Prof. N. H. Priyankara

Professor
Ph.D. (Tohoku, Japan), M.Eng (AIT, Thailand), B.Sc. Eng. (Hons) (Moratuwa, Sri Lanka)

Contact info

Office: +94-(0)91-2245765~67 Ext 2122
Home: +94-(0)91-2259495
Mobile: +94-(0)71-4451365
nadeej@cee.ruh.ac.lk
nadeejpriyankara@yahoo.com
Room CE 107

Specialization

  • Geotechnical Engineering

Educational Qualifications

  • Ph.D. (Geotechnical Engineering) – Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, 2006
  • M.Eng. (Geotechnical Engineering) – Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand, 2003
  • B.Sc. Engineering (Hons.) ‑ University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2000

Professional Qualifications

  • Chartered Engineer (M-6092)

Academic Awards and Scholarships

  • Winner of the 10th Vice-Chancellor’s Awards – 2013 for “The Highest Recipient of Grants for the year 2013”.
  • Best paper award at International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development (ACEPS ) in 2015, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
  • Invited author on “Future challenges in geotechnical engineering in Asian region” in International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) bulletin representing the young geotechnical engineers in Asia, Vol. 7, Issue 5, September, 2013
  • Invited speaker at the Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (14th ARC) in Hong Kong, May, 2011 representing the young geotechnical engineers in Asia on “Future geotechnical challenges in Asia”.
  • Best paper award at the 6th Asian Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference in Bangalore, India in 2008
  • Mombukagakusho scholarship awarded by the Japanese government to read PhD degree at the Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan (2003-2006)
  • Japanese government scholarship to read M.Eng degree at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand (2001-2003)
  • Winner of the Project Day Competition among Sri Lankan University undergraduates organized by the Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society (SLGS) in 2000
  • Best Final Year Project in the Geotechnical Engineering Division, University of Moratuwa in 2000

Memberships

  • Corporate Member- Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) (M-6092)
  • Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society (SLGS)
  • International Society of Soil Mechanics & Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)

Research Interests

  • Soft ground Improvements
  • Slope stability analysis and stabilization of slopes
  • Site investigation / Foundation Design
  • Development of landfill clay liners/final cover using locally available material
  • Utilization of waste material for road/highway pavement construction

Teaching Areas

Undergraduate

  • CE4302 – Engineering Geology and Soil Mechanics
  • CE6321 – Geotechnical Engineering
  • CE7324 – Geotechnical Engineering Design
  • CE7237 – Ground Improvement Techniques 

Postgraduate

  • CEPG1204 – Ground Improvement Techniques
  • CEPG2213 – Foundation Design

Other Academic and Professional Activities

Academic

  • Core Member of SATREPS Programme (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) funded by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) – From 2011 to 2016.
  • Short Course Coordinator of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – 2015 to date
  • Coordinator, Engineering Education Centre, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (August, 2007 – November, 2010)
  • Member of University Senate as the Faculty Representative, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna (August, 2007 – November 2010)
  • Student Counsellor, Faculty of Engineering, University of Ruhuna (August, 2007 – July, 2009)

Professional

  • Resource Person – Training programme on “Soil Mechanics Geologists” at NBRO (National Building and Research Organization) – 2013
  • Guest Speaker at NBRO Symposium III on “Building research to face future challenges”- 2010
  • Resource Person – Training programme on “Land surveying” for the Lecturers at SLIATE – 2010
  • Invited speaker at SLGS Annual Conference – 2010, Title:- “Utilization of quarry dust for Geotechnical applications”
  • Invited Speaker at monthly geotechnical engineering forum organized by Sri Lanka Geotechnical Society (SLGS) at IESL, August 20007, Title “ Evaluation of mechanical properties of SCP composite ground”
  • Resource Person – Workshop conducted for engineers and technical officers in Southern Province Rural Economic Advancement Project (SPREAP) – 2007

