A review of cracking of partially prestressed concrete members

AND M. EL SHAHAWI
B. DEV. BATCHELOR
Department of Civil Engineerirrg, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont., Car~cldnK7L 3N6
Received May 2, 1984
Revised manuscript accepted May 23, 1985

A selective review of cracking of partially prestressed concrete members is presented. The main studies, together with the
resulting methods for calculating maximum crack width, are critically examined. From an analysis of published test results
it is shown that, in the light of the sparse data available, there is no point in using a complicated crack width formula for partially
prestressed members. A simple expression for calculating crack width is proposed, which involves only the calculation of stress
Can. J. Civ. Eng. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by YORK UNIV on 11/23/14

in the non-prestressed reinforcement. A strong case is made for further research in this area so that effects of the controlling
parameters may be considered, where necessary.
Key words: concrete (prestressed), cracking, crack width, partial prestressing.

L'article prCsente une selection de fissures d'CICments en bCton partiellement prkcontraint. Les analyses ainsi que les
mCthodes de calcul des largeurs des fissures sont examinees. A partir de I'Ctude de rksultats d'essais publiCs, on montre, qu'i
la lueur des donntes clairsemCes disponibles, il est superflu d'utiliser des formules compliquCes pour prCdire la largeur des
fissures dans des Cltments partiellement prCcontraints. Une formule trks simple, ne nkcessitant que le calcul des contraintes
dans le renforcement non prkcontraint, est proposCe. L'article propose ensuite un projet de recherche afin de pouvoir
Cventuellement Ctudier les effets des diffkrents paramktres importants.
Mots clbs: btton (prCcontraint), fissure, largeur des fissures, prkcontrainte partielle.
[Traduit par la revue]

Can. J . Civ. Eng. 12. 645-652 (1985)

For personal use only.

