5 Questions with an Expert: Sri Dinakaran

We're thrilled to share our latest blog post, featuring an insightful interview with Sri Dinakaran, our Vice President and Senior Principal Engineer for the North Texas Water Market.

1. Could you begin by sharing some background about yourself, including how you got started in this field and what inspires you most in your work?
I was born and raised in Mumbai, India, where my passion for civil engineering began at a young age. My father, a civil engineer, would take me to his project sites, starting as early as the fifth grade. I admired how engineers solved real-world problems.

I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NIT Surat and later earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, focusing on Geotechnical Engineering, from Texas A&M University. One of my professors, a leading geotechnical expert in India, was a pivotal influence through my academic journey. His lectures, rich with real case histories, brought geotechnical engineering to life and cemented my interest in the field.

He once defined civil engineering as “the management of man, money, and material for the benefit of mankind.” That philosophy has stayed with me—it’s why I take great pride in delivering work that has a tangible impact on people and communities.

2. Please share your role at HVJ. What do you consider essential for success in this position, and which part of your work or daily routine do you enjoy best?
At HVJ, I provide practice leadership in the North Texas water market for geotechnical and construction materials engineering and testing services. My role combines technical oversight, managerial responsibilities, and client-facing business development. Above all, my goal is to deliver a smooth and responsive experience for our clients, exceeding expectations at every step.

Clear communication, thoughtful problem-solving, and a genuine commitment to our client’s success are what I consider essential to this role. I start by planning my priorities each morning, and a successful day is one where I’ve delivered on those goals, both for our internal team and clients. One of the most rewarding parts of my day is mentoring younger engineers, helping them navigate both technical challenges and client relationships.

3. Could you briefly describe one of your recent projects and what you found most interesting or rewarding? What was the most significant achievement that resulted from the project?
One of the most challenging—and rewarding—projects of my career was managing the geotechnical investigation for the I-635 LBJ East Design-Build project while I was with a previous firm. This $1.74 billion Texas Department of Transportation initiative aims to improve safety and mobility across an 11-mile corridor in Dallas County.

Our task involved drilling 520 borings—totaling nearly 29,000 feet—in just 15 weeks. By deploying 10 drill rigs, operating 24-hour shifts, and coordinating over 20 field personnel for three months, we not only met but beat the aggressive schedule by three weeks. In parallel, our lab team completed more than 100 tests each for triaxial, consolidation, and direct shear in a compressed timeframe.

This project stands out not just for its scale and intensity, but also for how we maintained the rigorous timeline —a direct value-add for both the client and the design team.

4. For someone new to the field, could you explain the role of geotechnical engineering and how it differs from other disciplines within civil engineering?
Geotechnical engineering is all about understanding what lies beneath the surface. We study the behavior of soil and rock and how they affect structures—everything from buildings and bridges to roads, tunnels, and dams.

Our responsibilities include:

Investigating subsurface conditions through borings and lab testing
Assessing the strength, stability, and drainage characteristics of soil
Designing foundations and ensuring slope stability
Recommending ground improvement techniques to mitigate movement risks

Civil engineers focus on what’s built above the ground, while geotechnical engineers deal with what lies beneath the ground. We focus on how the ground will affect and support those structures.

We frequently work with several other specialists, including:

Structural Engineers design the framework of buildings, bridges, etc., to resist wind, axial, and seismic loads.
Transportation Engineers design roads, railways, and traffic systems.
Environmental engineers design water treatment, waste management, pollution control, etc.
Water Resources and Hydraulics Engineers design dams, flood control, irrigation, stormwater systems, etc.
Construction managers provide planning and scheduling and oversee construction activities.

5. Which other disciplines do you frequently collaborate with on projects? What do you consider most essential for successful collaboration?

I frequently collaborate with structural, transportation, water resources, and construction management teams. Our geotechnical reports serve as foundational input for their designs, so close communication is key. I prioritize engaging early in the process with other disciplines. From the beginning, we need to fully understand their design criteria, anticipate their needs, and ensure our deliverables will provide the clarity and confidence they require.

Successful collaboration is built on proactive dialogue, shared goals, and mutual respect. When we understand what each discipline brings to the table, we deliver stronger, more cohesive solutions for our clients.