Department of Civil Engineering

Prof. Kushan Kalmith Wijesundara

Professor


Office Address:

Department of Civil Engineering,

University of Peradeniya,

Peradeniya,20400,

Sri Lanka.

Email: kalmithkush@yahoo.com

Telephone : +94-81-2393553

  • Dr. Kushan Kalmith Wijesundara received the Bachelor Degree in Science specialized in Civil Engineeringfrom the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka in 2003. He was awarded a scholarship by the University of Pavia, Italy to pursue M.Sc. and Ph.D. at the ROSE School attached to the University of Pavia, Italy. He worked on shear strength of precast pre-stressed concrete hollow core slabs for his Master dissertation. He received his M.Sc. specialized in Earthquake Engineering in May 2005. In the same year, he enrolled in the Ph.D. Program in Earthquake Engineering at the same institute. He works on the Direct Displacement Based Seismic Design of Steel Concentrically Braced Frame with RHS Shape Brace and Finite Element Formulation of Brace Element for Post Buckling Behaviour. He received his Ph.D. in December 2009. He served as a researcher at the European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE) in Pavia, Italy from December 2009 to May 2011 and at BRGM (French Geological Survey), Natural Risks Division in Orleans, France from August, 2011 to March, 2012. From 2012 to January 2015 he served as a senior lecturer at South Asian Institution of Technology and Medicine, Malabe. Currently, he is serving as a senior lecturer at the department of civil engineering, faculty of engineering, University of Peradeniya. He has ten international journal publications and twenty five international conference publications. His research interest is on finite element formulation and modelling of structures for extreme loadings, structural dynamics, development of direct displacement based design philosophy and estimation of modal properties of structures using ambient vibration measurements through wavelet transformation. He is a reviewer of Journal of Engineering Structures and Journal Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems. Furthermore, he has been responsible for coordination of many local and international projects in the area of nonlinear finite element modelling of structures and analysis for dynamic loading in last few years.
  • PhD. - University of Pavia, Italy, 2009
  • MSc. - University of Pavia, Italy, 2005
  • BScEng. - University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2003
  • Development of force based finite element formulation of a beam element for shear moment interaction for nonlinear dynamic analysis.
  • Development of direct displacement based design philosophy for seismic design of structures.
  • Earthquake engineering and Structural dynamics.
  • Estimation of modal properties of structures using ambient vibration measurements through wavelet transformation technique.
  • 2021 Apr. – To date : Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  • 2015 Jan. – 2021 Apr. : Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  • 2012 Mar - 2015 Jan. : Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine, Malabe, Sri Lanka.
  • 2011 Aug. - 2012 Mar. : Researcher at BRGM (French Geological Survey), Natural Risks Division, Orleans, France.
  • 2009 Dec. – 2011 Jul. : Researcher at European Centre for Training and Researcher in Earthquake Engineering, Pavia, Italy .
  • 2006 – 2009 : Post graduate student (PhD) in Earthquake Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, ROSE School, University of Pavia, Italy.
  • 2005 – 2006 : Post graduate student (MSc) in Earthquake Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, ROSE School, University of Pavia, Italy.
  • 2003 May - 2004 Dec. : Instructor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  • Associate Member of Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka
  • Design of buildings for seismic loads in Sri Lanka, Institute of engineers Sri Lanka, Rajarata chapter, 10th February 2016.
  • Myth and Fallacies of Finite Element Method, Question Time, Society of Structural Engineers, Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 2015.
  • Direct Displacement based design of concentric steel braced frame structures, Institute of engineers, Malaysia,12th February, 2015.
  • Beauty of Finite Element Analysis, Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau, Colombo, Sri Lanka, May, 2013.
  • Modelling and Analysis Using Finite Element Method, Question Time, Society of Structural Engineers, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27th August 2013.
  • Annual Session Society of Structural Engineers, 23rd September 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Two day workshopon the title of “Finite Element Analysis of Structures” at Faculty of Engineering, South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine, 25 and 27/April, 2014.
  • Four day workshopon the title of “PracticalFinite Element Analyis – Concepts & Applications” at Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, 14, 15, 21 and 22/March, 2014.
  • One day workshopon the title of “Structural Analysis for Dynamic Loading” at Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, 26-27/March, 2011.
  • One day workshop on the title of “Application of Finite Element Programs in Modelling of Structures” at Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, 29/May, 2011.

