Effect of reinforcement speciality on average fracture spacing of reinforced concrete specimen

A numerical test code named RFPA (realistic failure process analysis) was used to investigate the crack distribution rule of reinforced concrete specimens under axial tension. The results indicate that, the periodically distributed fracture spacing phenomenon exists in the failure process of the reinforced concrete structure. Besides, the effect of reinforcement characteristics on the mechanical behavior and average crack spacing of reinforced concrete was also studied in five samples with different elastic moduli of the reinforcement. The elastic modulus value of the reinforcement is considered to be an important factor not only to significantly influence the average crack spacing but also to control the ultimate strain of the specimen. In addition, the average crack spacing is increased and the ultimate strain of the specimen is also increased with the decrease of the elastic modulus of the reinforcement.