| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wasantha, P. LP., Cranfield-Brooks, K., Kumari, W. GP., Xu, T., & Guerrieri, M. (250601). Fire-induced mechanical transformations in Hawkesbury sandstone: Experimental observations and analysis. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 190 (106110-106110). |
| 2025 | Teodosio, B., Wasantha, P. LP., Yaghoubi, E., Guerrieri, M., van, Staden., & Fragomeni, S. (250401). Application of Artificial Intelligence in Reactive Soil Research: A Scientometric Analysis. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 43(4), |
| 2024 |
Joseph, K., Shetty, J., Sharma, A. K., van, Staden., Wasantha, P. LP., Small, S., & Bennett, N. (240701). Leak and Burst Detection in Water Distribution Network Using Logic- and Machine Learning-Based Approaches. Water (Switzerland), 16(14), doi: 10.3390/w16141935 |
| 2024 |
Pallewala, Liyanage., Black, K., & Fragomeni, S. (240312). Developmental Changes of the Responses to Peer Assessment of Group Projects: A Case Study of Civil Engineering Undergraduates. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 21(1), doi: 10.53761/98v13y53 |
| 2024 | Xu, B., Xu, T., Xue, Y., Heap, M. J., Wasantha, P. LP., & Li, Z. (240308). Phase field modeling of mixed-mode crack in rocks incorporating heterogeneity and frictional damage. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 298 |
| 2024 | Zhao, L., Li, Z., Liu, Y., Xu, Y., Wasantha, P. LP., Zheng, X., & Xu, T. (240101). Stability Analysis of Open-Pit Bench Slope under Repeated Heavy Vehicle Loading Based on Stress-Corrosion Model. Archives of Mining Sciences, 69(2), (211-230). |
| 2024 | Ghorbani, B., Yaghoubi, E., Wasantha, P. LP., van, Staden., Guerrieri, M., & Fragomeni, S. (240101). Machine learning-based prediction of resilient modulus for blends of tire-derived aggregates and demolition wastes. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 25(4), (694-715). |
| 2023 | Teodosio, B., Wasantha, P. LP., Yaghoubi, E., Guerrieri, M., Fragomeni, S., & van, Staden. (231201). Environmental, economic, and serviceability attributes of residential foundation slabs: A comparison between waffle and stiffened rafts using multi-output deep learning. Journal of Building Engineering, 80 |
| 2023 | Wasantha, P. LP., Heng, Z., & Xu, T. (231201). Numerical analysis of the effects of vesicle distribution characteristics on the engineering properties of volcanic rocks. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 15(12), (3094-3104). |
| 2023 | Noura, S., Yaghoubi, E., Fragomeni, S., Wasantha, P. LP., & Van, Staden. (230901). Fatigue and stiffness characteristics of asphalt mixtures made of recycled aggregates. International Journal of Fatigue, 174 |
Key details
Areas of expertise
- Geotechnical engineering and Rock Mechanics
- Hydraulic fracturing and induced seismicity
- Reactive soils
- Tunneling
- Foundation engineering
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
About Wasantha Liyanage
Wasantha is a lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering in the College of Sport, Health and Engineering.
Wasantha has an internationally recognised research track record in geotechnical engineering and rock mechanics and has won a number of awards including, Humboldt early career researcher award, Mollie Holman doctoral medal, Ken Hunt award for the best PhD thesis.
Before joining Victoria University, Wasantha held research positions at various institutions including Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany) in 2015-2016, University of Oxford, (United Kingdom) in 2016-2017, and Monash University (Australia) in 2013-2015.
Wasantha’s current research interests include modelling hydraulic fracture propagation and induced seismicity, ground deformation due to tunnelling in soft and hard rocks, shear behaviour of rock joints, effect of soil reactivity on light-weight structures, and the use of ANN in geotechnical engineering.
Qualifications
- PhD in Geomechanics - Monash University in Australia, 2014
- BSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering - University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 2010
- Graduate Certificate in Tertiery Education - Victoria University, 2019
Key publications
Wasantha has over 66 publications, with a selection listed here.
A more comprehensive list of Wasantha's publications is available in the VU Research Repository.
Journal article (showing 10 of 50)
Research funding for the past 5 years
Please note:
- Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
- Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
- The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.
