Title: Creep effects on crack initiation and propagation in reinforced concrete walls

Authors: Kheira Ouzaa; Chahmi Oucif

Addresses: Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology Mohamed Boudiaf Oran, El Mnaouar, 31000 Oran, Algeria ' Institute of Structural Mechanics (ISM), Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Marienstraße 15, D-99423 Weimar, Germany

Abstract: The present paper presents an analysis of creep cracking on base-constrained reinforced concrete walls. Crack initiation and propagation in reinforced concrete walls due to creep are simulated using an in-house finite element method developed by the authors. The original model was extended and modified to account for creep strain in the numerical modelling. Crack widths and pattern, and degree of restraint are analysed and compared without creep. Concrete is modelled as nonlinear material, and smeared crack approach, tension stiffening, shear retention and stress degradation of concrete are included in the model. It was found that creep influences the time of first cracking in reinforced concrete walls restrained at the base; creep causes to delay crack initiation and propagation. It was also found that the cracks in the base-restrained wall were found to be the most numerous in the base level and they decrease with distance above the base.

Keywords: creep; shrinkage; degree of restraint; crack; wall; reinforced concrete.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHM.2019.104390

International Journal of Hydromechatronics, 2019 Vol.2 No.4, pp.159 - 177

Received: 20 May 2019
Accepted: 04 Sep 2019
Published online: 06 Jan 2020 *

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