Comparative Parametric Analysis of First-Crack Moment Prediction in Reinforced Concrete According to Engineering Codes

Abstract

In today ‘s engineering practice in Albania, the design of reinforced concrete elements is executed, as mentioned above, utilizing the interpolating of national design code with Eurocode 2 (EC2) and still, in some cases, against American structural design code (ACI 318-19). Therefore, the M_cr calculation, prediction is very important in serviceability limit state verification. In this paper a systematic parametric comparison between Mcr estimation methods according to the Albanian design code (Eurocode 2) and to ACI 318-19 was performed. A systematic parametric study was performed on a sectional group of reinforced concrete rectangular sections depending on variation of the cross-sectional dimensions, variation of the concrete tensile strength, and variation of the reinforcement ratio. The findings indicate that the Albanian code yields substantially higher values of   compared to Eurocode 2. This is primarily attributed to the more conservative assumption adopted in the Albanian code for determining the maximum tensile strain of concrete. The ACI formulation was very sensitive to the section geometry, especially the height of the section since it accounts for the entire cross-section. An approximation approach compatible with a Eurocode is also assessed as an interim engineering device, coinciding within +/ 510% of the Eurocode results for the cases studied. These results illustrate most of the variances seen in the predictions based on code and showcase the necessity of consistency that is vital in situations where mixed code is applied. Additional validation though either numerical or experimental work is suggested.