This issue consists of three papers. The first paper is "Finite Element Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Deep Beams Strengthened with Different Shapes of Reinforcement and CFRP Sheets" by Lakshmi C, Sridhar R, Prasad CSMV and Sinchana S. The study created a numerical model of reinforced concrete deep beam using finite element method. Guidelines outlined in the IS code were used to generate five deep beam models. Various deep beams were then simulated using Abaqus software. The design parameters and inherent strengthening features of the material like Poisson ratio and Young's modulus were used to determine the material attributes. The loads were applied to the beam center as a step loading in the direction of gravity.
The reaction forces and gravitational deflections were incorporated in the history output. The load deflection behavior of the beam, S-tresca and equivalent plastic strain were created and examined for load increments. Several curves like load versus deflection, stress versus strain, S-tresca stress versus time curve, equivalent plastic strain versus time curve were also plotted for studying.
The second paper, "Flexural Behavior of Castellated Beams: An Experimental Study" by Saravanan J, Chinnaiya P and Srinivasan G, studies the behavior of castellated beams. The authors have made an attempt to strengthen the castellated beams with the use of external prestress and study its behavior. A castellated beam is commonly used in construction to achieve higher strength and efficiency, compared to traditional steel beams. In the study, flexural strength of castellated beam with and without external distressing was determined. A beam with only hexagonal type opening was considered, which has no eccentricity in the opening. Four beams with different features were created. All these beam models were fabricated in the laboratory and tested for flextural behavior using 50-ton reaction frame. Two-point loading was appiled and all data was recorded.
The last paper is "Development and Characterization of Air and Nitrile Rubber-Based Prototype Passive Damping Devices" by Utsav K Koshti and Sharadkumar P Purohit. The authors have developed a low-cost passive damping device using air and/or nitrile rubber flecks (NRF), which is an industrial waste material and easily available. A prototype passive damping device comprising low-cost damping element as either freely available air or waste rubber material from the industry was planned to be developed. The proposed passive device was characterized for evaluating force, displacement, velocity and energy dissipation capabilities under cyclic loading. The developed damper was then tested in a triaxial stress apparatus under cyclic loading.
Satyendra P Gupta, Editor-in-Chief