An Adaptive Crack Width Prediction for Flexural Steel Reinforced UHPC Beams

The crack pattern of steel reinforced ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC) beam is usually characterized by many densely distributed fine cracks (i.e., multiple microcracks) along with localized macrocrack, and the crack width development rate along the beam height is smaller than that of normal concrete since steel fibers and steel reinforcement bars are supposed to be effective in controlling crack width propagation of the UHPC beam. However, an effective crack width prediction formula is still underdeveloped for steel reinforced UHPC beam. The present study aims to formulate a crack width prediction equation based on the equations in Chinese code GB50010 where the parameters can be regressed and calibrated. Ten UHPC beams with different steel fiber volumes and reinforcing ratios are experimentally tested to collect crack width and spacing data for comparison and validation purposes. Nonuniformity distribution coefficient of rebar strain and average crack spacing are calibrated by the test data. Also, rebar stress is calculated with considering residual tensile strength of UHPC based on a sectional analysis. The modified crack width equation is validated with the test results, showing the best prediction accuracy of 0.97 and standard deviation of 0.11 for the test beams in this study compared to those predicted by JTG 3362, CECS 38, MC and AFGC. This study is emphasizing crack width prediction and control in designing UHPC structures.