Crack widths in reinforced cement-based structures

The theoretical approaches used for the evaluation of crack width in reinforced concrete (RC) structures, are generally based on the hypothesis of parallel crack surfaces. In this way, crack width measured on the concrete cover should be equal to that on the bar surface. The results of several experimental analyses do not justify this assumption. Therefore, to better define the effective crack profile of RC structures, a new model, able to analyze the whole structural response of reinforced concrete ties, is here presented. In the proposed approach, all the physical phenomena involved in the cracking process are taken into account. A good agreement between numerical results and experimental data is found both in case of steel rebar and ordinary Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (R/FRCC), and in case of steel rebar and High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Composites (R/HPFRCC).