    Referred Journal Publications :
  • Wijesundara K.K., Negulescu C. and Foerster E. [2015] “Estimation of Modal Properties of Low-Rise Buildings Using Ambient Excitation Measurements”, Journal of Shock and Vibration.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Nascimbene R., Rassati G.A., [2014] “Modelling of Different Bracing Configuration in Multi-Storey Concentrically Braced Frame using a Force Based Approach”, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 103, 241-250.
  • Rajeev P. and Wijesundara K.K. [2014] “Energy Based Damage Index for Concentrically Braced Steel Frame Structures Using Continuous Wavelet Transform”, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 101, 426-436.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Negulescu C. and Foerster E. [2013] “Seismic Damage Assessment of Regular Gravity Design Buildings”, Journal of Key Engineering Materials, 569, 294-301.
  • Wijesundara K.K. and Rajeev P. [2012] “Direct Displacement Based Design of Concentrically Braced Frame Structures”, Australian Journal of Structural Engineering, Vol. 13 (3), 243
  • Nascimbene R., Rassati G.A., Wijesundara K.K. [2012] “Numerical Simulation of a Gusset Plate Connection to a RHS Shape Brace under Quasi-Static Cyclic Loading”, Journal of Constructional Steel Research, Vol. 20, 177-189.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Nascimbene R., Sullivan T.J. [2011] “Equivalent Viscous Damping for Steel Concentrically Braced Frame Structures”, Bulleting of Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 9: 1535-1558.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D., Nascimbene R., and Calvi G.M. [2009] “Review of Design Parameters of CBFs with RHS Shape Braces”, Journal of Earthquake Engineering, Vol. 13 (S1), 109-131.


    • Referred Conference Publications :
  • Marasingha J., Wijesundara K.K. and Dissanayake U.I. “Application of Incremental Dynamic and Pushover Analysis for Seismic Assessment of a Typical School Building in Sri Lanka” Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, December 13-15, 2013, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  • Wijesundara K.K., “Proposed Method for Estimation of Damping Ratio of a Structure Using Continuous Wavelet Transformation Method”, Proceedings of iPURSE, July4-5, 2014, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
  • DananjayaS., Dissanayake R., Senevirathne N. and Wijesundara K.K. “ Simulation of bedrock motion to Obtain PGA values”, The Proceedings of the 10th International Conference of the International Institute for Infrastructure Resilience and Reconstruction (I3R2) 20-22 May 2014. (38-41). West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University.
  • Uduweriya S.B., Wijesundara K.K. and Dissanayake P.B.R. “Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Macrozonation in Sri Lanka” Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, December 13-15, 2013, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  • Marasingha J., Wijesundara K.K. and Dissanayake U.I. “Application of Incremental Dynamic and Pushover Analysis for Seismic Assessment of a Typical School Building in Sri Lanka” Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction Management, December 13-15, 2013, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  • Marasingha J., Wijesundara K.K. and Dissanayake U.I. “Seismic Assessment of Typical Two-Storey School Building in Sri Lanka” Proceedings of the Annual Session Society of Structural Engineers, September 23, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Negulescu D., Monfort D. and Foerster E. “ Identification of Model Parameters of Ambient Excitation Structures using Continuous Wavelet Transform”, Proceedings of 15th World Conference in Earthquake Engineering, September 24-28, 2012, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Rajeev P. and Dissanayake P.B.R “Structural Damage Estimation using Continuous Wavelet Transform”, Proceedings of 15th World Conference in Earthquake Engineering, September 24-28, 2012, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Wijesundara K.K. “Application of Continuous Wavelet Transformation Method in Estimation of Model Properties” Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, December 13-15, 2012, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  • Wijesundara K.K. “Seismic Design of Steel Concentric Braced Frame Structures using Direct Displacement Based Design Approach” Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment, December 13-15, 2012, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
  • Wijesundara K.K. , Brunesi E., Bolognini D. and Nascimbene R. “Shear Strength of Precast Prestressed Concrete Hollow Core Slabs ”, Proceedings of Italian National Conference in Earthquake Engineering, September 18-22, 2011, Bari, Italy.
  • Silvia S., Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D. “Life Cycle Analysis at Low Cycle Fatigue on Concentrically Braced Steel Frame Structures with RHS Shape Braces” Proceedings of 6th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, Budapest, Hungary, 31 August - 2 September 2011.
  • Silvia S., Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D. “Analysis of Square Hollow Section Steel Braces:Comparison of Local and Global Numerical Response” 6th European Conference on Steel and Composite Structures, Budapest, Hungary, 31 August - 2 September 2011.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Rassathi G.A., Bolognini D. and Nascimbene R.“Effect of Gusset End Restraint on the Effective Length of Bracing Members in Concentrically Braced Frames”, Proceedings of Conference of 14th Europian Conference on Earthquake Engineering, August 30-September 03, 2010,Ohrid, Republic of Mecedonia.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Rassathi G.A., Nascimbene R. and Bolognini D.“Seismic Performance of Brace-Beam-Column Connections in Concentrically Braced Frames”, Proceedings of the Steel Conference of NASCC, May 12-14, 2010,Orlando, Florida, USA.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D., Nascimbene R.,Corigliano M. and Lai C.G. “Real Vs Artificial Accelerograms in Time Histories Analyses of Brace Frame Structures”, Proceedings of Italian National Conference in Earthquake Engineering, June 28- July 02, 2009, Bologna, Italy.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D. and Nascimbene R. “ Numerical Simulation of Behaviour of Gusset Plate Connection in CBF under Cyclic Loading”, Proceedings of Conference of Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, June 22-24, 2009,Rhodes, Greece.
  • Dissanayake U.I.,and Wijesundara K.K.,“ Behaviour of Slip-Formed Load Bearing Wall Panels under In-Plane Compressive Loading”, Proceedings of International Conference on Civil and Environmental Engineering, July 27-28, 2004,Hiroshima, Japan.
  • Dananjaya R.M.S., Wijesundara K.K. and Dissanayake P.B.R. “Numerical Simulation of Ground Response Induced by Earthquakes” Proceedings of the SAITM Research Symposium on Engineering Advancements, April27, 2013, Malabe, Sri Lanka.
  • Marasingha J., Wijesundara K.K. and Dissanayake U.I. “Comparison of Incremental Dynamic Analysis Curve with Pushover Curve” Proceedings of the SAITM Research Symposium on Engineering Advancements, April27, 2013, Malabe, Sri Lanka.
  • Uduweriya S.B., Wijesundara K.K. and Dissanayake P.B.R. “Seismic Risk in Colombo” Proceedings of the SAITM Research Symposium on Engineering Advancements, April27, 2013, Malabe, Sri Lanka.
  • Sendanayake S.V. and Wijesundara K.K. “Estimation of Natural Periods of Structures using Fourier Transformation” Proceedings of the SAITM Research Symposium on Engineering Advancements, April27, 2013, Malabe, Sri Lanka.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Gunawardana H.G.M.L., Bulathsinghala H.J.B., Dissanayake T.A., and Dissanayake U.I. [2004] “Testing of Slipped Formed Load Bearing Wall Panel under the In-Plane Loading Condition”, 59th Annual Sessions of Sri Lanka Association of Advanced Science (SLAAS), Page No. 303.


