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In a grand ceremony held on the 29th of February 2024 at the Institution of Civil Engineers UK headquarters in Westminster, London., a Collaborative Research Project carried out by The University of Moratuwa, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, WSP UK and Access Engineering PLC was awarded the prestigious Collaborate to Innovate Award 2023 by the Engineer Magazine UK. The team won the award after competing in the highly competitive category of “Information, Data and Connectivity” in which there were five shortlisted entries. This award recognised “Innovative Pre-Straining Tools and BOFDA Technology Assessment”, which was an outcome of a research project backed by Access Engineering PLC as part of its ‘Idea Nest’ Initiative to introduce cutting-edge technology to Sri Lanka. The collaborative team included high-profile institutions and industry partners including the Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) and Laing O’Rourke Centre of the University of Cambridge, UK, University of Moratuwa Sri Lanka, University of Oxford UK, Access Engineering PLC, fibrisTerre Systems GmbH Germany, University of Qatar, Qatar, Epsimon Ltd, UK and WSP UK.

Fibre optic monitoring technology is a widely used application in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) due to its immunity to electromagnetic interference and corrosion resistance and this research initiative explored the use of Brillouin Optical Frequency Domain Analysis (BOFDA), which is a relatively new fibre optic monitoring technology. 

This project was initiated and supported by visionary leaders, Professor Malik Ranasinghe (former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Moratuwa and Non-Executive Director of Access Engineering PLC) and Mr. Christopher Joshua (Executive Vice Chairman of Access Engineering PLC).

Commenting on this achievement Prof Ranasinghe stated “Collaborate to Innovate Award 2023 recognition highlights the significance of our collective efforts in pushing the boundaries of Structural Health Monitoring. From the outset, our ambition was not just to advance the technical capabilities of our industry but to foster a culture of collaboration that leverages diverse expertise for common goals.”.

Whilst conveying his appreciation and thanks to the research team led by Dr. Kasun Kariyawasam, Professors and resource personnel, from the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Moratuwa and Access Engineering PLC, Mr. Christopher Joshua mentioned that “We are very pleased to be associated with this groundbreaking research initiative in our country, together with leading local and Global Universities and other resource personnel. This award demonstrates our dedication and commitment to developing pioneering and innovative engineering solutions and also motivates us to continue in our pursuit of engineering excellence”.

Mr. Sumal Perera, Chairman of Access Engineering PLC had this to say, “As a first-generation greenfield construction company, we are indeed privileged and happy to have been recognized by The Engineer UK, having competed across all engineering sectors and emerging as the Winner among the top 5 shortlisted entries. What is even more noteworthy is that this is also the first time that a local business entity has been bestowed with such an international recognition in the engineering fraternity. I have no doubt that this achievement and the cross – border research collaboration will further enhance the goodwill of all local stakeholders including the University of Moratuwa”.

“This is definitely one of the most significant achievements in our engineering research and development journey at Access Engineering PLC and speaks well for the company’s vision and commitment towards providing value engineering solutions” noted Mr. Rohana Fernando, Managing Director, Access Engineering PLC.

The project lead Dr. Kasun Kariyawasam of WSP UK, who was formerly at the University of Moratuwa and the Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction, stated “This journey has been one of intense collaboration, innovation and hard work. Our team, a blend of some of the brightest minds from academia and industry, has demonstrated what can be achieved when diverse expertise and shared vision come together. I want to particularly thank Access Engineering PLC for backing this initiative and providing the technical support including specialized tools, such as splicings, a critical component for the implementation of the Fibre Optic Monitoring system. I was honoured to have the guidance of Prof Malik Ranasinghe of the University of Moratuwa and support from brilliant colleagues from the UK, Sri Lanka, Qatar and Germany to make these significant breakthroughs in research. We are inspired to continue this journey, building on the momentum this award has given us to explore new frontiers in engineering.”

Commenting on the usability and the practical application of this new technology in the Sri Lankan context Mr. Dhammika Deshapriya, General Manager and Head of Engineering Designs of Access Engineering PLC noted “The practical application of fiber optic monitoring has diversified across various areas, particularly in the field of piling. One of the most advanced tests in the piling industry is the instrumental pile load test. By leveraging fiber optic technology, we now have the opportunity to obtain highly advanced results at much closer intervals of a pile. Essentially, this involves scanning piles throughout their length, which is a more advanced method than current practices. Considering that almost all-important structures in Sri Lanka are built on pile foundations, monitoring and verifying pile quality and behaviors are crucial aspects for ensuring structural stability. Fiber optic monitoring provides real-time data both before and after the construction of the superstructure. This practice, previously unprecedented, has the potential to create a more reliable and safer built environment in the future”.

The project coordinator and Access Engineering PLC Designs Manager Mr. Neomal Ferdinando said: “There could not have been a better start to the first major R&D project conducted as part of the ‘Idea Nest’ initiative by Access Engineering. The technology we’ve tapped into and jointly introduced to Sri Lanka is the very latest that is being researched by the top universities in the world. In brief, the technology could be thought of as a nervous system in structures which can detect load and heat related measurements”.

Founded in 1856 by Edward Charles Healey, The Engineer is a London-based monthly magazine covering the latest innovations in engineering and technology in the UK and internationally. As the longest-established media brand in UK engineering, it has been at the epicenter of documenting innovation for over a century. In its 8^th year, Collaborate to Innovate (C2I), hosted by the Engineer, aims at uncovering and celebrating exemplary examples of engineering collaboration. The competition is open to innovative technology led projects which are underpinned by groundbreaking collaboration between two or more separate organizations and which have had, or are likely to have, a positive impact in their area of application. This year’s shortlist included projects ranging from aerospace electrification initiatives and satellite communication technologies to sustainable energy solutions and advanced healthcare systems, reflecting the depth and breadth of engineering excellence across the globe.

In a full-featured article about the fibre optic monitoring project, the new issue of the Engineer Magazine highlights some of the key outcomes of the project. One of the hallmark innovations of the project is providing first-of-a-kind experimental evidence on the need for pre-straining fibre optic cables in the compression zones and developing a new practical tool for providing pre-strain at the site. This pre-straining approach corrects a critical inaccuracy in the current fibre optic monitoring practice globally.  Moreover, the magazine highlights the achievement of the project in the introduction of Fibre Optic Monitoring technology to Sri Lanka and the technology transfer through the training of students and engineers.

This is yet another project developed through Access Engineering’s ground-breaking initiative ‘Idea Nest’ which was launched in December 2020. ‘Idea Nest’ is a platform that aims to encourage young innovative engineering undergraduates/postgraduates and staff members to enhance their innovative and creative ideas in improving civil and mechanical engineering applications. The objective of ‘Idea Nest’ is to nurture potential ideas to become useful applications in the above-mentioned engineering sectors and to enhance the much-needed innovation culture our country requires.

Innovation and creativity are not a new phenomenon for Access Engineering that has been the pioneers in introducing new and unconventional construction techniques to the local industry throughout the history of its operations.