Title:
Influence of Splitting Cracks on Tension Stiffening
Author(s):
Homayoun H. Abrishami and Denis Mitchell
Publication:
Structural Journal
Volume:
93
Issue:
6
Appears on pages(s):
703-710
Keywords:
bond (concrete to reinforcement); cover; cracking; reinforcing bars;
high-strength concrete; splitting cracks; tensile strength; tension stiffening; transverse cracks;
DOI:
10.14359/517
Date:
11/1/1996
Abstract:
This paper presents the influence of splitting cracks on tension stiffening of reinforced concrete tension members. The effect of different sizes of reinforcing bars, ranging from No. 10 to No. 30, on the formation of splitting cracks was investigated. Two different concrete strengths, 35 and 90 MPa, were used in the specimens to investigate the influence of concrete strength on tension stiffening. Although it is well-known that the development of transverse cracks reduces the tension stiffening, the presence of longitudinal splitting cracks was found to significantly alter the tension stiffening. It was found that the concrete cover-to-bar diameter ratio (c/db) provides a useful indicator for determining the extent of concrete splitting with a decrease in the c/db ratio resulting in more significant splitting cracks. A factor related to the c/db ratio was used to modify a tension stiffening expression to account for the important effect of longitudinal splitting cracks.