Institutional-Repository, University of Moratuwa
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item: Conference-Full-text
Robotic systems for closed-loop construction: a bibliometric analysis of construction demolition waste management
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Fernando, MKLIC; Wimalaratne, PLI; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
Robotic and automated systems present transformative potential for addressing construction and demolition waste (CDW) challenges through enhanced sorting, deconstruction, and material recovery. However, research at the intersection of robotics and closed-loop construction remains fragmented, lacking a comprehensive synthesis of trends, collaboration patterns, and technological evolution. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of 36 peer-reviewed articles (2015-2026) retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science following PRISMA guidelines, employing VOSviewer for keyword co-occurrence, bibliographic coupling, and collaboration network analysis. Results reveal exponential publication growth since 2021, with peak output in 2024-2025 driven by advances in artificial intelligence and computer vision. China, Australia, and Hong Kong emerge as leading contributors within Asia-Pacific and European collaborative networks. Keyword analysis identifies five primary research clusters: robotic sorting and grasping technologies, computer vision for waste recognition, deconstruction and disassembly systems, digital enablers (BIM, digital twins, IoT), and circular economy frameworks. Despite significant progress, critical gaps persist in perception robustness under real-world conditions, manipulation of heterogeneous materials, and deconstruction system integration for component reuse, human-robot collaboration frameworks, and economic validation. This review provides researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with a systematic foundation for advancing robotic closed-loop construction toward sustainable, intelligent waste management.
item: Conference-Full-text
Role of regulations and governance in the circular economy for construction: a comparative analysis
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Attanayaka, SMSS; Illeperuma, IE; Abeynayake, MDTE; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
The construction sector is among the largest global consumers of raw materials and generators of waste, making regulatory governance a decisive factor in the circular economy (CE) transition. This paper presents findings of a comprehensive document analysis examining CE-relevant regulatory frameworks across six Asian jurisdictions, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Sri Lanka’s (SL’s) national regulatory landscape, comprising eleven instruments. Applying a structured analytical framework consistently across all documents, the study interrogates legislative intent, compliance mechanisms, enforcement architecture and identified limitations. The Asian analysis reveals stratification across three governance tiers, i) advanced statutory architectures with mandatory waste separation, ii) quantified recovery targets and multi-instrument enforcement, and iii) framework legislation with variable subnational implementation and early-stage disposal-oriented regulation. SL’s framework is characterised by a pre-CE legislative inheritance, institutional fragmentation and a systematic implementation deficit. The Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) Regulations 2018 represent the only operative mandatory CE-adjacent obligation in the national framework, yet threshold, monitoring and penalty provisions limit their effectiveness. The paper concludes by identifying governance pathways informed by Asian regulatory experience and germane to SL’s institutional context.
item: Conference-Full-text
Schoolyards as built infrastructure: a feasibility framework for closing environmental education implementation gaps
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Mendis, E; Thayaparan, M; Lellupitiya, D; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
Environmental education (EE) is widely promoted as a response to climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability challenges, with schools identified as critical settings for fostering children’s engagement with nature. However, despite increasing policy attention and expanding initiatives, the implementation of school-based environmental education remains fragmented and difficult to sustain. This paper argues that these limitations are not primarily pedagogical, but structural, institutional, and spatial, rooted in the everyday built and institutional environments of schools. Drawing on a narrative literature review of school-based environmental education initiatives, the study synthesises reported implementation challenges and organises them into six systemic categories: Professional Capacity Gap, Institutional Integration Gap, Learning Design–Accessibility Gap, Socio-Cultural and Equity Gap, Programme Design–Context Gap, and Evaluation and Evidence Gap. These challenges reveal persistent gaps between environmental education ambitions and the operational, organisational, and spatial realities of schools. In response, the paper presents two connected conceptual frameworks. The first establishes a conceptual enabling conditions framework with six conditions: Realistic Time Demand, Embedded Whole-School Practice, Student-Friendly Learning Design, Context-Responsive Inclusion, Locally Feasible Programme Design, and Observable Practice-Based Evidence, which function as a feasibility filter. The second translates these conditions into built-environment applications, positioning schoolyards and everyday school spaces as strategic infrastructure for sustained engagement with nature. The paper offers a practical lens for educators, school leaders, built-environment professionals, and policymakers to plan, evaluate, and scale more feasible and context-responsive environmental education initiatives.
