Prestressed Concrete Structures by Michael P. Collins: A Review of the Book and its Features
Prestressed Concrete Structures Collins pdf: A Comprehensive Guide
If you are interested in learning more about prestressed concrete structures, you may have come across a book called Prestressed Concrete by Arthur H. Nilson, David Darwin, and Charles W. Dolan. This book, also known as the Collins book, is one of the most authoritative and comprehensive references on the subject. In this article, we will give you an overview of what prestressed concrete is, who Arthur H. Nilson is, what the Collins book covers, and how you can get it in pdf format.
PrestressedConcreteStructuresCollinspdf
What is prestressed concrete and why is it important?
Prestressed concrete is a type of concrete that has been subjected to a pre-compression force before being loaded by external forces. This pre-compression force, also called prestress, is usually applied by tensioning steel wires or cables embedded in the concrete. The purpose of prestressing is to improve the strength, durability, and serviceability of concrete structures by reducing or eliminating tensile stresses, cracks, deflections, and vibrations.
The concept and principles of prestressing
The concept of prestressing was first proposed by Eugene Freyssinet, a French engineer, in the early 20th century. He observed that concrete has a high compressive strength but a low tensile strength, which makes it prone to cracking under bending or shear forces. He also noticed that concrete shrinks and creeps over time, which causes loss of strength and stiffness. He suggested that by applying a pre-compression force to concrete before loading, these problems could be overcome.
The principles of prestressing are based on the following facts:
Concrete can resist compression better than tension.
Steel can resist tension better than compression.
Concrete and steel have similar thermal expansion coefficients.
By combining these two materials in a way that they work together, a composite material with enhanced properties can be obtained. The pre-compression force applied by steel wires or cables induces compressive stresses in concrete, which counteract the tensile stresses caused by external loads. This way, the concrete section remains uncracked or lightly cracked under service conditions, which improves its performance and durability.
The advantages and disadvantages of prestressed concrete
Prestressed concrete has many advantages over conventional reinforced concrete, such as:
It can span longer distances with less depth and weight.
It can resist higher loads with less material and reinforcement.
It can reduce or eliminate cracking, deflection, and vibration.
It can enhance durability and corrosion resistance.
It can reduce maintenance costs and increase service life.
However, prestressed concrete also has some disadvantages, such as:
It requires more skilled labor and equipment.
It involves higher initial costs and complexity.
It may suffer from loss of prestress due to various factors, such as relaxation, shrinkage, creep, and temperature changes.
It may require special design considerations and safety measures.
The types and methods of prestressing
Prestressed concrete can be classified into two types based on the time of applying the prestress: pre-tensioned and post-tensioned.
In pre-tensioned concrete, the steel wires or cables are tensioned before the concrete is cast. The concrete is then poured around the tensioned wires or cables and allowed to harden. After the concrete has gained sufficient strength, the wires or cables are cut or released, transferring the prestress to the concrete. Pre-tensioned concrete is usually prefabricated in factories and transported to the site.
In post-tensioned concrete, the steel wires or cables are placed in ducts or sleeves within the concrete. The concrete is then cast and allowed to harden. After the concrete has gained sufficient strength, the wires or cables are tensioned and anchored at the ends, inducing the prestress in the concrete. Post-tensioned concrete is usually cast in situ or on site.
Prestressed concrete can also be classified into two methods based on the way of applying the prestress: bonded and unbonded.
In bonded prestressed concrete, the steel wires or cables are bonded to the concrete by grout or epoxy. This creates a strong bond between the two materials, which ensures a uniform distribution of prestress and a better resistance to external loads. However, this also makes it difficult to inspect, repair, or replace the wires or cables in case of damage or corrosion.
In unbonded prestressed concrete, the steel wires or cables are not bonded to the concrete but are free to move within the ducts or sleeves. This allows for some flexibility and adjustment of prestress and reduces the friction losses. However, this also creates a weak bond between the two materials, which may cause slippage, loss of prestress, or differential shrinkage.
Who is Arthur H. Nilson and what is his contribution to prestressed concrete?
Arthur H. Nilson was an American civil engineer and professor who made significant contributions to the field of prestressed concrete. He was born in 1921 in New York City and graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1943. He then served in the US Navy during World War II and returned to Cornell University for his master's degree in civil engineering in 1947. He joined the faculty of Cornell University in 1948 and became a full professor in 1961. He retired in 1991 and died in 2016 at the age of 95.
His background and education
Nilson was interested in structures and mechanics since his childhood. He was inspired by his father, who was a mechanical engineer and inventor. He also enjoyed building models and playing with Erector sets. He excelled in mathematics and physics at school and decided to pursue civil engineering at Cornell University. He was influenced by his professors, especially George Winter, who introduced him to structural analysis and design. He also participated in various research projects and publications during his studies.
