EC2 Crack width and Stress limitation

DATA
Dimensions (?)

b(cm) h(cm) c(mm)

Materials

fck(MPa) (?) fyk(MPa)

REINFORCEMENT

Tensile reinforcement (?)

As(cm2) Φeq(mm) s(cm)

Compression reinforc.

As2 (cm2) (?)

LOADS

Duration of load (?)

Bending Mk(Kn·m) (?)

VALUES FOR USE IN A COUNTRY

Use values recommended

RESULT

Maximum compressive stress in concrete

 Concrete compressive stress Compression stress limit Requirement

σc (MPa) σc,max (MPa) σc < σc,max

10.88 18 OK

Maximum tensile stress in reinforcement

Reinforcement tensile stress Tensile stress limit Requirement

σs1 (MPa) σs1,max (MPa) σs1 < σs1,max

303.39 400 OK

Crack width

Maximum crack spacing Mean strain Crack width

sr,max (cm) εsm - εcm (‰) Wk (mm)

32.2 0.91 0.29

DETAILS OF CALCULATION
Notation and methodology according to clause 7 of EC2

Stress calculation assuming cracked section

 Stress in the tension reinforcement

σs1 = n·σc·(d-X)/X = 6.09·10.88·(25.9-4.64)/4.64 = 303.39 MPa
 Maximun reinforcement tensile stress
σs1,max = k3 · fyk = 0.8 · 500 = 400 MPa
 Compressive stress in the most compressed concrete fibre
σc = Mk · X / Icr = 10.88 MPa
 Maximum compressive stress
σc,max = k1 · fck = 0.6 · 30 = 18 MPa
where

 n= Es / Ecm = 200 / 32.84 = 6.09

Ecm = 22·[fcm/10]0.3 = 22·[38/10]0.3 = 32.84 GPa
fcm = fck + 8 = 30 + 8 = 38 MPa
 d (effective depth) = h – c - Φ/2 = 30 – 3.5 – 1.2/2 = 25.9 cm
 X (Depth of the neutral fibre) = 4.64 cm

with:
o d′ = h - d = 30 - 25.9 = 4.1 cm
o ρ1 = As1 / (b·d) = 3.39 / (40·25.9) = 0.0033
o ρ2 = As2 / (b·d) = 2.36 / (40·25.9) = 0.0023
 Icr (cracked inertia) = 10668.66 cm4
Icr = n·As1·(d-X)·(d-X/3) + n·As2·(X-d′)·(X/3-d′)
Icr = 6.09·3.39·(25.9-4.64)·(25.9-4.64/3) + 6.09·2.36·(4.64-4.1)·(4.64/3-4.1) =
10668.66 cm4

Calculation of crack width

wk = sr,msx·(εsm - εcm) = 322.5 · 0.00091 = 0.29 mm

where

εsm - εcm (difference between mean strains) = 0.00091

εsm - εcm = max(εm,1 ; εm,2) = max(0.0006 ; 0.00091)
with:

 εm,1 = [σs1 - kt·(fct,eff/ρp,eff)·(1+αe·ρp,eff)] / Es

εm,1 = [303.39 - 0.6·(2.9/0.01)·(1+6.09·0.01)] / 200000 = 0.0006
o kt = 0.6 (Long term loading)
o fct,eff = fctm = 2.9 MPa
fctm = 0,30 × fck(2/3) = 0,30 × 30(2/3) = 2.9 MPa
o ρp,eff = As / Ac,eff = 3.39 / 338.1 = 0.01
Ac,eff = b · hc,ef = 40 · 8.45 = 338.1 cm2
hc,ef = min[2.5(h-d) ; (h-X)/3 ; h/2] = min[10.25 ; 8.45 ; 15] cm
o αe = Es / Ecm = 6.09
  εm,2 = 0.6 · σs / Es = 0.6 · 303.39 / 200000 = 0.00091

sr,msx (Maximum crack spacing) = 32.25 cm

(case spacing = 170 mm ≤ 5(c+Φ/2) = 205 mm)
sr,msx = k3·c + k1·k2·k4·Φ/ρp,eff
sr,msx = 3.4·35 + 0.8·0.5·0.425·12/0.01 = 322.46 mm
with:

 k1 = 0.8 (high bond bars)

 k2 = 0.5 (bending)

7.2 Stress limitation

(1)P The compressive stress in the concrete shall be limited in order to avoid
longitudinal cracks, micro-cracks or high levels of creep, where they could result in
unacceptable effects on the function of the structure.

