CHAPTER 11

SERVICEABILITY LIMIT STATE DESIGN

Article 49. Cracking Limit State

49.1 General considerations

In the case of verifications relating to Cracking Limit State, the effects of actions comprise the
tensions in the sections (σ) and the crack openings (w) that they cause, as applicable.
Generally, both σ and w are calculated from the design actions and the combinations
indicated in Chapter 3 for Limit Serviceability States.
The stresses shall be obtained from the actions, as indicated in Chapter 5. The tensions,
crack openings and other verifying criteria, shall be calculated in accordance with the
requirements indicated in the following paragraphs.

49.2 Cracking due to perpendicular stresses

49.2.1 Appearance of compression cracks

In all persistent situations and in temporary situations with the least favourable combination
of actions corresponding to the phase considered, the compressive stresses in the concrete
shall satisfy the following:

σc ≤ 0.60 f ck , j
in which:
σc Compressive stress of the concrete in the verifying situation.
f ck ,j Assumed value in the design for characteristic strength at j days (age of the
concrete and the phase considered).

49.2.2 Decompression Limit State

The calculations for the Decompression Limit State comprise verifying that under the
combination of actions corresponding to the phase being studied, decompression does not
occur in the concrete in any fibre in the section.

49.2.3 Cracking due to tension. Verifying criteria

The general verifying of the Cracking Limit State due to tension comprises satisfying the
following inequality:
w k ≤ w max
in which:
wk Characteristic crack opening.
w max Maximum crack opening defined in table 5.1.1.2.

This verification only needs to be undertaken if the stress in the most tensioned fibre
exceeds the mean bending tensile strength, fctm,fl in accordance with 39.1.

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49.2.4 Assessment of crack width
The characteristic crack opening shall be calculated using the following expression:

w k = β sm ε sm
in which:
β Coefficient which relates the mean crack opening to the characteristic value and is
equal to1.3 in the case of cracking caused by indirect actions only, and 1.7 in other
cases.
sm Median crack spacing expressed in mm.
φ Ac, eficaz
s m = 2 c + 0,2 s + 0,4 k 1
As
ε sm Mean elongation of reinforcements taking account of the collaboration of the concrete
between cracks.
  σ sr  
2
σ σs
ε sm =  1 - k 2    ≥ 0,4
s

E s   σ s   Es
c Cover of tensioned reinforcements.
s Distance between longitudinal bars. If s > 15 Ø, s shall be taken to equal 15 Ø.
In the case of beams reinforced with end bars, s shall be taken to = b/n, with b being the
width of the beam.
k1 Coefficient representing the effect of the tension diagram in the section, with a value of:

in which ε 1 and ε 2 are the maximum and minimum deformations calculated in the
cracked section at the limits of the tensioned zone (figure 49.2.4.a).

PURE BENDING COMBINED TENSION PURE TENSION

Figure 49.2.4.a

Ø Diameter of the thickest tensioned bar or equivalent diameter in the case of bundled
bars.
Ac,eficaz Area of concrete of the cover zone, defined in figure 49.2.4.b, in which the tension bars
effectively influence the crack opening.
As Total section of the reinforcements located in the area Ac,eficaz.
σs Service stress of the passive reinforcement in the cracked section hypothesis.
Es Modulus of longitudinal deformation of the steel.
K2 Coefficient of value 1.0 in the case of non-repeating temporary load and 0.5 in other
cases.
σsr Stress in the reinforcement in the cracked section at the moment when the concrete
cracks, which is assumed to happen when the tensile stress in the most tensioned fibre
in the concrete reaches a value of fctm,fl (paragraph 39.1).

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 CASE 1
BEAMS WITH …S≤15 Φ

CASE 2
BEAMS WITH S≤15 Φ

CASE 3
PLANE BEAMS, WALLS, SLABS WITH S>15 Φ

Figure 49.2.4.b

In the case of members concreted against the ground, the normal cover corresponding to the
exposure class, in accordance with table 37.2.4.1.a, b, and c, may be adopted when calculating
the crack width.

49.3 Limitation of cracking due to shear stress

Generally, if the criteria in Article 44, Ultimate Limit State in Shear are satisfied, cracking will
be controlled in service without the need for any additional verifications.

49.4 Limitation of cracking due to torsion

Generally, if the criteria in Article 45, Ultimate Limit State in Torsion in linear elements are
satisfied, cracking will be controlled in service without the need for any additional verifications.

Article 50. Deformation Limit State

50.1 General considerations

The Deformation Limit State shall be satisfied if the movements (deflections or rotations) in
the structure or structural element are less than specific maximum limit values.
The Deformation Limit State shall be verified in cases where deformation can cause the
structure or structural element to be taken out of service for functional, aesthetic or other
reasons.
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 Deformations shall be studied for service conditions which correspond, depending on the
problem to be examined, in accordance with the combination criteria, set out in 13.3.
The total deformation produced in a concrete element is a sum of the various partial
deformations that occur over time due to the loads that are applied, the creep and shrinkage of
the concrete and the relaxation of the active reinforcements.
Deflections shall be maintained within the limits set out by the specific regulations in
force, or failing this, by the limits indicated in this Code. The designer shall therefore
design the structure with sufficient rigidity, and in extreme cases, shall require that a
building procedure is used that minimises the part of total deflection that could damage
non-structural elements.

50.2 Elements subjected to pure or combined bending stress

50.2.1 General method

The most common calculation method for deflection comprises a step by step structural
analysis over time, in accordance with the criteria in Article 25, in which for each instant, the
deformations are calculated by double integration of the curves along the length of the member.

