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U n i v e r s i t y of P e r a d e n i y a

The Institutional Repository of the University of Peradeniya is the University's digital gateway to scholarly knowledge and research excellence. Established as the next phase of the Digital Library initiative launched by the University Library in 2011, it preserves, showcases, and provides open access to the intellectual output of the University community.

Through a rich collection of research articles, conference proceedings, theses, dissertations, and other scholarly works, the repository enhances the visibility, accessibility, and long-term preservation of knowledge, extending the global reach and impact of the University of Peradeniya’s academic and research contributions.

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Recent Submissions

Effectiveness of using documentaries in teaching Environmental Biology for G.C.E. A/L biological science students in the Batticaloa Education Zone, Sri Lanka
(Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2021-10-29) Prashanth, M.; Gunaratne, A.M.T.A.
As future decision-makers, the students should be provided with knowledge, skills and attitudes to involve them in environmental protection and sustainable development. This study investigated the effectiveness of using documentaries in teaching Environmental Biology for G.C.E (A/L) Biological Science students in the Batticaloa Education Zone in Sri Lanka. The objectives of the study are to determine the level of environmental knowledge, attitudes and practices and investigate the effectiveness of using documentaries in teaching Environmental Biology. Eighty students of Grade 13 from three schools were selected. Pre- and post-test papers were used to test knowledge, and a structured questionnaire was used to test their attitudes and practices. Documentaries were prepared as teaching aids for two subsections of unit eight for the experimental group. The control group was taught using the traditional lecture method. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon signed ranks tests and Pearson correlation in SPSS. Pre-test marks revealed (39.1 ± 1.1) a low level of knowledge in Environmental Biology among the student sample. In the pre-test, the mean percentage score of students' environmental attitudes and environmentally friendly practices were 57.9 ± 1.8 and 58.3 ± 1.8, respectively. In the post-test, the students of the experimental group scored higher (77.6 ± 1.9) than the control group (55.7 ± 1.4). The knowledge gained by female students was higher than male students. The knowledge on Environmental Biology was not correlated with students' attitudes on the environment (r = 0.00) but showed a low positive correlation with environmental practices. However, environmental attitudes and practices showed a high positive correlation (r = 0.83). The study concluded that documentaries could be an effective tool in teaching Environmental Biology lessons at G.C.E (A/L) to enhance students' knowledge of the subject.
Investigating the development of Mathematics teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge for teaching Algebra: A professional development program
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Rupasinghe, D.D.; Vitharana, P. R. K. A.; Amarasinghe, A. K.
This study aims to examine the success of Professional Development (PD) program for developing the secondary level mathematics teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in teaching algebra. The approach used is a mixed methods case study. The PD program was introduced to twenty (N=20) in-service mathematics teachers. The program included three stages based on its content. The nature of algebra, psychological foundation of teaching algebra and algebraic thinking were the components of the program. This PD program was conducted for two months continuously. The workshops included discussions and group activities. The participants’ existing experiences were used to fine- tune the workshop objectives. A pre-test, post-test and interviews were conducted to collect data. A paired sample t-test was used to analyze the pre and post-test marks while thematic approach was used to analyze qualitative data collected from interviews. The results revealed that the mean values of the pre-test and the post-test were 31.10 and 65.60 for valid 20 of data for both tests respectively. It indicates an appreciable success of the PD program. A considerable variability was found with a standard deviation between 10.252 and 4.012. The result of the paired sample t-test was 0.345, which indicates a positive correlation between the pre-test marks and the post-test marks at the 5% significant level and the p-value was less than 0.05. Therefore, it is observed that the PD program had considerably supported the development of the teachers’ PCK in teaching algebra. Interview results showed that teachers had acknowledged the abstract nature of algebra, selecting appropriate teaching strategies and designing creative activities with the help of improved algebraic thinking in them. The participants accepted that they have already applied less productive activities for teaching algebra. They asserted the lack of awareness of algebraic thinking as the cause. Hence, this study recommends similar PD programs for mathematics teachers.
A genetic algorithm to solve the integrated vehicle routing and vehicle sequencing problem with a single-door depot
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Gnanapragasam, S.R.; Daundasekera, W.B.
Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) is a well-known combinatorial optimization problem. In the case of single-door at the depot to enter, vehicles have to wait in the parking yard until they get their turn to unload their accumulated products. This waiting creates additional transportation cost and therefore, this idle time of each vehicle in the parking needs to be reduced. A proper mechanism to sequence the routed vehicles to the door is essential. Therefore the objective of this study is to test the compatibility of the developed model to the integrated VRP and Sequencing Vehicles (VRP&SV) to a single-door depot problem and propose a Genetic Algorithm (GA) to solve it. In the proposed GA, tournament selection, order crossover and swap mutation are chosen as the best combination of the operators for the robustness of the algorithm by employing the Taguchi method. The accuracy of GA is tested using the Branch and Bound (BB) algorithm. When the vehicles return to the depot, after serving the suppliers, the sequencing those vehicles to the door at depot is purely based on the principle of first come first serve basis. The factors of the total cost of VRP&SV are due to travelling between suppliers, preparation to load the quantities and loading them at suppliers, vehicle waiting at the parking yard, vehicle changeover to the door and unloading the accumulated quantities by vehicles. The results of small-scale instances not only confirm the feasibility of the proposed GA to solve the integrated VRP&SV but also reveals that the exact optimal solution can be reached by GA in less than 5 seconds even to the instance with 100 suppliers. Therefore, it can be concluded that the applicability of the integrated problem is confirmed. Further, it is recommended that the proposed GA can be employed at last time planning of VRP&SV models.
Cement sand blocks cast with rice husk ash and limestone crusher plant dust
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Piruthevi, C.; Udakara, D.De.S.
Sri Lanka faces environmental problems due to the over-exploitation of natural resources, like clay and river sand, for construction, leading to a shortage of resources and, thus increased prices. Developing alternative masonry materials using wastes as sand substitutes is a potential solution. This study examines the feasibility of using rice husk ash and limestone crusher plant dust as partial replacements for sand in making cement blocks. Rice husk ash is produced by burning rice husk at high temperatures, while limestone dust is obtained from limestone crusher plants. Cement blocks of 300 mm x 100 mm x 150 mm are made with a predetermined amount of cement and different proportions of sand, rice husk ash, and limestone dust. The control block was prepared with cement and sand with a volume ratio 1:6. Density, compressive strength, and water absorption characteristics of cement blocks were assessed after 28 days for 25 different mix combinations, including the control block. The compressive strength of blocks increased with increased rice husk ash and limestone dust content, but further addition led to weaker blocks. The block's maximum average strength at 28 days was 4.85 N/mm2 ,higher than the ASTM standards (4.14N/mm2). The study found that adding of rice husk ash and limestone dust increases water absorption as mix proportions 01-14 were within the allowable limit, while from 15 - 25 exceeded the ASTM C55-11 limit of 240 kg/m3 . The density decreases from normal to medium weight blocks with increasing rice husk ash and limestone dust. Treatments 01 - 16 fall within the normal density category (>2000kg/m3), while 17 - 25 fall within the medium weight category (1680 kg/m3 - 2000kg/m3 ) according to ASTM standards. The cost analysis showed that increased use of rice husk ash and limestone dust reduced the unit cost by 20%.
Creating digital twins of ancient stupa structures in Sri Lanka: photogammetric model creation and finite element analysis of Rankoth Wehera stupa
(University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2023-09-20) Koswaththa, H.M.S.A.; Egodawela, S.; Buddika, H.A.D.S.
Sri Lanka, a land rich in cultural heritage, is adorned with numerous awe-inspiring ancient stupas, some nearly 2 millennia old. Numerous natural and human factors have caused damage to these stupas compromising their structural integrity. In this premiering work, the authors intend to introduce modern scientific techniques of Photogrammetric Digitization, Digital Twins (DT) and Finite Element Modelling (FEM) to aid with conservation efforts. By adopting said technologies, experts can gain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of these structures, allowing for detailed analysis of their geometry, structural integrity, and deterioration patterns. This information serves as a valuable resource for conservation planning and implementing targeted maintenance and restoration strategies. DJI Mini3 PRO drone was used for the survey, and a sequence of computer programs was used to import the model to FEA software. Meshroom, an open- source photogrammetry software, created the initial model, which was then repaired using Meshmixer. This model was converted into a single surface and used to create a meshed model for Finite Element Modeling (FEM). The 3D solid model was discretized using Meshroom and analyzed in ABAQUS/CEA software for structural analysis. Based on the stress analysis results, it can be observed that the stupa experiences compressive stresses under self-weight and hoop stress contours predominantly exhibit compressive stresses, both gradually increasing from top to bottom. All stress values are well below the allowable material strength properties of the stupa. The photogrammetry process employed to obtain geometric proportions of the stupa structure was successful. The methodology of obtaining the FEM numerical analysis of the Rankoth Wehera solid superstructure using ABAQUS/CEA revealed that the methodology developed in this study can be used for renovation and restoration work of the stupa.