(2) Longitudinal cracks may occur if the stress level under the characteristic
combination of loads exceeds a critical value. Such cracking may lead to a reduction of
durability. In the absence of other measures, such as an increase in the cover to
reinforcement in the compressive zone or confinement by transverse reinforcement, it
may be appropriate to limit the compressive stress to a value k1·fck in areas exposed to
environments of exposure classes XD, XF and XS (see Table 4.1).

Note: The value of k1 for use in a Country may be found in its National Annex. The
recommended value is 0,6.

(4)P Tensile stresses in the reinforcement shall be limited in order to avoid inelastic
strain, unacceptable cracking or deformation.

(5) For the appearance unacceptable cracking or deformation may be assumed to be

avoided if, under the characteristic combination of loads, the tensile strength in the
reinforcement does not exceed k3fyk. Where the stress is caused by an imposed
deformation, the tensile strength should not exceed k4fyk. The mean value of the stress in
prestressing tendons should not exceed k5fyk.
Note: The values of k3, k4 and k5 for use in a Country may be found in its National Annex.
The recommended values are 0,8, 1 and 0,75 respectively.

7.3 Crack control

7.3.1 General considerations

(1)P Cracking shall be limited to an extent that will not impair the proper functioning or
durability of the structure or cause its appearance to be unacceptable.

(2) Cracking is normal in reinforced concrete structures subject to bending, shear,

torsion or tension resulting from either direct loading or restraint or imposed
deformations.

(3) Cracks may also arise from other causes such as plastic shrinkage or expansive
chemical reactions within the hardened concrete. Such cracks may be unacceptably
large but their avoidance and control lie outside the scope of this Section.

(4) Cracks may be permitted to form without any attempt to control their width, provided
they do not impair the functioning of the structure.

(5) A lirniting value, wmax, for the calculated crack width, wk, taking into account the
proposed function and nature of the structure and the costs of limiting cracking, should
be established.

Note: The value of wmax for use in a Country may be found in its National Annex. The
recommended values for relevant exposure classes are given in Table 7.1 N.

Table 7.1 N Recommended values of wmax (mm)

Reinforced members and prestressed members Prestressed members with

with unbonded tendons bonded tendons
Exposure Class
Quasi-permanent load combination Frequent load combination

XO, XC1 0.41 0.2

XC2, XC3, XC4 0.22

0.3
XD1, XD2, XD3, XS1,
Decompression
XS2, XS3
 Note 1: For XO, XC1 exposure classes, crack width has no influence on durability and this limit is set to give
generally acceptable appearance. In the absence of appearance conditions this limit may be relaxed
Note 2: For these exposure classes, in addition, decompression should be checked under the quasi-permanent
combination of loads.

In the absence of specific requirements (e.g. water-tightness), it may be assumed that

limiting the calculated crack widths to the values of wmax given in Table 7.1 N, under the
quasi-permanent combination of loads, will generally be satisfactory for reinforced
concrete members in buildings with respect to appearance and durability.

The durability of prestressed members may be more critically affected by cracking. In

the absence of more detailed requirements, it may be assumed that limiting the
calculated crack widths to the values of wmax given in Table 7.1 N, under the frequent
combination of loads, will generally be satisfactory for prestressed concrete members.
The decompression limit requires that all parts of the bonded tendons or duct lie at least
25 mm within concrete in compression.

(6) For members with only unbonded tendons, the requirements for reinforced concrete
elements apply. For members with a combination of bonded and unbonded tendons
requirements for prestressed concrete members with bonded tendons apply.

(7) Special measures may be necessary for members subjected to exposure class XD3.
The choice of appropriate measures will depend upon the nature of the aggressive
agent involved.

(8) When using strut-and-tie models with the struts oriented according to the
compressive stress trajectories in the uncracked state, it is possible to use the forces in
the ties to obtain the corresponding steel stresses to estinlate the crack width (see 5.6.4
(2)).

(9) Crack widths may be calculated according to 7.3.4. A simplified alternative is to linlit
the bar size or spacing according to 7.3.3.

