Crack Width Estimation for Concrete Plates

This research is focused on evaluating the crack widths and crack properties of thick two-way slabs and plates used for offshore and nuclear containment structures. The crack width depends on the quantities, orientation, and distribution of reinforcing steel across the crack and characteristics of the bond between the concrete and reinforcement bars in and near the crack. The maximum crack width that is considered acceptable depends on the type of structure, location within the structure, environment, and consequences of excessive cracking. A comprehensive experimental and analytical investigation is presented in this work. The numerical investigation will focus on the available code prediction models for estimating the crack width of concrete plates. The investigation will focus on the suitability of available crack width expressions for thick concrete plates used for offshore concrete structure applications and nuclear containment structures. The experimental work included the investigation of the cracking behavior, such as examining the effect of increasing concrete cover and bar spacing on crack width properties. The crack widths were measured electronically for three series of specimens. The test results were tabulated to compare test results with the available code expressions for calculating crack widths. The tension chord method was modified to predict the crack width for two-way plates under flexural loading.