2021
|
Blends of 100% recycled materials for construction of sustainable slab and pavement systems suitable for the West of Melbourne.
From: Victorian Higher Education Strategic Investment Fund
Other investigators: Prof Salvatore Fragomeni, Aspr Ehsan Yaghoubi, Prof Maurice Guerrieri, Dr Rudi Van staden
For period: 2021-2022
|
$1,837,000 |
Supervision of research students at VU
Available to supervise research students
Available for media queries
Currently supervised research students at VU
| No. of students | Study level | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PhD | Associate supervisor |
| 3 | PhD | Principal supervisor |
| 2 | Master of Research | Principal supervisor |
| 2 | Master of Applied Research | Principal supervisor |
Currently supervised research students at VU
| Students & level | Role |
|---|---|
| PhD (1) | Associate supervisor |
| PhD (3) | Principal supervisor |
| Master of Research (2) | Principal supervisor |
| Master of Applied Research (2) | Principal supervisor |
Completed supervision of research students at VU
| No. of students | Study level | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Master of Research | Associate supervisor |
| 1 | Master of Research | Principal supervisor |
Completed supervision of research students at VU
| Students & level | Role |
|---|---|
| Master of Research (1) | Associate supervisor |
| Master of Research (1) | Principal supervisor |
Teaching activities & experience
Wasantha is the lecturer and unit coordinator for following units at Victoria University.
- NEC2202 - Geomechanics
- NEC3102 - Geotechnical Engineering
- NEF4206 - Advanced Enigeering Design
Wasantha has also invovled in teaching various Civil Engineering units at Monash University, Australia, during 2010-2015.
Key academic roles
| Dates | Role | Department / Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2017 - Dec 2020 |
Lecturer of Geotechnical Engineering
|
Victoria University |
| Aug 2016 - Mar 2017 |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
|
The University of Oxford, United Kingdom |
| Mar 2015 - Jul 2016 |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
|
Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany |
| Sep 2013 - Feb 2015 |
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
|
Monash University, Australia |
| Jan 2021 - Dec 2024 |
Senior Lecturer of Geotechnical Engineering
|
Victoria University |
| Jan 2025 - Present |
Associate Professor of Geotechnical Engineering
|
Victoria University |
| Dates | Role & Department/Organisation |
|---|---|
| Mar 2017 -
Dec 2020
|
Lecturer of Geotechnical Engineering
Victoria University |
| Aug 2016 -
Mar 2017
|
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The University of Oxford, United Kingdom |
| Mar 2015 -
Jul 2016
|
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany |
| Sep 2013 -
Feb 2015
|
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Monash University, Australia |
| Jan 2021 -
Dec 2024
|
Senior Lecturer of Geotechnical Engineering
Victoria University |
| Jan 2025 -
Present
|
Associate Professor of Geotechnical Engineering
Victoria University |
Key industry, community & government roles
| Dates | Role | Department/Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2014 - Feb 2015 |
Geotechnical Engineer
|
Intrax Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd. |
| Dates | Role & Department/Organisation |
|---|---|
| Feb 2014 - Feb 2015 |
Geotechnical Engineer
Intrax Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd. |
Awards
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2016 |
Europe-stay research fellowship - Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany |
| 2016 |
Runners up award for the best young scientist - Young Scientists’ Forum, St. Petersburg, Russia |
| 2015 |
Humboldt Early Career Researcher Award - Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany |
| 2014 |
Mollie Holman Medal and Award for Doctoral Excellence - Monash University, Australia |
| 2014 |
Kenneth Hunt Medal and Award for the best PhD thesis - Monash University, Australia |
| 2014 |
Award for the Best PhD thesis in Civil Engineering - Monash University, Australia |
| 2013 |
Postgraduate Publication Award - Monash University, Australia |
| 2013 |
Best Postgraduate Publication Award in the field of Geomechanics - Monash University, Australia |
| 2010 |
Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) scholarship - Monash University, Australia |
| 2010 |
Late Engineer Nimal Chandrasena Award - Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka |
| 2019 |
International Outstanding Young Scientist Award - National Natural Science Foundation of China, China |
| 2024 |
Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching - Victoria University |
Professional memberships
- General member, International Society for Rock Mechanics
- General member, Australian Geomechanics Society
- Member, Engineers Australia
