Publications

Published Materials – 37

Academic Journal Papers – 18

Academic Conference Paper – 17

Article in Bulletin – 1

Authored Chapter by Book – 1

Key Publication

Selection criteria of building material for optimising maintainability

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the principles and criteria that govern selection of building materials in achieving building maintainability. The methodological approach used findings generated from extant literature to establish a set of principles and respective criteria for selecting building materials in respect of their influence in achieving building maintainability in post construction (occupancy) period. Further, a modified Delphi method, comprised of a series of questionnaire surveys among the sample of experts drawn from relevant fields including architecture, maintenance, structural engineering and so on, was conducted and the data obtained from which were used to reveal the relationships between the criteria and building maintainability. This paper presents findings on material selection criteria and their relationship to building maintainability. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.108.

Evaluating and comparing objective and subjective thermal comfort in a malaysian green office building: A case study

This study examined thermal comfort in a sustainable office building in Malaysia, with the goal of understanding how objective environmental data relates to occupants’ subjective experiences. The study utilized established thermal comfort models, such as the predicted mean vote (PMV), in conjunction with occupant surveys to evaluate the indoor environment. Objective data aligned with thermal comfort criteria, but subjective thermal sensation vote (TSV) showed a notable difference. The environment felt colder than anticipated by the occupants. This study emphasizes the drawbacks of depending exclusively on conventional thermal comfort models, especially in tropical settings. The research emphasizes the importance of considering individual variability (physiological and psychological), localised environmental variables, and potential adaptive comfort mechanisms impacted by regional climate. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2024.104614

Energy retrofitting strategies for existing buildings
in Malaysia: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis

This paper comprehensively examines passive and active energy retrofit strategies as a highly effective approach for reducing building energy consumption and mitigating CO2 emissions while enhancing comfort and sustainability. The paper further examines energy simulation software and assesses the integration of renewable energy systems in building to improve energy efficiency. The review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, ensuring a rigorous and comprehensive analysis. In addition, the study utilized bibliometric analysis with VOSviewer to provide valuable insights into the research trends and influential publications in building energy retrofits. Bibliometric analysis reveals strong collaboration among 17 authors, emphasizing their significant contributions. Keywords like energy retrofitting and efficiency are prominent, indicating their importance in academic literature. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32020-x

What is stopping the
adoption of sustainable residential Buildings in Malaysia?

Researchers and the government have advocated for the delivery of sustainable building projects in Malaysia; however, the rate of demand and supply of the sustainable residential buildings has been low and the increase is slow. This research aims to examine the barriers towards the adoption of a sustainable residential building. This research conducted a cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire comprising 19 barriers to adoption of sustainable residential buildings administered on 110 professionals in the building industry. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24650-1_10

journal publications

Lakhiar, M.T., Sanmargaraja, S., Olanrewaju, A., Lim, C.H., Ponniah, V., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2025) Assessing Energy Efficiency in Conventional Office Buildings through RetrofittingStrategies’. Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research. 15, 3 (Jun. 2025), 23197–23203. https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.9916

Radzuan, S.A.M, Brahim, J., Nguyen, Q., Ponniah, V. (2024) Current Practices of Internet ofThings (IoT): The Definition and Its Integration and Within Joint Ventures (JV) Company inMalaysian Construction Industry’. MRCJ Special Issue, 23(3), 325-334

Lakhiar, M.T., Sanmargaraja, S., Olanrewaju, A., Lim, C.H., Ponniah, V., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2024) Integrating Green BIM in the construction of Green Building: A Review’. MRCJ SpecialIssue, 23(3), 31-53. https://www.cream.my/prod/mcrj-special-issue-volume-23-no-3-2024

Lakhiar, M.T., Sanmargaraja, S., Olanrewaju, A., Lim, C.H., Ponniah, V., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2024) ‘Evaluating and Comparing Objective and Subjective Thermal Comfort in a MalaysianGreen Office Building: A Case Study’. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2024.104614

Lakhiar, M.T., Sanmargaraja, S., Olanrewaju, A., Lim, C.H., Ponniah, V., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2024) ‘Energy retrofitting strategies for existing buildings in Malaysia: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis”. Environmental Science Pollution Research https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32020-x

Gunasegaran, M.K., Hasanuzzaman, M.D., Tan, C.K.,Bakar, A.H.A., and Ponniah, V. (2023). ‘Energy Consumption, Energy Analysis and Solar Energy Integration for Restaurant Commercial Buildings’. Energies, 16(20), 7145  https://doi.org/10.3390/en16207145

Gunasegaran, M.K., Hasanuzzaman, M.D., Tan, C.K.,Bakar, A.H.A., and Ponniah, V. (2022). ‘Energy Analysis, Building Energy Index and Energy Management Strategies for Fast Food Restaurants in Malaysia’. Sustainability, MDPI 2022, 14, 13515.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013515

