• Green Buildings
• Sustainable Infrastructure
• Advanced Materials

Dr. Chen’s research is focused on advanced materials, including Fiber-reinforced Polymer (FRP), concrete, and timber for green buildings and sustainable infrastructure, in terms of a combination of analytical solutions using Fracture Mechanics, Continuum Mechanics, etc.; Finite Element analyses; and experimental investigations on coupon and large-scale specimens. His research topics cover:

• Energy efficient structures and building energy modeling;
• Recycled materials utilization, including high-volume fly ash concrete and geopolymer concrete; and reconstituted structural wood composite products from residue and waste materials;
• Bridge engineering, including FRP strips or plates for rehabilitation and repair of deteriorated reinforced concrete bridges; pre-manufactured FRP decks for fast-construction bridges; and high performance concrete for bridge decks and overlays.
• Durability of civil infrastructure, including FRP-concrete interface; reinforced concrete beams with FRP repair based on accelerated corrosion of the rebar using impressed current method; and electro-chemical chloride extraction technique for reinforced concrete beams.

Dr. Chen is a practicing and licensed Professional Engineer and had four years of industrial experience on structural design. He is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED^® AP), and familiar with LEED Rating System^TM and green building design.

• Davalos, J.F., Chen, A., Zou, B. and Qaio, P. "FRP Deck-Steel Girder Bridge Systems:  Analysis and Design," in preparation, to be completed in March 2012
• Chen, A., Davalos, J.F., Justice, A.L., Michaelson, G.K., and Perisetty, N (in press). “Effective Flange Width for Orthotropic FRP Bridge Decks with Degrees of Composite Action,” accepted by Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE.
• Davalos, J.F., Chen, A., Ray, I., and Levan, J. (in press). "Externally Bonded FRP Composites for the Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete T-beam Bridges," accepted by Journal of Infrastructure Systems, ASCE.
• Davalos, J.F., Parish, G., Chen, A. and Ray, I. (in press). "Effect of Anchoring Schemes for Beams Aged by Accelerated Corrosion and Strengthened with Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer," accepted by Structure and Infrastructure Engineering.
• Davalos, J.F., Chen, A., and Zou, B. (2011), "Stiffness and Strength Evaluations of a New Shear Connection System for FRP Bridge Decks to Steel Girders," Journal of Composites for Construction, ASCE, 15(3), pp. 441-450.
• Zou, B., Chen, A., Davalos, J.F., and Salim, H.A. (2011), "Evaluation of Effective Flange Width by Shear Lag Model for Orthotropic FRP Bridge Decks," Composite Structures, 93, pp. 474-482.
• Zou, B., Davalos, J.F., Chen, A., and Ray, I. (2011). "Evaluation of Load Distribution Factor by Series Solution for Orthotropic Bridge Decks," Journal of Aerospace Engineering, ASCE, 24(2), pp. 227-239.
• Ray, I., Parish, G., Davalos, J.F., and Chen, A. (2011). "Effect of Concrete Substrate Repair Methods for Beams Aged by Accelerated Corrosion and Strengthened with CFRP," Journal of Aerospace Engineering, ASCE, 24(2), pp. 240-248.
• Chen, A. and Davalos, J.F. (2010). "Strength Evaluations of Sinusoidal Core for FRP Sandwich Bridge Deck Panels," Composite Structures, 92(7), pp. 1561-1573.
• Li, C.S., Lam, S.S.E., Chen, A., and Wong, Y.L. (2008). “Seismic performance of a transfer plate structure”, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 134(11), pp. 1705-1716.
• Chen, A. and Davalos, J.F. (2007). "Transverse Shear with Skin Effect for Composite Sandwich with Honeycomb Sinusoidal Core," Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 133(3), pp. 247-256.
• Chen, A. and Davalos, J.F. (2005). "A Solution including Skin Effect for Stiffness and Stress Field of Sandwich Honeycomb Core," International Journal of Solids and Structures, 42(9-10), pp. 2711-2739.
• Davalos, J.F. and Chen, A. (2005). "Buckling Behavior of Honeycomb FRP Core with Partially Restrained Loaded Edges under Out-of-plane Compression," Journal of Composite Materials, 39(16), pp. 1465-1485.
• Aravinthan, T., Mutsuyoshi, H., Niitsu, T., and Chen, A. (1998). “Flexure Behavior of Externally Prestressed Beams with Large Eccentricity”, Transaction of the Japan Concrete Institute, Japan Concrete Institute, 20, 1998, pp. 165-170. 

• Concrete-Filled FRP Sandwich Wall Panels for Energy Efficient and Seismic/Blast Resistant Buildings
• Investigation of Fiber Wrap Technology for Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation
• Center for Transportation Security and Infrastructure Innovations
• Resilient Tunnel System-Flood Containment Plug
• Advanced Materials Program: High Performance Concrete, Deck Overlays, and Short-Span Steel Bridges