Modeling early age RC slab cracking considering time-dependent bond behaviour

This paper presents a FE model of RC slabs under concrete shrinkage and temperature changes. Nonlinear bond behaviour of steel bars in early age concrete was incorporated. It was found that the model agreed better with the slab test results regarding crack distribution and strain development than if the bond slippage was ignored. Parametric studies indicated that the concrete strain decreases with increased bond strength or decreased critical slip and the shape parameter of the bond slip relationship. The study proved the necessity of using a reasonable bond slip relationship for modeling early age RC slab cracking.