Introduction
In the design of partially prestressed concrete
members, the limit state of cracking is an extremely
important criterion to be considered. In such members
the prestress acts in conjunction with the bonded rein-
forcement to limit cracking and deformation. Consid-
eration of the limit state of cracking requires that good
estimates of maximum crack width be made. It is well
known that the primary factor in crack control is not the
number of cracks formed, but rather the maximum
width of the cracks.
Although many studies have been conducted on the
cracking of ordinary reinforced concrete members,
comparatively few investigations have dealt with the
cracking of partially prestressed members. As in ordi-
nary reinforced concrete, crack width in partially pre-
stressed concrete is regarded to be influenced by the
increase in stress in the tensioned reinforcement after
initial cracking, as well as by the bond characteristics,
concrete cover, and distribution of the untensioned
reinforcement.
At first cracking of a partially prestressed concrete
section, the tensile force, which was previously carried
by the concrete, is suddenly transferred to the reinforc-
ing steel, thereby causing a sudden transfer of stress in
NOTE:Written discussion of this paper is welcomed and
will be received by the Editor until December 3 1, 1985 (ad-
dress inside front cover).
the steel. A high stress jump can result in internal cracks
at the ribs of reinforcing steel (Goto 1971), thus con-
tributing to crack width. The magnitude of the jump can
be reduced considerably with the use of prestressing,
and depends on the reinforcement ratio and the eccen-
tricity of the prestressing force. Generally, the presence
of a prestressing force leads to a lowering of the neutral
axis, thereby ensuring lower tensile strain at the cracked
face and hence reduced crack widths.
This paper critically examines existing methods for
calculating crack widths in partially prestressed con-
crete members. Published tests results are used to com-
pare the accuracy of existing crack width equations, and
to develop a simple expression that simplifies calcu-
lation but gives results that are no less reliable than the
more complicated methods in use.
Methods for calculating crack width
The methods currently available for determining
crack widths in partially prestressed concrete members
may be divided into two categories, namely: (a)
methods relating crack width to the tensile stress in
the untensioned reinforcement and (b) methods relating
crack width to a fictitious tensile stress in the concrete.
The first method is based on the change in the steel
stress from the stage of decompression (Fig. 1) of the
extreme tension fibre up to the loading level at which
the crack width is being determined. This method has
the advantage of being consistent with those already in
 646 CAN. J . CIV. ENG . VOL. 12, 1985
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0 Decompression at the tensile concrete face
a Decompression at level of tendon
0- After decompression a t level of tendon
FIG. 1 . Decompression states.
use for reinforced concrete. Bennett and Chandrasekhar
(197 1a , b) have shown that conventional reinforced
concrete theory for compression and bending gives a
close approximation to the actual stress in the rein-
forcement of a partially prestressed beam; however, the
For personal use only.
calculation involved is lengthy.
The second method for calculating crack width was
first proposed by Abeles (1967) and involves the calcu-
lation of a fictitious or nominal stress at the tensile face
of the supposedly uncracked concrete. This method is
simple to apply when compared with a method re-
quiring the calculation of the stress in the untensioned
reinforcement. Abeles determined values for the fic-
titious tensile stress in partially prestressed beams at
crack widths of 0.13 and 0.25 mm. He suggested that
these limits be used in design, depending on the degree
of exposure. The fictitious stress method has also been
used by Bennett and Chandrasekhar (1971), Beeby and
Taylor ( 1 970), and Beeby et al. (1972).
Both methods for calculating crack width require the
calculation of the effective prestress. The question of
accuracy arises, particularly with the use of the fic-
titious stress method. It is known that crack width is
closely related to the stress in the steel after cracking,
which is in turn largely dependent on the total area of
steel. However, the value of the fictitious tensile stress
is calculated using the complete cross section and is
therefore quite insensitive to the actual steel area. Pub-
lished formulae, based on both methods for calculating
crack width, are now presented.
Methods based on steel stress
Bennett and Chandrasekhar (1971a, b) studied the
cracking behaviour of 20 partially prestressed concrete
beams. Based on the test results, the following expres-
