Best way to examine cracks in soffit
Best way to examine cracks in soffit
(OP)
I have a suspended slab with cracks running through the slab in one direction. (two way slab). How is the best way to ensure cracks are not structurally significant. We will be strengthening the structure as the load is to increase. However what concerns me is the effect of the cracks especially determination if the cracks run deep enough to pass the N/A and effect the bending capacity of the slab.






RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
Width?
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
I believe that if the crack is shallow i.e. only in tension zone then this is ok, but how do I know the crack depth.
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
BA
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
Adding a slab above is problematic. You are adding the dead load of the new slab and additional live load to raise the floor capacity. If you tie the slabs together thoroughly, you benefit from an increased effective depth but you are unable to increase the cross sectional area of the bottom reinforcement (unless you add FRP).
A system of steel beams under the existing slab is another possibility, but it would not be fireproof, may encroach on headroom and may run into existing obstructions below the slab. I don't know if it is a practical suggestion, but you could place one beam at or near the crack location. This may alleviate some of your concern about depth of flexural cracks.
BA
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit
The concern would be if the crack is located closer to supports, in areas of higher shear. The loss of Vc capacity on the slab would be a significant concern and FRP on the bottom wouldn't really help then.
RE: Best way to examine cracks in soffit