His research and publications
Nilson's research focused on various aspects of prestressed concrete, such as behavior, analysis, design, testing, and construction. He conducted many experimental studies on prestressed concrete beams, slabs, columns, frames, bridges, shells, and domes. He also developed analytical methods and design criteria for prestressed concrete structures based on limit state theory and ultimate strength design. He published over 100 papers and reports on his research findings and recommendations.
Nilson's most notable publication was his book Prestressed Concrete, which he co-authored with David Darwin and Charles W. Dolan. This book was first published in 1968 and has been revised and updated several times since then. It is widely regarded as one of the best textbooks on prestressed concrete for students and practitioners alike. It covers both theoretical and practical aspects of prestressed concrete with clear explanations, examples, illustrations, tables, charts, graphs, problems, solutions, references, and appendices.
His awards and honors
Nilson received many awards and honors for his achievements and contributions to prestressed concrete and civil engineering in general. Some of them are:
The Walter L. Huber Civil Engineering Research Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 1965.
The Raymond C. Reese Research Prize from ASCE in 1970.
The George Winter Award from ASCE in 1984.
What is the Collins book and what does it cover?
The Collins book is a popular name for the book Prestressed Concrete by Arthur H. Nilson, David Darwin, and Charles W. Dolan. This book is considered to be one of the most comprehensive and authoritative references on prestressed concrete. It covers both the fundamentals and the applications of prestressed concrete with a balanced approach between theory and practice.
The authors and editions of the book
The first edition of the book was published in 1968 by McGraw-Hill Education. It was written by Arthur H. Nilson, who was then a professor of civil engineering at Cornell University. He was assisted by David Darwin, who was then a graduate student at Cornell University. The second edition of the book was published in 1978 with some revisions and additions by Nilson and Darwin. The third edition of the book was published in 1987 with further updates and improvements by Nilson and Darwin.
The fourth edition of the book was published in 1996 with a major overhaul and expansion by Nilson, Darwin, and Charles W. Dolan, who joined as a co-author. Dolan was then a professor of civil engineering at the University of Wyoming. He brought his expertise and experience in prestressed concrete bridges and seismic design to the book. The fifth edition of the book was published in 2004 with minor changes and corrections by Nilson, Darwin, and Dolan. The sixth edition of the book was published in 2010 with some modifications and enhancements by Nilson, Darwin, and Dolan.
The contents and structure of the book
The Collins book consists of 18 chapters divided into four parts:
Part I: Introduction (Chapter 1)
Part II: Materials and Systems (Chapters 2 to 6)
Part III: Analysis and Design (Chapters 7 to 15)
Part IV: Applications (Chapters 16 to 18)
The book covers topics such as:
The history and development of prestressed concrete.
The properties and behavior of concrete and steel.
The types and systems of prestressing.
The analysis and design of prestressed concrete members under flexure, shear, torsion, axial load, bond, anchorage, serviceability, fatigue, fire, durability, and seismic effects.
The applications of prestressed concrete in beams, slabs, columns, frames, bridges, shells, domes, tanks, pipes, piles, foundations, retaining walls, pavements, stadiums, airports, nuclear reactors, offshore structures, etc.
tables, charts, graphs, references, and appendices. It also provides a glossary of terms and symbols, a list of notations, and an index.
The features and benefits of the book
The Collins book has many features and benefits that make it a valuable resource for students and practitioners of prestressed concrete. Some of them are:
It is comprehensive and authoritative. It covers both the basics and the advanced topics of prestressed concrete with depth and rigor. It reflects the latest research findings and design codes. It is written by experts who have extensive knowledge and experience in prestressed concrete.
It is balanced and practical. It balances between theory and practice, analysis and design, and simplicity and complexity. It provides practical guidance and tips for solving real-world problems. It illustrates the concepts and methods with realistic examples and applications.
It is clear and concise. It explains the concepts and principles in a clear and logical manner. It uses consistent and precise terminology and notation. It avoids unnecessary details and repetitions. It organizes the contents in a coherent and structured way.
It is engaging and interactive. It stimulates the interest and curiosity of the readers. It encourages the readers to think critically and creatively. It challenges the readers to apply their knowledge and skills. It invites the readers to explore further resources and references.
How to get the Collins book in pdf format?
If you want to get the Collins book in pdf format, you have several options to choose from. However, you should also be aware of some issues and risks associated with downloading the book online.
The official and legal sources of the book
The official and legal sources of the book are those that are authorized by the publisher or the authors to distribute the book in digital format. These sources usually charge a fee for accessing or downloading the book, but they also guarantee the quality and authenticity of the book. Some of these sources are:
The publisher's website: You can buy or rent the book from McGraw-Hill Education's website (https://www.mheducation.com/). You can also access some supplementary materials such as instructor's solutions manual, PowerPoint slides, etc.
