Parametric Calculation Tool for Flexural Crack Width in Concrete Slabs Assuming Seismic Damage

The definitions of concrete crack widths of reinforced concrete slabs with seismic loads are often not clear and can only be determined to a limited extent with analytical models. Thus, an increasing number of investigations regarding practical crack width calculations and subsequent approaches with simulative and mechanical models are being researched and evaluated. Within this research project, the comparison and analysis of recognized theoretical models for crack width calculation will be carried out with a focus on earthquake-related design situations. Accordingly, a parametric calculation tool was established using the programming platform MATLAB. The tool enables a parametric calculation and investigation of the crack width due to flexural moments in concrete slabs. The Code of the calculation tool was written as a semi-automatic calculation routine in MATLAB. In this model, crack models of different design standards, are processed and the results are delivered in tabular and graphical form. The calculations and analyses are based on the normative crack models applicable in Europe and the USA, i.e. DIN EN 1992-1-1 (Eurocode 2) and ACI 224R-01R08. Additional boundary conditions related to seismic loading are accounted for as per ACI 318-19, DIN EN 1998-1, and ASTM A706 as necessary. To achieve higher reliability of the model, comparative calculations were carried out toward the verification of the tool based on previous similar research for beams and columns [1] and on a nonlinear finite element software specialized for concrete. Finally, the influence of various geometrical and material parameters has been also investigated based on parametric calculations.