SLIIT International Conference on Engineering and Technology [SICET]

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SLIIT International Conference on Engineering and Technology is organized by the Faculty of Engineering. SICET welcomes submissions from various disciplines, focusing on emerging trends in Engineering, Technology, and Applied and Natural Sciences. The conference will encompass research in theory, practical applications, and education. This event offers a unique platform for academics, student researchers, and industry practitioners to present innovative ideas and engage with professionals from diverse engineering fields

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Author: search.filters.author.Gomes, P.I.A.Subject: search.filters.subject.Sri Lanka

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    PublicationOpen Access
    Microplastic Content in Non-Point Source And Point Sources of Colombo And Suburbs – Experimental Study on the Impact of Seasonal Variation
    (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, 2023-03-25) Ariyawansha, R.B.V.K.; Gomes, P.I.A.
    Microplastics, which can enter aquatic environments through various sources, are small plastic pieces that are less than 5 mm in length. There are two types: primary and secondary microplastics. Sri Lanka has limited studies on microplastics in inland water bodies, so this research aims to quantify the levels of microplastic pollution in Colombo's surface waters in a spatiotemporal manner. Samples were taken from Beira Lake, Dutch canal network, Talangama canal, in wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations were determined using NOAA guidelines and an optical microscope. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 21, including One-way Anova and Pearson correlations to identify significant differences and correlations. The study found that Dutch Canal had the highest average microplastic concentration of 12.7 mg/L during the wet season, and the lowest of 4.2 mg/L during the dry season. Both Dutch Canal and Talangama canal showed significantly higher microplastic concentrations during the wet season than the dry season, while the opposite was found in Beira Lake. The statistical analysis showed significant differences between microplastic concentrations in wet and dry seasons in all three water bodies. The microplastic levels in Beira Lake were higher on the surface water during the dry season (4.32 mg/L) and wet season (13.77 mg/L) compared to point sources (4.05 mg/L and 11.68 mg/L, respectively). Furthermore, Dutch canal's point sources showed higher during the dry season (8.47 mg/L) than the wet season (11.51 mg/L) and concentration of microplastics on the surface water was higher during the wet season (5.73 mg/L) than the dry season (7.16 mg/L). Talangama canal had similar patterns to Beira Lake. The study found microplastic contamination in urban and semi-urban surface waters at levels comparable to some industrialized countries, highlighting a concerning issue.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Health, safety, and environmental impacts of road infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka; Impact analysis on ongoing and temporarily suspended road works
    (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, 2023-03-25) Kariyawasam, D.D.S.A.; Gomes, P.I.A.
    Road networks are considered to be the primary mode of transport in Sri Lanka. Road infrastructure plays an important role in the country’s economy. The work environment of construction projects is generally considered one of the most dangerous places for work. The current economic recession faced by Sri Lanka has led to the temporary suspension of road works. The aim of this study is to identify the main types of health, safety, and environmental issues that occur in the construction of different ongoing and suspended road infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka. Questionnaire surveys, discussions, and site observations were carried out to collect data from road projects of different classes. Data analysis was done using the SPSS (Version 28) statistical software. The findings of the research indicated that vehicle collisions were the most common type of occupational accident faced in road construction in Sri Lanka. The fatality rate caused due to poor health and safety management of road construction works was compared with the construction of buildings and other developing countries. The results obtained from the study also identified that negligence was the main factor that influenced low safety standards on-site, which in turn impacted the performance of the construction project. Measures taken by construction companies of different grades to improve health and safety standards were also studied in the research. It was also evident that suspended road projects had an adverse effect on the environment, as it was seen that these sites possessed a loss in diversity, high chances of sediment erosion, and a rise in mosquito breeding locations. The findings of this research highlight the need of prioritizing health and safety in road projects and also enable construction companies to handle construction work in a way that minimizes environmental damage occurs.