WCS - 2017http://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/169672024-03-28T20:02:54Z2024-03-28T20:02:54ZA situational paradigm on flooding and built environment interventions in the UKWigglesworth, TAdeniyi, OGinige, KPearson, Jhttp://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/175192022-06-21T09:23:18Z2017-06-01T00:00:00ZA situational paradigm on flooding and built environment interventions in the UK
Wigglesworth, T; Adeniyi, O; Ginige, K; Pearson, J
Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Gunatilake, S
Flooding in the United Kingdom (UK) is increasing in both frequency and severity, leading to huge social
and economic cost consequences, despite which there seems to be limited data or research on built
environment related interventions such as effectiveness of flood defence schemes across the UK. As the UK
remains at the pinnacle of urban development, this study seeks to underline the inherent relationship
between flooding occurrences and the construction industry related interventions. The study examined the
effectiveness of flood defences in the UK, regarding their economic suitability, their physical effectiveness
and how they are managed and funded by the UK Government. Case study research strategy was employed
and interview was used as the data collection method in the case study. This study revealed that the
underlying cause of increased flooding in the UK is due to several factors including; climate change and
urbanisation. In terms of the physical defences built to protect the built environment, the study has shed
light on the level of protection they offer, their cost effectiveness and how such schemes are financed. This
study targeted the creation of a situational paradigm that could be transposed and generalised to enhance
the understanding of flooding intervention in the UK and other urban environments.
2017-06-01T00:00:00ZA study on the application of economies of scale in the construction industry: the Sri Lankan perspectiveRamachandra, TGeekiyanage, DPerera, SLhttp://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/175182022-06-21T09:23:18Z2017-06-01T00:00:00ZA study on the application of economies of scale in the construction industry: the Sri Lankan perspective
Ramachandra, T; Geekiyanage, D; Perera, SL
Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Gunatilake, S
The application of economic concepts acts as a catalyst to enhance the productivity and quality in the
industries such as automotive, transportation and tourism. Economies of Scale (EOS) is such a concept,
which could be applied to address the above concern. This research therefore explored the application of
EOS to the construction industry. The study adopted a qualitative approach by conducting structured
interviews among 14 participants representing consultants and contractors in the construction industry.
Subsequently, a content analysis was performed to analyse the data collected, with the aid of NVivo 11.
Considering the views of experts, the application of EOS concept is limited to pre-cast elements in both
building and civil engineering projects in the construction industry. Majority of the experts opined that
application of EOS concept is limited in the construction industry mainly due to unawareness on
applicability of EOS (71%) and unique nature of the construction industry (43%). Further, it was identified
that uncertainties in the construction industry act as the major barrier to the application of EOS.
Confirmation of drawings at the initial stage, conducting training sessions and researches are strategies to
promote the use of EOS in the construction industry, which in turn would enable direct economic growth
via price efficiencies.
2017-06-01T00:00:00ZAdaptability of green BIM technology for the green buildings in Sri LankaRathnasiri, HWTPJayasena, HSMadusanka, Nhttp://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/175172022-06-21T09:22:26Z2017-06-01T00:00:00ZAdaptability of green BIM technology for the green buildings in Sri Lanka
Rathnasiri, HWTP; Jayasena, HS; Madusanka, N
Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Gunatilake, S
To raise awareness of green building constructions, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been
incorporated with unique sustainable strategies. Green BIM technology is a significant innovation of BIM,
emerged through the integration of BIM with sustainable strategies, which enhance the sustainable growth
of buildings while making better opportunities to improve the performance of green buildings. However,
the utilisation of Green BIM technology for existing buildings is less amongst green building practitioners
though Green BIM is widely used for design and construction phases of buildings. In the Sri Lankan context,
since BIM is not implemented yet in building construction, operation and maintenance, the inherent
capabilities of Green BIM technology are hidden and invisible. Thus, an effort is needed to convince and
prove the importance of Green BIM technology for green building practitioners. Towards this effort, the
research is aimed at identifying the potential of implementing Green BIM technology for the existing green
buildings in Sri Lanka where BIM is not applied. Accordingly, a mixed research approach was followed to
accomplish the research aim. Literature review revealed that, the data availability required for Green BIM
techniques and tools is the critical requirement to implement the Green BIM technology for the established
buildings. A desk study was conducted to determine the required data and availability of the data was
analysed through a questionnaire survey and a case study. The findings of questionnaire survey
demonstrated that, there is an acceptable level of data within the current established green buildings. The
results of the case study highlighted the potential of Green BIM implementation for the existing green
buildings. Thus, the study concluded by identifying the ability of incorporating Green BIM technology for
the existing green buildings considering the real-life context which ensure the Green BIM implementation
for the green building sector in Sri Lanka.
2017-06-01T00:00:00ZAlcohol consumption patterns of construction workers in Hong KongRowlinson, SShen, YKoh, TYhttp://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/175162022-06-21T09:22:42Z2017-06-01T00:00:00ZAlcohol consumption patterns of construction workers in Hong Kong
Rowlinson, S; Shen, Y; Koh, TY
Sandanayake, YG; Ramachandra, T; Gunatilake, S
Alcohol consumption is prevalent among construction workers, and it may have negative implications for
workers’ overall health, productivity, and safety performance. The alcohol-related risks are associated with
drinking pattern and consumption volume. To understand the drinking pattern and help devise effective
interventions to prevent drinking problem in construction workers in Hong Kong, the research team
conducted a one-month drinking pattern survey with a convenience sample of construction workers on
railway projects in Hong Kong, using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as the primary
instrument. With 1203 valid responses, the research team compared alcohol-related risk exposure among
different categories of workers through Chi-squared tests. The results showed that 16.6% of respondents
drink excessively, and 28% drink in a harmful way. Furthermore, male workers are prone to more severe
alcohol-related risks than their female counterparts, Nepalese workers are exposed to more severe alcoholrelated
risks than their Chinese counterparts, workers in four trades (i.e., mechanics, welders, shotfirers,
and miners) are more likely to experience alcohol-related risks than others, and workers in the age group
of 30-39 are subject to more severe alcohol-related risks. The findings can help regulatory bodies formulate
industry-wide codes of practice and prompt management to give special attention to certain categories of
workers.
2017-06-01T00:00:00Z