Concrete @ your Fingertips

Surface crack width

Surface crack width depends on the percentage reinforcement and depth of cover. The depth of cover is usually dictated by the exposure conditions.

The nominal cover (C_nom) to reinforcement necessary for durability should be used in the design calculations to achieve the desired surface crack width. However where the actual cover is greater than the nominal cover, the actual surface crack width will be proportionally greater than the design value. This approach assumes the crack width varies linearly with zero width at the face of the bar.

For instance where the required cover for durability is, say, 35mm with a designed crack width of, say, 0.3mm but the cover is actually 70mm, then the actual surface crack width will be proportionally greater at 0.6mm. The durability is still maintained as the crack width 35mm from the reinforcement is still 0.3mm.

Where the surface crack width is limited for the purpose of appearance, the full cover should be assessed to calculate the area of reinforcement for the desired crack width.

See the National Annex to BS EN 1992-1:2004 Table NA.4 Recommended values for ω_max and associated text.

Acknowledgement: Concrete Society

Concrete Bookshop - Members receive 40% discount on Concrete Society publications

TR44 The relevance of cracking in concrete to corrosion of reinforcement - 2nd Edition

Crack width measurement