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Design for SLS according to fib Model Code 2010

Article  in  Structural Concrete · June 2013

DOI: 10.1002/suco.201200060

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2
Volume 14
June 2013
ISSN 1464-4177

- Focus: fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010

- Sound engineering through conceptual design to fib MC 2010
- Design for SLS according to fib MC 2010
- Compressive, tensile and flexural creep behaviour of concrete
- Behaviour of concrete under restrained drying shrinkage
- Polymer tendons for crack healing in cementitious materials
- Mix design method for high-performance geopolymer mortars
- Design for punching of prestressed concrete slabs
- Residual compressive and flexural strength of RAC
- Impact of projectiles on concrete

György L. Balázs et al.
Design for SLS according to fib Model Code 2010
This paper provides an overview of serviceability specifications
given by the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010 (fib
MC2010 [1]). First, the reasons behind crack control and deflec-
tion control are discussed, then specific design rules are provid-
ed. Simple rules as well as detailed models are also presented.
Numerical examples are provided in order to assist in the appli-
cation of the design recommendations for crack control and de-
flection control (reinforced and prestressed concrete elements).
Simple rules mean indirect control of cracking or deflections
without calculations. Indirect crack control may include limitation
of stresses and selection of maximum bar diameter or maximum
bar spacing. Indirect deflection control normally means limiting
the span-to-depth ratio.
Detailed models are based on physical and mathematical ap-
proaches to cracking and deflections. The design crack width is
expressed as the maximum bond transfer length multiplied by the
mean strain between cracks. Deflection analysis can be provided
by integrating curvatures or by using a simplified or refined
method. Vibrations and numerical modelling of cracking are also
briefly discussed.
Keywords: MC2010, SLS, serviceability, cracking, crack control, crack width
limits, appearance, tightness, durability, bond, concrete cover, tension
stiffening, deflection, span-depth ratio, long-term deformations, fib Model
Code 2010
1 Introduction to serviceability design
Serviceability design and analysis is a very important part
of the design process for concrete structures, especially be-
cause the intention is to reflect the behaviour of a struc-
ture in use. It is generally known that crack widths and de-
formations should be kept within reasonable limits. Both
excessive cracking and excessive deformations may lead
to drawbacks in service. During the preparation of these
specifications it was kept in mind that the serviceability
specifications should be as simple as possible and also
transparent. Therefore, both simple rules as well as de-
tailed models were developed (Table 1).
Everyday design work requires simple rules that can
be easily applied. Simple rules for serviceability design of-
Corresponding author: balazs@vbt.bme.hu
Submitted for review: 12 December 2012
Revised: 15 March 2013
Accepted for publication: 16 March 2013
© 2013 Ernst & Sohn Verlag für Architektur und technische Wissenschaften GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin · Structural Concrete 14 (2013), No. 2
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Technical Paper
DOI: 10.1002/suco.201200060
ten ensure adequate behaviour; they can be called indirect
crack control or indirect deflection control. In these cases
calculations are not carried out, merely comparisons of
actual and limit values. This is typically helpful during
conceptual or preliminary design [2].
However, detailed serviceability analyses may be also
required in order to be able to follow the actual behaviour.
Whenever a detailed serviceability analysis is carried out,
its complexity can be realized [3], especially if long-term
effects have to be considered too. Long-term influences
may increase deformations and crack widths considerably.
Serviceability must be guaranteed for the long term, and
delayed deformations must be properly accounted for. (fib
Task Group 4.1 “Serviceability Models” provided a de-
tailed overview of long-term and cyclic influences on
cracking and deflections in CEB Bulletin 235 [4]).
The “Serviceability Models” Task Group of fib (Inter-
national Federation for Structural Concrete), TG 4.1, has
provided an excellent basis for technical discussions be-
tween experts from 10 different countries during the last
decade, the aim being to develop the serviceability specifi-
cations for fib Model Code 2010. Therefore, all the fib
Task Group members have contributed to this paper. An
overview of fib Model Code 2010 is given in [5]. Further re-
search needs are indicated in [6].
Verification of serviceability in fib Model Code 2010
provides improvements over MC1990 (see section 7.6 in
MC2010 and section 7 in MC1990):
(i) The intention of the cracking model in fib Model
Code 2010 was to provide a simple but consistent ap-
proach that incorporates recent results too. It again
includes a cover term in the crack spacing formula in
order to emphasize possible deformations in the con-
crete cover. The cracking model retained the philoso-
phy that the maximum crack width (called “design
crack width” here) is the multiple of 2ls,max (slip
lengths) and the average strain differences between
two cracks. Details for the calibration of the model
are demonstrated in the background document.
(ii) Considering deformations and deflections, the me-
chanical basis is of course the same as before, but
more deatails are given, especially for the long-term
analysis of and background to span-depth ratios.
(iii) Finally, a new section has been added for verification
of serviceability by numerical simulation, which is a
useful extension for computer simulations.
99