International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

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AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF CRACK PATTERNS ON REINFORCED

CONCRETE BEAM
T Krishna Thulasi1, S Subathra 2, T P Meikandaan3
1 M.E. (Structural Engineering) Student, Department of Civil Engineering, New Prince Shri Bhavani College of
Engineering and Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, New Prince Shri Bhavani College of Engineering and

Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

3 Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Bharath Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai,

Tamilnadu, India
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Abstract - Concrete cracks are caused by overloading, accepted that cracks of some type are unavoidable in any
corrosion, shrinkage or poor workmanship. When looking at a structure. Cracks may be only at the surface or may extend to
specific cracking pattern or defect in concrete, sometimes the more than one layer of materials such as paint, plaster, walls,
causes can be attributed to a specific reason other times the or through cracks, etc., Cracks due to different causes have
pattern may have multiple causes leading to its current state. varying characteristics and by the careful observations of
In better understanding some of the causes of concrete cracks these characteristics, one can diagnose the cause of cracking
as well as different cracking pattern types, engineer, for adopting the appropriate remedial measures.
construction managers, and other may be able to avoid major
structural catastrophes. In this experimental study, around 6 Allowable crack width as per IS: 456 - 2000 varies
beam specimens of M20 is cast, Beam size of 1500 x 100 x 200 according to climatic conditions from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.
millimeter. During loading the pattern of cracks i.e., initial
cracks and the crack propagation is studied. Flexure and Shear 1. 1 Scope of the Investigation
crack is studied. The ultimate capacity of beam is also studied.
To know the different types, nature and effects of cracks
Key Words: Flexure, Shear, Corrosion, Shrinkage, in structure, in order to avoid major structural
Overloading, Crack propagation, Catastrophes. catastrophes and loss of life.

1. INTRODUCTION 1.2 Classification of Cracks - Nature Wise

Concrete cracks, in fact, it is designed to crack to be 1.2.1 Structural Cracks: These cracks occur due to
able to fully engage the reinforcing steel. Concerns with incorrect design, faulty construction or overloading
concrete cracking come up when owners are maintenance and these may endanger the safety of building.
workers and unsure of what to look for or are unaware of Example: Extensive cracking of RCC column of any
the implications of certain cracks. Some types of cracking structural element.
indicates a structural issue, when others do not indicate any
type of issue, when others do not indicate any type of issue
other than normal weathering. There are many different
causes of cracks, which can lead to different type of crack
patterns. Each type of cracking pattern can be associated
with a likely cause. If this cause is recognized, it can be
identified as structurally vital or non-vital. It is of particular
interest in discerning between these two so that the failures
and damage of these can be avoided or at least
predetermined to minimize economic damage, future
deterioration, and in severe cases the loss of human life. The
occurrence of various crack patterns in the building mostly
takes place during construction and/or after completion. A
building component develops cracks whenever the stress in
Fig -1: Structural Cracks
the components exceeds its strength. Stress in the building
component is caused by externally applied forces/loads. 1.2.2 Non-Structural Cracks: These occur mostly due to
Almost all the types of cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beams internally induced stresses in building materials
are fundamentally defined by the principle cause or and do not endanger the safety of a building but
mechanism associated with the function of cracks. may look unsightly, or may create an impression of
An occurrence of the cracks is often a subject that raises faulty work or may give a feeling of instability. In
numerous questions. Cracks may appear in structures, either some situations due to penetration of moisture
at the initial stage or with time. It should first of all be through them, non-structural cracks may spoil the

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internal finishes thus adding to the cost of 1.3.3 Wide Crack: More than 2 mm width
maintenance, or corrode the reinforcement, thereby
adversely affecting the stability of the structure in
long run.

Fig -5: Wide Crack

1.3.4 Crazing: The occurrence of closely spaced fine

Fig -2: Non-Structural Cracks cracks at the surface of a material
1.3. Classification of Cracks - Width Wise:

Cracks may appear in the structure either at the

initial stage or with the time. Some cracks are unavoidable
in structure and subjected to numerous questions. Cracks
may appreciably vary in width from very thin hair crack
barely visible to the naked eye (about 0.01mm in width) to
gaping cracks 5mm or more in width.