The online libraries: You can borrow or access the book from some online libraries that have a subscription or partnership with McGraw-Hill Education. For example, you can use ProQuest Ebook Central (https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/) or VitalSource (https://www.vitalsource.com/).
The online bookstores: You can buy or rent the book from some online bookstores that offer digital versions of the book. For example, you can use Amazon Kindle (https://www.amazon.com/kindle) or Google Play Books (https://play.google.com/books).
The alternative and free sources of the book
the publisher or the authors to distribute the book in digital format. These sources usually do not charge a fee for accessing or downloading the book, but they also do not guarantee the quality and authenticity of the book. Some of these sources are:
The file-sharing websites: You can download the book from some file-sharing websites that allow users to upload and share files with others. For example, you can use Scribd (https://www.scribd.com/) or Z-Library (https://z-lib.org/).
The torrent websites: You can download the book from some torrent websites that use peer-to-peer technology to distribute files among users. For example, you can use The Pirate Bay (https://thepiratebay.org/) or 1337x (https://1337x.to/).
The academic websites: You can download the book from some academic websites that provide free access to scholarly publications and resources. For example, you can use Sci-Hub (https://sci-hub.se/) or Library Genesis (http://libgen.rs/).
The tips and precautions for downloading the book
Before you decide to download the book from any source, you should consider some tips and precautions to ensure a safe and successful download. Some of them are:
Check the legality and ethics of the source. Some sources may violate the copyright or intellectual property rights of the publisher or the authors. Downloading the book from these sources may be illegal or unethical. You should respect the rights and interests of the original creators and contributors of the book.
Check the quality and accuracy of the book. Some sources may provide low-quality or inaccurate versions of the book. Downloading the book from these sources may compromise your learning and understanding of prestressed concrete. You should verify the edition, format, content, and layout of the book.
Check the security and reliability of the source. Some sources may contain viruses, malware, or spyware that can harm your device or data. Downloading the book from these sources may expose you to cyberattacks or identity theft. You should use a trusted antivirus software and a secure internet connection.
Check the reviews and ratings of the source. Some sources may have positive or negative feedback from other users who have downloaded the book. Downloading the book from these sources may give you an idea of what to expect and what to avoid. You should read and compare the reviews and ratings of different sources.
Conclusion
Prestressed concrete is a fascinating and important topic in civil engineering. It involves applying a pre-compression force to concrete before loading to improve its performance and durability. It has many advantages over conventional reinforced concrete, but it also has some disadvantages and challenges.
the Collins book, is one of the most comprehensive and authoritative references on prestressed concrete. It covers both the fundamentals and the applications of prestressed concrete with a balanced approach between theory and practice. It is written by experts who have extensive knowledge and experience in prestressed concrete.
You can get the Collins book in pdf format from various sources online. However, you should also be careful and responsible when downloading the book. You should check the legality and ethics, quality and accuracy, security and reliability, and reviews and ratings of the source before downloading the book.
We hope this article has given you a useful and interesting overview of prestressed concrete structures Collins pdf. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about prestressed concrete structures Collins pdf:
What is the difference between pre-tensioned and post-tensioned prestressed concrete?
Pre-tensioned prestressed concrete is when the steel wires or cables are tensioned before the concrete is cast. Post-tensioned prestressed concrete is when the steel wires or cables are tensioned after the concrete has hardened.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of bonded and unbonded prestressed concrete?
Bonded prestressed concrete is when the steel wires or cables are bonded to the concrete by grout or epoxy. Unbonded prestressed concrete is when the steel wires or cables are not bonded to the concrete but are free to move within the ducts or sleeves. Bonded prestressed concrete has a stronger bond and a better load resistance, but it also has higher friction losses and lower flexibility. Unbonded prestressed concrete has lower friction losses and higher flexibility, but it also has a weaker bond and a lower load resistance.
Who is Arthur H. Nilson and what is his contribution to prestressed concrete?
Arthur H. Nilson was an American civil engineer and professor who made significant contributions to the field of prestressed concrete. He was the author of Prestressed Concrete, one of the most authoritative and comprehensive books on prestressed concrete. He also conducted many experimental and analytical studies on prestressed concrete structures.
What are some applications of prestressed concrete?
Prestressed concrete can be used for various types of structures, such as beams, slabs, columns, frames, bridges, shells, domes, tanks, pipes, piles, foundations, retaining walls, pavements, stadiums, airports, nuclear reactors, offshore structures, etc.
How can I get the Collins book in pdf format?
the book. You should check the legality and ethics, quality and accuracy, security and reliability, and reviews and ratings of the source before downloading the book.
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