Received a S&T medal when appointed Robert W. Abbett Distinguished Chair in civil engineering.
Hosted a distinguished lecture by Dr. Kishor Mehda, Member of National Academy of Engineering.
Hosted a Stueck lecture and visit by Dr. Man-Chung Tang, Member of National Academy of Engineering.
Delivered a keynote presentation at SHMII-8, Brisbane, Australia in December 2017.
Hosted a SPAR Lab opening ceremony in 2014.
Participated in an international collaboration on full-scale column tests on E-Defense shake table.
Welcomed former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and gave a highbay laboratory tour.
Provided service on S&T campus.
Genda Chen, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, F.SEI, F.ISHMII, F.SPIE, F.TGI
Professor and Robert W. Abbett Distinguished Chair, Civil Engineering
Director, Center for Intelligent Infrastructure (CII)
Director, INSPIRE University Transportation Center (INSPIRE-UTC)
Associate Director, Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC)
Chair, 9th International Conference on Structural Health Monitoring of Intelligent Infrastructure (SHMII-9), August 4-7, 2019, St. Louis, USA
(573) 341-4462
Research Approach
My research approach is focused on the development and understanding, laboratory and field validation, and engineering application of innovative concepts in the area of smart infrastructural engineering systems subjected to aging deterioration and multiple hazards. Due to their broad and interdisciplinary nature, these concepts are researched in close collaboration with a variety of subject matter experts in electrical and mechanical engineering, material engineering and science, and computer science and engineering. Both numerical simulations and experimental studies are emphasized in various phases of development and validation. Student and scholarly exchanges with foreign universities are encouraged in my research group to enrich the learning environment.
Research Philosophy
Today, civil infrastructure engineering research is ever more fruitful through collaborations with other disciplines such as electrical and mechanical engineering, chemistry, computer and material sciences. In the past 20 years, I have strived for a balance of basic and applied research in the area of smart infrastructural engineering systems, promoting scientific discovery while meeting societal needs in the transportation arena. The Ph.D. students in my group are encouraged to identify research topics within the scope of funded projects, carry out research tasks both individually and collaboratively, and publish research results in authoritative journals. They receive individual supervision and training but grow with peers in a team environment.
Research Interests
Infrastructure Preservation and Resilience
- robotic platform mechanics
- nondestructive evaluation as inspection tools
- risk-based system assessment with artificial intelligence
Structural Health Monitoring
- sensors and sensing systems
- signal processing and data analysis
- damage detection and system identification
- structural condition assessment
Structural Materials and Mechanics
- interface behavior and deterioration of composite systems
- fatigue and fracture, forensic investigation
Structural Control and Earthquake Engineering
- adaptive passive and semi-active systems
- seismic retrofit and design with new materials
Multi-Hazard Assessment and Mitigation
- post-earthquake and hurricane reconnaissance
- mitigation strategy
