Experimental Investigation and Theoretical Prediction Model of Flexural Bearing Capacity of Pre-Cracked RC Beams
Stanisław Noga
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
A few observations.
1. In line 90, the word '2410 kg/m3' is not correct. Try to use the power on m^3
2. Check all the units of the whole document. For instance, from line 86 to 93, units are written different, for instance, 12 mm and 8mm. Try to use one space between the quantity and the unit.
3. When reference a figure, it is recommended to write '....figure xx shows....' instead the abreviation 'Fig xx shows'.
I have some doubts due to the number o samples in order to make a conclusion but, this is a relative new branch of reinforced concrete and the theoretical model seems to match the reality with accuracy.
Author Response
1. In line 90, the word '2410 kg/m3' is not correct. Try to use the power on m^3
Authors Response: The inappropriate expression is modified in line 97 in the revised manuscript.
2. Check all the units of the whole document. For instance, from line 86 to 93, units are written different, for instance, 12 mm and 8mm. Try to use one space between the quantity and the unit.
Authors Response: The expression format of all the units is be unified in the revised manuscript.
3. When reference a figure, it is recommended to write '.... figure xx shows....' instead the abbreviation 'Fig xx shows'.
Authors Response: The inappropriate expression is modified and unified in the revised manuscript.
4. I have some doubts due to the number of samples in order to make a conclusion but, this is a relative new branch of reinforced concrete and the theoretical model seems to match the reality with accuracy.
Author Response: We agree with the reviewer. Due to the limited number of samples, there are some empirical assumptions on the height of prefabricated crack. Caution should be exercised when extending this theoretical model to other types of concrete structures. Pre-cracked RC beams are a relative new branch of reinforced concrete. Our future work will continue to reveal the similarities and differences between the pre-cracked beam and the complete beam in terms of service performance and failure mechanism. The limitation of this paper and future work is added in lines 456 - 462 in the revised manuscript.
The authors really appreciate the valuable comments from the anonymous reviewer to improve the quality of the paper.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Paper looks interesting but needs to be a bit improved.
Reviewer suggests adding the Nomeclature.
Reviewer suggests adding bibliography references to the given Eqs. (unless they are their own developed Eqs.).
Author Response
1. Paper looks interesting but needs to be a bit improved. Reviewer suggests adding the Nomenclature.
Author Response: The Nomenclature is added in the last page in the revised manuscript.
2. Reviewer suggests adding bibliography references to the given Eqs. (Unless they are their own developed Eqs.).
Author Response: The references related to the equations are added in lines 316 and 332 in the revised manuscript. The references related to Eqs. (5) – (17) are the design code GB 50010-2010 (i.e., literature [40]) and the Specification JTG 3362-2018 (i.e., literature [41]). The references related to Eq. (18) is literature [42]. The relevant statements are already in the manuscript.
The authors really appreciate the valuable comments from the anonymous reviewer to improve the quality of the paper.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 3 Report
The author proposed an "Experimental investigation and theoretical prediction model of flexural bearing capacity of pre-cracked RC beams," illustrating the importance of RC T beams and highlighting the advantages of finite element numerical simulation methods.
1. Adding the advantages/disadvantages of the literature discussion to the article as a table is recommended to increase readability.
2. Specimen design should propose design principles and reasons.
3. The material properties of the reinforcement should be mentioned. And compare the characteristics of different steel bars.
Row 433 "Based on the experimental results, a FE numerical simulation method of the pre-cracked beam was developed and validated." Does this research develop the FE numerical simulation method? It should be using the FE numerical simulation method.
4. Fig 5.12.15. It should be adjusted according to the provided format to increase readability.
Author Response
1. The author proposed an "Experimental investigation and theoretical prediction model of flexural bearing capacity of pre-cracked RC beams," illustrating the importance of RC T beams and highlighting the advantages of finite element numerical simulation methods. Adding the advantages/disadvantages of the literature discussion to the article as a table is recommended to increase readability.
Author Response: We agree with the reviewer. Finite element (FE) numerical simulation has the advantages of convenient parameter adjustment and reasonable characterization of data results, which has become an indispensable tool in the field of concrete structures. However, FE numerical simulation has the disadvantages of the idealistic applying or assigning process of materials, boundaries and loads, which may deviate from the real test results. The credibility of a single FE simulation is questionable. The FE model must be modified based on the test results so that it can more truly reflect the nature of the problem. The related contents are added in lines 69 – 72 in the manuscript.
2. Specimen design should propose design principles and reasons.
Author Response: The design principles and reasons are added in lines 89 – 93 in the manuscript.
In order to reveal the similarities and differences between the beams with cracks before formal operation and the complete beam in terms of service performance and failure mechanism, pre-cracked RC test beams were manufactured with T type cross section based on scale ratio similarity theory, due to the constraints of test sites and the maximum range of the equipment.
3. The material properties of the reinforcement should be mentioned. And compare the characteristics of different steel bars.
Author Response: The yield and ultimate strength of HRB400 steel bar was 489 MPa and 618 MPa, respectively. The elongation was 14.6% and the Young’s modulus was 210 GPa. The related contents are added in lines 98 and 99 in the manuscript. The comparison of mechanical properties between other steel bars and HRB400 steel bar is not the focus of this paper, which needs further investigate.
4. Row 433 "Based on the experimental results, a FE numerical simulation method of the pre-cracked beam was developed and validated." Does this research develop the FE numerical simulation method? It should be using the FE numerical simulation method.
Author Response: The inappropriate expression is modified in line 445 in the revised manuscript.
5. Fig 5.12.15. It should be adjusted according to the provided format to increase readability.
Author Response: All figures are adjusted according to the provided format in the revised manuscript.
The authors really appreciate the valuable comments from the anonymous reviewer to improve the quality of the paper.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 4 Report
Congratulations by the work.
Author Response
1. Congratulations by the work
Author Response: The authors really appreciate the encouragements from the reviewer.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Although some limitations cannot be revised in time, hopefully, they can be addressed in future studies. Most of the proposals have been revised and accepted for publication in their current form.
