School of Architecture

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Start date: 2020Has files: Yes

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    PublicationOpen Access
    Geochemical insights into ancient burnt clay bricks in Sri Lankan archaeological structures
    (Elsevier B.V., 2026-07) Premarathne K.D.H.J.; Young, Sansfica M.; Mendis T.; Rajapaksha M; Jayasekara J.M.I.R.K.; Halwatura R.U; Kamei A.
    Ancient burnt clay bricks in Sri Lanka exhibit comparatively advanced technological characteristics relative to many contemporary clay bricks (1–5 MPa), suggesting the presence of optimized material design principles. This study investigates the geochemical signatures and structure–property relationships of ancient clay bricks with relatively high compressive strengths to derive insights relevant to the development of sustainable modern construction materials. Ancient burnt clay bricks were collected from ten stupas located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Standard methods were used to test the compressive strength of the brick samples. Advanced materials characterization techniques, including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to analyze the geochemical signatures. The data were analyzed to explore provenance trends, relative weathering alteration, chemical composition, mineralogical phases, and possible firing temperature ranges of the ancient burnt clay bricks. The provenance analysis is broadly consistent with relatively felsic source materials of dacitic to rhyolitic affinity. A significant correlation was identified between flux content (19.56%) and compressive strength (9.78 MPa), suggesting that vitrification and densification may have contributed to improved mechanical performance. Further, the bricks are consistent with production from non-calcareous, low-refractory clays (CaO < 6%), with flux levels exceeding 9%, which may have supported effective sintering during firing. The higher-strength burnt clay bricks likely experienced comparatively higher firing temperatures, as indicated by the possible presence of high-temperature mineral phases such as mullite and diopside. SEM-EDX results suggest that the morphology and elemental distribution patterns of the clay bricks may have contributed to higher compressive strength. Overall, the findings suggest that ancient brick production involved favorable material characteristics and firing conditions, providing a useful basis for the development of next-generation sustainable clay-based construction materials.
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    PublicationEmbargo
    “Cradle to Gate” assessment of material related embodied carbon: A design stage stratagem for mid-rise housing in Sri Lanka
    (Elsevier, 2021-01-01) Jayawardana, A; Perera, N; Perera, R
    Achieving low carbon buildings is seen as a key concept in order to reduce carbon emission and mitigate climate change. In contrast to operational emission, material related embodied carbon (EC) in the built environment plays a pivotal role, with the continuous consumption of high carbon emitting materials. This research relates to the ‘Cradle-to-Gate’ system boundary, while limiting its focus on building design stage decisions. A hybrid analysis approach was adopted - a bottom-up process with steps encompassing mass analysis, EC calculation, highlighting carbon hotspots, and ultimately the identification of critical building components. As a case study, multi-storey housing was selected as a critical building typology, in Sri Lanka. The results reveal ‘walls’ as a carbon hotspot that needs to be explored in strategies for mitigation. Substantial EC savings were seen in the selection of fly ash blocks as an alternate material to clay brick or cement block. Changes to the configuration of walls, specifically, bonding patterns and non-inclusion of a plaster layer, also showed savings. This paper, contributes to the understanding of material selection implications - in the cradle-to-gate stage - for the reduction of carbon emissions in mid-rise housing, in the context of Sri Lanka.
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    PublicationOpen Access
    Inhabitants’ Satisfaction in Neighbourhood Sustainability: Insights from Colombo
    (Center for Environmental Planning and Technology University, 2021-01) Wijesundara, J; Weerasinghe, U. G. D; Perera, L. S. R
    Despite an increasing number of studies on the evaluation of sustainable neighbourhoods, only a few have paid attention to the identification of the components that influence the degree of inhabitants' satisfaction. A neighbourhood is a built entity that situates the experiences of daily lives of a group of inhabitants in an identifiable geographical space, while neighbourhood sustainability is the process of nurturing its environment to support and meet both economic and social needs of its inhabitants. A sustainable neighbourhood should ensure a desired quality of life and satisfaction to its inhabitants by inter-twining the local,social, environmental, and economic aspects to enable its sustenance as a wholesome place to live. However, most neighbourhoods do not do so. This paper investigates an urban residential neighbourhood in Colombo: the Newham Square, and examines the degree of inhabitants’ satisfaction based on their evaluations. It assesses neighbourhood sustainability under the three main sustainability parameters: environmental, social, and economic facets. Physical and non-physical elements of the neighbourhood form is investigated by using secondary data. Structured interviews were carried out to ascertain inhabitants’ satisfaction while physical observations were made to identify the deterministic elements. Finally, it concludes that the neighbourhood form has a significant role to play in ensuring inhabitants’ satisfaction and therefore neighbourhood sustainability.