Consultancy Work

  • Consulting Geotechnical Engineer – Taisei Corporation, , Southern Transport Development Project (STDP) – Package 2, Sri Lanka – Evaluation of soft ground improvement in the package 2 of STDP
  • Consulting Geotechnical Engineer – Greater Rathnapura Water Supply Scheme, ABENGOA Company, 2014
  • Consulting Geotechnical Engineer – Kandy city development project (Slope stabilization) under National Building and Research Organization (NBRO) , 2014
  • Geotechnical Engineer – Soft ground treatment proposal for Imaduwa by-pass road, Road Development Authority (RDA-Galle), 2013
  • Consulting Geotechnical Engineer under Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka – Review and validate the quality survey conducted by GITEC consultant, German for existing bored piles in New Maternity Hospital, Karapitiya, Galle, 2013
  • Member (Geotechnical Engineer) of EIA team, University of Ruhuna
  • Design Geotechnical Engineer – Slope stabilization using soil nailing at Water treatment plant in Labugama, Kalatuwa (Access Engineering PLC)-2014
  • Foundations Recommendations for Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies project at Bollegala, Kelaniya (China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd.)-2014
  • Geotechnical Investigation Report for proposed Hilton Hotel at Hantana, Kandy (Ecotels (Pvt) Limited)-2014
  • Evaluation of slope stability at new secretariat building complex at Kegalle ( Soil Tech Ltd.)- 2012
  • Consulting Geotechnical Engineer – Foundation recommendations and slope stability analysis for many projects, 2006-date

