Prof. Sudhira De Silva
Contact info
Room CE 207
+94-(0)91-2245765 ~ 67 Ext 2222
sudhira@cee.ruh.ac.lk
Specialization
- Structural Engineering and Construction Materials
Educational Qualifications
- PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Saitama University, Japan (2008)
- M. Eng in Structural Engineering from Saitama University, Japan (2005)
- PG. Dip in Structural Engineering Design from University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2002)
- B.Sc. with First Class Honours Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2000)
Professional Qualifications
- Head, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ruhuna (January 2022 – March 2023)
- Chairperson, Faculty Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna (May 2021 – January 2022)
- Chair Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna (December 2020 – to date)
- Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna (November 2019 – December 2020)
- Deputy Senior Student Counselor, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna (March 2018 – February 2019)
- Head, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ruhuna (October 2014 – October 2017)
- Senior Lecturer Grade I, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ruhuna (April 2014 – November 2019)
- Senior Lecturer Grade II, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ruhuna (April 2008- March 2014)
- Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (March 2001- March 2008)
- Assistant Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (September 2000- March 2001)
- Instructor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (August 2000 – September 2000)
- Instructor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (July 2000- August 2000)
Academic Awards and Scholarships
- Vice Chancellor Award for the Most Outstanding Scholar of the Year 2022, University of Ruhuna. 20th Academic Sessions and 19th Vice Chancellor’s Award Ceremony held on 7th June 2023
- US-SL Fulbright Advanced Research and Lecturing Award by J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board in USA (November 2018)
- Vice Chancellor Award for the Most Outstanding Convener of International Conferences / Promotor of International Relations of the Year 2017, University of Ruhuna. 15th Academic Sessions and 14th Vice Chancellor’s Award Ceremony held on 7th March 2018
- The Senate, University of Ruhuna offer letter of Commendation for the research project conducted through the Transforming University of Ruhuna to International Status (TURIS) Project funded by Government of Sri Lanka (2016)
Memberships
- Fellow, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) (2019 to date)
- Charted Engineer (July 2011 to date)
- Member, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) (2011 to 2019)
- Member, Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka (SSE-SL) (since 26th May 2009)
- Member, Japan Concrete Institute (April 2003 to date)
Research Interests
- Seismic vulnerability assessment and retrofitting of existing buildings
- Structural Assessment and Repair & Retrofitting
- Durability of Concrete Structures
- Bridge Management Systems for RC and PC Bridges
- Structures using Innovative Materials
- Application of recycle materials
Teaching Areas
Undergraduate Level:
- Concrete Technology (Semester 3)
- Structural Analysis (Semester 4)
- Design of Timber and Masonry Structures (Semester 5)
- Design of Concrete Structures II Pre-stressed Concrete and Water Retaining, (Semester 6)
- Comprehensive Design Project (Semester 7)
- Undergraduate Research Project (Semester 7)
Postgraduate Level:
- Developments in Material Technology Application and Design
- Design Pre-Stressed Concrete Structures
- Design Water Retaining Structures
- Design of Tall Buildings
- Design Project in Structural Engineering
- Postgraduate Research Project
Other Academic and Professional Activities
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Conference Co-chair, 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), 20th to 22nd December, 2024.
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Conference Co-chair, 14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), 15th to 17th December, 2023.
- Conference Co-chair, 9th International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development (ACEPS-2023), Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, 16th March 2023.
- Conference Co-chair, 13th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), 16th to 18th December, 2022.
