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-Full-text
From inertia to integration: evaluating the challenges and enablers of BIM in the infrastructure sectors of Sri Lanka and the Middle East
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Lokuge, A; De Silva, GHSP; Vinoshan, S; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
The development of infrastructure using Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Sri Lanka and the Middle East poses its own unique set of challenges, notwithstanding the international recognition that BIM is a game-changing technology in construction. The presence of geographically context-specific technological, organisational, and cultural barriers has hindered consistent BIM implementation. This study was conducted to investigate the challenges and enablers associated with BIM adoption in infrastructure projects across these contexts. The study used a quantitative approach, employing a questionnaire among industry experts comprising engineers, architects, and quantity surveyors involved in the development of BIM infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka and the Middle East region. The collected data were analysed using the descriptive statistical tools, including percentages, weighted average and means, on a 5-point Likert scale to identify critical implementation challenges and enabling factors. The findings revealed that issues such as a lack of qualified professionals, high initial investment, policy gaps, and limited stakeholder awareness were the dominant barriers in both contexts. The study also highlighted key enablers including government mandates, educational initiatives, and improved interoperability through standardised protocols. While the Middle East benefits from structured policies and investment in digital infrastructure, Sri Lanka’s progress is driven by academic initiatives and pilot projects. This research may assist industry professionals in identifying the challenges and improving BIM implementation in the construction landscape.
item: Conference-Full-text
From Reactive reporting to regenerative control: rethinking construction progress monitoring in Sri Lanka through IoT enabled real-time practices
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Malvila, TMAYB; Bandara, RMHR; Thayaparan, M; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
Construction progress monitoring remains a critical yet underperforming function in the Sri Lankan construction industry, where continued reliance on manual and semi-digital methods results in reactive reporting systems that do not align with the continuous feedback mechanisms required for regenerative construction. This study examines current progress monitoring practices in Sri Lanka and explores how IoT-enabled real-time monitoring can support a transition from reactive reporting toward regenerative control. A qualitative research approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews with sixteen experts from the construction and information technology sectors. The collected data were analysed using qualitative content analysis based on predefined thematic categories derived from the literature. The findings indicate that progress monitoring remains largely manual, while IoT adoption is limited to fragmented applications including drone photogrammetry, RFID-based labour tracking, and barcode-based material monitoring. Major barriers include high investment costs, unreliable connectivity, limited digital literacy, and the absence of clear regulatory frameworks. The findings further reveal that these barriers are closely connected to broader structural realities within the Sri Lankan construction industry, particularly government-dominated procurement systems, economic instability, and limited institutional readiness for digital transformation. Nevertheless, considerable opportunities exist for IoT to support proactive resource management, reduce rework, and enable continuous optimisation in line with regenerative construction principles. The study contributes empirical evidence from a developing country context and reframes IoT-enabled monitoring as a socio-technical mechanism for regenerative control rather than merely automated reporting.
item: Conference-Full-text
From Strategy to practice: implementing sustainable procurement in construction SMEs - A systematic review
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Sivakumar, A; Staal, A; Piri, I; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
Sustainable procurement (SP) has become a critical mechanism for improving environmental, social, and economic performance in the construction sector, thereby contributing to achieve UN-SDG goals (SGD12). However, SP implementation within construction SMEs is rarely examined in existing studies, indicating a significant gap in the literature. This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review of 47 peer reviewed articles. The review applies inductive and deductive content analysis to identify the most prominent SP implementation strategies that help SMEs to foster sustainability. The findings reveal a total of 12 implementation strategies. Among them stakeholder collaboration, awareness and knowledge enhancement, and top management support are the strategies most frequently highlighted in the literature, while project specific measures and the use of project power structures remain underexamined. The study contributes to theory by articulating the strategies in practicing sustainability tailored to construction SMEs context and to practice by identifying actionable recommendations for addressing financial and capability constraints. SMEs and policy makers in construction can use this set if implementation strategies to promote sustainable practices and researchers are presented with enhanced opportunities on contributing to the body of knowledge systematically and effectively.
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From Waste to use: plywood usage and wastage in slab and beam construction
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Bandara, WMPM; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Ranasinghe, PHGMA; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
Plywood formwork is widely used in reinforced concrete slabs and beams construction due to its flexibility, availability, and ability to produce smooth finishes. Nonetheless, a considerable amount of plywood is usually wasted on the construction sites due to inefficient operations such as cutting, recurring reuses, improper stripping, and improper handling. This results in increased material consumption, higher project costs, and greater construction waste, particularly in large-scale projects. Despite its widespread application, limited research has examined plywood usage and wastage in real construction settings, especially in developing countries such as Sri Lanka. This paper presents plywood usage practices and associated wastage in slab and beam formwork in projects undertaken by major contractors in Sri Lanka. A case study strategy was adopted, involving five case studies of large-scale construction projects. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, site observations, and document reviews, and analysed using cross-case analysis. The results show that plywood is primarily used for slab soffits and beam sides formwork, with an average reuse life of three to five cycles, depending on material quality, level of supervision, and labour handling practices. Offcuts generated during the cutting processes were identified as the major source of plywood waste, while damaged sheets mainly occur during stripping and repeated use. The paper explains the improved supervision, the planning of cutting layout, and better material handling practices to enhance reuse cycles and minimise waste. These findings provide practical guidance for contractors and policymakers to improve resource efficiency and promote more sustainable construction practices in large-scale projects.
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From Waste to worth: digitalizing secondary materials market in construction.
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Arthigan, K; Eranga, BAI; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
The construction industry remains one of the largest consumers of raw materials globally, contributing approximately 39% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions and generating substantial volumes of construction and demolition waste (CDW). Despite growing recognition of circular economy (CE) principles as a pathway toward sustainable construction, the secondary construction material market continues to operate informally, with no structured discovery, valuation, or trust mechanism in place. This research addresses the critical gap of underdeveloped digital infrastructure for secondary material procurement in the Sri Lankan construction sector. The study pursues three objectives: (1) to review the current technological landscape and assess the potential of digital technologies to support CE practices; (2) to identify key limitations and barriers affecting material circularity in construction; and (3) to investigate challenges in integrating primary and secondary material markets within construction procurement systems. Adopting a narrative literature review complemented by a questionnaire survey administered to thirty-one construction industry professionals, the study systematically identifies barriers to secondary material reuse. The findings confirm the total absence of a formalised secondary material market in Sri Lanka, with procurement occurring exclusively through informal networks. Three structural failures are identified: no price determination mechanism, no quality assurance or certification pathway, and no organised discovery infrastructure. These findings collectively demonstrate the urgent need for a dedicated digital platform to bridge the information and trust gap between suppliers and buyers of secondary construction materials, thereby facilitating CE implementation in the construction industry.