Publications

  • Senani Wijewardana, Ken Kawamoto, Per Moldrup, Toshiko Komatsu, L. Chandana Kurukulasuriya and Nadeej H. Priyankara, “Characterization of water repellency for hydrophobized grains with different geometries and sizes,” Journal of Earth Sciences (Publish online on 04 June 2015)
  • H. Priyankara, T. A. U. D. Thenuwara, O. D. L. Kumara, A. M. N. Alagiyawanna and K. Kawamoto, “Desiccation cracking behaviour of landfill clay liner materials,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering ( ICGE –Colombo 2015), pp. 277-280 (August, 2015)
  • M. A. Rashid, J. A. D. K. Wanigarathna, L. C. Kurukulasuriya, N. H. Priyankara, T. Saito, S. Tachibana and K. Kawamoto, “Geotechnical and Hydraulic performance of liner constructed using locally available soil,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering  ( ICGE –Colombo 2015), pp. 257- 260 (August, 2015)
  • G. P. Kumari, S. K. E. Sanjaya, N. H. Priyankara and A. M. N. Alagiyawanna, “Selection of suitable material for final cover of an engineered landfill in dry zone of Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering ( ICGE –Colombo 2015), pp. 261-264 (August, 2015)
  • Ohata, B. L. C. B. Balasooriya, N. H. Priyankara, A. M. N. Alagiyawanna, L. C. Kurukulasuriya and K. Kawamoto, “Geotechnical properties of Municipal solid waste at open dumping sites located in wet and dry zones, Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering ( ICGE –Colombo 2015), pp. 269-272 (August, 2015)
  • L. C. B. Balasooriya, N. H. Priyankara, A. M. N. Alagiyawanna, K. Kawamoto and H. Ohata, “Geotechnical properties of landfill solid waste in dry zone of Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering ( ICGE –Colombo 2015), pp. 281-284 (August, 2015)
  • H. Priyankara, T. A. U. D. Thenuwara, O. D. L. Kumara, K. Kawamoto and A. M. N. Alagiyawanna, “Shrinkage behaviour of landfill clay liner materials in dry zone,” Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (15th ARC), Fukuoka, Japan (Accepted to publish) – (November, 2015)
  • M.A. Rashid, T. Saito, N. H. Priyankara, A.M.N. Alagiyawanna, L.C. Kurukulasuriya and K. Kawamoto, “Barrier performance of Geosynthetic Clay Liners under Elevated Thermo-Chemical Exposure,” Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development ( ACEPS-2015), pp. 47-55 (March, 2015)
  • J.M.S.K. Medawela, A.A.E. Athukorala, N. H. Priyankara, A.M.N. Alagiyawanna and K. Kawamoto, “Effect of Gas Transport Parameters of cover soil in Optimizing Landfill Final Cover thickness in dry zone of Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development ( ACEPS-2015), pp. 84-91 (March, 2015) (This paper was awarded as the one of the two best technical papers selected at the symposium)
  • R.S. De Silva, B.L.C.B. Balasooriya, V.H.G.N.R. Janasinghe, N. H. Priyankara, A.M.N. Alagiyawanna and K. Kawamoto, “Development of Finite Element Method to Evaluate Slope Stability of Municipal Solid Waste Landfills using Probabilistic approach,” Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development ( ACEPS-2015), pp. 92-100 (March, 2015) (This paper was awarded as the one of the two best technical papers selected at the symposium)
  • L.C.B. Balasooriya, N. H. Priyankara, A.M.N. Alagiyawanna and W.K.C.N. Dayanthi, “Waste Amount and Composition Survey (WACS) in Galle and Hambantota Municipal Council,” Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development ( ACEPS-2015), pp. 240-247 (March, 2015)
  • L.C.B. Balasooriya, N. H. Priyankara, A.M.N. Alagiyawanna, W.K.C.N. Dayanthi, H. Ohata and K. Kawamoto “Geotechnical properties of landfill solid waste in dry zone of Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment-2014, pp. 180-187 (December, 2014)
  • Kumari, W.G.P., Sanjaya , S.K.E. , Priyankara, N.H. and Alagiyawanna, A.M.N., “Selection of Suitable Material for Final Cover of an Engineered Landfill in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka”,  Annual Transaction of IESL, Sri Lanka, Vol. 1-Part B, pp. 181-188 (October, 2014)
  • Ranathunga, A.S., Priyankara, N. H., Madusanka, A.D.N.C. and Alagiyawanna, A.M.N. “Investigation of geotechnical characteristics of Galle Fort,” Proceeding of the 2nd International Symposium on Advances in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development (ACEPS), Sri Lanka (September, 2013).
