Flexural Cracks Development in Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Pulsating Loads

Abstract

Cyclic loadings have an exceptionally adverse influence on structures' behaviour as compared with static loading, and in order to meet limit states requirements, we have to analyses particular conditions and consider additional precautions. This work attempts to describe the stress-strain state of beams which is gradually changing with the number of load cycles applied and, especially, to analyses formation and development of cracks which greatly affect the whole behaviour of the beams. The method of assessment of maximum cracks' width giving good agreement with experimental data was found. The width of cracks is treated as closely related not only with appearance and corrosion of reinforcement but also with deflection and ultimate limit state of beams. Due to the complex nature of this phenomenon the existing test results are very frequently contradicting each other, and up till now there are very few general recommendations on how to deal with this problem.