Mr. Ayesh Dushmantha | Pavement Engineering | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Ayesh Dushmantha | Pavement Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Ayesh Dushmantha | Pavement Engineering – PhD scholar at Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Ayesh Dushmantha is a dedicated Civil Engineer and PhD Candidate specializing in Pavement and Geotechnical Engineering. His research is anchored in the development of resilient infrastructure, with a focus on post-flood pavement recovery using real-time moisture modelling. With a strong foundation in numerical modelling, machine learning, and geotechnical testing, he is committed to enhancing road safety and durability in the face of climate-driven challenges. Known for his methodological precision and interdisciplinary expertise, Ayesh stands out as a rising thought leader in the pavement research community.

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Education:

Ayesh is currently pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), where his thesis investigates the use of real-time measured moisture to assess pavement suitability for traffic after flooding events. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka—a Washington Accord accredited program—where he graduated with a Second Class Upper Division. His academic path reflects a balance of rigorous theoretical knowledge and practical engineering application.

Experience:

Ayesh’s professional journey spans both academia and industry, making him uniquely qualified in translating research into practice. As a PhD Researcher, he has developed predictive models for pavement moisture and temperature using machine learning and has conducted resilient modulus testing under varying conditions. His prior roles include Drainage Engineer at Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd, where he designed hydraulic structures for expressways, and Water Supply Engineer at A.M.A Water Engineering, where he led rehabilitation projects using advanced modelling tools. These experiences underscore his capability in managing complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.

Research Interests:

Ayesh’s research interests lie at the intersection of pavement engineering, geotechnical modelling, and data science. He is particularly passionate about moisture modelling in road bases, the application of machine learning in predicting pavement performance, and the development of climate-resilient infrastructure. He actively explores the integration of empirical and AI-driven models to provide actionable insights for asset management and post-disaster recovery planning.

Awards:

While early in his academic career, Ayesh has received recognition through competitive conference participations and technical training programs, including GeoStudio Modelling Workshops and prestigious international forums such as the International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics and the International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. These platforms have acknowledged the originality and relevance of his research to global engineering challenges. He is now being nominated for the Best Researcher Award in recognition of his academic contributions, innovative modelling approaches, and societal impact.

Publications 📚🧠 :

  1. Dushmantha, A. et al. (2025). “Towards Safer Roads Post-flooding: Moisture-Induced Pavement Behaviour and Recovery Times.” Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics 📘. [Cited by 9 articles]
  2. Ayesh, D. et al. (2024). “A Comprehensive Review of the Resilient Behaviour of Unbound Granular Pavement Materials.” Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition) 🛣️. [Cited by 6 articles]
  3. Dushmantha, A. et al. (2025). “Deploying Machine Learning for Long-Term Road Pavement Moisture Prediction: A Case Study from Queensland, Australia.” Journal of Road Engineering 🤖🛤️. [Cited by 4 articles]
  4. Dushmantha, A. et al. (2024). “Real-Time Moisture Modelling in Pavement Layers Using Climatic Data.” Australian Geomechanics Journal 🌧️. [Cited by 3 articles]
  5. Gui, Y., Dushmantha, A., et al. (2023). “Pavement Resilience under Flood Conditions: Experimental Study on Subsurface Flow.” Transportation Geotechnics 🌊. [Cited by 5 articles]
  6. Jayakody, S., Dushmantha, A., et al. (2024). “Data-Driven Framework for Post-Flood Pavement Assessment.” Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems 📈🛣️. [Cited by 2 articles]
  7. Dushmantha, A. et al. (2023). “Moisture-Temperature Coupling Effects on Pavement Fatigue.” Journal of Infrastructure Systems (ASCE) 🔄. [Cited by 1 article]

Conclusion:

Ayesh Dushmantha exemplifies the emerging generation of researchers who bring computational intelligence and engineering science together to solve pressing real-world problems. His research has direct implications for enhancing the resilience of transportation infrastructure in the context of extreme weather and climate variability. Through a mix of academic excellence, technical expertise, and cross-disciplinary thinking, he has already made a measurable impact on pavement engineering literature and practice. With continued support, Ayesh is poised to contribute even more significantly to global infrastructure sustainability. This nomination for the Best Researcher Award is both timely and well-deserved, acknowledging a trajectory that is as impactful as it is promising.