12.

Deflection and Cracking of Beams and Slabs

Introduction

Deflection Limits
Control of deflections - beams and slabs Comments on Cracking

University of Western Australia School of Civil and Resource Engineering 2004

INTRODUCTION
Today, much greater attention is now required to deflections and cracking than in earlier years because: higher strength materials are used - we try to use less of them! faster construction programmes - we prestress and load structures earlier! more critical public - community expects a higher standard!

THESE ARE SERVICEABILITY CONCERNS EXAMINE UNDER WORKING LOADS ! ! !

Distinguish between: Member not flexurally cracked e.g. fully prestressed member, and cracked member - section has reduced stiffness due to cracking.

What is meant by deflection and crack width?

Deflection D, at or near mid-span - may or may not be measured from original constructed shape of member!

Crack width w, measured at extreme surface of concrete

Our objective is to limit D and w. First, deflection limits . . .

DEFLECTION LIMITS
Deflection to be limited, and its magnitude, depends on the serviceability condition being considered:
For visual effect, usually total deflection. For cracking of partitions, usually deflection after partitions are attached. For bridges, usually deflection due to live load.

It is the designers responsibility to make these decisions, and to get them right. In all cases, the total deflection must be limited to Span / 250
So we estimate the appropriate deflection, and ensure it is less than the required limit. In the following, only TOTAL deflection is examined - adjust where required . . .

CONTROL OF DEFLECTIONS
D tot = D short term + D long term D short term : Caused by the larger of
construction load, and short term service load G + yS Q term service load G + yL Q
Note this term: Ie.max = I for prestressed sections; I for reinforced sections where p >= 0.005; 0.6I for reinforced sections where p < 0.005.

D long term : Caused by shrinkage and creep under long

To estimate deflections (usually at or near the midspan of a beam or slab) the best guidance we have for member stiffness is the empirical formula of Branson: Ief = Icr + (I - Icr) (Mcr/Ms.s)3 <= Ie.max

Well apply this formula generally for short and long term deflection estimates, but deemed-to-comply methods may be used to speed up our design . . .

CONTROL OF DEFLECTIONS
D short term and D long term both use Ief as estimated above.

The effects of shrinkage and creep are estimated by another Branson formula:
kcs = 2 - 1.2 Asc/Ast >= 0.8 This is used to estimate the additional long term deflection.
D long = kcs . SL

Now a reminder about calculating section properties . . .

Calculation of section properties for the estimation of deflections and crack widths:
Applies to a simple rectangular section with one layer of rebar, subject to working load moment, based on G + ysQ, as shown.

For more complicated sections, a similar approach is adopted.

Simply supported RC Beam

Usually, we start with a strength design, then check deflection:
1.2 g + 1.5 q

ULTIMATE STRENGTH DESIGN M*max

g + ySq

Select Ast so that fMuo >= M*max, and check ductility:

For this section, calculate I , Icr , Mcr

DEFLECTION CHECK

Calculate Ief Ms.s

g + yLq

D short term

Using Ief, calculate D long term using kcs = [2 - 1.2 Asc/Ast] > = 0.8 Ms.L D tot = D short term + D long term If D tot <= D all o.k.

Continuous beam ? . . .

Continuous RC Beam
Both positive and negative values of Ief must be used in an averaging procedure. Branson and others have shown that the following method achieves good results:
1.2g + 1.5q

Select Ast at critical sections from either linear elastic, or mmt. redistribn methods:
c

ULTIMATE
STRENGTH DESIGN

Asta-

Astb+

Astc-

g + ySq, etc

DEFLECTION CHECK
a b c

Iefa

Iefb

Iefc

Ief = 1/4 Iefa + 1/2 Iefb + 1/4 Iefc

If simple support at c:

Using Ief, proceed as for SS beamsome iteration may be required.

Ief = 1/2 Iefa + 1/2 Iefb

Obviously a job for a well trained computer !

A simpler method ? . . .

2. Reinforced concrete beam - Deemed-to-comply method

Simpler, yes; but restrictive in application. Involves ensuring that the span to depth ratio is limited to a calculated value: Lef k1 (D / Lef ) bef Ec 1/3 <= d k2 F d.ef

k2 = 5/384 for SS beam 2.4/384 for one end continuous

1.5/384 for both ends continuous

k1 = Ief / (bd3 ) = 0.02 + 2.5p for p >= 0.005 0.1 - 13.5p for p < 0.005

Lef = {L ; Ln+ D] min

Fd.ef = (1+ kcs )g + (yS + kcs yL )q

and Slabs? . . .

3. Reinforced concrete slabs, edge-supported panels Simplified calculation

A one-way slab, simple or continuous, is best treated just like a beam. A two-way slab, with edge supported panels, is treated thus:
Equivalent beam of 1 metre width, spanning in short direction

Lx Lx Lx Apply a UDL to the equivalent beam, the load being a proportion of the UDL to which the slab is subjected. The proportion is given by: Ly4 / (a Lx4 + Ly4) and proceed as for a beam with the same support constraints.

a from Table 9.3.4.2 of AS3600

Simpler method ? . . .