- Chair, Curriculum Development Committee, Faculty of Technology, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
- Conference Co-chair, 12th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM), 17th to 19th December 2021
- Conference Co-chair, 11th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), 10th to 11th December 2020
- Visiting Research Scholar, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA (March 2019 to September 2019)
- Conference Co-chair, 10th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM), 12th to 14th December, 2019
- Member of the Committee appointed by Director General, National Building and Research Organization for the Development of Technical Guidelines on Building Demolishing Work in Sri Lanka, January 2019
- Reviewer, Programme Review, Non-State Higher Education Division, Ministry of Higher Education & Highways, Sri Lanka, (October, 2017 to-date)
(Assignment completed: Civil Engineering programme at Colombo International Nautical and Engineering College and Sri Lanka Telecom Campus)
- Reviewer, Programme Review, Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council, University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka, (July, 2017 to-date)
(Assignment completed: Faculty of Arts at University of Colombo and University of Kelaniya, Faculty of Management Studies at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, University of Sri Jayawardanapura, South Easten University of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo)
- Conference Co-chair, 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), 13th to 15th December, 2018
- Conference Co-chair, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM), 7th to 9th December, 2017
- Conference Co-chair, 5th International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development (ACEPS-2017), Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, 15th March 2017
- Member of the Evaluation Panel, Accreditation of Engineering Programmes, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) Accreditation Board, Sri Lanka (December, 2016 to-date)
- Member, Research Council, Construction Industry Development Auth6ority (CIDA), Ministry of Housing & Construction, Colombo, Sri Lanka (April 2016 – to date)
- Conference Co-chair, 4th International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development (ACEPS-2016), Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, 16th March 2016
- Conference Co-chair, 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), 16h to 18th December, 2016
- Member, Scientific Committee, 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), 16h to 18th December, 2016
Participation of professional development training, workshops and seminars
- Participant of workshop on “Train as Trainers”, by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) on from 29th to 30th January 2020
- Participant of workshop on “Training for Panel Members Undertaking Assessment Visits”, by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) on 28th January 2020
- Participant of workshop on “Outcome Based Curriculum Development for Engineering Programme”, by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) on 27th January 2020
- Participant of workshop on “Outcome Based Curriculum Development for Engineering Programme”, by the Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna from 20th to 22nd January, 2017
- Participant and presented a paper at the 7th International Conference on Building Resilience; Using scientific knowledge to inform policy and practice in disaster risk reduction, ICBR2017, 27 – 29 November 2017, Bangkok, Thailand
- Participant of the “National Policies – Voice of Engineers”, IESL – National Engineering Conference 2016 held on 19th August 2016 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, Colombo
- Participant of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) Colombo Forum, under the theme of ‘Collaborative Approaches in Tall Building Design’ on the 27th June 2016, at the Kings Court, Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo.
- Participant of “Programme Reviewer Training Workshop” organized by Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council, University Grants Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 15th June 2016 at the Hotel Berjaya, Mount Lavinia
- Participant of “Programme Evaluators training programme” for forthcoming Accreditation Visits organized by the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) held on 2nd May 2016 at the IESL Headquarters Building, Colombo
- Participant of “Training Workshop on Institutional Review” organized by Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council, University Grants Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 5th October 2015 at Tamarind Tree Hotel, Katunayake.
Publications
Refereed Journal Publications:
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Refereed Transactions and Conference Publications:
- Rajapaksha, T. and De Silva, Sudhira., Propagation and attenuation characteristics of ground vibrations due to construction activities, In: The Eighteenth East Asia- Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-18), Chiang Mai, Thailand, 13-15 November 2024.
- R. Thanuya, Sudhira De Silva, S.M.D.V. Suraweera, Champika Ellawala, Chamila Gunasekara, and David W. Law, Investigate the Behaviour of Drying Shrinkage on Recycled PET Fiber Concrete Exposed to Natural Environment Conditions, Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development (ACEPS – 2024), 27th June 2024, pp. 120-124
- S.M.D.V. Suraweera, Champika Ellawala, Sudhira De Silva and Chamila Gunasekara, “Recycling Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste using Chemical Hydrolysis and Possible Applications: A Review”, The Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2023),University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 16th March 2023, pp. 143-150.
- B.D.K.L Premasiri, Sudhira De Silva and S.M.K Samarakoon, “Application of Generative Design Approach for the Optimization of Structural Members in Post-tensioned Bridges”, The Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2023), University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 16th March 2023, pp. 66-71.
- T.N. Gamage and Sudhira De Silva, “Challenges in implementing standard practices on building demolition in Sri Lanka”, The Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2021), University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 7th October 2021, pp. 228-235
- R.G.T.A. Rajapaksha and Sudhira De Silva, “Propagation and attenuation characteristics of various ground vibrations due to constructions”, The Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2021), University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 7th October 2021, pp. 221-227
- N.G.R.K. Gunathunga, and Sudhira De Silva, “Damages and failures in masonry buildings due to construction activities in Sri Lanka”, The Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2021), University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 7th October 2021, pp. 192-197
- E.G.C.R. Premasinghe and Sudhira De Silva, “Degradation of recycled PET fiber in Portland Cement mortar mix”, The Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2021), University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 7th October 2021, pp. 198-203
- Muthumala, C. K., De Siva, Sudhira, Arunakumara, K. K. I. U., and Alwis, P.L.A.G., “Evaluation of the failure modes of the finger jointed timber species for utilization of waste timber”, International Conference on Innovations in Energy Engineering & Cleaner Production IEECP21, July 29-30, 2021, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, CA – USA, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14810304
- Muthumala, C. K., De Siva, Sudhira, Alwis, P.L.A.G., and Arunakumara, K. K. I. U., “Investigation of Best Joint Type for Combining of the Finger Jointed Timber Panel in Board Construction”, 11th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2020), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2020, Paper ID: ICSBE2020-155
- Ranasinghe Kankanamge Wasantha Kalum Ranasinghe and Sudhira De Silva, “Condition Assessment of Existing Water Retaining Structures”, 11th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2020), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2020, Paper ID: ICSBE2020-113
- Muthumala, C. K., De Siva, Sudhira and Arunakumara, KKIU and Alwis, P.L.A.G., “Variation of density, flexural strength and anatomical features of finger jointed wood products in Sri Lanka”, International Conference on “Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium” – ICWSE, Romania, 2019, pp. 635-642
- Muthumala, C. K., De Siva, Sudhira and Arunakumara, KKIU and Alwis, P.L.A.G., “Investigation of the relationship between Densities vs. Mechanical properties of Sri Lankan Timber species”, 10th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2019), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2019, Paper ID: ICSECM2019-52
- Muthumala, C.K., Dulanjalee, M.W.T.C., De Silva Sudhira, Aruna Kumara, K.K.I.U and Alwis P.L.A.G., “Factors affecting the glue strength of finger joints in commonly used timber species in Sri Lanka”, International Symposium on Agriculture & Environment-University of Ruhuna, 2019, pp. 126-128.
