Saman I Mahawatta

Followers

Following

Public Views

Dr. Saman Mahawatta is a veteran construction professional with over 30 years of local and overseas experience. As a Civil Engineer and Chartered Quantity Surveyor, he holds a PhD in Construction Management, along with three first-class degrees in Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, and Business Administration, and three master’s degrees in Project Management, Construction Law, and Business Administration. He holds multiple prestigious accreditations, including Green Professional, PMP®, and Six Sigma expert and has published several papers in the field of construction.
Dr. Mahawatta is an award-winning Project Manager renowned for his expertise in project management, contract management, buildability optimization, and development and investment appraisal. He has held key roles as Director at SNA Holdings and Deputy General Manager at Maga Engineering, and is an entrepreneur serving as Chairman and Managing Director of SAYSS Ceylon Pvt Ltd in Sri Lanka.
His professional affiliations are extensive, including Fellow Membership of CPM and memberships with RICS, IQSSL, AIQS, IIESL, CIOB, SLIM, IPM, ECSL, and more. Dr. Mahawatta's outstanding contributions to his field, his honorary roles in various professional organizations, his status as a Justice of the Peace (Whole Island), and his dedication to charitable activities have earned him widespread recognition and a knighthood for his service to society.
Supervisors: Professor Chitra Weddikkara, Professor Yasangika Sandanayake, Dr Prabath Peiris, Dr Lalith Senaweera, and Dr Ravihansa Chandrathilake
Address: Colombo, Sri Lanka

less

Uploads

Papers by Saman I Mahawatta

INVESTIGATING THE CAUSES AND FAILURE BEHAVIOURS OF TILES IN CONTEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION: STRUCTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MANUFACTURING, AND MATERIAL PERSPECTIVES

Dr Saman I Mahawatta, 2025

Tiles are one of the most widely used finishing materials in modern construction, applied across ... more Tiles are one of the most widely used finishing materials in modern construction, applied across floors, walls, balconies, terraces, and wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and pool surrounds. Their popularity stems from their durability, aesthetic versatility, ease of cleaning, and resistance to moisture. However, despite proper installation, tiles can develop cracks, tracking patterns, surface defects, or adhesive failures over time, compromising both functionality and visual appearance. This paper examines the underlying causes of tile deterioration based on practical experience in high-rise and residential projects in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The analysis considers structural factors such as slab and wall deflection, concrete shrinkage, and creep; environmental factors including thermal expansion, contraction, moisture exposure, and lack of ventilation; and material-related factors such as adhesive application, tile size, rigidity, and joint placement. While minor cracks are often observed in standard interior installations, certain conditions significantly increase vulnerability. These include cantilevered balconies and terraces, large-format tiles, closed or poorly ventilated internal areas, high-moisture or wet zones, and highly exposed exterior surfaces. In these contexts, cracking can be more pronounced, extensive, and detrimental to both durability and aesthetics. The paper further provides practical recommendations for tile design, material selection, installation techniques, waterproofing, movement joint placement, and maintenance strategies to enhance the long-term performance and integrity of tile finishes across various building applications. The insights aim to guide both practitioners and researchers in improving tile resilience in tropical and high-rise construction environments.

Saman I Mahawatta

Uploads

Papers by Saman I Mahawatta

Log In