Dilum Fernando

Professor Dilum Fernando serves as Chair in Structural Engineering within the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, specializing in Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on developing innovative hybrid/composite structural systems through fundamental material behavior theories and geometric concepts.

His educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2010) on CFRP-strengthened steel members, and a Bachelor of Engineering from Monash University (2005).

Fernando's research centers on four key thematic areas:

• Manufacturing Technologies for Composites in Civil Infrastructure – advancing fabrication processes for FRP materials
• Construction Techniques for Composites – integrating architectural and construction challenges
• Optimized Materials for Composites – developing efficient hybrid material systems
• Advanced Composite Structural Systems – creating novel infrastructure solutions

His work spans FRP-strengthened structures, timber-FRP hybrids, and recycled material applications.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant trends in hybrid composite systems (particularly FRP-timber and FRP-concrete-steel), structural retrofitting techniques, and sustainable material innovation using waste/recycled components. Key subfields include buckling analysis of thin-walled sections, interfacial debonding mechanics, and thermal performance of novel wall systems.

His notable scientific achievements include:

• Australia's Most Innovative Engineers Award (2019)
• BERD-FEUP Prize for World Innovation in Bridge Engineering (2019)
• University of Queensland Award for Excellence in Innovation (2019)

Fernando actively supervises PhD students and leads significant research projects including:

Active Projects
• Mobile platform for thermochemical assessment of FRP structures (Aberdeen, 2023-2026)
• CoTide tidal energy project (Oxford, 2023-2028)
• Novel recycled plastic products for structural applications (RMIT, 2023-2024)

Completed Projects
• Value-added products from waste plastics (EPSRC, 2022-2023)

His research group operates at the intersection of structural engineering and advanced materials science, developing experimental and computational methodologies for next-generation infrastructure systems with emphasis on sustainable composites and hybrid structural solutions.