Analytical crack model for reinforced-concrete structures

Abstract

Based on a proposed bond stress distribution function that was successfully applied to the analysis of reinforced-concrete members under tension, a two-dimensional smeared crack model for reinforced-concrete structures is presented in this paper. In the model, the tension stiffening effect in cracked reinforced concrete is taken into account in a more appropriate manner. The magnitude of the tension stiffening effect is related to several parameters, namely, the ratio of reinforcement, the diameter of a steel bar, the strength and the cover of concrete and the moduli of reinforcement and concrete. With the derived tangential stress-strain equations for concrete in the direction perpendicular to the cracks, the constitutive relationship for cracked reinforced concrete is established. Several experimental specimens have been analyzed with this analytical model, and good agreements between the analytical and experimental results are obtained. The results of analysis indicate that the proposed model can be applied to the crack analysis of reinforced-concrete structures subjected to in-plane forces with reasonable accuracy.