The approach of the ACI-318 for crack control. A vision from the Cuban reality

Abstract

The 1999 version of ACI code - 318 introduced a new approach for the verification of cracking in reinforced concrete elements in bending, which radically changes the past practice of conditioning the good performance under service loads to the opening of the cracks values exceed certain limits, dependent on the characteristics of the aggressiveness of the medium. For cracking control, since the NC-5339-97, the ACI approach for the verification of State Limit of Crack Width was introduced in Cuba, so that these provisions are directly relevant to the community of professionals dedicated to structural design. Since crack control is a key in a good project in Cuba, it is essential to deepen in these provisions, questioning its applicability to the aggressiveness of a tropical climate. It discusses the advantages of the introduction of these news procedures, the need is made from knowledge of their bases and they are carried out different proposals practices for their implementation in Cuban conditions.