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Computers and Concrete Volume 38, Number 3, September 2026 , pages 453-482 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/cac.2026.38.3.03 |
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Coupled effects of reinforcement and restraint on shrinkage cracking in RC slabs: A CDP-based numerical study |
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Song Huang
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| Abstract | ||
| Shrinkage-induced cracking is a critical durability concern in reinforced concrete (RC) slabs, where reinforcement detailing and boundary restraint interact to control crack initiation, propagation, and serviceability performance. In this study, the Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model implemented in Abaqus was employed to simulate shrinkage-induced cracking under varying reinforcement ratios (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%), boundary restraint conditions (full versus one-edge restraint), cover depths, and subgrade friction coefficients. The results revealed that reinforcement and restraint act in a coupled manner to dictate crack morphology: higher reinforcement ratios refined crack networks and delayed initiation, while full-edge restraint promoted early stress concentration and through-crack formation. Quantitative indicators derived from the scalar stiffness degradation field (SDEG>=0.85) confirmed a non-monotonic effect of reinforcement, as the crack-affected fraction decreased from 0.104 at 0.5% to 0.067 at 1.0%, before rising again to 0.124 at 1.5%. Orientation analysis further showed that dominant cracks rotated from centrally nucleated perpendicular bands under full restraint to oblique, parallel fissures under one-edge restraint. Despite these variations, the maximum crack span consistently reached 3000 mm, while slabs with reinforcement ratios not less than 1.0% maintained maximum crack opening displacement (COD) below 0.3 mm, consistent with ACI 224R serviceability recommendations. This study demonstrates the capability of the CDP framework to capture shrinkage cracking behavior and establishes quantitative metrics that bridge numerical results with code-based crack control criteria, providing practical guidance for reinforcement detailing and restraint management in slab design. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| boundary restraint; concrete damage plasticity (CDP); cover depth; finite element analysis; reinforcement ratio; shrinkage cracking | ||
| Address | ||
| China Construction Third Engineering Bureau International Co., Ltd. (Oversea Business Department), No. 30, Beixing Road, Beijing 102600, China | ||