A THEORETICAL PREDICTION METHOD OF INCLINED CRACK WIDTH IN EVALUATION MODEL FOR CAPACITIES OF SHEAR RESISTANCE MECHANISMS OF RC BEAMS

Abstract

 This study proposes a prediction method of inclined crack widths of reinforced concrete (RC) beams when the beam action collapses based on energy theorem. The method was developed as an applicable one to evaluation model for capacities of shear resistance mechanisms towards deteriorated RC beams. The crack widths were derived from condition to maximize surface energy accumulated by mode II opening deformation on the inclined crack surface, subjected to the equilibrium condition of internal work done by internal forces and surface energy accumulated in the opening process of an inclined crack of the free body of beam action. The applicability was examined based on experimental and analytical results for sound RC beams. The results indicated the highest applicability to slender beams in all examined cases, and that the evaluation model which applied developed method could predict strengths of beam action in similar accuracies compared with prediction equations in design codes.