Influence of transverse reinforcement on the cracking behaviour of reinforced concrete panels subjected to uniaxial tension

Theories for predicting the cracking behaviour of reinforced concrete elements under direct tension are primarily based on axially reinforced prisms. The situation, however, is quite different and complex in members reinforced in both longitudinal and transverse directions such as walls and slabs. In order to ascertain the significance of the transverse reinforcement, tests on six reinforced concrete panels have been performed. Four of these panels were reinforced in both directions while the remaining two were reinforced only in the direction of the applied loading. The members were subjected to direct tension and the results indicate that when transverse reinforcement was present, the cracking load for the tested specimens decreased by 25 - 30 %, whereas the crack widths and number of cracks increased. Finite element analysis / analytical techniques have also been employed to develop a further understanding of the subject.