1.3.1 Thin Crack: Less than 1mm width

Fig -6: Wide Crack

1.4. Classification of Cracks - Shape Wise:

Cracks may appreciably vary in width from very thin

hair crack barely visible to the naked eye to gaping crack.
Vice versa cracks can be of uniform width throughout or may
be narrow at one end gradually widening at the other. Crack
depending upon its shape can be classified as following:

Fig -3: Thin Crack 1.4.1 Straight:

1.3.2 Medium Crack: 1 mm to 2 mm in width

Fig -7: Straight

Fig -4: Medium Crack

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1.4.2 Toothed: 1.4.5 Vertical, Horizontal or Diagonal

Fig -11: Vertical, Horizontal or Diagonal

Fig -8: Toothed 1.5 Types and Summary of Cracks in Reinforced

Concrete Beams:
1.4.3 Stepped:
1.5.1 Flexure Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beam:
Flexure word also means “Bending”. Cracking in
reinforced concrete beams subjected to bending
usually starts in the tensile zone i.e. soffit of the
beam. The width of flexural cracks in reinforced
concrete beams for short-term may stay narrow
from the surface to the steel. However, in long-term
under continuous loading, the width of crack may
get increased and become more uniform across the
member.

Fig -12: Flexure Cracks in RC Beam

Fig -9: Stepped

1.4.4 Map Pattern or Random type:

Fig -13: Flexure Cracks in RC Beam

Table -1: Flexure Cracks

Member Crack Important Possible Reasons

Type Characteristics
RC Beam Flexure Originates in Flexural capacity of the
Cracks in maximum moment beam is inadequate.
Reinforced region
Concrete
Beams May be in single or When cross section or
groups main reinforcement in
beam is insufficient

Maximum width at i.e. it is loaded more

bottom/top of beam than defined loads.

1.5.2 Shear Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beam:

Fig -10: Map Pattern or Random type Shear cracks in reinforced concrete beams occur in
hardened stage and it is usually caused by
structural (self-weight) loading or movement. These
types of cracks are better illustrates as diagonal

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tension cracks due to combined effects of flexural

(bending) & shearing action.

Fig -17: Torsion Cracks in RC Beam

Fig -14: Shear Cracks in RC Beam Table -4: Corrosion Cracks

Memb Crack Type Important Possible Reasons

er Characteristics
RC Corrosion Runs along the line Bond between
Fig -15: Shear Cracks in RC Beam Beam Cracks in of reinforcement. reinforcing bars and
Reinforced concrete not
Concrete satisfactory.
Table -2: Shear Cracks Beams
Uniform width in May be due to corrosion
Memb Crack Type Important Possible Reasons general bars/fire damage
er Characteristics
RC Shear Cracks Originates nearer to Shear capacity of the
Beam in Reinforced supports beam is inadequate.
Concrete
1.5.5 Shrinkage Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beam:
Beams May be in single or When cross section or Shrinkage cracks in reinforced concrete beams
groups torsional reinforcement occur during two stages, which are a pre-hardening
in beam is insufficient
stage and hardened stage. In pre-hardening stage,
Maximum width at Both here happen due these types of cracks are called as plastic shrinkage
neutral axis region to loading more than cracks & in the hardened stage they are known as
or at bottom of defined loads.
beam. drying shrinkage cracks. Shrinkage cracks occur
when fresh concrete is subjected to a very rapid loss
of moisture.
1.5.3 Torsion Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beam:
Usually, beams are subjected to torsion along with
bending moment and shear force. Bending moment
& shear force occurs as loads acts normal to the
plane of bending. However, loads away from the
bending plane will cause torsional movement. Fig -18: Shrinkage Cracks in RC Beam