sion was proposed for determining the mean width of
major cracks, W, (mm):
where E,, is the total strain in the untensioned reinforce-
ment occurring after the decompression of concrete at
the level of the tendons (Fig. I); A€,, is the additional
strain in the untensioned reinforcement, occurring be-
tween the stage of decompression of concrete at the
tensile face and decompression at the level of tendons;
d, is the minimum concrete cover to the centroid of
untensioned reinforcement (mm), K I is a constant de-
pending on the type of the untensioned steel and has a
value of 3.8 for deformed bars and strand reinforce-
ment, and 5.0 for crimped wires; and K? is a constant
depending on the type of untensioned steel and has a
value of 20 for deformed bars and strand, and 30 for
crimped wire reinforcement. Equation [ I ] predicts that
crack width is directly related to cover, and not directly
related to the amount of tensioned reinforcement.
Bennett and Chandrasekhar stated that after removal
of the design load, complete closure of cracks occurred
only in beams in which at least 50% of the total steel is
tensioned.
Bennett and Dave ( 1969) proposed an expression for
predicting the maximum crack width, W,,,,, (mm), as
follows:
where the units are in terms of mm or MPa; Af,,, is the
additional stress in tensioned steel after cracking; Kb is
a bond coefficient, for which the following values were
suggested: 2.8 X lo-' mm4/N for 5 mm smooth wires,
1.4 X 1 0 - h m 4 / N for 5 mm rusted wires, 1.3 X
lo-' mm4/N for 8 mm strand; d, is the effective depth
based on tensioned steel; and A,,, A, are, respectively,
the area of tensioned and untensioned reinforcement.
Equation [2] was derived from an experimental study
in which 40 partially prestressed rectangular concrete
beams were tested. The total amount of steel and the
level of prestress were varied in the study, which in-
cluded tests under short-term, sustained, and repeated
loadings.
Bennett and Dave concluded that crack width is
significantly influenced by the additional stress in the
tensioned reinforcement after first cracking, by the
bond characteristics and distribution of the untensioned
reinforcement, and by the level of prestress. Also, it
was concluded that the greatest increase in crack width
occurs with repeated rather than with sustained loading.
Bennett and Veerasubramanian (1972) proposed an
expression, given in [3], for determining maximum
crack width. This formula was based on the results of
 BATCHELOR A N D EL SHAHAWI
testing of 34 partially prestressed concrete beams of
three different cross sections (rectangular, I, and T):
where PI and p, are constants related to the character-
istics of the non-prestressed reinforcement (PI = 0.02
mm and p2 = 6.5 mm for deformed bars) and AE:,
represents the increase in strain in the untensioned rein-
forcement beyond the stage of decompression of con-
crete at the tensile face of the beam (see Fig. I). It was
found that crack width is related to the increase of stress
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in the non-prestressed reinforcement, but is otherwise
independent of the shape of the cross section.
I t should be noted that no recommendations were
made by Bennett and Veerasubramanian (1972) for
strands or wires. For such cases, further studies are
needed, since the values of the constants in [3] may
require some modification.
The recommendations of the ComitC europCen du
btton - FtdCration internationale de la precontrainte
(CEB-FIP 1970) for maximum crack width, W,,,
(mm), in partially prestressed concrete members are as
follows:
(a) For beams subjected to nonrepetitive loads:
For personal use only.
(b) For loads repeated more than 100 times at their
maximum values:
where Af,, (MPa) is the change in untensioned steel
stress occurring after decompression at the extreme
tensile fibre.
A study by Bennett and Chandrasekhar (I97 I b ) indi-
cated that crack widths were underestimated by [4], and
that the formula [5] for repeated loads was more satis-
factory when applied to nonrepetitive loads on beams
reinforced with deformed bars and provided with large
concrete cover. Otherwise 151 - - was found to under-
estimate the crack width, especially with repeated
loading. Indications are that a careful parametric study
of cracking of partially prestressed concrete members
under repeated and static loading is necessary. Such a
study is now being conducted by the authors.
The CEB-FIP eqs. [4] and [5] do not explicitly
account for the influences of concrete cover and bond
properties. A modified formula, [6], for beams with
ribbed bars was proposed by Comite Euro-International
du BCton (1977):
[6] W,,, = 1.05
where d b is the diameter of reinforcing bar; f,,, is the
stress in untensioned steel immediately after cracking;
647
pc is the ratio of untensioned reinforcement (= A,/A);
and A is the effective concrete area in tension, having
