Chapter Six: Serviceability Limit States

Chapter Six: Serviceability Limit states 6.1 Introduction In the previous chapters methods have been developed to ensure that beams will have a proper safety margin against failure in flexure or shear, or due to in adequate bond and anchorage of reinforcement at overload state. It is also important that member performance in normal service be satisfactory, when loads are those actually expected to act i.e., when load factors are 1.0. This is not guaranteed simply by providing adequate strength. Serviceability of a structure is determined by its deflection, cracking, vibration, etc at service load level based on elastic theory.This chapter deals with the evaluation of deflection and cracking behavior of beams and one way slabs in some details. 6.2 Limit State of Deflection Effects of deflection Modern building structures often lack substantial walls and partitions, and the non structural elements are prone to damage caused by deformations of the structural members. More over; too large deflection may cause roof surfaces not to drain properly, doors and windows will not operate properly, malfunction of sensitive equipment and change in stress distribution of structural members. Hence the control of defections of flexural members under service load is assuming greater importance. Deflection behavior of beams The load deflection behavior of reinforced concrete beam is basically trilinear, as idealized in Fig. 6.1. It is composed of three regions prior to rupture. Region I: Pre cracking stage, where the structural member is crack free (see Fig.6.1) Region II: Post cracking stage, the structural member develops acceptable controlled cracking both in distribution and width Region III: Post serviceability cracking stage, where the stress in the tension reinforcing steel reaches the limit state of yielding.

Fig.6.1 stage

Pre-cracking Stage: Region I The pre-cracking segment of the load deflection curve is essentially a straight line defining full elastic behavior. The maximum tensile stress in the beam in this region is less than the tensile strength of concrete in flexure, fctd. Therefore, the flexural

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stiffness EI of the beam can be estimated using the youngs modulus E c of concrete and the uncracked transformed moment of inertia Iut of concrete cross-section. Stress and strain distributions across the depth of a typical uncracked rectangular concrete section are shown in Fig.6.2.

c A
s '

fc
'

( n

- s' 1 ) A

s d h

fs

'

A b
x - s

s c
e c t i o
t

fs fc
s s
t

b
( n s

1 ) A r m e d s e c t i o n

ns t r a i n

t r e

s s e s u

c r ta r c a k n e s d f o

Fig.6.2 Behavior of reinforced concrete beam in the pre-cracking stage

The pre-cracking stage stops at the initiation of the first flexural crack when the concrete strength reaches its tensile design strength fctd. The calculations of deflection for this region are not important as very few reinforced concrete beams remain uncracked under actual loading. However mathematical knowledge of the variation of stiffness is important as segments of the beam along the span in the actual structure can remain uncracked. Post-cracking Service Load Stage: Region II The pre cracking stage ends at the initiation of the first crack and moves in to region II of the load deflection diagram (see Fig. 6.1). Most beams lie in this region at service loads. A beam undergoes varying degree of cracking along the span corresponding to the stresses and deflection levels at each section. Hence cracks are wider and deeper at mid span, whereas only narrow Minor cracks develop near the supports in a simple beam. When flexural cracking develops, the contribution of concrete in the tension zone reduces substantially. Hence the flexural rigidity of the section is reduced, making the load deflection curve less steep in this region than in the precracking stage segment (see Fig.6.1).

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Chapter Six: Serviceability Limit States

Stress and strain distributions across the depth of a typical cracked rectangular concrete section are shown in Fig.6.3.

( n

- s' 1 ) A

c A
s '

fc
'

b fs
'

s d h

A b

fs
( n s

1 ) A s f o r m e d s e c t i o n

x - s e c t i o

ns

t r a i n

s s t r e s s e s c r a c t k r ae dn

Fig.6.3 Behavior of reinforced concrete beam in the post-cracking service load stage

The moment of inertia of the cracked section designated as Ictr can be calculated from the basic principles of mechanics. Post-serviceability Cracking Stage: Region III The load deflection diagram (see Fig.6.1) is considerably flatter in region three than in the preceding regions. This is due to substantial loss in stiffness of the section as a result of extensive cracking and considerable widening of the stabilized cracks though out the span at this load level. Stress and strain distributions across the depth of a typical cracked rectangular concrete section at the ultimate load level are shown in Fig.6.4.

