Course Project

CE 448 : Prestressed Cement Concrete

Submitted By : Akshay Kumar

Roll Number : 180040006
Course Instructor: Prof. Arghadeep Laskar
Research Paper Critiqued:
ACI structural Journal
“Shear Strength and Behaviour of High-Strength Concrete Prestressed
Beams”
By Sandra Villamizar, Julio A. Ramirez, and Gerardo Aguilar

Objective of the Paper:

It is to investigate the shear behaviour of high-strength concrete
prestressed beams, including the effect of several parameters such as
shear span-to-depth ratio, prestressing level, and transverse
reinforcement on the shear strength and behaviour of these beams.
The authors aim to provide insights into the shear strength and
behaviour of high-strength concrete prestressed beams, which can be
useful for the design and analysis of such structures.

Strengths of the Paper:

 The paper presents experimental work that investigates the shear
behaviour of high-strength concrete prestressed beams, which is
a topic of practical significance for the design of structures.
 The paper provides detailed information about the experimental
program, including the test specimens, materials, and testing
procedures, which allows for replication and verification of the
results by other researchers.
 The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the experimental
data, including the load-deflection response, crack patterns, and
failure modes, which provides a thorough understanding of the
shear behaviour of the beams.
  The paper discusses the results in the context of current design
codes and guidelines, which is useful for practicing engineers.

 The paper provides detailed information on the instrumentation

used to measure the strains, stresses, and deflections of the test
specimens, which enhances the reliability and accuracy of the
results.
 The paper includes a discussion of the limitations and
uncertainties of the experimental program, which increases the
transparency and credibility of the research.
 The paper includes a comparison of the experimental results with
analytical predictions and finite element models, which validates
the accuracy and usefulness of these methods for predicting the
shear behaviour of high-strength concrete prestressed beams.

Drawbacks of the paper:

 The paper does not provide a clear statement of the research

objectives or hypotheses, which makes it difficult to evaluate the
significance of the results.
 The paper does not present a detailed literature review of
previous research on the shear behaviour of high-strength
concrete prestressed beams, which limits the context of the
research.
 The sample size of the experimental program is relatively small,
which may limit the generalizability of the results.
 The paper does not discuss the potential implications of the
findings for the design of real-world structures.
 The paper does not provide a clear explanation of the selection
criteria for the test specimens, which raises questions about the
representativeness of the sample.
 The paper does not discuss the potential effects of aging, creep,
and shrinkage on the long-term shear behaviour of the beams,
 which are important considerations for the durability and
serviceability of structures.
 The paper does not address the environmental impact and
sustainability of using high-strength concrete for prestressed
beams, which are important issues for the construction industry.

How to overcome these drawbacks:

1. Clearly state the research objectives and hypotheses: By

providing a clear statement of the research objectives and
hypotheses, the authors can help readers better understand the
significance of the research and the specific questions that are
being addressed.
2. Provide a comprehensive literature review: A more thorough
literature review would help to place the research in a broader
context and provide a better understanding of the current state-
of-the-art in the field.
3. Increase the sample size: Increasing the sample size of the
experimental program would help to improve the statistical
significance and generalizability of the results.
4. Discuss the implications for design: Providing a discussion of the
potential implications of the findings for the design of real-world
structures would increase the practical relevance and usefulness
of the research.
5. Explain the selection criteria for test specimens: By explaining the
selection criteria for the test specimens, the authors can help to
ensure that the sample is representative and that the results are
applicable to a wider range of structures.
6. Consider long-term effects: Addressing the potential effects of
aging, creep, and shrinkage on the long-term shear behaviour of
the beams would increase the applicability of the results to real-
world scenarios.
7. Address sustainability concerns: Considering the environmental
impact and sustainability of using high-strength concrete for
 prestressed beams would help to ensure that the research is
aligned with current trends and concerns in the construction
industry.

Final summary of the Paper:

In summary, the paper by Sandra Villamizar, Julio A. Ramirez, and
Gerardo Aguilar, published in the ACI Structural Journal, presents
experimental data on the shear behaviour of high-strength concrete
prestressed beams. The paper provides a detailed description of the
experimental setup and methodology, and a thorough analysis and
discussion of the results. The authors also compare the experimental
results with existing shear design models and highlight the strengths
and weaknesses of these models. However, the paper's limitations
include its focus on high-strength concrete beams, small sample size,
limited scope of beam configurations, and failure to consider the
impact of other variables. Future research can address these limitations
and further enhance our understanding of the shear behaviour of
concrete structures.

Thank You,
Akshay Kumar
180040006