Our People
Rajen Lavingia
BEng (Distinction), MEng, PhD, SIIRSM
Expertise
- Investigation of structural failures
- Concrete technology and sustainability
- Project management
- Scrutiny of structural analysis and design
- Building structures, transmission towers
- Soil investigation and foundation design
- Computer applications in civil engineering
Experience
Dr Lavingia is a civil engineer with broad technical knowledge and professional experience of working in Fortune-100 as well as start-up organizations in the civil-structural and telecom industries. Apart from the professional experience, he has experience of teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses at civil engineering institutions in India and USA.
His recent professional experience includes working as senior engineer and leader of Civil and Structural division at Cadogans. He has project-managed Cadogans' work in an on-going multi-billion Euro arbitration related to the construction of a nuclear power station in Eastern Europe. He assisted other experts in a multimillion Euro arbitration related to the construction of an international airport in Eastern Europe. He has prepared expert witness reports on the quality of concrete in a variety of aspects of construction. He has been involved in investigation of various slips and trips cases.
In the past, he was responsible for the design of retrofitting scheme of earthquake damaged buildings in India. He has also investigated the collapses of elevated water storage tanks. As a design engineer he designed self-support and guyed telecommunication transmission towers and their foundations in a variety of soil conditions.
Personal Data
- Position: Team Leader Civil and Structural division, Cadogans
- Year of Birth: 1974
- Languages: English, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu (elementary) and Spanish (elementary)
Professional Qualifications and Registrations
- BEng (Distinction), Gujarat University, India
- Diploma, Software Engineering, India
- MEng, Texas A&M University, USA
- PhD, University of Dundee, UK
- Graduate Member, Institution of Civil Engineers
- Specialist Member, International Institute of Risk and Safety Management
Selection of Experience
Forensic Cases
Deficient design of a structure for oil and gas industry, Scotland UK: A large industrial structure for oil and gas industry was found to be deflecting excessively. Detailed analysis of the structure was carried out to make sure that the proposed remedial measures would successfully overcome the problem.
Failure of a roof, Scotland UK: A newly installed felt roof was damaged during gale force wind in central Scotland. An expert witness report was prepared on the quality of installation work carried out by the contractor.
Collapse of sewer and road, Scotland, UK: A part of the elevated coastal road and sewer buried underneath collapsed. The scour protection at the base of the wall was found missing during a maintenance inspection carried out two years prior to the incident. The inspection report suggested that urgent remedial works were required. However, no remedial works were carried out till the time of incident. It was opined that the erosion of the substrate by the tidal and wave action of the sea water and inaction by the maintenance contractor to repair the scour protection led to the collapse of the sewer and the road. The case was settled out of court.
Cracked concrete floor, Scotland, UK: Primary refrigeration units placed on the first floor of a distribution centre for UK’s largest retailer failed a number of times. Supplier of the refrigeration units had to carry out expensive maintenance work on a number of occasions. An investigation was carried out to study the reasons for the failure of the refrigeration units. It was concluded that the structural system of the concrete floor had failed to provide adequate support to the vibrating machinery.
Defective Concrete in manholes, Scottish Isles, UK: Prepared an expert report on the quality of concrete used in the construction of manholes as part of pipe laying work in one of the Scottish Isles and quality of workmanship involved in this work. The case was settled out of court.
Nuclear Power Station, Europe: Investigated the comments issued by the approving authority on the quality of concrete used in the construction of nuclear power station in an eastern European country as part of an ongoing multi-billion Euros international arbitration. Also investigated quality and appropriateness of comments issued concerning the preliminary safety analysis report. In addition, managed the quality control of the investigation work carried out by Cadogans in various engineering disciplines and oversaw the timely delivery of the investigation work to the client.
Renovation/Upgrade of an International Airport, Europe: As part of an ongoing multi-million Euros international arbitration, provided assistance to other expert witnesses on the quality of concrete used in the renovation/upgrade of an international airport in Europe. Also assisted in quantifying claims related to earthwork quantities.
Trip in a scaffold, Scotland UK: A steel fabrication supervisor tripped on a gap in scaffold on a construction site and fell to the level below from the gaps in the side protection system. It was opined that the scaffold did not conform to the various Health & Safety Regulations and relevant British Standard. The case was settled out of court.
Trip in a park, Scotland UK: A visitor tripped over a tree stump in a countryside park. The tree stump was in the middle of a flat ground surrounded by visitor attractions. It was opined that the tree stump posed a significant tripping hazard. It was also opined that the presence of tree stump was not in accordance with the relevant British Standards. The case was settled out of court.