4. Reinforced concrete slabs, edge-supported panels Deemed to comply method

Simpler, but more restrictive in its application. Similar to deemed-to-comply method for beams. Lef d <= k3 k4

(D / Lef ) Ec F d.ef

1/3

Care with units in using this formula ! ! Also note error in exponent in early printings of AS3600-2001 and in HB2.2 - 2002 ! ! !

What about two-way flat slabs ? . . .

5. Reinforced concrete flat slabs: Simplified calculation

The Code refers to the idealized frame method of analysis - not treated in this course. For slabs where the span in the two directions direction do not differ by more than 10%, the following course is acceptable. Reasonable accuracy can be achieved for deflection calculations by treating the slab as orthogonal one-way slab, calculating the deflection along the centre-line of the column strip in one direction, then along the middle strip in the other direction. The method is outlined in Warner et al. For preliminary calculation, the deemed-to-comply method may also be used, but should be checked when sufficient design data is available. Note that this is still the subject of research. Seek advice before applying.

Now for prestressed members . . .

Prestressed Beams and Slabs

We have already dealt with a fully prestressed member. There are two possible cases for a partially prestressed member:

CASE 1: Under sustained load G + yLQ cracks are tightly held closed by the prestress force; and
CASE 2 : Under sustained load G + yLQ cracks are not held closed.

In this course, we are concerned with Case 1 only.

Bransons method may be used for calculating Ief, but with a couple of modifications, demonstrated by Branson himself : Mcr is replaced by Mcr = Mcr - Mbal = Mcr - Pe, and Ms is replaced by Ms = Ms - Mbal = Mcr - Pe

With these modifications, the methods for reinforced slabs may be adopted. Typically, the calculations are somewhat simpler.

This modified method is best shown graphically . . .

Bransons Modifications for Prestressed Members

Note that D is the deflection measured from the balanced condition. The actual deflection calculation must be modified to allow for the pre-existing deflection.

Cracking . . .

COMMENTS ON CRACKING
No specific guidance on limits is provided in code.
ACI recommendations are commonly followed today:
Exposure Condition Maximum allowable crack width

Dry air or protective membrane

Humid , moist air, soils De-icing chemicals

0.4 mm
0.3 mm 0.2 mm

Seawater and sea water spray

Wetting and drying Water retaining structures

0.15 mm
0.15 mm 0.1 mm

So for most structures, 0.3 mm, or possibly 0.4 mm, is the limit we should try to achieve. For special cases, greater attention is required. AS3600 is directed to 0.3 mm for external applications.

Cracks occur when the tensile strength of concete is exceeded. This may occur due to: flexural (bending) action; or
Is section cracked? i.e. is Ms > Mcr? Is restraint significant, and if so is rebar area adequate to control crack width?

restraint to shrinkage and creep; or

combination of the above. Crack width depends on

spacing of cracks; and

mean strain in concrete between cracks; and rebar edge distance and spacing.

Depends on size of rebar db Depends on stress in rebar fs

We have dealt with this topic in SCD322. Just some reminders . . .

Is MG + MQ > Mcr? 8.6.1(b) where Mcr is calculated for 3.0 MPa tensile strength? yes Ensure nearest bar distance < 100 mm, and bar spacing < 300 mm Is beam fully enclosed? no 8.6.1(i) Is Ast>1.8Act/fs, where fs = {-173loge(db)+760MPa; 500 MPa}min ? Table 8.6.1(A) 8.6.1(iv) yes no no yes no No action required

BEAM IN FLEXURE

8.6.1(ii)

8.6.1

No action required

Nearest bar distance

Bar spacing

Uncracked section Adjust to comply

Act

Is fscr < 173loge(db)+760MPa? Table 8.6.1(A) yes

Is f scr.1 < 400 MPa?

FINISH

Is fscr < -0.8(spacing)+400 no MPa? yes Table 8.6.1(B) no

Amend design

Slabs - Control of shrinkage induced cracking

For slabs, we are concerned to limit the width of cracks due to restrained shrinkage. For this condition, various options are available to the designer, who must determine the degree of crack control appropriate to the design case.
The categories are:

minor control - intended where slab is interior, and where cracks will not provided a problem and are not visible.
moderate control - intended where cracking is visibly acceptable, and does not cause waterproofing or durability concerns. strong control - intended where cracking is visibly offensive, or where waterproofing or durability concerns are present.

Note how the area of steel required is diminished by any prestress which exists.

SUMMARY
Checking of deflections and crack widths is essential in modern design. Guidance is provided on acceptable deflections, but the designer must ensure that the structure is suitable for its intended service. Deflection calculation procedures are provided for beams and slabs. Some concern exists about the estimation of the effects of shrinkageinduced stresses. Use Mcr = Z. 0.6 (fc)0.5 until resolved. A deemed-to-comply crack width procedure is provided. Use with care to ensure that all the requirements are covered. The procedure is directed to 0.3 mm width for external members (may not be adequate), and about 0.45 mm for internal members (may also not be adequate). Care to ensure minimum steel is provided in slabs, appropriate to the application.