a depth equal to twice the distance from the extreme
concrete tension fibre to the centroid of the bonded
reinforcement.
In a study by Meier (1979) it was found that the
application of [6] is questionable and further investi-
gation of this expression was recommended.
In 1978, CEB-FIP recommended the following
equation for both reinforced and partially prestressed
concrete beams:
where S,, is the average crack spacing calculated from:
in which S = reinforcing bar spacing centre-to-centre
across the tension face but not greater than 14dh(mm);
a , = 0.8 for plain bars and 0.4 for deformed bars; a, =
0.125 for bending and 0.25 for axial tension; and p, =
area of tension reinforcement divided by an effective
concrete area defined for purposes of crack calculation
(CEB - FIP 1978); only non-prestressed reinforcement
and directly bonded prestressing tendons are used in
calculating the value of p,.
In [7], E,, is the average strain in the tensile rein-
forcement, taking into account the stiffening effect of
the concrete between cracks, and is given by
where E, = modulus of elasticity of steel (MPa), b ,
= 0 . 4 / a I , and 6, = I .O at first loading, and 0.5 for
repeated loading.
Nawy and Potyondy (197 1 ) studied the cracking be-
haviour of a series of partially prestressed concrete 1-
and T-beams and suggested an expression for predicting
the maximum crack width W,,, (in.) as follows:
where a ,= a dimensional constant; A,, = the total area
of steel (prestressed and non-prestressed) (sq. in.);f,i=
(fp, - fds - 3.75) (ksi);f p s = stress in prestressing steel
at a given load level (ksi); f,, = stress in prestressing
steel at stage of decompression of the concrete at the
tensile face (ksi); S, = 1.2AIC 0 (in.); and C 0 = sum
of perimeters of non-prestressed steel (in.). ( 1 in. =
25.4 mm; 1 sq. in. = 645 mm', 1 ksi = 6.89 MPa.)
It was observed that stabilization of cracks in T-
beams occurred at about 0.8 of the ultimate load, as
compared with the I-beams, which had gradual crack
development up to ultimate load.
 648 CAN. I . CIV. ENG. VOL. 12. 1985
Again, the proposed expression [8] neglects the ef-
fect of cover and accounts for bond characteristics
through the ratio AIA,, and the quantity S,.
Nawy and Huang (1977) conducted an analytical and
experimental study of flexural cracking and deflection
behaviour up to failure of pretensioned 1- and T-beams.
Deformed bars were used as untensioned reinforce-
ment, and the main parameter in the study was the ratio
between prestressed and non-prestressed reinforcement.
The expression proposed for evaluating the max-
imum crack width at the level of the untensioned
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steel is
where W,,, is expressed in inches; Ri is the ratio of
distances from the neutral axis to the extreme tension
fibre and to the centroid of untensioned reinforcement;
Af s is the tensile stress (psi) in the non-prestressed steel
at any load level, the decompression load being taken as
the reference point; decompression here refers to the
stage at which the concrete stress is zero at the level of
the-prestressed reinforcement; and a is a dimensional
constant depending on the bond characteristics of
the prestressed tendons. (1 in. = 25.4 mm, 1 psi =
For personal use only.
6.89 kPa.)
Nawy and Huang concluded that it is advantageous to
place the non-prestressed steel below the prestressed
tendons, thereby resulting in more evenly distributed
cracks and, hence, smaller crack spacing and crack
width.
The proposed eq. [9] has the advantage of taking into
account most of the parameters found to be important
in the cracking behaviour of reinforced concrete
members, but neglects the influence of cover. It is also
assumed that the steel stress is essentially in the linear
elastic range.
Dean and Park (1981) conducted a study of four
rectangular partially prestressed concrete beams con-
taining grouted posttensioned tendons and non-pre-
stressed deformed bars. They suggested the use of [lo]
to predict the maximum crack width (mm):
where A , = area of concrete surrounding the tension
reinforcement and having the same centroid as that rein-
forcement, divided by the number of bars; h , = dis-
tance from the centroid of the tension reinforcement to
the neutral axis; and h2 = distance from the extreme
tension fibre to the neutral axis.
Equation [lo] is similar to that recommended by
ACI Committee 224 (1980) for the prediction of the
most probable maximum crack width in reinforced con-
crete members. This form was proposed originally by
Gergely and Lutz (1968).
Dean and Park concluded that [lo] appears to be a
realistic expression for the design of partially pre-
stressed concrete beams, and pointed out that it is
reasonably consistent with the CEB-FIP approach.
However, when checked against the cracking observed
in the test of four beam sections, [lo] was found to
