Research Publications
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Publication Embargo Numerical Simulation and VARTM Process for Manufacturing of Coir Mats(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Sudarshana, W. S. A.; Gallage, R; Srimal, L.K.T.A composite material is manufactured by combining two or more materials. The final product has properties different from the individual materials. Using coir fiber as a reinforcement in composite material has gained researchers’ attention due to its better physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) is a manufacturing method for making large composite parts. This process uses an open mold to manufacture the composite material. This research uses the VARTM process and traditional hand lay-up methods to manufacture coir mats. The basic materials are coir fiber-reinforced natural rubber matrix resin. The produced bio-composite materials will be biodegradable with less impact on the environment. The VARTM process uses atmospheric pressure and room temperature to inject the resin into the mold. Therefore, the operation is easier to control. This process involves vacuum injection to remove air from the mold and fill the coir fiber with the natural rubber latex resin. Finally, VARTM coir mats and hand lay-up coir mats were tested to find their thermal properties, and the best-suited manufacturing method was selected for roofing insulation applications of buildings. Manufacturers can accurately forecast the filling time and flow front pattern of the natural fiber latex resin all around the mold by simulating the VARTM process with ANSYS software. This simulation allows for better control and optimization of the manufacturing process for coir mats, ensuring uniform quality and geometrical accuracy. ANSYS software provides a diversified platform to simulate the VARTM process, allowing manufacturers to analyze various parameters such as resin flow and pressure distribution inside the mold. By introducing ANSYS simulation into the manufacturing workflow, operators can learn about process optimization, material use efficiency, and potential areas for operation improvement. However, integrating ANSYS simulation with the VARTM process enhances the manufacturing of coir mats and aligns with industrial growth and efficient and sustainable production practicesPublication Open Access Efficient Ventilation Configurations for an Isolation Ward in View of Reducing the Potential Contamination of Its Occupants(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2023-03-02) Durage, H; Attalage, R; Bandara, R.M.P.S.The rise of respiratory infections, such as the SARS epidemic in 2003, and the H1N1 influenza epidemic in 2011, highlighted the importance of efficient ventilation in healthcare facilities. The novel SARS -Cov-2 disease has sparked many concerns over the ventilation performance of multi-bed isolation wards and their ability to suppress airborne infectious contamination. The study is primarily based on suggesting ventilation improvements for a locally acquired multi-bed intensive care isolation unit. The study via ANSYS -fluent incorporates a k-𝜀 turbulent model that is used to analyze exhaled CO2 particle tracks of 4 human models. Three ventilation strategies, namely, Displacement, Stratum, and Curtain -Air-jet are initially considered and evaluated based on two indoor air quality indices (IAQs), namely, air change efficiency and contaminant removal effectiveness. Stratum ventilation comfortably exhibits unidirectional flow characteristics with an air change efficiency of 0.946, which was obtained through ANSYS -CFX while each suggested configuration is capable of achieving a contaminant removal effectiveness value greater than 1 which depicts that the contamination source is not in a perfect mixing zone. Results provided inconclusive evidence to draw correlations between the two IAQ indices and thus it is confirmed that these indices solely depend on the type of ventilation strategy. Contaminant concentration on health care worker breathing plane and exhaled particle tracking for 4 minutes in each analyzed configuration revealed that both Stratum and Curtain air-jet models improve the escaped particle efficiency by 25% and 29% respectively compared to the base model. These models are further compared against reference values specified by guidelines to evaluate their suitability for real-world operation.