Research Interests
- Structural Optimisation
- Digital Tools for Optimisation
- Embodied Carbon
- Shape Optimisation
- Structural Form Finding
- Circular Economy
- Life Cycle Analysis
- Decarbonising Construction
Dr Amila Jayasinghe
Dr Amila Jayasinghe is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Cambridge, specialising in sustainable construction and structural optimisation.
Dr Jayasinghe's research focuses on minimising the environmental impact of concrete, with a particular emphasis on reducing embodied carbon in concrete floors. Amila’s doctoral research, which he completed at the University of Cambridge, explored innovative design strategies and multi-objective optimisation for concrete floors, leading to a significant reduction in carbon emissions and material usage.
Throughout his career, Amila has led and contributed to various research projects aimed at improving structural efficiency and sustainability. Notably, he is currently developing shape-optimised structural elements using flexible FRP textile formwork in collaboration with the University of Exeter. These efforts aim to reduce material consumption while improving structural performance and environmental sustainability. His work integrates cutting-edge digital tools, such as finite element analysis and evolutionary optimisation, to create solutions that challenge traditional construction methods.
Amila’s academic journey has been defined by a deep commitment to research and continuous learning. His work has earned recognition, including being a finalist for the Adam Neville Prize for Best PhD in Cement and Concrete Research 2021 and a UK Submission for the fib Achievement Award for Young Engineers (AAYE) 2025. He was also awarded the Churchill Jafar Studentship to support his doctoral studies at Cambridge. In addition to his research, Amila holds an Accredited Associate Fellowship (AFHEA) in teaching and learning. He has supervised visiting PhD students at Cambridge and is currently mentoring undergraduate research projects at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
Qualifications
- PhD in Engineering (Structures), University of Cambridge, UK
- B.Sc. Eng (Honours) specialised in Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Career/Research Highlights
- Selected as a UK Submission to fib Achievement Award for Young Engineers (AAYE) 2025.
- Finalist for The Adam Neville Prize for Best PhD in Cement and Concrete Research 2021.
- 3rd Place in the main presentations at the 23rd Young Researchers Conference IStructE 2021.
- Churchill Jafar Studentship for fully funded doctoral studies at the University of Cambridge, Churchill College for 2018-2021.
- Gold Medal for the Best Paper presented at the Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka Annual Sessions 2018.
- Gold Medal for the Civil Engineering Graduand with highest overall GPA at the B.Sc. Engineering Honours Degree Examinations (Dr ANS Kulasinghe award), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2018.
- Building and Structural Engineering Award for obtaining the highest GPA for the specified Building and Structural Engineering subjects for the academic year 2016/2017, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
- Comprehensive Design Project Award in Civil Engineering for making to the 10 best students for the academic year 2016/2017, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
- Dean’s List in all the Semesters (1 to 8) for the excellent academic performance (semester GPA>3.80) at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
Selected Publications
Jayasinghe, A., Momoh, E., Hajsadeghi, M., Orr, J., Vinai, R., Kripakaran, P. & Evans, K. (2024) Construction, Testing, and Analysis of a Shape-Optimised Concrete Beam with Stay-in-place CFRP Textile Formwork.
Sustainable Materials and Technologies, Dec 2024, article no: e01201.
doi.org/10.1016/j.susmat.2024.e01201
Momoh, E., Jayasinghe, A., Hajsadeghi, M., Vinai, R., Evans, K., Kripakaran, P. & Orr, J., (2023) A
state-of-the-art review on the application of auxetic materials in cementitious composites.
Thin Walled Structures, vol. 196, Mar 2023, article no: 111447.
doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2023.111447
Jayasinghe, A., Orr, J., Ibell, T. & Boshoff, W.P. (2022) Minimising embodied carbon in reinforced concrete flat slabs through parametric design.
Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 50, 1 June 2022, article no: 104136.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104136
Jayasinghe, A., Orr, J., Hawkins, W., Ibell, T. & Boshoff, W.P. (2022) Comparing different strategies of minimising embodied carbon in concrete floors.
Journal of Cleaner Production. , vol. 345, 15 April 2022, article no: 131177.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131177
Jayasinghe, A., Orr, J., Ibell, T. & Boshoff, W.P. (2021) Minimising embodied carbon in reinforced concrete beams.
Engineering Structures, vol. 242, 1 Sept 2021, article no: 112590.
doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2021.112590
Jayasinghe, A., Orr, J., Ibell, T. & Boshoff, W.P. (2021) Comparing the embodied carbon and cost of concrete floor solutions.
Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 324, 15 Nov 2021, article no: 129268.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129268