Browsing by Author "Dharmarathna, D"

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Open Access
Global warming potential of English brick manufacturing in Sri Lanka: A cradle to gate analysis
(IEEE, 2021-07-27) Herath, I; Karunaratne, S; Dharmarathna, D
Clay bricks are one of the most commonly used walling materials in Sri Lanka. The brick manufacturing process poses a notable impact on the environment. Clay excavation leads to resource depletion while diesel fuel utilized for excavation and clay transportation pollutes the air. Additionally, tree cutting for wood fuel contributes to deforestation whilst wood burning promotes air pollution. Thus, this research aimed to quantify the global warming potential due to English brick manufacturing using cradle to gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The functional unit used was one-meter square of the brick wall area. Data collection, analysis and interpretation of results were done by the ISO 14044/14040 standards. Primary life cycle inventory data was gathered via brick kiln owners and workers. The LCA assembly was modelled using the ‘OpenLCA’ software. Three product systems were defined according to the brick bond types and wall thicknesses. The global warming potential related to brick production was assessed using the ‘GWP 100a’ method. Clay excavation, clay transportation and wood chamber firing emerged as emission hotspots. The study revealed that the global warming potential of 225mm brick wall and 115mm brick wall as 11.9 and 5.9 kg CO2-eq/m 2 , respectively. Through this study, local clay brick industry can be driven to improve the overall sustainability of the brick manufacturing sector.
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A review of comprehensiveness, user-friendliness, and contribution for sustainable design of whole building environmental life cycle assessment software tools
(Elsevier, 2022-03-15) Karunaratne, S; Dharmarathna, D
Whole building environmental life cycle impact assessment enables to both construct and operate buildings with least impacts while optimizing resource efficiency and conservation. This study aims to, (1) develop a detailed criteria based on selected thematic areas and associated focus areas, to evaluate the key attributes of whole building environmental life cycle assessment software tools (WBELCA-STs), (2) analyze the distinctive abilities and areas for improvement of the selected software tools (STs) with respect to the key attributes, (3) categorize the selected STs according to their individual performances to facilitate ST selection, to match the user requirements. WBELCA-STs currently used were identified by reviewing published scientific literature (2001–2021). Nine STs were shortlisted based on the number of results returned during the literature search. A comprehensive evaluation criterion based on five themes was developed and shortlisted nine STs were evaluated against the key attributes. This study adds to the existing knowledge on whole building environmental life cycle assessment by identifying the key areas that strengthen the comprehensiveness and user-friendliness of WBELCA-STs, while promoting sustainable design in all life cycle stages. Further the strengths and areas for improvement of the STs were identified to categorize them. Priorities needed to be considered in selecting a suitable ST for building assessment projects were revealed. There is a need in developing, maintaining and updating more databases and STs to popularize building environmental sustainability assessments in many regions of the world, including Asia.