7.3.4 Calculation of crack widths

(1) The crack width, wk, may be calculated from Expression (7.8):

wk = sr,msx (εsm - εcm)

(7.8)
where
  sr,max is the maximum crack spacing
 εsm is the mean strain in the reinforcement under the relevant combination of
loads, including the effect of imposed deformations and taking into account the
effects of tension stiffening. Only the additional tensile strain beyond the state of
zero strain of the concrete at the same level is considered
 εcm is the mean strain in the concrete between cracks

(2) εsm - εcm may be calculated from the expression:

(7.9)

where:

 σs is the stress in the tension reinforcement assuming a cracked section. For

pretensioned members, σs may be replaced by Δσp the stress variation in
prestressing tendons from the state of zero strain of the concrete at the same
level.
 αe is the ratio Es/Eem
 ρp,eff = (As + ξ1 A'p)/Ac,eff

(7.10)

A'p and Ac,eff are as defined in 7.3.2 (3)

Ac,eff is the effective area of concrete in tension surrounding the reinforcement or
prestressing tendons of depth, hc,ef, where hc,ef is the lesser of 2.5(h-d), (h-x)/3 or
h/2 (see Figure 7.1).
 a) Beam

A Inner level of steel centroid B effective tension area, Ac,eff

b) Slab

B effective tension area, Ac,eff

c) Member in tension

B effective tension area for upper surface, Act,eff

C effective tension area for lower surface, Acb,eff

Figure 7.1: Effective tension area (typical cases)

 ξ1 according to Expression (7.5)

 kt is a factor dependent on the duration of the load
kt = 0,6 for short term loading
kt = 0,4 for long term loading
(3) In situations where bonded reinforcenlent is fixed at reasonably close centres within
the tension zone (spacing ≤ 5(c+Φ/2)), the maximum final crack spacing may be
calculated from Expression (7.11)

sr,max = k3·c + k1·k2·k4·Φ/ρp,eff

(7.11)
where:

 Φ is the bar diameter. Where a mixture of bar diameters is used in a section, an

equivalent diameter, Φeq, should be used_ For a section with n1 bars of diameter
Φ1 and n2 bars of diameter Φ2, the following expression should be used
 Φeq = (n1·Φ12 + n2·Φ22) / (n1·Φ1 + n2·Φ2)

(7.12)

 c: is the cover to the longitudinal reinforcement

 k1: is a coefficient which takes account of the bond properties of the bonded
reinforcement:
= 0,8 for high bond bars
= 1,6 for bars with an effectively plain surface (e.g. prestressing tendons)
 k2 is a coefficient which takes account of the distribution of strain:
= 0,5 for bending
= 1,0 for pure tension
For cases of eccentric tension or for local areas, intermediate values of k2 should
be used which may be calculated from the relation:

k2 = (ε1 + ε2) / (2·ε1)

(7.13)

Where ε1 is the greater and ε2 is the lesser tensile strain at the boundaries of the
section considered, assessed on the basis of a cracked section

Note: The values of k3 and k4 for use in a Country may be found in its National Annex.
The recommended values are 3.4 and 0.425 respectively.
Where the spacing of the bonded reinforcement exceeds 5(c+Φ/2) or where there is no
bonded reinforcement within the tension zone, an upper bound to the crack width may
be found by assurrling a maximum crack spacing:

sr,max = 1.3·(h - x)
(7.14)

(5) For walls subjected to early thermal contraction where the horizontal steel area, As
does not fulfil the requirements of 7.3.2 and where the bottom of the wall is restrained
by a previously cast base, sr,max may be assumed to be equal to 1,3 times the height of
the wall.

Calculation of sections in service with cracking.

Basic assumptions.

The assumptions made in order to produce the expressions given are as follows:

 The plane of strain remains plane after deformation.

 Perfect bond between concrete and steel.
 Linear behaviour for the compressed concrete.
 The tensile strength of the concrete is ignored.
 Linear behaviour for the steels, under both tension and compression.

Rectangular section.

The equations defining the sectional behaviour are:

(compression: positive sign; tension: negative sign)
  Nk = 1/2·b·x·σc + As2·σs2 + As1·σs1
 Mk = 1/2·b·x·σc·(h/2-x/3) + As2·σs2·(h/2-d') + As1·σs1·(h/2-d)
 σs1 = Es·εs1 = Es·εc·(x-d)/x; |σs1| ≤ k3·fyk
 σs2 = Es·εs2 = Es·εc·(x-d')/x
 σc = Ecm·εc≤ k1· fck

For elements subject to simple bending (Nk=0)

 Depth of the neutral fibre:

 Cracked inertia:
Icr = nAs1(d-X)(d-X/3) + nAs2(X-d')(X/3-d')

 Compressive stress in the most compressed concrete fibre

σc = Mk · X / Icr

where n= Es/Ecm; ρ1 = As1/(bd); ρ2 = As2/(bd)