overestimate crack width and to represent an upper
bound. Even after repeated loading, the maximum
measured crack widths generally did not exceed 80% of
the prediction.
In the use of [lo], Dean and Park assumed that only
the non-prestressed reinforcement is effective for crack
control, i.e., the term A, was calculated ignoring the
prestressed reinforcement; however, the strain distribu-
tion for the section was calculated, including the effect
of prestressed and non-prestressed reinforcement.
Methods based on the fictitious tensile stress in
concrete
Abeles and Czuprynski (1966) related crack width to
the fictitious flexural tensile concrete stress, f,,, and
showed that the value off,, is dependent on many
factors, such as the reinforcing steel properties and
distribution, and concrete cover. They suggested the
following relationship:
[ I l l f,, = K3 + K4(p - 0.3)
where p = the steel percentage related to the overall
depth of the beam and K,, K4 are constants dependent o n
the untensioned steel properties. The major disadvan-
tage of this expression is the lack of generality in pre-
dicting the maximum crack width for a given set of
conditions. More general expressions have been devel-
oped by other investigators reflecting more clearly the
parameters influencing crack width.
Using the fictitious tensile stress concept, Beeby and
Taylor (1970) and Beeby et al. (1972) suggested the
following relationship for the maximum crack width:
- c) (h
[12] W,,, = 2.75f,,-
Ec
where c = depth from the extreme compression fibre to
the neutral axis, computed for a cracked section sub-
jected to compression and bending (in.) and E, = the
modulus of elasticity of concrete (psi). (I in. =
2.54 mm, 1 psi = 6.89 kPa.) Much of the apparent
simplicity of this method is, however, lost because of
the necessity to determine the quantity c.
Equation [I21 was found to be acceptable for beams
containing deformed bars with specified minimum cov-
er, but there is a loss of accuracy when strand or wire
is used as untensioned reinforcement, or when the cover
is increased beyond the specified minimum.
Krishna (1971) and Krishna et al. (1973, 1975) test-
ed a number of partially prestressed pretensioned beams
 BATCHELOR AND EL SHAHAWI
= NAWY 8 POTYONDY
0 = NAWY 8 HUANG
a = NAWY 8 CHIANG
+
_
E
l .oo
= DEAN 8 PARK
X = OKADA E T A L .
-I
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NON- PRESTRESSED STEEL STRESS (MPA)
FIG.2. Relationship between maximum crack width and stress in non-prestressed steel.
For personal use only.
containing mild steel as supplementary reinforcement
and suggested the following relationship for W,, (mm):
in which f,,is expressed in MPa, and R l is a factor
depending upon the type of reinforcement. The in-
vestigators reported that [12], which was proposed by
Beeby et al., underestimates crack width.
Meier and Gergely (1981) conducted a comparison of
crack formulae using existing data. They proposed two
expressions for the prediction of the maximum crack
width in partially prestressed concrete as follows:
With non-prestressed reinforcement nearest to the
tensile face,
With prestressed steel nearest to tensile face,
where W,,, is in units of (in. X lo-'); C I , C2 are bond
coefficients; for deformed bars, C I = 12, C2 = 8.4 and
for strands, C, = 16, C2 = 12; and E,, = fictitious
concrete tensile strain at the tensile face, assuming that
the section is uncracked. (1 in. = 25.4 mm.) The bond
coefficients in [I41 and [15] provide for an increase in
crack width for strands over that for deformed bars.
Meier and Gergely (198 1 ) also suggested that, owing
to the influence of the bond of deformed bars on
cracking behaviour, it is advantageous to place the un-
tensioned reinforcement below the prestressed steel in
order to reduce cracking and to distribute cracks.
As an alternative to [I], Bennett and Chandrasekhar
( 197 1 b ) suggested an expression for W,,, (mm) as
follows:
in which K is a constant depending on the type of
untensioned reinforcement, and has a value of 435 X
mm2/N for deformed bars, 725 x mm2/N for
strand, and 1160 x mm2/N for crimped wire.
The simplified eq. [I61 contains terms K and d, to
allow for reinforcement characteristics and concrete
cover, and was shown by the investigators to give ac-
ceptable accuracy. However, much better accuracy was
obtained with the use of the more involved eq. [I],
which is based on calculated strains, and hence stresses
in the reinforcement.
Examination of published results
Published test results by Dean and Park (1981),
Nawy and Potyondy (1971), Nawy and Huang (1977),
Nawy and Chiang (l980), and Okada et al. (1983) were
used by the authors to develop a data base for crack
widths in partially prestressed concrete members.
Figure 2 shows the 255 data points plotted for Wmax
versus A f,,.Also shown is the least-squares regression
line, which is represented by
 CAN. J. CIV. El(G. VOL. 12. 1985

