SLIIT International Conference On Engineering and Technology Vol. 03 [SICET] 2024
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/3767
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Publication Embargo Driving Towards Sustainability During the Construction Phase of Roads in Sri Lanka by Mitigating CO2 Emission: A Systematic Literature Review Approach(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Yaparathnea, I.H.G.Y.M. Udari; Guruge, KClimate change has become a pressing concern for humanity in the contemporary era. Scientists believe that the acceleration of global warming and climate change is directly linked to the rising concentration of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2). This has become a challenge for many developing countries. The construction industry is one of the sectors that significantly contributed to heightened carbon emissions into the environment. Road construction involves various activities and processes that release substantial amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Addressing these issues are crucial for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and fostering sustainable development. The development of road infrastructure generates CO2 emissions across various stages. Notably, the construction stage is responsible for a significant portion of these emissions. Despite this, research efforts in Sri Lanka have primarily focused on reducing CO2 emissions in building construction projects, with limited attention to strategies specifically targeting road construction projects. The construction phase of road development has thus far been overlooked in terms of CO2 emission reduction strategies. Consequently, this study seeks to raise awareness among academics, professionals, and practitioners involved in road development projects about the factors influencing CO2 emissions during the road construction phase. The objectives of this study are to examine the factors affecting CO2 emissions during road construction development, identify the activities and processes contributing to CO2 emissions during the construction phase of road projects, explore existing sustainable strategies used in road construction to mitigate CO2 emissions, and assess their applicability to the Sri Lankan Road construction sector. A systematic literature review was conducted to achieve these objectives, selecting the fifty-six most relevant past research studies.Publication Embargo Potential Use of Partnering Procurement to Minimize Project Delays in Private-Sector Construction Projects(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Hasaranga, K.K.A.P; Bandaraa, R.P.H.S.Project delivery delays remain a critical factor for project success in private-sector construction projects. This research explores the potential of Partnering Procurement as a strategic approach to minimize project delays. Partnering Procurement emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and long-term relationships among project stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and subcontractors. The study aims to investigate Partnering Procurement's effectiveness in minimizing project delays in private-sector Construction projects. The research methodology encompasses a comprehensive literature review and quantitative data collection method. The survey will be designed to collect quantitative data on the benefits and challenges associated with partnering procurement and its effectiveness in minimizing project delays. The anticipated outcome of this research reveals key contributors to delays in privatesector construction projects. Financial problems and payment delays from clients, drawing submission delays from consultants, and improper project management from contractors stand out as critical factors. This research includes a deeper understanding of the benefits and challenges of partnering procurement in private-sector construction projects. The findings will contribute to the body of knowledge in construction management and guide project stakeholders on the effective implementation of partnering procurement to minimize project delays. By minimizing project delays, private-sector construction projects can enhance their competitiveness, deliver projects within budget and schedule, and ultimately satisfy the needs of clients and stakeholders.Publication Embargo Impact of Pandemic on Finances of SMEs in Sri Lankan Construction Industry(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Abeysiria, O; Allis, C; Lokuge, AThis study focuses on the impact of the pandemic on the financial aspects of Sri Lankan construction SMEs. The pandemic has significantly affected economies globally. Sri Lanka, a country whose economy mainly consists of SMEs, has faced adverse effects due to the preventive measures implemented to control the spread of the disease. Nearly 90% of registered construction firms in Sri Lanka belong to the SME category. Financial challenges or difficulties were encountered by construction SMEs even before the pandemic impacted Sri Lanka. Currently, most of the Sri Lankan construction SMEs are on the brink of bankruptcy, mainly due to the financial challenges brought about by the pandemic. This study comprises primary data produced from semi-structured interviews and secondary sources of data from the literature review. It has identified the financial challenges undergone by construction SMEs in usual manners, including limited access to bank credit facilities, lack of capital of the contractor, and lack of cash flow due to delayed payments, among others. Principally, there were several financial challenges created due to the pandemic, including barriers in obtaining credit facilities from suppliers, and the challenges that were usually present have intensified with the effects of the ongoing pandemic. In the latter part of this study, strategies that Sri Lankan construction SMEs have executed to survive in the industry are pointed out. Most SME contractors in Sri Lanka do not have positive perspectives on staying in the industry for the long term, given the financial challenges they have encountered with the current pandemic.Publication Embargo Enhanced Lightweight Visual Cryptosystem (ELVC): Fortifying Cybersecurity