Collapse of sewer and road, Scotland, UK: A part of the elevated coastal road and sewer buried underneath collapsed. The scour protection at the base of the wall was found missing during a maintenance inspection carried out two years prior to the incident. The inspection report suggested that urgent remedial works were required. However, no remedial works were carried out till the time of incident. It was opined that the erosion of the substrate by the tidal and wave action of the sea water and inaction by the maintenance contractor to repair the scour protection led to the collapse of the sewer and the road. The case was settled out of court.
Cracked concrete floor, Scotland, UK: Primary refrigeration units placed on the first floor of a distribution centre for UK's largest retailer failed a number of times. Supplier of the refrigeration units had to carry out expensive maintenance work on a number of occasions. An investigation was carried out to study the reasons for the failure of the refrigeration units. It was concluded that the structural system of the concrete floor had failed to provide adequate support to the vibrating machinery.
Slip in a lift, Scotland, UK: Prepared an expert witness report on the suitability of lift floor material in a healthcare centre following a slip accident. The report also addressed the system for mopping the floor. The case was settled out of court.
Defective Concrete in manholes, Scottish Isles, UK: Prepared an expert report on the quality of concrete used in the construction of manholes as part of pipe laying work in one of the Scottish Isles and quality of workmanship involved in this work. The case was settled out of court.
Nuclear Power Station, Europe: Investigated the comments issued by the approving authority on the quality of concrete used in the construction of nuclear power station in an eastern European country as part of an ongoing multi-billion Euros international arbitration. Also investigated quality and appropriateness of comments issued concerning the preliminary safety analysis report. In addition, managed the quality control of the investigation work carried out by Cadogans in various engineering disciplines and oversaw the timely delivery of the investigation work to the client.
Renovation/Upgrade of an International Airport, Europe: As part of an ongoing multi-million Euros international arbitration, provided assistance to other expert witnesses on the quality of concrete used in the renovation/upgrade of an international airport in Europe. Also assisted in quantifying claims related to earthwork quantities.
Failures of Elevated Water Storage Reservoirs (ESR) at Khokhari, India and Bhuj, India: Principal duties included investigating the reasons for the collapse of the ESR during its testing stage. Destructive testing of the concrete of various structural elements was carried out to examine the properties of the materials used in the construction. Structural analysis, including P-Delta analysis was also carried out, using the properties of materials used in the construction, to identify the zones of weakness.
Selected Projects
Design of Air Traffic Control Tower, Elgin Air Force Base (EAFB), USA: Principal duties included designing the foundation of the tower and stairwell, design of observation platforms and design of experimental roof deck subjected to vibratory loading conditions imposed by the functioning of special air force equipment at the top of the tower.
Design of the foundation of blast analysis tower, EAFB, USA: Primary duties included designing the foundation of the tower subjected to blast loading in the vicinity of the tower. In addition, assisted senior engineer in designing several components of the tower.
Design of several telecommunication transmission towers, USA: Analysed and designed medium to large scale steel latticed towers and their foundations subjected to different types of loading conditions. Communicated structural design details to CAD team. Verified the accuracy of fabrication and erection drawings before their release to the fabrication and site execution team. Assisted in random checking of fabricated structural members for precision in fitting prior to their delivery to the project site.
Engineering College, Rajkot, India: Responsible for the design of the library building. In addition, carried out checking of the structural design carried out by junior staff members for other parts of the college. Organised site visits to ensure the implementation of quality control procedures.
Retrofitting of various buildings, Ahmedabad, India:Analysed the structure considering its present condition and latest applicable national building codes and standards. Identified structural deficiencies in the buildings as per the requirements of the codes. Worked out retrofitting schemes for strengthening of the structures.
Various residential and commercial building structures, India Primary responsibility included analysis and design of steel and concrete 3D space frame structures, delegation of work to junior staff members, communication of details to the CAD team and implementation of quality control procedures. Also responsible for carrying out site visits and coordination of on-site meetings with various parties involved in the execution of the project.
Teaching
CEPT University and Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India: Taught courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the field of structural analysis, design of concrete structures, computer applications in civil engineering, soil mechanics and civil engineering materials.
Organising International Conference: Member of the organising committee, 7th International Conference on "Concrete: Construction's Sustainable Option", 8-10 July, Dundee, UK
Employment Record
- 2009 to date Cadogan International, Glasgow, UK Team Leader, Civil and Structural
- 2009 Cadogan International, Glasgow, UK Senior Engineer
- 2006 to 2009 Concrete Technology Unit, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK Research Assistant
- 2002 to 2006 K. K. Corporation, Ahmedabad-India Senior Structural Engineer
- 2000 to 2002 SchlumbergerSema Telecoms, Miami-USA Project Support Consultant
- 1998 to 2000 Landmark Tower Corporation, Fort Worth-USA Structural Engineer