Sanmargaraja, S., Wei, T.L., Ponniah, V., AbdulLateef A. and Cheen, K.S. (2021). ‘Perception of Lecturers and Students Regarding the Illuminance in the Lecture Theatres and Tutorial Rooms: Case Study in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)’. Engineering Journal, 2021, 25(7) .
https://engj.org/index.php/ej/article/view/4357

Kanniyapan, G., Nesan, L.J., Mohammad, I.S., Keat, T.S. and Ponniah, V. (2019). ‘Selection Criteria of Building Material for Optimising Maintainability’. Construction and Building Materials, 2019, 22,651-660. [Q1SJR,SNIP2.369, SJR1.522]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.108

Ponniah, V., Shafiei, M.W.M., Ismail, R., Kanniyapan, G. and Mohan, M. (2019). ‘Analysis on Comparison of Factors Influencing the Success of Sustainable Construction’. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering, 2019, 8, 5s, 304-312. [Scopus Journal]. https://www.ijitee.org/wp-content/uploads/ papers/v8i5s/ES3433018319.pdf].

Shafiei, M.W.M., Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. and Mohan, M. (2019). ‘A Comparison of Criteria between GreenRE and International Green Rating Tools in Green Construction Projects: A Review’. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering, 2019, 8, 5s, 299-303. [Scopus Journal]. https://www.ijitee.org/wp-content/uploads/papers/v8i5s/ES3432018319.pdf

Mathalamuthu, A.D., Ibrahim, N.L.N., Ponniah, V., Shafiei, M.W.M. and Ismail, R.(2018). ‘Illuminance uniformity using public works department (PWD) Standard design for public schools classroom design in Malaysia’. Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences, 2018, 52(2), 205-214. [QISJR,SNIP0.064,SJR0.233]. http://www.akademiabaru.com/doc/ARFMTSV52_N2_P205_214.pdf

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. and Shafiei, M.W.M. (2015). ‘Determining Critical Success Factors Related to Project Manager in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management, 2015, 10(2), 1-16 . [SNIP0.606, SJR0.22].http://jssm.umt.edu.my/wpcontent/uploads/sites/51/2015/12/1w.pdf

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. & Shafiei, M.W.M. (2015). ‘Determining Critical SuccessFactors Related to Client in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. Advances in Environmental Biology, 2015, 9(3), 72-74. [SNIP0.631, SJR0.122]. http://www. aensiweb. Net/AENSIWEB/aeb/ aeb/2015/April/ 114-116.pdf

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. and Shafiei, M.W.M. (2015). ‘Determining Critical SuccessFactors Related to External Factors in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. Advances in Environmental Biology, 2015, 9(5), 114-116. [SNIP0.631, SJR0.122]. http://www. aensiweb.net/AENSIWEB/aeb /aeb/2015/April/114-116.pdf

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R., Shafiei, M.W.M. and Said, I. (2015). ‘Determining Critical Success Factors in Low Carbon Construction’. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Science, 2015, 9(7), 335-339. [Scopus Journal]. http://www.ajbasweb.com/old/ajbas/2015/April/335-339.pdf

Ismail, R., Shafiei, M.W.M., Said, I. and Ponniah, V. (2015). ‘Green Homes Development in Malaysia: A Review on Energy Perspective’. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Science, 2015, 9(7), 340-344. [Scopus Journal] http://ajbasweb.com/old/ajbas/2015/April/340-344.pdf

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R and Shafiei, M.W.M. (2014). ‘Determining Critical Success Factors Related to Project in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. International Journal of Business and Technopreneurship, 2014,4(2), 231-246. https://ijbt.unimap.edu.my/images/stories/Vol-4-No2-June-2014/ijbt_vol _4 _ june _ 2014 _4 _ 231-246.pdf


conference publications

Lakhiar, M.T., Sanmargaraja, S., Ashola, O.A.,Ponniah, V., V.,Hooi, L.C., Mathalamuthu, A.D (2025) ‘Thermal Comfort in Green Malaysian Office: Objective Versus Subjective Evaluation’. E3S Web of Conferences 603, 04004 (2025) International Symposium on Green and Sustainable Technology (ISGST 2024) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202560304004

M. T. Lakhiar, S. Sanmargaraja, A. Olanrewaju, C. H. Lim, Ponniah, V. and A. D. Mathalamuthu,(2024) ‘Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Malaysian Office Buildings: Strategies for Lowering OTTV,’IEEE Sustainable Power and Energy Conference (iSPEC), Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, 2024, pp.31-35, doi:10.1109/iSPEC59716.2024.10892418

Sanmargaraja, S., Bandirau, J. R., Olanrewaju, A., , Ponniah, V., Mathalamuthu, A.D. andKanniyapan, G.,(2024). ‘Issues on Foreign Labourer’s Productivity on Green Buildings inSelangor, Malaysia’. In: Sandanayake, Y.G., Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S., Ranadewa, K.A.T.O. andChandanie, H. (eds). Proceedings of the 12th World Construction Symposium, 9-10 August 2024,Sri Lanka. pp. 687-697. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31705/WCS.2024.54.