Table -5: Shrinkage Cracks

Memb Crack Type Important Possible Reasons

er Characteristics

RC Shrinkage No regular pattern Curing is inadequate or

Fig -16: Torsion Cracks in RC Beam Beam Cracks in or thickness and in no control over water-
Reinforced general superficial cement ratio.
Table -3: Flexure Cracks Concrete
Usage of excessively
Beams
rich mix.
Memb Crack Type Important Possible Reasons
er Characteristics Shrinkage
reinforcement, if any,
RC Torsion Originates nearer to Torsional strength of insufficient.
Beam Cracks in maximum torsion the beam is inadequate.
Reinforced region
Concrete 1.5.6 Sliding Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beam: The
Beams Single generally When cross section or
uniform width. torsional reinforcement diagonal mode of failure by sliding along the critical
Appears over the in beam is insufficient cracks is known as a failure by sliding and usually
whole periphery in appears at the edge of the supports of the beam.
helical form. These types of concrete cracks appear if concrete
gets disturbed in a fresh state.
1.5.4 Corrosion Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beam:
Corrosion cracks in reinforced concrete beams run
along the line of reinforcement. It usually separates
the concrete from reinforcing bars. It is mostly
manifested by discoloration of paint or stains of
rust. Fig -19: Sliding Cracks in RC Beam

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Table -6: Sliding Cracks Curing of concrete: The concrete is cured to prevent or
replenish the loss of water which is essential for the process
Memb Crack Type Important Possible Reasons of hydration and hence for hardening also curing prevents
er Characteristics the exposure of concrete to a hot atmosphere and to drying
RC Sliding Cracks Runs vertically at Concrete in the beam is winds which may lead to quick drying out of moisture in the
Beam in Reinforced edge of support disturbed at early age concrete and thereby subject it to contraction stresses at a
Concrete when adequate strength stage when the concrete stronger more durable more
Beams Maximum width at is not attained.
bottom of beam resistant to abrasion and to frost. Curing period is 28 days.
May be due to
disturbance of Beam specimens were tested in the loading frame.
formwork at green The testing procedure for the entire specimen was same. The
stage or early de- most commonly used load arrangement for testing of beams
shuttering.
will consist of 2 point loading. This has the advantages of
substantial region of nearly uniform moment coupled with
1.5.7 Tension Cracks in Reinforced Concrete Beam: very small shears. The load will normally be concentrated at
Tension cracks in reinforced concrete beams occur a suitable shorter distance from a support. Two point
usually due to shrinkage or temperature variations. loading arrangement was done as shown in the figure. 21 &
Tension cracks usually appear in those members 22. The load is transmitted through a load cell and spherical
where restraint is provided in the longitudinal seating on a beam. This beam bears on rollers scatted on
movements. Usually, tension cracks tend to steel plates bedded on the test member with mortar, high
propagate over the full depth of the cross-section of strength plaster or some similar material. The loading frame
beam. must be capable of carrying the expected test loads without
significant distortion. Ease of access to the middle third for
crack observations, deflection readings and possibly strain
measurements as important consideration as is safety when
failure occurs. The specimen was placed over the two steel
rollers bearing leaving ends of the beam. Two number of dial
gauges were used for recording the deflection of the beams.
Fig -20: Tension Cracks in RC Beam One dial gauge was placed just below the center of the beam
and the remaining dial gauges were placed just below the
Table -7: Tension Cracks point loads to measure deflections.

Memb Crack Type Important Possible Reasons

er Characteristics

RC Tension Appear over the Capacity of member in

Beam Cracks in whole periphery. Tension is inadequate
Reinforced Generally over the
Concrete whole length of
Beams member.

Parallel to each Tensile Reinforcement

other & Uniformly is insufficient.
observed.

2. CASTING & EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

Reinforcing steel: HYSD bars of 8mm diameter were used

as main reinforcement. 6mm diameter mild steel bars were
used for shear reinforcement. 8mm Rings were provided at 6
inch intervals along the length of the specimen.

