Shrinkage Cracks in Concrete Structures - Comparison of Design Methods for Slab-on-Grade Foundations

Abstract

Abstract Shrinkage cracks in reinforced concrete slabs-on-grade foundations are in most projects di cult to limit, despite that the design is carried out according to codes and recommendations. The current Eurocode can be interpreted in several ways regarding shrinkage cracks which results in that calculations made by two di erent designers could end up with di erent reinforcement amounts. This master's thesis examines what a ects shrinkage cracks in concrete slabs by analysis according to the nite element method. The analysis is compared with hand calculations. These are performed according to the current Eurocode, an updated version of Eurocode and recommendations proposed by Bj orn Engstr om. The study shows a varying degree of coherence for crack distances and crack widths, with the best resemblance to the nite element analysis by both version of Eurocode, for thin members.