Dr. Darshana Rathnayaka

With over 10 years of experience as a structural engineer, Dr. Darshana Rathnayaka Mudiyanselage has designed and delivered composite structures in the civil infrastructure sector including buildings and bridges, as well as the energy sector, particularly in tidal turbine blade systems, in 3 continents.

Dr. Rathnayaka also performs as a Research Associate in Design and Testing of Composite Structures at The University of Edinburgh, where he is engaged in cutting-edge research in advanced materials and structural performance. He is invested in using research-based solutions for improving costs of infrastructure projects.

Years Experience

3

Continents

In

Over

10

Technical Lead, Materials Engineering

10

2

Over

In

Years Experience

Continents

Dr. Gabrielis Cerniauskas has over 10 years of experience delivering projects in the mechanical engineering sector, and enhancing the development and prototyping of state-of-the-art engineering solutions. He is specialised in computational design, composite lay-up for structural optimization, and experimental setup development.

Dr. Cerniauskas is heavily involved in the offshore renewable energy sector, having delivered specialised designs for composite structures for wind and tidal turbines blades in both UK and Ireland.

As a Research Associate in Modelling and Design for Large Composite Structures at The University of Edinburgh, Dr. Cerniauskas is at the forefront of research in advanced materials and engineering innovation.

Dr. Gabrielis Cerniauskas

Technical Lead, Mechanical Engineering

Our Experts' Projects

Technology winner of the 2019 Berd-FEUP Prize for Innovation in Bridge Engineering.

Designed in collaboration with the University of Queensland, ARUP, RocketC, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this novel double-skin tubular arch (DSTA) bridge system was used for a vehicular access bridge in Queensland, Australia and in two pedestrian bridges in South China University of Technology (SCUT).

Based on hybrid double-skin tubular members (DSTMs), with an FRP outer tube, steel inner tube, and concrete core to give a lightweight, durable, low-cost, and quick to construct design.

DSTA Bridges

Australia, China

Oil Seal Manufacture Improvement

Ecuador

Design optimisation of oil seals through an in-house specialized oil seal manufacturing process. Process allows for fault diagnosis to eliminate premature part failure, and for the ideal press configuration, optimum operating conditions, and quality control measures to be identified. A set of principles for future fault diagnosis and remedies was also set in place.

Production costs were reduced by providing the client with guidelines on material handling, mixing, milling and moulding.

Thermoplastic Polymerisation Reactor

UAE

Thermoplastic liquid composite polymerisation and infusion reactor for Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi.

Rotor Blade Test Rig

United Kingdom

Data-driven approach for design and installation of rotor blade test rig and supporting components in Edinburgh, UK.

Sensor placement optimisation used to minimise construction, operational and maintenance while ensuring accurate data collected from tests.

Optimal sensor placement optimisation used to minimise data redundancy while maximising valuable information for predictive mantainance and real-time health monitoring.

Modular Railway Overpass

United Kingdom

2.4 m wide, carbon fibre and glass chopped strand mat modular railway overpass for a client in the transport sector.

The overpass is characterised by its high durability, light weight for its high durability, light weight and ease of transportation and installation when compared to conventional steel systems. The selection of materials provides additional advantages such as corrosion resistance, low mantainance costs and electrical insulation against electric lines over the railway lines.

Thermal Expansion Extrusion Minimisation on Seals

United Kingdom

Testing and investigation of thermal expansion properties of seals to reduce extrusion of the seals out of glands over large temperature changes.

Devised heated barrel test for material. Measured instantaneous thermal expansion coefficients at different temperatures and filler contents. Established definite strategy for control of thermal expansion using silica nanofillers.

Supervision and report scrutiny of activities at third party test facility for an aeronautical industry client; the deliverables included the production of test reports on classic laminate tests. Tests carried out for client's requirements including Substructure compression, compression-after-impact, notched specimen, bolt pull-through and bearing assessments. A SEM study of various laminate drilling techniques was also carried to compare hole quality.

Damage Tolerance of Aerospace Composites

United Kingdom

Strengthening of Structures

Australia

Design of FRP bridge strengthening systems for multiple bridges in Queensland, Australia.

Systems characterised by reduced construction and maintenance costs and times compared to conventional strengthening methods.