0 :MODIFIED C E B - F I P
O = CFR-FIP
TABLE1. Statistics of crack width data (Fig. 2)

Maximum crack Non-prestressed

width steel stress
W,,, (mm) Af,. (MPa)
Multiple
Standard Standard No. of regression
Mean deviation Mean deviation points coefficient

in partially prestressed concrete members, there is no

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justification for using complicated prediction formulae.

NON-PRESTRESSED S T E E L STRESS ( M P A )
FIG.3. Crack width predictions for T-section
1171 W,,, = (0.96Af,, - 46) x 10' (mm)
The important statistics of the data are given in Table 1.
It should be noted that the form of 1171 was selected
For personal use only.
Rather, the use of a simple formula, [17], is proposed,
which is easy to apply in design. Equation 1171 predicts
maximum crack width in terms of the increase in stress
in the non-prestressed reinforcement beyond decom-
pression at the tensile fibre.
The proposed equation compares very closely with
the original CEB-FIP eq. [4], which can be used as an
alternative to [ 171.
ABELES, P. W. 1967. Designof partially prestressed concrete
beams. Journal of the American Concrete Institute, 64(10),
pp. 669-677.

only after statistical analysis of crack width versus other
relevant beam parameters. The very large scatter ob-
served for the data does not justify the development of
complicated expessions for predicting crack width in
partially prestressed members. Indeed, the analysis of
the limited data supports the use, for the time being, of
an expression that is easy to apply.
A comparison of predicted values of W,,,,, versus Af,,
is shown in Fig. 3 for a section that is currently being
tested by the authors. It is seen that [I71 gives predic-
tions very close to those given by the original CEB-
FIP format given in 141. From an examination of Figs. 2
and 3, it is recommended that the CEB-FIP eq. [4] is
acceptable for static loads. The authors are currently
conducting a comprehensive study which should pro-
vide information as to how this prediction should be
modified with repeated loading.
Obviously, further investigation, covering an ex-
panded range of major variables and providing a larger
data base, is required before significant advances can be
made in predicting crack widths in partially prestressed
concrete members. In the meantime, a simple ex-
pression such as 141, which reflects the trend of the
data, should be used.
Conclusions and recommendations
A review of crack width formulae has been presented
in this paper, and their predictions compared with pub-
lished experimental data. The resulting wide scatter of
data points reflects the large variation in experimental
data. In the absence of a more detailed study of cracking
ABELES,P. W., and CZUPRYNSKI, L. 1966. Partial pre-
stressing: Its history, research, application and future
development. Cement and Concrete Association, London,
England.
ACI COMMITTEE 224. 1980. Control of cracking in concrete
structures. Concrete International: Design & Construction,
2(10), pp. 35-76.
BEEBY,A. W., and TAYLOR, H. P. J. 1970. Cracking in
partially prestressed members. Preliminary publication,
Sixth FtdCration internationale de la prkcontrainte Con-
gress, Prague, Czechoslovakia, pp. 6- 13.
BEEBY,A. W . , KEYDER,E., and TAYLOR,H. P. J.
1972. Cracking and deformations of partially prestressed
concrete beams. Technical Report, Cement and Concrete
Association, London, England.
BENNETT, E. W., and CHANDRASEKHAR, C. S. 1 9 7 1 ~ .
Stresses in the tendons and supplementary reinforcement of
"class 3" prestressed concrete beams. Building Science, 6,
pp. 123-131.
197 1 b. Calculation of the width of cracks in class 3
prestressed beams. Proceedings of the institution of Civil
Engineers, 49, pp. 333-346.
BENNETT, E. W., and DAVE,N. J . 1969. Test performances
and design of concrete beams with limited prestress. Struc-
tural Engineer, 47(12), pp. 487-496.
BENNEI-~, E. W., and VEERASUBRAMANIAN, N. 1972. Be-
haviour of nonrectangular beams with limited prestress
after flexural cracking. Journal of the American Concrete
Institute, 69(9), pp. 533-542.
COMITE EURO-INTERNATIONAL DU BETON. 1977. Model code
for concrete structures. Final draft, Paris, France.
CEB-FIP Joint International Committee. 1970. Recom-
mendations for the design and construction of concrete
structures. Cement and Concrete Association, London,
 BATCHELOR P

England, pp. 1 - 80. width of compression face of member

CEB-FIP Model Code for Concrete Structures. 1978. Inter- equal to 0 . 4 / a I
national recommendations. 3rd ed. Cement and Concrete equal to 1.0 at first loading and 0.5 for
Association, London, England, 348 p. repeated loading
DEAN,J. A., and PARK,R. 1981. The observed and predicted
distance from extreme compression fibre
cracking behaviour of four partially prestressed concrete
beam sections. Journal of the New Zealand Institution of to neutral axis
Engineers, 8(3), pp. 65-76. bond coefficients, which depend on the
GERGELY, P., and LUTZ,L. A. 1968. Maximum crack widths type of steel nearest to the tension face
in reinforced flexural members. ACI Publications SP-20, diameter of reinforcing bar
American Concrete Institute, Detroit. MI, pp. 87- 117. the minimum concrete cover to the cen-
GOTO,Y. 1971. Cracks formed in concrete around deformed troid of untensioned reinforcement
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tension bars. Journal of the American Concrete Institute, distance from extreme compression fibre
68(4), pp. 244-25 I. to centroid of tensioned steel
KRISHNA, R. 1971. Limit state design for structural concrete. distance from extreme compression fibre
Journal of the lnsitution of Engineers (India), 51(2), pp.
to centroid of untensioned steel
138- 143.
KRISHNA, R., BASAVARAJAIAH, B. S., and KUTTY,A. 1973. modulus of elasticity of concrete
Flexural behaviour of pretensioned concrete beams with modulus of elasticity of steel
limited prestress. Building Science, 8, pp. 179- 185. stress in the prestressing steel at decom-
KRISHNA, R., BASAVARAJAIAH, B. S., and PRAKASH, A. N. pression of the concrete at the tensile face
1975. Limit state behaviour of pretensioned I beams with stress in prestressed reinforcement at a
limited prestress. Indian Concrete Journal, pp. 213-218. given load level
MEIER,S. W. 1979. Prediction of maximum flexural crack tensile stress in the untensioned reinforce-
width in partially prestressed concrete beams. Master of ment
Science thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. equal to (f,, - fds - 3.75) (ksi)
MEIER,S. W . , and GERGELY, P. 1981. Flexural crack width
For personal use only.