  • Priyankara, N.H., Abeyrathne, W.K.A.P., Alagiyawanna, A.M.W. and Kawamoto, K., “Investigation of suitability of expansive soil to use as clay liners,” Proceedings of the 14th International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium, Italy (September, 2013).
  • Ranathunga, A.S., Priyankara, N. H., Madusanka, A.D.N.C. and Alagiyawanna, A.M.N. “Investigation of Indigenous knowledge on construction of Galle Fort,” Annual Transaction of IESL, Sri Lanka, Vol. 1- Part B, pp. 89-95 (October, 2013).
  • Nagamori M., Isobe Y., Watanabe Y., Mowjood M.M.I., Priyankara N.H., Herath G.B.B., Kurukulasuriya L.C., Vithanage M., Koide T., Kawamoto K. and Tanaka N., “Monitoring of existing waste landfill sites and those surrounding in Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of Sri Lanka – Japan Collaborative research Symposium (SLJCR), Sri Lanka (March, 2013), pp.111.
  • Zhang M., Hara J., Komai T., Sakamoto Y., Vithanage M., Herath G.B.B., Priyankara N.H., Dayanthi W.K.C.N. and Mowjood M.I.M., “Development of the methodology for site selection of new landfills in Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of Sri Lanka – Japan Collaborative research Symposium (SLJCR), Sri Lanka (March, 2013), pp. 111.
  • Kwangho L., Matsuoka S., Iijima S., Koide T., Jinadasa K.B.S.N., Herath G.B.B., Wijerathna D.M.C.B., Priyankara N.H., Edirisinghe D.D., Mangalika L. and Ratnayake S., “Formulate concept of Guide Lines for planning, management and maintenance for waste landfills in Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of Sri Lanka – Japan Collaborative research Symposium (SLJCR), Sri Lanka (March, 2013), pp. 97.
  • Edirisinghe D.D., Priyankara N.H., Alagiyawanna A.M.N., Dayanthi W.K.C.N., Mangalika L., Koide, T. and Lee K., “Waste generation and composition characteristics of a municipality area in Sri Lanka: A case study,” Proceedings of Sri Lanka – Japan Collaborative research Symposium (SLJCR), Sri Lanka (March, 2013), pp. 114.
  • Kawamoto K., Kurukulasuriya L.C., Priyankara N.H., Jinadasa K.B.S.N., Kalpage C.S., Herath G.B.B., Mowjood M.I.M., Dayanthi W.K.C.N., Alagiyawanna A.M.N., Hamamoto S., Yagisawa J., Asamoto A., Komatsu T., Tanaka N., Vithanage M., Ratnayaka S. and Mangalika L., “Development of pollution control and environmental restoration techniques for waste landfill sites in Sri Lanka” Proceedings of Sri Lanka – Japan Collaborative research Symposium (SLJCR), Sri Lanka (March, 2013), pp. 96.
  • Priyankara, N. H., Abeyrathne W.K.A.P. and Pushpakumara K.M.T., “Development of a landfill clay liner using locally available expansive soil,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Sri Lanka (December, 2012).
  • Edirisinghe D. D., Priyankara N. H., Dayanthi K.C.N., Alagiyawanna A.M.N., Mangalika L., Iijima, S. and Kawamoto K., “Preliminary Solid Waste Management (SWM) data survey and assessment of town, treatment site and disposal site conditions: Case study on Southern Province of Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Sri Lanka (December, 2012).
  • Ruwan K.D.B., Rathnayaka R.M.A.S.K., Dayanthi W.K.C.N., Edirisinghe D.D. and Priyankara N. H., “Investigation of potential impacts on ground and surface water due to Galle municipal council dumpsite,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE), Sri Lanka (December, 2012).
  • Abeyrathne W.K.A.P., Priyankara N.H., Pushpakumara K.M.T., Ranaweera R.K.S.P. Priyankara, and Alagiyawanna A.M.N, “Suitability of expansive soil to use as clay liners in arid zone of Sri Lanka,” Proceedings of the 1st International Symposium on Advance in Civil and Environmental Engineering Practices for Sustainable Development (ACEPS), Sri Lanka (March, 2012).
  • Abeyrathne W.K.A.P., Pushpakumara K.M.T., Ranaweera R.K.S.P. Priyankara, N. H. and Alagiyawanna A.M.N., “Investigation of suitability of expansive soil to use as clay liners,” Proceedings of the ninth academic session – University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (February, 2012), pp. 43.
  • Edirisinghe D.D., Priyankara, N.H., Alagiyawanna A.M.N., Dayanthi, W.K.C.N., Kawamoto K., Iijima S. and Mangalika L. “Solid waste management system in Hambantota district,” Proceedings of the ninth academic session – University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (February, 2012), pp. 88.
  • Priyankara, N. H., “Behaviour of Sand Compaction Pile improved ground during earthquakes,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Advances in Geotechnical Engineering (ICAGE), Australia (November, 2011), pp. 879-886.
