The environmental chemistry of rainwater in Sri Lanka

Rainwater samples collected from different parts of Sri Lanka have been analyzed for their chemical constituents. It was observed that except for minor occurrences, “acid‐rain” is still not prevalent in Sri Lanka. Based on the chemical composition, the rainwater of Sri Lanka has been classified chemically into eight different types, the most dominant being Ca/Mg—HCO3, Ca—Cl and non‐dominant cation—HCO3 types. The wet zone of Sri Lanka, particularly the areas around the central highlands, form a special zone in that a number of chemically different rainwater types can be found in these regions. In contrast, the dry zone of Sri Lanka receives four distinct types of rainwater and conform to geographical zones.     

The environmental chemistry of Mahaweli river,Sri Lanka

The water pollution levels of Mahaweli River, the longest river in Sri Lanka, the basin of which covers one sixth of the Island, were monitored to probe the impacts of the urban environment in a developing country. It was observed the chemical quality is largely controlled by natural factors. From among the metals however, vanadium, zinc and copper showed higher concentrations. Pb and Cd showed a correlation co‐efficient of r = 0.58 for each other, and Co showed a highly significant correlation of r = 0.98 with Cu. The lack of correlation of Pb and Cd with the total dissolved solids (TDS) indicates an anthropogenic input of Pb and Cd into the aquatic environment. In general, the chemical quality of the water in the Mahaweli river is satisfactory for most purposes, none of the major dissolved constituents and nutrients exceeding the limit suggested by the WHO for potable water.     

Weathering and aggregate suitability—A case history from the “Victoria” project,Sri Lanka

The Victoria Project under construction near Kandy in Sri Lanka, required 1.7 million tonnes of aggregate to be quarried in slightly weathered gneiss. This paper describes an investigation into the strength and durability of the as-produced aggregate which contained a small proportion of weathered fragments. These tests were carried out before full scale production commenced as part of an aggregate acceptance test programme. A range of laboratory tests and the results of petrographic examination were correlated with simple counts of weathered aggregate fragments in stockpiles. It was found that the properties of the aggregate from normal production differed little from those of completely fresh aggregate, and that there was excellent correlation between all testing methods.     

Environmental,economic and social analysis of materials for doors and windows in Sri Lanka

This paper compares the environmental, economic and social impacts of two types of doors and windows (elements), namely timber and aluminum taking into consideration the life cycle perspective. These elements are widely used for the buildings in Sri Lanka. Thus, it will help in the decision-making process when selecting materials for these elements. Major materials used for these elements are timber, brass, glass, paint, aluminum, rubber, steel and PVC boards. Environmental burdens associated with these materials are analyzed in terms of embodied energy, and environmental impacts that are relevant to Sri Lanka, such as global warming (GWP), acidification (ACP) and nutrient enrichment (NEP). Economic analysis is done using market prices of materials and affordability for those materials. Social concerns such as thermal comfort, good interior (aesthetics), ability to construct fast, and durability are analyzed based on the data collected through the questionnaires and also, interviews with the stakeholders of the buildings such as engineers, architects, building contractors and building users. It was found that timber elements are superior to aluminum elements in environmental scores (GWP, ACP and NEP). On economic score, also, timber elements are better. But on social score, aluminum elements are better than timber. It was also found that the higher the recycling percentage of aluminum, the higher the environmental favorability of the aluminum.     

Construction linkages in a developing economy: the case of Sri Lanka

The importance of the construction industry stems from its strong linkages with other sectors of the economy. Despite the extensive research on input–output analysis and sectoral linkages of construction, a gap is found in the literature dealing with developing economies. The objective is to study the construction linkages in a developing economy using input–output tables compiled since the 1970s in Sri Lanka. Results show that the share of construction in gross national product and national income is lower in Sri Lanka than in developed countries. In Sri Lanka, the share of manufacturing in GNP declined while the share of services has increased with economic development. The backward linkage indicator ranges between 0.364 and 0.457 during the period of 1970–2000 while output multiplier ranges between 1.496 and 1.641 indicating the ‘pull effect’. The ‘push effect’ is found to be very insignificant. An aggregated sectoral analysis reveals high dependence of construction on manufacturing followed by services. The trend analysis shows an increasing dependence of construction on the services sector. The direct and total inputs from manufacturing and services have increased over time.     

A matrix in life cycle perspective for selecting sustainable materials for buildings in Sri Lanka

This paper presents a matrix to select sustainable materials for buildings in Sri Lanka, taking into consideration environmental, economic and social assessments of materials in a life cycle perspective. Five building elements, viz., foundations, roofs, ceilings, doors and windows, and floors are analyzed based on materials used for these elements. Environmental burdens associated with these elements are analyzed in terms of embodied energy and environmental impacts such as global warming, acidification and nutrient enrichment. Economic analysis is based on market prices and affordability of materials. Social factors that are taken into account are thermal comfort, interior (aesthetics), ability to construct quickly, strength and durability. By compiling the results of analyses, two building types with minimum and maximum impacts are identified. These two cases along with existing buildings are compared in a matrix of environmental, economic and social scores. Analysis of the results also indicates need for higher consideration of environmental parameters in decision-making over social and economic factors, as social and economic scores do not vary much between cases. Hence, this matrix helps decision-makers to select sustainable materials for buildings, meaningfully, and thus helps to move towards a more sustainable buildings and construction sector.     

