The prestigious Thomas Howard Medal at the ICE Publishing Awards 2024 has been awarded to a team of researchers for their groundbreaking paper titled "Improving the Lateral Load Resistance of Vernacular Masonry Walls Subject to Flooding". The journal paper was co-authored by Prof. (Mrs). Chintha Jayasinghe, Prof. Thishan Jayasinghe, Dr Indunil Erandi and Eng. Gihan Ranasinghe from the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Moratuwa, alongside Dr. Shawn Platt, Dr. Daniel Maskell and Prof. Peter Walker from the Building Research Establishment Ltd. (BRE) Centre for Innovative Construction Materials, University of Bath, United Kingdom.
The research focuses on developing affordable strategies to enhance the resilience of low-rise masonry structures in Sri Lanka, particularly in flood-prone areas. The findings of the study are expected to provide direct welfare benefits to communities by reducing the risk of structural collapse during extreme flooding events, allowing residents to remain safely in their homes.
Each year, the Thomas Howard Medal recognizes exceptional work from both academia and industry that contributes significantly to the fields of civil engineering, construction, and materials science. The award reflects the high quality and impact of the research on improving the resilience of vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.
