Ishan Kavan Abeysekera is an Associate in Arup’s Specialist Technology, Analytics and Research department, based in New York. His work spans timber engineering, structural dynamics, forensic assessment of existing buildings, and advanced analysis. Recognized with the Institution of Structural Engineers’ (IStructE) Young Structural Engineering Professional Award in 2022, he has become known for bridging practical design with advanced research, particularly in areas that sit outside standard codes of practice.
This article provides an in-depth look at his education, career path, technical contributions, teaching roles, and professional recognition.
Early Education and Academic Background
Ishan’s academic foundation reflects a strong technical orientation combined with a clear interest in applied research. He studied Civil Engineering at the University of Warwick, completing his Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) with First Class Honours between 2009 and 2012. During this time, he was also part of the Warwick Sailing Club, which provided an outlet beyond academic study.
Following Warwick, he pursued a Master of Science (MSc) in Earthquake Engineering at Imperial College London from 2013 to 2014. This program placed him at one of the world’s leading centers for structural engineering research. His MSc studies focused on seismic design, dynamic behavior of structures, and methods of mitigating risks in earthquake-prone regions.
During this period, he was awarded one of the four MSc research grants from IStructE in 2014. His thesis, which focused on timber buildings, was recognized not only for its technical merit but also for its effective presentation, winning the prize for the best poster presentation.
Early Career and Industry Experience in Sri Lanka
Before his long association with Arup, Ishan gained practical exposure through internships and early engineering roles in Sri Lanka.
- Access Engineering Consultants Ltd. (2010): As a summer intern, he experienced project environments in Colombo, working on real-world structural design problems.
- WMG, University of Warwick (2011): As a research intern, he developed his analytical and technical skills in a university research setting.
- Design Consortium Ltd. (2012): He worked as an engineering intern in Colombo, gaining practical insights into project execution.
- Civil & Structural Engineering Consultants (Pvt) Ltd. (2013): For three months, he served as an engineer, engaging with concrete and steel design solutions for projects in Sri Lanka.
These early roles helped him develop practical knowledge of engineering practice in diverse contexts before moving into advanced research and consulting.
Longstanding Career at Arup
Ishan joined Arup in 2014 and has remained with the firm since, steadily progressing from graduate engineer to associate. His roles across London and New York reflect increasing levels of responsibility and specialization.
Graduate Engineer (2014–2016)
At Arup’s Advanced Technology & Research group in London, Ishan began his career working on projects that required technical modeling and fundamental engineering analysis. This role exposed him to computational techniques and unconventional design challenges.
Engineer (2016–2019)
As an engineer, he expanded his scope into structural dynamics, timber design, and forensic engineering. His role required balancing practical site work with advanced technical modeling, often in cases where traditional codes of practice did not provide sufficient guidance.
Senior Engineer in London (2019–2022)
By this stage, Ishan was contributing to global timber projects, modular construction, and advanced vibration design. His technical expertise became valuable to project teams seeking to push boundaries in sustainable materials, particularly mass timber.
Senior Engineer in New York (2022–2024)
Relocating to the United States allowed him to expand his impact, working with Arup’s North American clients. His work in forensic engineering and vibration mitigation became increasingly recognized.
Associate, Specialist Technology, Analytics and Research (2024–Present)
In his current role as Associate, Ishan is directly involved in some of Arup’s most technically demanding projects. His scope covers not only project delivery but also knowledge sharing, technical leadership, and mentoring of younger engineers.
Areas of Expertise
1. Timber Engineering
Ishan is widely regarded as one of Arup’s global timber experts. His work spans design, analysis, and practical delivery of mass timber projects. Notable contributions include:
- Involvement in projects such as Haut, one of the world’s tallest timber residential buildings.
- Authoring updates to the Swedish Wood CLT handbook for the UK market, providing guidance to engineers and designers working with cross-laminated timber.
- Serving as a member of Eurocode 5 Working Group 3, contributing to drafting clauses on floor vibration, buckling, and structural analysis for the upcoming version of the code.
His work in timber engineering reflects not only technical skill but also a role in shaping industry standards internationally.
2. Forensic Engineering and Existing Buildings
Ishan has worked on the forensic assessment and repair of reinforced concrete structures with unusual or nonstandard details. These projects often require “first principles” engineering—going beyond established codes to find technically sound solutions.
He is also one of the authors of the IStructE guide on assessing higher-risk buildings under the Building Safety Act, which provides industry professionals with practical steps for ensuring safety and compliance.