- Muthumala, C. K., De Siva, Sudhira and Aruna kumara, KKIU and Alwis, P.L.A.G., “Variation of density, flexural strength and anatomical features of finger jointed wood products in Sri Lanka”, International Conference on “Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium” – ICWSE, Romania, 2019, pp.635-642
- P.P.C. Saumyasiri and Sudhira De Silva, “Application of Blended Cement Mix Fiber Concrete For Road Pavements”, 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE- 2018), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2018, ICSECM2018-143/109-115
- U.D.P.M. Gunasinghe and G.S.Y. De Silva, “Factors Influencing the Workmanship in their Priority Order Analysed Based on Primary Data”, 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE- 2018), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2018, ICSECM2018-119/71-77
- Chaminda Muthumala, Sudhira De Silva, P.L.A.G Alwis and K.K.I.U. Arunakumara, “Identification of Joint Efficiencies in Finger Jointed Timber Species”, 9th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE- 2018), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2018, ICSECM2018-133/103-109
- Muthmala C.K., Sudhira De Silva, Alwis P.L.A.G., Aruna Kumara K.K.I.U., “Properties of finger joined hardwood and softwood timber species in Sri Lanka”, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2017), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2017, ICSECM2017-164/106-111
- De Silva D.K.U., Sudhira De Silva, Subashi De Silva G.H.M.J., “Assessment of masonry buildings in expansive soil”, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2017), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2017, ICSECM2017-144/88-92
- Probodha J.P.T.H., Sudhira De Silva., Subashi De Silva G.H.M.J., Muthmala C.K., “Application of non class timber in construction industry”, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2017), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2017, ICSECM2017-143/82-87
- Liyanage B.L.V.U., Sudhira De Silva, Subashi De Silva G.H.M.J., Muthmala C.K.,” Utilization of waste timber in construction industry”, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2017), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2017, ICSECM2017-142
- Liyanaarachchi L.A.A.T., Sudhira De Silva, Subashi De Silva G.H.M.J., “Impact of blended cement on corrosion reinforced concrete due to wetting and drying at tropical environment”, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2017), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2017, ICSECM2017-119/79-82
- Rathnaweera Y.P.B., Sudhira De Silva, Subashi De Silva G.H.M.J.,” Polypropylene fiber mixed blended cement action for plastic shrinkage of concrete” ”, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2017), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2017, ICSECM2017-117/57-61
- Gunasinghe U.D.P.M., Sudhira De Silva, Subashi De Silva G.H.M.J., “A categorization of factors influencing workmanship through a comprehensive analysis on secondary information”, 8th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management (ICSECM- 2017), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2017, ICSECM2017-91/42-48
- BHJ Pushpakumara, WS Wasundara Mendis and Sudhira De Silva, “Bamboo as a New Retrofitting Material for Existing Masonry Walls with Improving the Walls Aesthetic View”, Proceedings in Engineering, Built Environment and Spatial Sciences, 9th International Research Conference, Kothalawala Defence University, 2016, pp. 320-324
- Kumara W. D. G. L., De Silva G. S. Y. and Subashi De Silva G. H. M. J., “Incorporating Natural Fibers for Precast Slab Panels”, Special Session on Sustainable Building and Infrastructure, Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2016), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2016, ICSBE2016/236
- Padmal H. M. S. S., De Silva G. S. Y. and Subashi De Silva G. H. M. J., “Development of Expert System for the Seismic Vulnerability of Existing Masonry Structure”, Special Session on Sustainable Building and Infrastructure, Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2016), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2016, ICSBE2016/229
- Sathesrajkumar S., De Silva G. S. Y. and Subashi De Silva G. H. M. J., “Performances of Finger Jointed Timber Boards with Different Joint Configurations”, Special Session on Sustainable Building and Infrastructure, Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2016), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2016, ICSBE2016/228
