Numerical determination of crack width for reinforced concrete deep beams

In the study, a new, simple and alternative formula is proposed to calculate numerically crack widths of concrete on a finite element (FE) model. By considering more general tension softening behavior of concrete, the proposed expression is derived irrespective of any tension softening model given in the literature or design codes. The test results of six reinforced concrete (RC) deep beams having different geometrical and material properties selected from a recent existing experimental study of the authors are used to verify the accuracy and reliability of the proposed formula and the created numerical FE models of the specimens. Moreover, the crack width results obtained from the FE models are compared with the test results to see the performance of the proposed formula. The results of the study demonstrate that the proposed formula gives very accurate results in a comparison with the test results. The ratios of errors on the results stay commonly at an acceptable level as well. Consequently, the proposed formula is quite simple, unique, and robust to determine crack widths of RC deep beams on an FE model.