  • Priyankara, N. H., Wijesooriya, R. M. S. D., and Jayasinghe, S. N., “Utilization of quarry dust in highway construction,” Proceedings of the 14th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (14ARC), Hong Kong (May, 2011).
  • Priyankara, N. H., Wijesooriya, R. M. S. D., Wickramasinghe W. R. M. B. and Yapa, S. T. A. J., “Suitability of Quarry Dust in Geotechnical applications to Improve Engineering Properties,” Journal of the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka, Vol. 42, No. 3, (July, 2009), pp. 7-13.
  • Priyankara, N. H. “Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of SCP Composite Ground,” Proceedings of the 6th Asian Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference, Bangalore, India (December, 2008), pp. 229-239. (This paper was awarded as the best technical paper)
  • Priyankara, N. H., Wijesooriya, R. M. S. D., Wickramasinghe W. R. M. B. and Yapa, S. T. A. J., “Utilization of quarry dust in Geotechnical applications,” Proceedings of the 64th Scientific Sessions, Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLASS) (December 2008).
  • Priyankara, N.H., Kazama, M., Uzuoka, R. and Sento, N. “Pore water migration effect during cyclic loading for gravel drained improved ground,” The 12th Japan Earthquake Engineering Symposium, pp. 482-485 (November, 2006).
  • Priyankara, N.H., Kazama, M., Uzuoka, R. and Sento, N. “Evaluation of liquefaction resistance of gravel drain improved loose sandy ground considering partially drained cyclic behaviour,” The 2nd Japan – Taiwan Joint workshop on Geotechnical Hazads from large Earthquakes and heavy Rainfall, pp.85-92, (Nagaoka, Japan, May, 2006).
  • Priyankara, N.H. “Evaluation of mechanical properties of SCP composite ground against liquefaction,” Eng thesis, Tohoku University (Japan, September, 2006).
  • Priyankara, N.H., Kazama, M., Uzuoka, R., Sento, N. and Sakamoto K., “Evaluation of characteristics of sand compaction pile improved composite ground by online testing method,” 16th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Satellite Conference, pp.138-145, (Osaka, Japan, 2005.9)
  • Priyankara, N. H., Kazama, M. and Sakamoto, K. “ Evaluation of Liquefaction resistance of Sand Compaction Pile improved composite ground using Parallel Elementary Test”, Proceedings of the 7th International Summer Symposium, Japanese Society of Civil Engineering(JSCE), 30th July 2005, Tokyo, Japan, pp. 173-176.
  • Priyankara, N. H., Kazama, M., Uzuoka, R., Sento, N. and Sakamoto, K. “ The stress state and volume change of sandy ground established by Sand Compaction Pile Installation”, The 15th International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference and Exhibition, ISOPE2005, Vol. 2, pp. 618-625, 2005.
  • Priyankara, N. H. and Takemura, J., “Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Sand Compaction Pile using Cavity Expansion Theory,” 15th Tohoku Branch Symposium, Japanese Society of Civil Engineers(JSCE), pp 364-365,  Akita, Japan, 6th March 2004.
  • Takemura, J., Nawagamuwa, U. and Priyankara, N. H., “Numerical and Laboratory Studies of Cavity Expansion Analysis using Cone Penetration Resistance,” International Workshop on Prediction and Simulation Methods in Geomechanics, Athens, Greece, 14-15th October , 2003.
  • Nawagamuwa, U., Takemura, J. and Priyankara, N. H., “Cavity Expansion Analysis to Evaluate Mechanical Properties of Sand Compaction Piles,” 5th International Summer Symposium, pp.249-252, Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), Tokyo, 26th July 2003.
  • Priyankara, N.H. “Evaluation of mechanical properties of Sand Compaction Pile using Cone Penetartion test,” Eng thesis, Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand, April, 2003).
  • Priyankara N. H., Priyantha, N.A. A. and Nilanthi, K.H. B., “Comparison of methods of Improvement of Compressibility properties of Peat,” Proceeding of the Undergraduate Projects – Geotechnical Engineering, Sri Lankan Geotechnical Society (SLGS), 2000. (This paper was awarded as the best paper)
  • Priyankara, N.H., Priyantha, N.A.A. and Nilanthi, K.H.B. “Comparison of methods of improvement of compressibility properties of peat,” Undergraduate Research Project, University of Moratuwa (Sri Lanka, September, 2000). (This project was awarded as the best final year project for the Geotechnical Engineering)