Research interests
-
Structural Optimization under Uncertainty: Optimization frameworks for thin-walled steel structures accounting for uncertainties such as geometric imperfections.
-
Thin-Walled Steel Structures: Computational buckling analysis and behaviour of cold-formed steel members.
-
Computational Mechanics and Machine Learning: Computational and data-driven methods for structural analysis, form-finding, and optimization.
-
Computer Vision in Structural Health Monitoring: Computer vision methods for full-field deformation measurement and crack detection to assess structural condition.
Research projects
For a full list of publications, please visit Google Scholar, ResearchGate and ORCID.
1. Modal Decomposition of Structural Instabilities and Geometric Imperfections
- The Extended Polarization Approach for Modal Decomposition of Buckled Shapes
- Modal Decomposition of Geometric Imperfections Using the Polarization Method
2. Structural Optimization and Generative Design
- Design-Informed Generative Modelling of Skeletal Structures using Structural Optimization
- Nothing is Better than Something: Perspective of Structural Optimization in Civil Engineering Applications
- Design Optimization of a Steel Bridge Bracket
3. Computer Vision for Structural Health Monitoring
Teaching activity
1. University of Cambridge: Undergraduate Supervisor (2024–Present) - 2P2 Structures.
2. University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka: Visiting Lecturer / Instructor (2021–2023) - Structures I, Mechanics, Mechanics of Materials, Structural Analysis I & II, Computing in Civil Engineering, Computational Mechanics.
3. University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka: Visiting Lecturer (2022–2023) - Mechanics of Solids and Structural Analysis.
Biography
Lowhikan is a PhD candidate in the Structures Division of the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, supervised by Dr Jurgen Becque and funded by the Cambridge Trust and Trinity College. His research focuses on the optimization of thin-walled steel structures under uncertainties, developing modal decomposition methods to characterise buckling modes and geometric imperfections.
He holds a BSc in Engineering (First Class Honours) and an MSc in Structural Engineering from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Prior to his PhD, he served as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Moratuwa (Department of Architecture) and at the University of Vocational Technology, Sri Lanka.
His research interests include structural optimization, thin-walled steel structures, computational mechanics, machine learning applications, optical-based techniques, and computational form-finding.
Connect with Lowhikan
Department role and responsibilities