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-Abstract
Microstructural changes during regeneration of plaster of Paris using discarded moulds
(2026) Thilakarathne, KNP; Rukmal, BPT; Ariyaratne, TAMP; Karunaratne, BA; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
Recycling discarded plaster of Paris (POP) molds has gained increasing importance due to environmental concerns and the need for sustainable utilization of gypsum resources. Previous studies have primarily focused on the recycling methods and improvements in macroscopic properties. This study examines the generation of spent POP molds, emphasizing microstructural changes induced by controlled thermal treatment followed by mechanical reprocessing to obtain regenerated calcium sulfate hemihydrate. The elemental composition of commercial and recycled POP was analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Particle size distribution was evaluated using sieve analysis and laser-based particle size measurement techniques. Mechanical performance was assessed through compressive and flexural strength tests conducted using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM). Micro-structural characteristics, crystal morphology associated with β-calcium sulfate hemihydrate, were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Functional properties were evaluated through water absorption tests, determination of moisture content using a moisture analyzer, and assessment of setting behavior, setting kinetics were characterized by monitoring temperature evolution during hydration, with maximum exothermic temperature serving as an indicator of material reactivity. Microstructural investigations revealed that mainly irregular-shaped particles were present in the used molds, while the treated material contains elongated particles. Investigations revealed that the micro-structural characteristics and physical and chemical properties of the resulting product confirmed the standard requirements of commercial-grade Plaster of Paris and complied with the specifications, despite a minor reduction in mechanical strength.
item: Conference-Abstract
Advantages of integrating circular economy concepts in promoting sustainable construction
(2026) Rajasekara, CV; Samararathne, UMS; Kawmudi, WN; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
Greenhouse gas emissions, trash production, and resource use are all heavily influenced by the building sector. Ecosystem degradation and increased demand for natural resources are driven by the conventional linear "take-make-dispose" approach. As a result, incorporating Circular Economy (CE) principles provides a sustainable substitute that prioritizes material reduction, resource efficiency, reuse, recycling, and the extension of material lifecycles. With a particular focus on the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of the Sri Lankan construction industry, this study investigates the benefits of implementing CE principles for promoting sustainable construction. To get information on this integration, a questionnaire survey was given to professionals in the field, such as contractors, consultants, quantity surveyors, engineers, architects, project managers, and other stakeholders. A total of 111 valid responses were obtained from a total of 120 surveys. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used to rank the benefits of adopting Circular Economy practices, which were found to have significant positive effects on the environment, the economy, and society. In terms of the environment, cutting greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation, manufacturing, and material extraction had the highest RII value of 0.782. With an RII rating of 0.764, maximizing resource efficiency for cost reduction was ranked highest economically. The greatest social benefit was found to be the encouragement of fair access to resources and careful resource management. The results show that by reducing environmental effects, maximizing resources and economic efficiency, and promoting social sustainability, Circular Economy principles greatly improve sustainable construction. Raising awareness, working together, and putting these ideas into practice are crucial to helping Sri Lanka's construction sector shift to a more sustainable and resource-efficient model.
item: Conference-Abstract
Footprint and resource decoupling in South Asian economies: a panel data approach
(2026) Abeyrathne, HML; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
The continuous economic growth that South Asia has experienced during the last three decades has been characterized by urbanization, industrial sector expansion, and increased material extraction and consumption, but there have been doubts over whether the development strategy adopted by this part of the world is sustainable in the long run, while empirical studies on resource decoupling in South Asian economies have been few, with most existing studies focused on high-income OECD contexts. This paper attempts to fill that void by analysing the level and determinants of resource decoupling in SAARC countries from the period of 1995 to 2025 using the panel data approach where the material footprint per capita, obtained from the UNEP Global Material Flows Database, serves as the dependent variable, while GDP per capita and its square, industrial value added, trade openness, and governance quality (World Governance Indicators) serve as the independent variables driven from the World Development Indicators. Fixed effect panel regression analysis, which is confirmed by the Hausman test, was performed to address the presence of unobserved country heterogeneity; decoupling status was determined based on the growth elasticity of material footprint. Based on the results, it is clear that most economies in South Asia display relative and not absolute decoupling, where good institutional quality is related to higher success, industrialization with resource-intensive approach correlates with poor results, and openness of economies in terms of trade has been revealed to have a mixed influence. These results imply that institutional capacity and structure, not growth by itself, determine the speed of decoupling, providing insights for policymakers regarding fiscal, institutional, and regulatory structures to achieve resource-efficient and circular growth.
item: Conference-Abstract
Sustainability and resilience-based framework for waste-derived microgrids
(2026) Deepak, A; Kumar, A; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
India faces interconnected challenges of increasing waste generation, agricultural-residue burning, and unreliable electricity access, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities. Waste-derived microgrids can address these challenges by converting locally available biomass and organic waste into decentralized electricity. However, existing assessments often emphasize techno-economic performance while overlooking environmental impacts, social consequences, feedstock-seasonality risks, and resilience. This study conceptualizes a Waste-Biomass Microgrid Sustainability and Resilience Index (WBMSRI) for evaluating waste-derived microgrids in the Indian context. The proposed framework integrates technical, economic, environmental, social life-cycle, and resilience dimensions. It considers alternative conversion pathways, including anaerobic digestion, biomass gasification, and combustion, coupled with photovoltaic generation, battery storage, and backup systems. Key indicators include renewable-energy fraction, energy not served, levelized cost of electricity, net present cost, greenhouse-gas emissions, avoided open burning, occupational safety, local employment, energy affordability, community acceptance, and critical-load supply. Indicators are normalized and aggregated using multi-criteria weighting, while sensitivity analysis evaluates the influence of feedstock availability, technology selection, economic assumptions, and indicator weights. The framework is expected to demonstrate that the most suitable configuration is not necessarily the least-cost option, but one that balances reliable waste supply, affordable electricity, environmental benefits, social equity, and operational resilience. The proposed WBMSRI can support technology comparison and planning of circular, inclusive, and resilient decentralized energy systems in India.
item: Conference-Abstract
Development of an energy consumption prediction model for university buildings
(2026) Jayalath, VC; Pathirana, SM; Dilshan, SO; Rajapakse, RLHL; Prasath, RA
Energy use in university buildings is a growing cost and sustainability concern, yet Sri Lankan universities lack tools to anticipate monthly consumption and act before it peaks. This study is an approach to developing an Energy Consumption Prediction Model for Sri Lankan University Buildings. As a sustainable approach, a prediction model can be used to predict the energy consumption for a period of time, in this case, a month. Preventive measures can be taken to address and prevent it from reaching that predicted amount. To achieve this goal, a machine learning system was developed along with a dataset. The dataset was created based on data collected from a questionnaire survey conducted at the Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya, and processed through energy modelling and related calculations to be unbiased with variations. A feedforward neural network model was the approach taken to construct the prediction model. The accuracy of the dataset was proven to be above 90% at K-number testing, while the prediction model, even though operational, was not validated by a comparison to actual data due to unavailability of data at the time of publication.