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Chapter Six: Serviceability Limit States

( n

- s' 1 ) A

c A
s '

fc
'

s d h

A b

fs
( n s

1 ) A s f o r m e d s e c t i o n

x - s e c t i o

ns

t r a i n

s t r e s s

e c s r a c t k r ae nd

Fig.6.4 Behavior of reinforced concrete beam in the post-serviceability cracking stage

Although , Post Yield deflection and limit deflection at failure are not of major significance in design, to recognize the reserve deflection capacity as a measure of ductility in structures in earthquake zones and in areas where the probability of overload is high. Factors attributing to large deformations include:

Magnitude and distributions of variable load Span and type of end restraints. Cross-sectional properties Types of concrete grade Stress in steel reinforcement

Computation of deflection The accurate prediction of the deflection of reinforced concrete members at the service load is difficult. Unsymmetrical reinforcement in beams (As > As) leads deflection due to shrinkage of concrete, which add to the gravity load deflection. Creep of concrete leads to gradual increase of deflections of members under sustained service loads. The shrinkage and creep that occur are influenced by temperature, humidity, curing conditions, age of concrete at the time of loading and other factors. The decrease in flexural stiffness caused by cracking of the concrete also has an appreciable effect on the deflection, and the uncertainty of the extent of cracking makes the effective moment of inertia of members difficult to estimate. In most practical cases, the deflection can be estimated in two steps: (1) the immediate

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deflection that occurs at first loading, and (2) the additional deflection that occurs with time, because of creep and shrinkage of the concrete. Immediate Deflection The immediate deflections caused by the service loads may be calculated using elastic theories. It can be calculated based on the properties of either uncracked elastic member, cracked elastic member or some combination of these. Long-term deflection The deflection of reinforced concrete beams increase with time. The additional deflections are caused by creep and shrinkage of concrete. The rate of additional deflections deceases as time proceeds. The long term deflection is about two to three times the short term deflection. Concrete shrinkage curvatures will have the same sign as the curvatures due to the transverse loads; they will increase the deflections due to the transverse loads. Concrete creep results in a shortening of the compressed part of the concrete cross section, hence also cause additional curvature It is evident that the additional deflection due to shrinkage and creep can be substantially reduced by the presence of compression reinforcement. 6.3 Limit States of Cracking All reinforced concrete beams crack generally starting at loads well below service level. Consequently it is necessary to study its cracking behavior and control the width of flexural cracks. As the loads are gradually increased above the cracking load, both the number and width of cracks are increased. Method of prediction of crack widths are primarily based on test observations as cracking of concrete is a random process, highly variable and influenced by many factors. Factors attributing to cracks are: - Surface characteristics of reinforcing steel. Generally, smooth bars result in small number of wide cracks and deformed bars will result in large number of very fine cracks. - Stress in reinforcing steel. Crack width is proportional to stress in the steel - Concrete cover

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Chapter Six: Serviceability Limit States

Diameter and spacing of reinforcement. Generally, to control cracking, it is better to use a large number of small diameter bars to provide the required steel than to use the minimum number of larger bars. More over bars should be well distributed over the tension zone of the concrete.

Serviceability Limit States, as per EBCS 2 Limit State of Deflection

1) The deflection of a structure or any part of the structure shall not adversely

affect the proper functioning or appearance of the structure 2) This may be ensured either by keeping calculated deflections below the limiting values or by compliance with the requirements for minimum effective depth. Limits on Deflection 1) The final deflection including the effect of temperature, creep and shrinkage) of all horizontal members shall not, in general, exceed the value.

Where, Le = the effective span

Le 200

2) For roof or floor construction supporting or attached to non structural elements

(e.g. partitions, and finishes) likely to be damaged by large deflections, that part of the deflection which occurs after the attachment of the non structural elements shall not exceed the value.

3) In any calculation of deflections, the design properties of materials and the

design loads shall be those defined for serviceability limit state (see chapter two). Requirements for Effective depth

Le 20mm 350

1) The following minimum effective depth shall be provided unless computation of deflection indicates that smaller thickness may be used with out exceeding the above limits on deflections. f L d (0.4 + 0.6 yk ) e 400 a Where: fyk is the characteristic strength of the reinforcement (MPA) Le is the effective span; and for two way slabs, the shorter span a is the appropriate constant from the following Table and for slabs 150 carrying partitions walls likely to crack, shall be taken as a Lo

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Chapter Six: Serviceability Limit States

Lo is the distance in m between points of zero moments; and for a cantilever, twice the length to the face of the support. Table 6.1 Values of a

Member Beams Slabs (a) Span ratio = 2:1 (b) Span ratio = 1:1 Flat slabs ( based on longer span)

Simply Supported 20 25 35

End Spans 24 30 40 24

Interior Spans 28 35 45

Cantilevers 10 12 10 -

Note: for slabs with intermediate span ratios interpolate linearly.