- Vivek S., De Silva G. S. Y. and Subashi De Silva G. H. M. J., “Finger Joints and their Structural Performance in Different Exposure Conditions”, Special Session on Sustainable Building and Infrastructure, Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2016), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2016, ICSBE2016/225
- Prasanthan T., De Silva G. S. Y. and Subashi De Silva G. H. M. J., “Incorporating Recycled PET Fibresfor Green Roof Slab Panels”, Special Session on Sustainable Building and Infrastructure, Proceedings of 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE-2016), Kandy, Sri Lanka, December 2016, ICSBE2016/224
- De Silva Sudhira and Ramesh B. Malla, “Application of Seismic Belts for Strengthening of Un-Reinforced Masonry Wall Panels with Openings”, The Proceedings of the 9th ASNEngr/CAN-USA Annual Conference, Humble, TX., U.S.A., Sept 17-18, 2016, pp. xx
- K.G.Sandya Kumudini, De Silva Subashi and De Silva Sudhira, “Investigation on Occupants’ satisfaction in natural ventilation in office building”, The Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2016), University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 3rd March 2016, pp. 265-271
- Rathnyayaka R.M.M.P., De Silva Sudhira and De Silva Subashi, “Application of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Fibers to produce Fiber Reinforced Concrete pipes”, The Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on, Advances in Civil and Environmental Practices for sustainable Development (ACEPS-2016), University of Ruhuna, Hapugala, Galle, Sri Lanka, 3rd March 2016, pp. 257-264
Abstracts:
- S.M.D.V.Suraweera, Sudhira De Silva, Champika Ellawala, and Chamila
Gunasekara, “The Behaviour of Recycled PET fibres in Cementitious Concrete: A
Review”, 20th Academic Sessions and 19th Vice Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 07 th June 2023 (Abstract Submission), pp. 96. - De Silva Sudhira and Ramesh B. Malla, “Application of Seismic Belts for Strengthening of Un-Reinforced Masonry Wall Panels with Openings”, The Proceedings of the 9th ASNEngr/CAN-USA Annual Conference, Humble, TX., U.S.A., Sept 17-18, 2016, (Submitted and Presented by the First Author as a Video Conferences Presentation)
- Muthumala C.K, De Silva Sudhira, Aruna Kumara K.K.I.U and Alwis P.L.A.G, “Identifying the Strength grade for Finger jointed timber species according to BS 5268-2:2002”, International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment-University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2018, ISSN 2235-9427 pp. 87
- Muthumala C.K, De Silva Sudhira, Alwis P.L.A.G and Arunakumara K.K.I.U, ”Evaluation of the major failure modes of the non structural finger jointed timber species under tensile test”, International Symposium on Agriculture & Environment-University of Ruhuna-2019, ISSN 1800-4830 pp. 80
- Muthumala C.K, De Silva Sudhira, Arunakumara K.K.I.U and Alwis P.L.A.G ”Finger Jointed Wood Products: A New Platform for Sustainable Use of Timber”, Proceedings of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation Asia Pacific Conference, 10-13 September 2019, Thulhiriya, Sri Lanka, 216/p. 241
Invited Presentations:
- Invited Keynote presentation on “Recent Technology Development for Durability of Concrete Bridges” at Holcim Innovation and Application Centre (I&A), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 26th May 2016
- International Symposium on Measures for Hot Weather Concreting in Asian Countries and The Issue Analysis Based on Climate and Materials, 19th – 21st September 2017, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Thailand. Title: “Development of Repair Mortar for de-laminated areas of corroded concrete members”
- Invited Keynote presentation on “Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Buildings against Natural Disasters”, at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Saitama University, Japan on 23rd October 2018
- International Seminar on Deterioration of Concrete Structures and Application of Mineral Admixture in Hot Weather Condition, 25th to 27th September 2018 at National University of Civil Engineering, Hanoi, Vietnam, Keynote presentation, Title: “Condition assessment and damage detection of existing bridges in Sri Lanka due to corrosion”.
- Resource Person for the Structures and Applied Mechanics Seminar Series conducted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA on 19th April 2019, Presentation Title: “Assessment of Vulnerability of Masonry Buildings against Natural Disasters”,
- Resource Person for the Structures and Applied Mechanics Seminar Series, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA on 13th September 2019, Presentation Title: “Masonry Building Failures and Unreinforced Masonry Design Approaches World-wide : A State-of-the-Art Review”,