Cracks in Beams and Columns
Beams, Columns and other concrete structures is liable to have cracks in their two states, one in prehardening or plastic state and other in hardened state. Beams and columns with cracks are dangerous as they can no longer able to support design loads. Different conditions of loading and responce of structure shows different cracks formation in structure. Let's discuss in short cracks in beams and columns; Crack in Beams, 1) Flexure crack When flexural capacity of R C beam is not adequate and cross section of the beam has insufficient main reinforcement or cross reinforcement, flexure cracks may develop in the beam. A single crack or group of crack starts where bending moment is maximum and the maximum width of crack found at bottom or top of the beam. Proper design may eliminate this cracks. 2) Torsion crack, This crack is similar to flexure crack as here torsional capacity and torsion reinforcement is inadequate and hence crack developing at whete torsion moment is maximum. This