Calculation of deflections Immediate Deflections

1) Unless values are obtained by a more comprehensive analysis, deflections which

occur immediately on application of load shall be computed by the usual elastic methods as the sum of two parts, i and ii but not more than max as given by the following equations.

i = L2 ii = L2

M cr Ecm I i M k M cr 0.75Es As z (d x) Mk Es As z (d x)

max = L2

x n + (n ) 2 + 2n d
' x ( As As ) Where = , z d and n=10 3 bd

2) Unless the theoretical moment which causes cracking is obtained by more

comprehensive method, it shall be computed by

M cr = 1.70 f ctk Z
where i is the deflection due to the theoretical cracking moment Mcr acting on the uncracked transformed section. ii is the deflection due to the balance of the applied moment over and above the cracking value and acting on a section with an equivalent stiffness of 75% of the cracked value max is the deflection of fully cracked section As is the area of tension reinforcement

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Ecm is the short term elastic modulus (tangential modulus of the concrete Es is the modulus of elasticity of steel Ii is the moment of inertia of the uncracked transformed concrete section. Mk is the maximum applied moment at mid span due to sustained characteristic loads; for cantilevers Mk is the moment at the face of the support Z is the section modulus d is the effective depth of the section x is the neutral axis depth at the section of maximum moment z is the internal lever arm at the section of maximum moment is the deflection coefficient depending on the loading and support conditions (e.g. b = 5/48 for simply supported span subjected to uniformly distributed load) Note: the value of x and z may be determined for the service load condition using a modular ration of 10, or for ultimate load condition Long Term Deflections

1) Unless values are obtained by more comprehensive analysis, the additional long
term deflection of flexural members shall be obtained by multiplying the immediate deflection caused by sustained load considered by the following factor.
' A 2 1.2 s 0.6 As Where As is the area of compression reinforcement As is the area of tension reinforcement.

Limit States of Cracking 1) For reinforced concrete, two limit states of cracking: the limit state of crack formation and the limit state of crack width are of interest. 2) The particular limit stare to be checked is chosen on the basis of the requirements for durability, and appearance. The requirements for durability depend on the conditions of exposure and sensitivity of the reinforcement to corrosion Limit State of Crack Formation The maximum tensile stresses in the concrete are calculated under the action of design loads appropriate to the serviceability limit state and on the basis of geometric properties of the transformed uncracked concrete cross section. The calculated stress shall not exceed the following values: ct = 1.70fctk , for flexure

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Chapter Six: Serviceability Limit States

ct = fctk , for direct tension 1) In addition to the above minimum reinforcement in accordance with chapter 5 shall be provided for the control of cracking Limit State of Crack widths

1) Adequate protection against corrosion may be assumed provided that the

minimum concrete covers as per EBCS 2 are complied with and provided further that the characteristic crack width Wk do not exceed the limiting values given in the following Table. Table 6.2 Characteristic Crack Width for Concrete Members Type of Dry environment: Humid Environment: Sea water and/or exposure Interiors of Interior aggressive chemical buildings of components(e.g. environment: normal laundries); exterior Components completely habitation or components; and partially submerged offices components in non- in sea water; components aggressive soil in saturated salt air; (Mild) and/or water aggressive industrial atmosphere (Moderate) (Sever) Characteristic crack width, 0.4 0.2 0.1 Wk (mm) 2) Checking of the limit state of flexural crack widths is generally not necessary for reinforced concrete where a) at least then minimum reinforcement given by Art.5.3.2, EBCS 2 is provided b) the reinforcement consists of deformed bars c) their diameter dos not exceed the maximum values given in the following Table.
Table6.3 Maximum Bar Diameter for which Checking Flexural Crack Width may be Omitted

Wk = 0.4mm s (MPA) (mm) 160 40 200 32 240 25

Wk = 0.2mm s (MPA) 160 200 240 (mm) 25 16 12

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10

280 320

20 16

320 400

6 4

Where: s is the steel stress under service condition Wk is the permitted characteristic crack width. Note: where necessary linear interpolation may be used

3) If crack widths have to be calculated, the following approximate equations may

be used in the absence of more accurate methods Wk = 1.7Wm Wm = Srmsm Where Wk is the characteristic crack width Wm is the mean crack width Srm is average distance between cracks ( see Art.5.3.4.2, EBCS 2) sm is the mean strain of the reinforcement considering the contribution of concrete in tension( see Art.5.3.4.2, EBCS 2)

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