item: Conference-Full-text
Significance of joint venture enterprises for the development of the construction industry of Sri Lanka
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Kiridana, YMWHMRRLJB; Abeynayake, MDTE; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
Developing economies rely on technology acquisition and innovation to build capacity, yet Sri Lanka's construction industry lags due to an over-reliance on traditional procurement over equity-based Joint Venture Enterprises (JVEs). While firms use contractual joint ventures to execute large-scale infrastructure projects, the unique benefits of JVEs remain underutilized. This study explores the drivers, benefits, operational barriers, and selection criteria for implementing efficient JVEs in Sri Lanka. Using a mixed-method approach, the research contextualized international literature through three semi-structured expert interviews, followed by a quantitative survey of 30 industry professionals. Qualitative data were evaluated via Content Analysis, while quantitative data were ranked using the Relative Importance Index (RII). The analysis reveals that safeguarding investments (RII = 0.7633) is the primary motivator for choosing a JVE over a contractual alternative. The most significant industry benefits identified are making complex projects feasible (RII = 0.8333) and facilitating technology transfer (RII = 0.8133). However, the model faces severe headwinds: an unstable economic situation (RII = 0.807) and a lack of specific foreign investment laws (RII = 0.767) emerged as the top operational barriers. The study concludes that JVEs are highly effective instruments for expanding local capacity in the construction sector. To unlock this potential and encourage equity-based joint venture participation, the study recommends targeted legislative adjustments to protect and incentivize foreign and domestic investors.
item: Conference-Full-text
Simulation-based evaluation of energy performance in adaptive reuse of historic buildings across different climatic zones of Sri Lanka
(Department of Building Economics, 2026) Tharmitha, A; Jayasinghe, GY; Prabodani, MKM; Anojan, K; Halwatura, RU; Waidyasekara, KGAS; Jayasena, HS; Chandanie, H; Tennakoon, GA
Adaptive reuse involves reusing historical structures without demolishing or reconstructing while preserving cultural and heritage values. In Sri Lanka, colonial-era buildings have been converted to modern purposes; their post-reuse energy performance remains measured. This study evaluates the impact of adaptive reuse on energy performance across three climatic zones in Sri Lanka, Jaffna (dry), Galle (intermediate) and Nuwara Eliya (wet) using Autodesk Revit 2025 Insight simulation. It aims to (a) Analyse architectural, material and functional changes (b) Quantify Energy use intensity (EUI), and (c) Propose strategies to maximize energy efficiency without compromising heritage integrity. Field data were modelled for pre- and post-modification phases to analyse EUI and end-use components (cooling, lighting and equipment). Comparative simulations generated retrofit recommendations. Results indicate EUI increased in adaptive-reuse buildings. In Jaffna EUI increased from 29.96 to 78.24 kWh/m²•year, and reduced to 42.54 kWh/m²•year after retrofit. In Galle, EUI increased from 28.87 to 67.72 kWh/m²•year, and decreased to 38.5 kWh/m²•year after retrofitting. In Nuwara Eliya, the EUI increased from 22.90 to 39.83 kWh/m²•year, and reduced to 30.5 kWh/m²•year after retrofit. The difference between the pre- and post-modification EUI was highest in the dry-zone case, followed by the intermediate zone, while the wet-zone case exhibited the lowest increase, due to climatic conditions, material replacement and purpose of the building. The findings show that poorly designed adaptive reuse, particularly enclosed spaces and light partitions, can increase cooling-related energy demand by 30-50% in dry and intermediate regions. Energy-efficient retrofit strategies can reduce energy consumption in such buildings.