IESL NSW Chapter Newsletter March 2019
1. A Dedicated and Outstanding Senior Sri Lankan Engineer who loved Engineering Challenges and Innovations – Dr A.C. Visvalingam
This is the story of an individual who spent sixteen years overseas studying and working to become a professional Engineer. He gained invaluable experience on some landmark projects and returned home in 1970 to try to fulfill a boyhood dream of his to develop the river basins of Sri Lanka but was totally frustrated in just over three years of government employment.
2. Geotechnical Challenges – Balance between Risk & Opportunity by Dr. Jeff Hsi
Dr Jeff Hsi was invited by The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka, NSW Australia Chapter, to deliver a lecture on 23rd January 2019 at the Engineers Australia Auditorium in Chatswood NSW Australia. The topic of the lecture was “Geotechnical Challenges – a Balance between Risk and Opportunity”.
3. A Brilliant Engineer who made Outstanding Contribution to Engineering and Academia – Distinguished Professor Buddhima Indraratna
Distinguished Professor Buddhima Indraratna is the first Sri Lankan Civil Engineer to be inducted as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE). He is also a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers (FASCE), Institution of Engineers, Australia FIEAust) and Sri Lanka (FIESL), Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM), and British Geological Society (FGS), as well as a Chartered Engineer of Australia, UK and Sri Lanka. He is the current Research Director at the Centre for Geomechanics and Railway and the Founding Director of the National Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Advanced Railroad Technologies funded by the Australian Research Council.
4. Antennas Designed by Prof. Karu Esselle’s Team are now Orbiting in Space, on board The World’s First Entirely Ka-band CubeSat Spacecraft.
Karu was the leader of the Australian team that designed the high-gain antenna system aboard the world’s first entirely Ka-band CubeSat spacecraft – Audacy Zero. It was launched to space and deployed in December last year by SpaceX (USA) Falcon 9 rocket.
5. Gold Medallist who wanted to try new things selected Robotics when it was little known to the world……. Distinguished Professor Gamini Dissanayake
This is a story about a Sri Lankan academic that defined the field of Robotics. Exploring his story shows that Prof. Gamini Dissanayake was always someone who was willing to try new things. Dissa currently holds James N Kirby Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), is the founding Director of the UTS Centre for Autonomous Systems
6. Engineering Your Identity by Nadeesha Abayaratna
One day I woke up and came to a realisation; I needed structure and fulfillment in my work – to understand what and who I wanted to be in the future. That same day, fuelled by enthusiasm and a readiness to demonstrate my abilities, I set out on a path to establish my professional identity.
7. The IESL NSW Chapter Young Engineers Day 2019
The IESL NSW Chapter Young Engineers Day (YED) 2019 was held on Tuesday, 19 February 2019 at Engineers Australia Auditorium Chatswood. It was organised by the young engineers group in the Chapter Executive Committee. The organising committee consisted of Menuli Sandakan, Buddhi Ranasinghe, Mihimal Bandara and Janahan Thiru.
8. Possible use of Deep Cement Mixing Piles as a Soft Ground Treatment method for Matara-Beliatta Railway Extension by Eng Chathuri Madhusanka
At the IESL NSW Chapter YED, Chathuri shared her past experiences in Matara-Beliatta Railway Extension work. Eng Chathuri Madhusanka, is a PhD Student at University of Wollongong. Chathuri obtained her bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours in Civil Engineering from University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 2013.
9. Durability of Geopolymer concrete with respect to Alkali Silica Reaction by Eng Dinesh Mahanama
At the IESL NSW Chapter YED 2019, Dinesh presented his PhD thesis work. Eng Dinesh Mahanama is a Civil Engineer who graduated from University of Moratuwa in 2013. He joined Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau shortly after graduating and worked as a structural design engineer specializing in high rise buildings in Sri Lanka
10. Structural Behaviour and Design of Hollow Flange Steel Plate Girders by Eng Dr Nilakshi Perera
At the IESL NSW Chapter YED 2019, Nilakshi presented her PhD thesis work. Nilakshi graduated from the University of Moratuwa in 2014, attaining her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with First Class Honours. Shortly after completing her studies, she worked as a lecturer at the University of Moratuwa for one year.
11. Project Management App by Impact Engineers (Dinushi, Ramal, Thinesh) – සංඥා (saṁgnā): Connecting Communities
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Impact Engineers (IE) are a group of individuals, originating from different backgrounds, coming together to work towards making positive changes to people’s lives. Their goal is to empower communities in need, with the skills and assets to develop and sustain a better standard of living.
12. Assessment and Prediction of Rail Induced Noise and Ground-Borne Vibrations by Eng Raguldeep
Raguldeep Premrajkumar, a Graduate Acoustic Engineer, graduated with academic excellence from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 2018 and is currently working as a Technical Officer at PKA Acoustic Consulting, Sydney.
13. Wentworth to Broken Hill Pipeline Project by Asitha Amarakoon
Asitha graduated from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering (Hons 1). Asitha is currently a Senior Engineer at SMEC Australia. Asitha has experience in independent verification on major infrastructure projects, drainage design, hydrology and hydraulic modelling.