Concrete Mixing: Mixing of concrete should be done

thoroughly to ensure that concrete of uniform quantity is
obtained. Hand mixing is done in small works, while machine
mixing is done for all big and important works.

Compaction: Specimens were compacted by using needle

vibrator for good compaction of concrete. Finally the surface
of the concrete will be leveled, finished and smoothened by
metal trowel and wooden float.
Fig -21: Experimental Set-up of RC Beam

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Table -8: Load Vs Deflection set-1

(Average value of 3 beams)

DEFLECTION IN MM DEFLECTION IN MM
Load
LVDT 1(Middle) LVDT2(Right)
0.5 0.1 0.2
1 0.5 0.4
1.5 0.7 0.6
2 1.1 1
2.5 1.7 1.6
3 2.3 2.2
3.5 2.8 2.7
3.9 3.2 3.1
Fig -22: Experimental Set-up of RC Beam in Laboratory

Chart -1: Load Vs Deflection graph set-1

(Average value of 3 beams)

Fig -23: Data logger
Table -9: Load Vs Deflection set-2
3. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION & STUDY (Average value of 3 beams)

This chapter gives us the clear idea of investigation DEFLECTION IN MM DEFLECTION IN MM

& study of crack patterns in RC Beam specimens. The load Load
deflection history & mid-span deflection of all beams were LVDT 1(Middle) LVDT 2(Right)
recorded. After setting and reading all gauges the load was 0.5 0.1 0.2
increased incrementally up to the calculated working
1 0.4 0.4
load,with loads and deflections recorded at each stage, loads
will then normally be increased again in similar increments 1.5 0.6 0.6
upto failure,with deflection at this stage will usually be large 2 0.9 1
and easily measured from a distance. Similarly cracking and
2.5 1.5 1.5
manual strain observations must be suspended as failure
approaches unless special safety are taken.If it is essential 3 2 2
that precise deflection readings are taken upto collapse. 3.5 2.5 2.5
Cracking and failure mode was checked visually and a load
was prepared. 3.7 2.7 2.7

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I would also like to thank Mr. B. B. Belliappa,

M.Tech., (Struct), Managing Director of Belliappa &
Associates, Chennai, for his valuable guidance & support in
every aspect of work.

REFERENCES
[1] IS: 4031-1 Part-1(1996) Method of physical test for
cement ‘Specifications for fineness of cement by dry
sieving’. Indian Standards, New Delhi.

[2] IS: 4031 Part 1 (1998) Method of physical test for

cement ‘Specifications for soundness of cement by
autoclave method’. Indian Standards, New Delhi.

[3] IS: 4031 Part 4 (1988) ‘Method of consistency of

Chart -2: Load Vs Deflection graph set-2 standard cement paste’. Indian Standards, New Delhi.
(Average value of 3 beams) [4] IS: 4031 Part 5 (1988) ‘Specifications for initial and final
setting time’. Indian Standards, New Delhi.
4. CONCLUSION
[5] IS: 2386 Part 1 (1963) ‘Method of test for aggregates for
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concrete (Part 1) particle size and shape’. Indian
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Standards, New Delhi.
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In order to increase the load carrying capacity of [6] IS 2386 Part 3 (1963) ‘Method for specific gravity &
beam we can also use wraps of like GFRP, FRP etc., some of water absorption of aggregate’ Bureau of Indian
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Fig -24: Wrapping Techniques
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the successful completion of the project. F.H.Wittmann Institute for Building Materials, Swiss
Federal Institute of Technology, CH-8093 Ziirich,
I thank Mr. T P Meikandaan, M.E., Associate Switzerland, Fracture Mechanics of Concrete Structures,
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of Science and Technology, for his valuable guidance in every ISBN 90 2651 825 0 , 2001
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H.W.REINHARDT, Publisher Delft University of
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[14] Zdenek P. Bazant, Emilie Becq-Giraudon, Cement and

concrete research, 2002

[15] X.-Z. HU, F.H. WITTMANN, July 1992, Volume

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