Abstract
The principal relationship between concrete and rebars when cracks form in reinforced concrete (RC) and prestressed concrete (PC) structures is presented. Mainly for better understanding, crack formation in concrete is compared with that of other materials such as wood or soil.Cracks in RC and PC structures are almost unavoidable and are more often caused by restraint forces than by loads. Cracks are harmless for serviceability and durability if crack width is limited to hair cracks up to 0.2 or 0.3 mm. Although it has been proved that cracks up to 0.4 mm wide do not increase corrosion of the embedded steel, engineers have to strive to limit crack width primarily to get a good appearance from concrete structures.References are given to completed RC and PC structures having a maximum crack width of less than 0.2 mm and structures without expansion joints up to a total length of 140 m.
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