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A new crack spacing model for reinforced concrete specimens with multiple bars subjected to axial tension using 3D nonlinear FEM simulations
Author(s) -
Naotunna Chavin Nilanga,
Samarakoon S. M. Samindi M. K.,
Fosså Kjell Tore
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
structural concrete
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1751-7648
pISSN - 1464-4177
DOI - 10.1002/suco.202100025
Subject(s) - finite element method , structural engineering , cracking , nonlinear system , tension (geology) , ultimate tensile strength , materials science , concrete cover , linear elasticity , reinforcement , engineering , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics
Abstract Crack spacing is a governing parameter in widely used crack width calculation models. Axial tensile experiments are conducted to examine the crack spacing behavior of reinforced concrete specimens with multiple reinforcement bars. To reduce the time, cost, and labor of the experiments, nonlinear finite element simulations are widely used. In this study, 3D non‐linear finite element simulation models have been developed with the smeared cracking approach to predict the average crack spacings. These models are calibrated and validated using both the experiment conducted by the authors and an experiment given in the literature. The governing crack spacing parameters have been identified as concrete cover thickness and clear distance between tensile bars. After conducting a series of 3D nonlinear finite element method simulations with the calibrated model, an equation is developed to predict the average crack spacings using multiple linear regression analysis. The validity of the proposed crack spacing equation has been checked with 18 recent experimental results in the literature. The proposed crack spacing equation gives a good agreement with the results of these experiments.