Technical Note

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TN314_cracking_moment_091008

CRACKING MOMENT OF A PRESTRESSED SECTION1

Bijan O. Aalami

Cracking moment of a concrete section (Mcr) is defined as the externally applied moment that would
initiate cracking in the section. For common sections, cracking initiates either at the top or bottom of a
section. There are generally two cracking moment values for each section: one will cause cracking at
one of the extreme fibers, and the second at the other extreme fiber.

For non-prestressed sections, the cracking moment is a function of the geometry of the section and its
reinforcement. For prestressed sections, however, the cracking moment also depends on the
prestressing through the entire member. This Technical Note explains the details.

Cracking initiates in a concrete section in bending and axial force, when the tensile stress at the
farthest fiber reaches the value ft. ACI-318 defines the value of the cracking stress ft as follows:

ft = 7.5 √ f’c psi in American system of units

ft = 0.62 √ f’c MPa in SI system of units

Where f’c is 28 day cylinder strength.

For a non-prestressed section, the moment that causes the cracking stress ft is given by (Mcr)

Mcr = S * ft

Where S is the section modulus equal to : S = I / c

c = distance of farthest fiber from section’s centroid – tension fiber under service load ;
and
I = second moment of area of the section.

For prestressed sections, refer to Fig. 1. Before cracking can be initiated, the applied moment (Mcr)
must first overcome the compressive stress due to prestressing at the farthest fiber (decompression
moment), before it can build up tension to ft .

1
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 Technical Note

(i) Generic section with post-tensioning tendons at distance “e” from centroid
(ii) Distribution of stress due to post-tensioning only
(iii) Distribution of stress at initiation of crack

POST-TENSIONED SECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF STRESS

FIGURE 1

Hence,

Mcr = S*( fp + ft )

Where fp is the stress due to prestressing.

fp = P/A + Mpt * c / I

Where,

Mpt = moment at the section under consideration due to post-tensioning

[= P*e + hyperstatic moment]
P = effective force at the section under consideration due to post-tensioning;
A = area of section;