The effect of cracks on the bearing capacity of reinforced concrete slabs

Cracks occur in reinforced concrete slabs for two reasons - due to increased operational loads and due to manufacturing and installation defects. When cracks are detected, the question arises about the residual bearing capacity of the slab and the need of its strengthening. To solve this problem by calculation, it is necessary to take into account physical nonlinearity. An algorithm for the calculation by the finite element method is proposed. The main feature of the algorithm is the use of multilayered finite elements, which allows modeling the cracks by specifying the corresponding material characteristics of those layers which the crack passes through. A method for determining the bearing capacity of a slab with cracks after its reinforcement with composite fabrics is also considered. An example of the study of the stress-strain state of a reinforced concrete slab with cracks by the proposed method is given. The implementation of the algorithm in the PRINS program is described and the possibility of using this program for solving practical problems is discussed