3. Structural Dynamics and Vibration
Another area of expertise is vibration analysis and mitigation. His experience includes:
- Designing and implementing tuned mass dampers to mitigate vibrations in sensitive structures.
- Conducting crowd vibration studies for stadiums, pedestrian bridges, and large public spaces.
- Providing training on dynamic analysis and vibration mitigation strategies to engineers within Arup.
This area of specialization bridges academic research with practical engineering applications.
4. Advanced Analysis and Knowledge Sharing
At Arup, Ishan has been active in knowledge transfer. He regularly delivers training courses on timber engineering, buckling, structural dynamics, and forensic engineering.
Beyond Arup, he lectures at Imperial College London, University College London, and the University of Cambridge, as well as at industry events. These roles reflect his commitment to ensuring that advanced technical knowledge is disseminated to both students and practicing professionals.
Publications and Contributions to Industry Guidance
Ishan has authored and contributed to several technical documents and guidance notes, including:
- IStructE Guide on Assessing Higher-Risk Buildings under the Building Safety Act – co-author.
- Swedish Wood CLT Handbook (UK Edition) – contributor to adapting guidelines for UK practitioners.
- Ongoing contributions to Eurocode 5 revisions related to timber vibration and stability.
Through these publications, he has influenced engineering practice not just within Arup but across the wider profession.
Awards and Recognition
Ishan’s work has been recognized at various stages of his career:
- IStructE MSc Research Grant (2014): Awarded for his MSc thesis on timber structures.
- Best Poster Presentation (2014): Recognized for his clear and effective communication of complex engineering concepts.
- IStructE Young Structural Engineering Professional Award (2022): A prestigious award acknowledging his contributions to timber engineering, forensic assessment, and industry knowledge-sharing.
These awards highlight his blend of technical innovation, practical application, and communication skills.
Teaching and Knowledge Sharing
A key aspect of Ishan’s professional profile is his commitment to teaching and mentoring. Within Arup, he has delivered internal courses to engineers on specialized topics. Externally, his teaching roles include:
- Imperial College London: Guest lecturer in timber engineering.
- University College London (UCL): Contributing to advanced structural engineering modules.
- University of Cambridge: Sharing insights into structural dynamics and timber applications.
- Industry Events: Speaking engagements at conferences and professional gatherings.
This combination of practice and teaching places him at the intersection of academia and industry.
Influence on Global Timber Engineering
Timber engineering has become central to sustainable construction strategies, and Ishan has been actively engaged in advancing both practice and regulation. His work on Haut and other timber buildings has demonstrated practical feasibility of mass timber at scale.
As part of Eurocode 5’s revision process, his involvement in drafting clauses ensures that future design codes reflect the realities of modern timber structures, particularly in vibration and stability design. His contributions to the Swedish Wood handbook also underscore his role in adapting knowledge for different markets.
Through these activities, he has helped shape the future of timber construction globally.
Professional Ethos
What emerges from Ishan’s career is a professional ethos grounded in technical rigor, problem-solving, and teaching. Whether addressing forensic challenges in existing buildings, designing advanced vibration mitigation systems, or contributing to international timber codes, his work consistently connects theoretical knowledge with practical application.
His willingness to share knowledge—through publications, internal training, and external teaching—demonstrates a commitment not only to his own projects but also to the development of the wider profession.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Ishan’s role as Associate at Arup positions him to continue influencing projects and standards on a global scale. His areas of expertise—timber engineering, forensic assessment, and vibration mitigation—are likely to remain central to structural engineering in the coming years.
The growing emphasis on sustainable construction materials means timber will continue to be an area of innovation, and his role in Eurocode development ensures he will contribute directly to shaping future industry practice.
Similarly, his involvement in the Building Safety Act guidance places him in a position to influence building safety frameworks in the UK and beyond.
Conclusion
Ishan Kavan Abeysekera’s career demonstrates the integration of academic research, practical engineering, and industry leadership. From his education at Warwick and Imperial College London to his longstanding career at Arup, he has consistently worked on the boundary between standard practice and advanced engineering solutions.
His expertise in timber engineering, forensic assessment, and vibration analysis has earned him recognition within the profession, while his teaching and authorship ensure his knowledge benefits the wider engineering community.
As Associate at Arup, he continues to contribute to projects that address some of the most complex technical challenges in the built environment, reinforcing his position as both a practitioner and a thought leader in structural engineering.