    • Book Chapters and Research reports :
  • Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D., Nascimbene R., Calvi G.M., [2011] “Seismic Design of Concentric Braced Frame Structures with RHS Shape Braces.”, IUSS Press, Pavia, Italy
  • Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D., Nascimbene R. [2010] “Numerical Simulation of a Gusset Plate Connection to a RHS Shape Brace under Quasi-Static Cyclic Loading” Papadrakakis M., Fragiadakis M., Lagaros N.D. (eds) “Computational Methods in Earthquake Engineering” 1st edition, Springer, New York, pp 177-200.
  • Wijesundara. K. K., (2009) “Seismic Design of Concentric Braced Frame Structures”, Ph.D. thesis. ROSE School, University of Pavia, Italy.
  • Wijesundara. K. K., (2006) “Shear Strength of Precast Prestressed Concrete Hollow Core Slabs”, M.Sc. thesis. ROSE School, University of Pavia, Italy.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Bolognini D., Nascimbene R. [2010] “Nonlinear finite element modelling of precast column-to-foundation connection for the assessment of the performance under the quasi-static cyclic loading”, Research report, European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE), Pavia, Italy.
  • Wijesundara K.K., Pinho R., Nascimbene R. [2010]“Pushover Analysis of Wooden Frames”, Research report, L’Aquila ilProgetto C.A.S.E., European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE), Pavia, Italy.
  • Senevirathna K. G. H. C. N, Dissanayake P.B.R., Susantha K.A.S.,Wijesundara K.K.,Dananjaya R. M. S.[2014] “Development of Seismic Hazard Map for Sri Lanka”, Research Report, Disaster Management Centre, Colombo, Sri Lanka.



Department of Civil Engineering