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Title: Crack Prediction for Members in Uniaxial Tension

Author(s): S.H. Rizkalla and L.S. Hwang

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 81

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 572-579

Keywords: cracking (fracturing); crack width and spacing; loads (forces); reinforced concrete; strains; tension.

DOI: 10.14359/10702

Date: 11/1/1984

Abstract:
A methodology for predicting crack spacings and widths of reinforced concrete members in uniaxial tension at any given loading stage is presented. The method includes the proposal of a new expression for predicting the average gross strain of a member after the initiation of the first crack and accounting for the concrete contribution in the post-cracking range.The proposed method is based on an extensive experimental program which involved testing 34 specimens to study the cracking behavior of reinforced concrete members subjected to membrane tensile stresses in the presence of transverse reinforcement. Major variables included ratio of reinforcement, concrete cover, concrete thickness, and spacing between transverse reinforcements. Based on the test results, the paper introduces a range within which the theoretical prediction of crack spacing and width is acceptable. Using the proposed methodology, the prediction of the number of cracks was found to be within I crack for most measurements of crack number. The ratio of the predicted crack width based on the proposed method to the measured crack widths is found to be 1.17, which indicates a high degree of predictive accuracy.