Sanmargaraja, S., Chong, P.K., Olanrewaju, A.L., Ponniah, V., Kanniyapan, G., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2023) ‘A Review of How Occupant Behaviour Determines the Energy Efficiency of GreenBuildings: A Case of Office Buildings’, Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Manila, Philippines.

Sanmargaraja, S., Chong, P.K., Olanrewaju, A.L., Ponniah, V., Kanniyapan, G., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2023). ‘Survey on solar photovoltaic (PV) technology utilization at residential area at Kampar, Perak’. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 1238, Symposium on Technologies for Sustainable Urban Development 2023 (TechSUD 2023) Penang, Malaysia DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/1238/1/012011

Lakhiar, M.T., Sanmargaraja, S., Ashola, O.A., Ponniah, V.,Hooi, L.C., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2023). ‘Passive Design Approach to Improve Energy Efficiency for Office Building’. 13th Annual IEOM Manila Conference, Philippines (Best Paper Award) https://doi.org/10.46254/AN13.20230371

Lakhiar, M.T., Sanmargaraja, S., Ashola, O.A., Ponniah, V., Hooi, L.C., and Mathalamuthu, A.D. (2023). ‘Integrating Green BIM in the Construction of Green Buildings. A Review’. Construction Digitalisation for Sustainable Development (CDSD), Hanoi, Vietnam. (Best Presenter Award)

Rau, J., Sanmargaraja, S., Lun, L.M., Ponniah, V. and Kanniyapan, G. (2021). ‘The Impact of Carbon Dioxide Concentration on the Locals Near the Cement Factory in Perak’. 4th International Symposium on Green and Sustainable Technology 2021, Perak, Malaysia. DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/945/1/012007

Subramaniam, R., Ponniah, V., Sanmargaraja, S., Lou, E., Afiq, M. and Gunasegaran, M.K. (2021). ‘A Case Study of an Office Building to Identify Energy Consumption and Carbon Management Solutions Using Physical Data and Simulation Software’. 4th International Symposium on Green and Sustainable Technology 2021, Perak, Malaysia. DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/945/1/012049

Ashola, O.A., Anavhe, P., Ponniah, V., Sanmargaraja, S. and Chu, H.C. (2021). ‘The Characteristics of Quantity Surveying Practices in Nigeria’. 5th CU Construction Conference- Exploring Contemporary Issues and Challenges in the Construction Industry: (CCU2021), Coventry, United Kingdom.

Ponniah, V., Hidayah, N.N., Sanmargaraja, S., Ashola, O.A. and Seng, C.K. (2020). ‘Green Building Certification and Its Correlation to Building Energy Index: Malaysia Commercial Green Building’. International Conference on Construction Digitalisation for Sustainable Development – Transforming through Innovation (CDSD2020), National University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi, Vietnam

Sanmargaraja, S., Wei, T.L., Ponniah, V., Ashola, O.A. and Cheen, K.S. (2020). ‘Perception of Lecturers and Students Regarding the Illuminance in the Lecture Theatres and Tutorial Rooms: Case Study in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)’. International Conference on Construction Digitalisation for Sustainable Development – Transforming through Innovation (CDSD2020),National University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Soon, K. K., Cheen, K. S., Yeow, T. S., Ponniah, V., Sanmargaraja, S., Han, W.S., (2019). ‘Construction Careers: Women in Male-Dominated Industries’. International Symposium on Green and Sustainable Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. and Shafiei, M.W.M. (2014). ‘Determining Critical Success Factors in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. The Asian Conference on Sustainability, Energy and the Environment, Osaka Japan.

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. and Shafieil, M.W.M. (2014). ‘Determining Critical Success Factors Related to Material and Equipment in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. World Symposium on Engineering, Management and Education (WSEME).

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. and Shafiei, M.W.M. (2014). ‘Determining Critical Success Factors Related to Client in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. Conference Proceedings of Postgraduate in Built Environment, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Ponniah, V., Ismail, R. and Shafiei, M.W.M. (2014). ‘Determining Critical Success Factors Related to External Factors in Low Carbon Construction: A Review’. Conference Proceedings of Postgraduate in Built Environment 2014, Universiti Sains Malaysia.