. Ten small and medium towns were selected in the Sri Lankan context- The study able to demonstrate the influence of type of urban form, type of street pattern and changes in the accessibility of center compare to periphery area on the level of urban sprawl.