审视斯里兰卡的城市非正式经济

澳大利亚发展合作基金会项目经理菲克里特·舒艾卜（Fikreth Shuaib）从街头摊贩、家庭工人和回收物品收集者的角度，审视了斯里兰卡首都科伦坡的非正式经济。[编者按]     

斯里兰卡铁路柱桩设计

介绍了斯里兰卡和英国标准中,关于柱桩基础设计的相关内容,对其进行了总结和归纳,并分析了国内外柱桩设计的异同,以提高铁路柱桩设计效率和准确率。     

海啸过后，谢谢你还来斯里兰卡

海啸过后是最坏的时刻，也是最好的时刻，到斯里兰卡旅行，值得装进心里的东西很多。     

Housing and home-making in low-income urban settlements: Sri Lanka and Colombia

Enabling the making of home is central to the practices of housing, but constructing home is more than building adequate shelter. It is about establishing, nurturing and managing social relationships and bringing together spaces, objects and elements to represent and celebrate desired relationships, events and memories. Drawing on empirical data from Sri Lanka and Colombia, this paper examines in detail the practices of home-making in low-income settlements. By focussing on people’s conceptions of home and by identifying key social and societal practices, the paper offers insights into the processes of home-making among ordinary dwellers in developing countries and calls for culturally sensitive and holistic housing interventions which support and complement these processes.

Seismicity and seismotectonics in and around Sri Lanka: a synoptic review

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Seismicity and seismotectonics in and around Sri Lanka are reviewed, considering the country in both the local and regional contexts. Seismic...     

斯里兰卡遗韵——杰弗里·巴瓦与地域建筑的实践

记述了作者参观杰弗里·巴瓦的几个建筑作品,介绍了巴瓦的其它有名建筑,重点分析了巴瓦地域建筑的基本要素。     

Geochemistry of well water and cardiovascular diseases in Sri Lanka

A survey carried out on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in Sri Lanka in relation to the hardness of drinking water reveals that a correlation exists which is geographically related. This correlation however, cannot be considered as a causal relationship and other factors possibly exist that could also play a major role in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, e.g. trace elements.     

Geochemical provinces and the incidence of dental diseases in Sri Lanka.

A survey carried out on the incidence of dental diseases and the distribution of fluoride in drinking water wells in Sri Lanka shows that 3 areas in particular had abundant fluoride (greater than 2ppm). Dental fluorosis was common in areas with high fluoride content while those areas with very little or no fluoride, such as the central region of Sri Lanka, had a high incidence of dental caries. The intensity of rain fall played a major role in the leaching of fluoride ions from soils and it is perhaps this factor which is responsible for the occurrence of a low fluoride zone in the central part of Sri Lanka. The presence of areas containing high fluoride and hence dental fluorosis coincided with geochemical provinces. In these areas, mineral deposits such as apatite and serpentine and also hot spring regions with exhalations of fluorine are found.     

Limits of the geological predictions constructing the samanalawewa pressure tunnel,Sri Lanka

The Samanalawewa Hydroelectric Power Plant in Sri Lanka consists out of a 110 m high dam, 5.5 km near surface pressure tunnel and a powerhouse equipped with two Francis turbines of 62 MW each. To explore the geological conditions for the pressure tunnel about 6500 m were drilled with a total of 97 boreholes. Additionally surface investigations and a geophysical program were realized in order to optimize the drilling campaign. Notwithstanding this very extensive field investigations important modifications in the design of the tunnel had to be made during construction. Consequently, the contractor claimed additional not foreseeable construction works. At least the question of the possible precision of geological prediction within reasonable economical limits had to be answered.     

斯里兰卡某水塔工程圆弧模板施工技术

介绍斯里兰卡某水塔塔身可调圆弧模板与储水池定型圆弧模板的设计与应用.水塔规格多,塔身半径变化大,故选用可调圆弧模板;储水池共有两种规格,内部结构比较复杂,故选用定型圆弧模板.本工程所采用的可调和定型圆弧模板均为新型钢木组合模板,重点对此种模板的组成、操作及施工注意事项进行讨论,简单介绍悬臂支架操作平台.此模板系统通过精心设计、试制及应用,取得了良好的经济效益.     

联合国人居署与斯里兰卡政府签署贫民窟改造协议

温哥华，2006年6月22日——联合国人居署与斯里兰卡政府周二签署了一项备忘录，目的是在亚洲国家对贫民窟进行改造。     

斯里兰卡国家医院门诊大楼空调系统设计方案

根据斯里兰卡的气候特征并结合当地的医疗现状,分析了其国家医院新建门诊大楼的功能分区及特殊使用要求,选择合理的空调通风方式,并对其方案进行探讨,以达到优化的目的。     

加速墙材革新 发展新型墙材

1墙材革新势在必行我国是生产墙体材料的大国,主要产品是粘土实心砖,其生产工艺、设备、技术、管理落后,能耗高,质量差,部分企业挖田取土,毁田烧砖,不利于墙材革新和建筑节能工作的开展。1991年,国家两部两局在哈尔滨召开了第一次全国墙体材料革新与建筑节能大会,在我国发出了进行墙体材料革新的动员令,吹响了墙材革新和建筑节能的的号角,在墙体材料和砖瓦行业产生了很大反晌。为了推动我国墙体材料革新和建筑节能工作的发展,国家陆续制定和颁布了一系列的政策法规。1.1在优惠政策方面(1)2001年,财政部、国家税务总局以[2001]198号文发出《…