for Visual Data Protection(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Bhuvaneshwari, A. J; Kaythry, P.Within the field of cybersecurity, protecting visual data poses significant difficulties because of its extensive use and vulnerability to unwanted access. This article introduces the Enhanced Lightweight Visual Cryptosystem (ELVC), which is intended to strengthen cybersecurity by efficiently encrypting visual data. Using the Blake2 hash algorithm and advanced encryption techniques, the ELVC encrypts AC and DC coefficients, which are critical components in visual data compression. The encryption algorithm improves data security by calculating entropy, histograms, and PSNR values. Rigorous NIST performance tests demonstrate the ELVC's resilience to cryptographic weaknesses, ensuring its effectiveness in preventing cyber-attacks. The ELVC, which emphasizes both security and efficiency, is well-suited for deployment in resource-constrained situations like mobile and IoT devices. With its ability to protect visual data while maintaining quick processing, the ELVC stands as a noteworthy advancement in cybersecurity, offering heightened resilience against evolving threats.Publication Embargo A Comprehensive 5G NR V2X Simulator for Unicast, Multicast, and Broadcast Communication Modes(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Dissanayaka, D.M.S.D.; Nethmini, K.G.M.; Dharmarathne, R.G.C.D.S.; Priyankara, W.N.B.A.G.As the field of vehicular communication continues to evolve, the need for reliable and realistic simulation tools becomes increasingly critical. This paper introduces a novel 5G New Radio Vehicle to Everything (NR V2X) simulator, a state-of-the-art tool to emulate unicast, multicast, and broadcast communication modes. The simulator is built upon the well-established ns-3 network simulator and integrates seamlessly with the Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) traffic simulator. This integration allows for the creation and analysis of complex vehicular communication scenarios, enhancing the realism and applicability of the simulations. One of the key features of our simulator is its flexible architecture. This flexibility enables it to accommodate a wide range of scenarios, making it a versatile tool for researchers and practitioners in vehicular communication. In addition to its technical capabilities, the simulator boasts a user-friendly interface. This interface enhances its accessibility, making it an easyto- use tool for researchers of all levels of expertise. We present an in-depth analysis of the performance of different communication modes under various scenarios. Key performance indicators such as average throughput, delay, and packet loss are evaluated, providing valuable insights into the intricacies of nextgeneration vehicular communication systems. Our work contributes significantly to the advancement of 5G NR V2X research. The simulator is a useful resource for exploring and understanding the complexities of vehicular communication systems, paving the way for future advancements in this exciting field. Our work will inspire further research and development in vehicular communication, bringing us one step closer to realizing the full potential of intelligent transportation systems.Publication Embargo Performance Improvement of Crossflow Air Turbines for Wave Energy Conversion in Oscillating Water Columns: A CFD Study(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Baddegamage, B.H.B.P.D.; Lee, Young-Ho; Gunawardane, S.D.G.S.P.; Yoon, MThe coastal countries have a valuable renewable energy source in the form of ocean waves, which, if harnessed effectively using wave energy converters (WEC), could significantly enhance their electrical energy supply. Numerous technologies have been researched, put forth, examined, and sometimes tested in real ocean conditions at full scale. One of the most promising WECs is the oscillating water column (OWC), which has a modest number of moving parts that are all above the water level with a relatively simple mechanism. Although the Wells turbine is a widely used power takeoff (PTO) system of OWC, having higher peak efficiency than the crossflow air turbine (CFAT), it shows a narrow operational flow range. This operational flow range issue could be addressed by deploying CFATs. Only a few researches have been conducted on the CFAT as the PTO for OWCs. The present study focuses on numerical model-building and validation using the available experimental data to investigate the performance characteristics for optimized nozzle shapes for CFAT. For the base model, numerical results are compared to experimental data for validation. The geometry of the nozzle is optimized to achieve maximum efficiency under steady-state conditions. The nozzle entry arc angle is varied between 90° to 150°. The optimized model reached a peak efficiency of 68% with a steady high efficiency for broader operating conditions (broader flow range). Therefore, the proposed design addresses the issue of the narrow band of the Wells turbine while potentially improving the efficiency of the existing CFAT model.Publication Embargo Development of DSSC Counter Electrode Using PEDOT: PSS/GO Nanocomposite(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Ravindran, N. S; Wijayarathne, W. M. K. B. N; Chandrika, R. P.; Medagedara, A. D. T.; Kumara, G. R. A; Bandara, T. M. W. J.Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have garnered considerable research interest owing to their ability to achieve high photo-to-electric energy conversion efficiencies at a relatively low production cost. While platinum has been recognized for its exceptional electrocatalytic performance and efficiency as a counter electrode in DSSCs, its higher cost and vulnerability to corrosion have prompted the exploration of alternative materials to replace Pt in this role. DSSCs have demonstrated noteworthy photovoltaic performances by employing a range of candidate materials, including conducting polymers, carbon materials, and nanocomposites of conducting polymers and carbon materials, as counter electrodes. The motivation to form composites or hybrids with nanomaterials stems from the aim to improve the overall photovoltaic efficiency in DSSCs. The main objective of this study was to fabricate a DSSC utilizing a counter electrode comprised of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate and graphene oxide (PEDOT: PSS/GO). The fabrication of the counter electrode involved depositing the PEDOT: PSS/GO nanocomposite onto a graphite sheet using drop casting. The GO, which was synthesized through a modified version of Hummer’s method, underwent characterization via Raman spectroscopy and XRD analysis to ensure a successful synthesis process. The surface morphology and the Raman spectra of coated nanocomposites indicated the good dispersion of GO and the strong interaction between GO and the PSS chain, respectively. In the fabrication process of the DSSC, a gel polymer electrolyte was incorporated between a five-layer TiO2-based photoanode and the PEDOT: PSS/GO-based counter electrode. Photovoltaic performances of DSSCs were evaluated under simulated solar irradiance of 1000 W m-2. They were able to achieve a power conversion efficiency of 2.7%, Voc of 0.73 mV, Jsc of 5.21 mA cm-2, and a fill factor of 0.71.Publication Embargo Comparative Analysis of Characteristics of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Utilizing Extracts of Young vs Mature Leaves of Elaeocarpus Serratus as Natural Sensitizers(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Davisan, S.; Nupearachchi, C.N.; Perera, V. P. S.This study addresses the pressing global need for sustainable energy sources by exploring dyesensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as a viable alternative. Specifically, the research focuses on extracting natural pigments from Elaeocarpus serratus (Sri Lankan olive) leaves to enhance the efficiency of DSSCs. These leaves undergo color changes as they mature, presenting opportunities to extract different types of pigments at different ages. Extraction involves boiling pieces of leaves in absolute ethanol to obtain the desired pigments. Further characterization via UV-visible spectroscopy revealed the presence of different absorption bands of pigments in the natural dyes’ extracts. The constructed DSSCs employed these natural dyes, coated on TiO2 films deposited on FTO glass plates as the photoanodes. The liquid electrolyte was I2/I3 - and a platinum-sputtered glass plate served as the counter electrode. Photovoltaic characteristics were evaluated using a computerized PK-IV 100 I-V analyzer under 100 W/m2 illumination. Results indicated the superior performance of DSSCs utilizing young leaf extracts, yielding a short circuit current density (JSC) of 3.950 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage (VOC) of 458.8 mV, and a fill factor (ff) of approximately 0.553 with an efficiency (η) of 1.003%. Conversely, DSSCs utilizing. Mature green leaf extracts exhibited lower performance metrics, with JSC of 2.379 mA/cm2, VOC of 477.5 mV, ff around 0.492, and η of 0.559%. Therefore, the efficiency of DSSC fabricated with young leaf is 56% higher than the DSSC made with mature green leaf extract.Publication Embargo Efficiency Enhanced by Chelation of Al3+ Metal Ions with Erythrina Fusca Flower Dye Harnessing Bathochromic Shift(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Mannawadu, M.W.M.K; Perera, V.P.S.Utilization of natural dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) presents a sustainable approach towards enhancing photovoltaic efficiency. This study explores the bathochromic shift exhibited by Erythrina fusca (Erabodu) flower dye upon chelation with Al3+ ions, offering an innovative strategy for improving DSSC performance. 20g of chopped flower petals was boiled with 50ml of ethanol until flower petals become pale in colour in the dye extraction process. After that, 0.1 M, AlCl3 solution was added dropwise to 2ml of dye solution until the colour changed to purple. The pH value of Erabadu bare dye was recorded as 5.47 and with the Al3+ ion addition it was changed to 4.49. Through spectroscopic analysis and electrochemical characterization, the chelation mechanism and its impact on dye absorption spectra and electron transfer dynamics was elucidated. The Dye was coated on a thin film of TiO2 nanoparticles deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass plates. FTO glass which coated with platinum was used as the counter electrode and iodin/triiodide (I2 / I3 -) was used as the electrolyte. Solar cell was tested with a light source with an intensity of 100 mW/cm2. Al3+ ion chelated Erabadu dye exhibited higher efficiencies than bare dye which was 1.627%. The open circuit voltage (Voc) of this cell was 470mV, short circuit current density (Jsc) was 4.00 mA/cm2 and the fill factor of DSSC’s was 0.553. The Incident Photon to Current Conversion Efficiency (IPCE) of the cell further revealed the action spectrum was broadened between 300 nm – 500 nm enhancing the efficiency. Our findings unveil the potential of Al3+ ion chelated Erythrina fusca dye as a promising sensitizer for DSSCs, paving the way for eco-friendly and efficient solar energy conversion.Publication Embargo Design and Development of a 50kW Producer Gas Generator in Sri Lanka(SLIIT, Faculty of Engineering, 2024-10) Perera, K.D.M; Ratnaweera, H.G.J.N.; Nilanka, A.A.P.This research paper presents the design, fabrication, and experimental investigation of a downdraft gasifier system. The design of the system first required evaluation of various literature to select the correct gasifier type and the components of the gas conditioning system. The downdraft gasifier design was done by using existing gasifier designs in the literature and Sri Lanka. Further, a gas conditioning system comprising a cyclone separator and a wet-packed bed scrubber was designed and fabricated. The completed gasifier system was then tested to validate its capacity and to evaluate the thermal conversion efficiency. A maximum cold gas efficiency of 67% was achieved and the maximum capacity was 50.9kW. The capacity and cold gas efficiency were evaluated with the variation of the inlet velocity of the air nozzles. Further, the report consists of the operational manual and manufacturing procedure. A brief feasibility study was done regarding its applicability for a heating application and its financial assessment.