Computer Nonlinear Analysis of the Formation and Development of Cracks in a Reinforced Concrete Slab Loaded by a Planar Uniform Load

The paper focuses on a computer nonlinear analysis of the formation and development of cracks in a concrete slab exposed to a uniform continuous load on the lower surface. The analysis is based on an actual example of the formation and development of cracks in a basement slab exposed to ground water buoyancy. A computer model of a slab was developed and gradually loaded by a uniformly increasing planar load to simulate water buoyancy acting on the bottom surface of the real basement slab. The paper illustrates the setting of the material model of the reinforced concrete slab according to the actual material properties. Several computer models of the crack formation and development were created.