CRACK ANALYSIS OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE TENSION MEMBERS

An analytical model is proposed for crack analysis of reinforced concrete tension members in which the tension-stiffening effect has been taken into account. To make the model simple and practical, a new bond stress distribution function is used in the analysis instead of a bond-slip function. The ultimate bond stress and bond stress transfer length are introduced in the bond stress distribution function. The effect of the nonuniform distribution of concrete stress in transverse and longitudinal directions on the crack strength of a reinforced concrete tension member is considered by the proposed expression of crack strength for a reinforced concrete tension member. The predictions of crack loading and elongation of a reinforced concrete member from the model are satisfactory when compared with some available experimental data and analytical results. The model has also been successfully applied to two-dimensional reinforced concrete element analysis, which will be presented later.