Sessions and Events

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Sessions & Events

The Sessions and Events schedule is now available.

H = Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor; M = Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor; and C = Baltimore Convention Center


Paper Awards Presentation Session: Published in 2024

Tuesday, October 28, 2025  11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, H - Holiday 1

Awarded authors of papers published in 2024 will be recognized by ACI President Maria Juenger and will present the winning papers. Awarded categories include: the ACI Concrete International Award (no presentation scheduled), the ACI Symposium Volumes Award, the Mete A. Sozen Award for Excellence in Structural Research, the Wason Medal for Materials Research and the Wason Medal for Most Meritorious.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Report on the limitations of current knowledge and calculation methods for post-cracking deflection in beams prestressed with bonded FRP tendons;
(2) Explain how machine learning and statistical techniques can be used to develop structural design equations that demonstrate strong predictive performance while remaining consistent with established code formats;
(3) Identify the effects of steel fiber end-hook geometry on the flexural performance of SFRC;
(4) Discuss the role and magnitude of size effect in reinforced concrete members loaded in two-way shear;
(5) Review historic testing to date, and experimental design for the subject investigation.

This session has been approved by AIA and ICC for 2 PDHs (0.2 CEUs). Please note: You must attend the live session for the entire duration to receive credit. On-demand sessions do not qualify for PDH/CEU credit.


Introduction and Awards Recognition

Presented By: Maria Juenger
Affiliation: University of Texas at Austin
Description: Awarded authors of papers published in 2024 will be recognized by ACI President Maria Juenger.


ACI Symposium Volumes Award - Paper Title: Deflection Behavior of Beams Prestressed with Bonded FRP Tendons

Presented By: Wassim Nasreddine
Affiliation: Rutgers University
Description: This paper presents the results of a study to assess various deflection prediction models, including modified Branson's, effective eccentricity, bilinear response, and Bischoff's approaches (2018, 2022). These models were evaluated against an experimental database of 38 FRP prestressed beams. The impact of various parameters on the accuracy of predicted deflections was evaluated.


Mete A. Sozen Award for Excellence in Structural Research - Paper Title: New Equations to Estimate Reinforced Concrete Wall Shear Strength Derived from Machine Learning and Statistical Methods

Presented By: Matias Rojas-Leon
Affiliation: Saiful Bouquet
Description: This presentation introduces a new set of equations for estimating the shear strength of reinforced concrete walls, developed using a combination of machine learning and statistical methods. The proposed equation is designed to align with the ACI 318 format, show improved predictive performance, and addresses practical implementation challenges, including the treatment of asymmetric sections and strength limits. Comparisons with existing ACI provisions highlight the implications and potential of the new approach for design practice.


Wason Medal for Materials Research - Paper Title: Hooking Effect on Flexural Strength and Toughness of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Beams

Presented By: S. H. Chu
Affiliation:
Description: This presentation evaluates the influence of steel fiber end-hook geometry on the flexural strength and toughness of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams. Four fiber types were evaluated across varying volumes using four-point bending tests. A hooking index was proposed to quantify anchorage efficiency and was incorporated into empirical models that align well with experimental results. The study offers practical insights to support SFRC mixture design and informs performance-based approaches for improving the ductility and resilience of concrete structures. The presentation will conclude with a brief outlook on the innovative development of fiber-reinforced concrete systems.


Wason Medal for Most Meritorious - Paper Title: Experimental Investigation of Size Effect on Shear Strength of Reinforced Concrete Pile Caps

Presented By: Lucas Alan Laughery
Affiliation: Exponent Inc
Description: The authors present the results of an experimental program designed to investigate the influence of member depth on the two-way shear strength of reinforced concrete pile caps. The program objective was to evaluate a phenomenon known as size effect wherein deeper members have been observed to exhibit lower unit shear strength compared to smaller counterparts despite having similar geometry and reinforcement ratios. Test results from pile cap specimens with effective depths of 250 mm, 500 mm, and 1000 mm are compared with one another, and with strengths estimated using existing size effect provisions in ACI 318.

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