the stress carried by the steel upon

in prestressed concrete beams. ASCE Journal of the Struc-
tural Division, 107(ST2), pp. 429-432. cracking of the section
NAWY,E. G., and CHIANG, J. Y. 1980. Serviceability behav- fin the nominal (fictitious) flexural tensile
iour of post-tensioned beams. Prestressed Concrete Insti- concrete stress
tute Journal, 25(1), pp. 74-95. overall depth of beam
NAWY,E. G., and HUANG, P. T. 1977. Crack and deflection distance from centroid of the tension rein-
control of pretcnsioned prestressed beams. Prestressed forcement to neutral axis
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NAWY,E. G., and POTYONDY, J. G. 197 1. Flexural cracking neutral axis
behaviour of pretensioned, prestressed concrete I and T
K2 constants depending on the type of the un-
beams. Journal of the American Concrete Institute, 68(5), tensioned reinforcement
pp. 355-360.
OKADA, K., KOBAYASHI, K., MIYAGAWA, T., and OISHI,R. constants dependent on the untensioned
1983. Cracking, inelastic and time-dependent behaviour steel properties
of partially prestressed concrete beams. International a bond coefficient
Symposium on Nonlinearity and Continuity in Prestressed a factor depending upon the type of
Concrete, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont., Vol. 1, reinforcement
pp. 87- 104. ratio of distances from the neutral axis to
the extreme tension fibre and from the
List of symbols neutral axis to the centroid of untensioned
a I equal to 0.8 for plain bars and 0 . 4 for de- reinforcement
formed bars reinforcing bar spacing centre-to-centre
a2 equal to 0.125 for bending and 0 . 2 5 for across the tension face but not greater than
axial loading 14db
A effective concrete area in tension, having equal to 1.2AIC 0
a depth equal to twice the distance from average crack spacing
the extreme concrete tension fibre to the mean width of major cracks
centroid of reinforcement maximum crack width
A, effective concrete area per bar a dimensional constant depending on the
A,, cross-sectional area of tensioned steel bond characteristics of the prestressed
As cross-sectional area of untensioned steel tendons
41 total area of tensile steel (= A, + A,,) a dimensional constant
 C A N . J . CIV. ENC. VOL. 12. 1985
a dimensional constant having a value of
0.02 mm for deformed bars
a constant depending on the characteristics
of the untensioned steel and equal to 6.5
for deformed bars
the tensile stress in the untensioned steel at
any load level with the decompression
load, at level of tendons, being taken as the
reference point
change in steel stress from decompression
at the extreme fibre
Can. J. Civ. Eng. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by YORK UNIV on 11/23/14
jump in steel stress upon cracking
the additional strain in the untensioned re-
inforcement occurring between the stage of
decompression of concrete at the tensile
face and decompression at level of tendons
the increase in strain in non-prestressed
steel beyond the stage of decompression of
concrete at the tensile face of the beam
fictitious concrete tensile strain at the
For personal use only.
tensile face, assuming that the section is
uncracked
Ernl average strain in the tensile reinforcement
taking account of the stiffening effect of
the concrete between cracks
E,u the total strain in the untensioned rein-
forcement occurring after the decom-
pression of concrete at the level of tendons
P the steel percentage related to the overall
depth of the beam
PC the ratio of untensioned reinforcement =
ASIA
Pr area of tension reinforcement divided by
the concrete area lying within 7.5db from
the outer bar centres of the reinforcement
group and the tensile concrete face. Only
untensioned steel and directly bonded
prestressing tendons are included in the p,
ratio
C0 sum of perimeters of reinforcing elements