Why is the EC2 crack limit 0.3 mm and not 0.2 or 0.4?
By CivilAxis,
Why is the EC2 crack limit 0.3 mm and not 0.2 or 0.4?
Table 7.1N gives wmax = 0.3 mm for reinforced concrete in exposure classes XC2 to XS3, checked under the quasi-permanent combination. It is a durability and appearance limit, not a strength one - the structure is no weaker with a 0.35 mm crack.
Prestressed members with bonded tendons get 0.2 mm, and water-retaining structures to EN 1992-3 are tighter still. #eurocode2 #crackwidth
Replies
Priya Nair:
Worth adding: for X0 and XC1 the recommended limit is 0.4 mm, because there is no durability concern there, only appearance.
James Okoro (reply):
That explains why interior slabs rarely end up governed by crack width. Thanks.