50.2.2 Simplified method

This method applies to beams, reinforced concrete slabs and one-way slabs. The deflection
shall be considered to comprise the sum of a temporary deflection and a time-dependent
deflection, due to permanent loads.

50.2.2.1 Minimum depths

Deflections will not need to be verified in beams and slabs in which the span/effective depth
ratio of the element under study does not exceed the value indicated in table 50.2.2.1.a. The
slenderness ratios L/d shall be multiplied by 0.8 in beams or hollow core slabs comprising
T-beams in which the ratio between the width of their flanges and webs exceeds 3.
Table 50.2.2.1.a L/d ratios in reinforced concrete beams and slabs
subjected to simple bending
Slightly
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM Highly reinforced
K reinforced
L/d elements: p= 1.5%
elements p=0.5%
Simply supported beam
Simply supported one or two way 1.00 14 20
slab
1
Beam continuous at one end.
1,2
One way slab continuous on one 1.30 18 26
side only.
1
Beam continuous at both ends.
Continuous one way or two way 1.50 20 30
1,2
slab

Edge and corner panels in flat slab on

1.15 16 23
point supports

Inner panels in flat slab on point

1.20 17 24
supports

Cantilever 0.40 6 8
1
An end shall be considered continuous if the corresponding moment is 85% or m ore of the perfect embedding
moment.
2
In one way slabs, the given slenderness values refer to the smaller span.
3
In slabs on point supports (columns), the slenderness values relate to the larger spans.
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 In the particular case of slabs comprising joists with spans of less than 7 m, and hollow core
pre-stressed slabs with spans less than 12 m, where the imposed loads do not exceed 4 kN/m2,
no verification needs to be made as to whether the deflection satisfies the restriction of 50.1, if
the total depth h is more than the minimum h mín given by:

h mín = δ 1 δ 2 L / C

in which:

δ1 Factor which depends on the total load and which has the value of
q / 7 , with q
being the total load in kN/m2;
δ2 Factor which has a value of (L/6)¼;
L The design span of the slab in m;
C Coefficient whose value is taken from Table 50.2.2.1.b:
Table 50.2.2.1.b
C Coefficients
Type of slab Type of load Type of span
Isolated End Internal
With partitions or walls 17 21 24
Reinforced beams
Roofs 20 24 27

With partitions or walls 19 23 26

Pre-stressed breams
Roofs 22 26 29

Pre-stressed With partitions or walls 36

hollow core
Roofs 45
slabs (*)
(*) Pre-stressed members designed so that the moment of cracking is not exceeded with the rare combination,.

50.2.2.2 Calculation of instantaneous deflection

When calculating instantaneous deflections in cracked members of constant cross-section, in

the absence of more rigorous methods, the following simplified method may be used at any
construction stage:

1. The equivalent moment of inertia of a section is defined as the value I e obtained

from:
M f 
3
  M f 3 
Ie =   I b + 1 -    I f ≤ Ib
 Ma    M a  
in which:

Ma Maximum bending moment applied to the section until the instant when the
deflection is calculated.
Mf Nominal cracking moment of the section, which is calculated using the
following expression:
M f = f ctm, fl W b
f ctm,fl Mean flexural tensile strength of the concrete, according to 39.1.
Wb Strength modulus of the gross section relative to the end fibre tensioned.
lb Moment of inertia of the gross section.
lf Moment of inertia of the simply bent cracked section, which is obtained by
disregarding the tensioned concrete zone and homogenising the areas of the
active and passive reinforcements and multiplying these by the coefficient of
equivalence.
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2. The maximum deflection of a member may be obtained from the Materials’
Strength Formulae, and using as the modulus of longitudinal deformation in the
concrete the modulus defined in 39.6, and using as the constant moment of inertia for the
entire member the moment corresponding to the reference section which is defined
below:

a) In simply supported members: the central section.

b) In cantilevered members: the initial section.
c) On internal spans of continuous members.
Ie= 0.50 Iec + 0.25 Iee1 + 0.25 Iee2
in which:
lec Equivalent inertia of the span’s centre section.
lee Equivalent inertia of the support section.

d) In end spans, with continuity only on one of the supports,

I e = 0.75 lec + 0.25 I ee

When calculating instantaneous deflections in non-cracked members of constant cross-

section, the gross inertia of the section shall be used.

50.2.2.3 Calculation of time-dependent deflection

Additional time-dependent deflections, produced by persistent loads resulting from the
deformations due to creep and shrinkage, may be calculated unless greater accuracy is
required, by multiplying the corresponding instantaneous deflection by the factor λ.
ξ
λ=
1 + 50 ρ ′
in which:

p' Geometric ratio of the compression reinforcement, As ' with reference to the area of the
effective section, b0 d, in the reference section.
As ′
ρ′ =
b0 d
ξ Coefficient that is a function of the duration of the load which shall be taken from one
of the following values:

5 or more years 2.0

1 year 1.4
6 months 1.2
3 months 1.0
1 month 0.7
2 weeks 0.5
For age j of the load, and t for the deflection calculation, the value of ξ to be used for the
calculation of λ is ξ(t) - ξ(j) .
If the load is applied in fractions, P 1 , P 2 ...., P n , the following value of ξ may be
adopted:

ξ = (ξ 1 P 1 + ξ 2 P 2 + ... + ξ n P n ) / (P 1 + P 2 + ... + P n)

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50.3 Elements subjected to torsional stress
The rotation of linear members or elements subjected to torsion may be calculated
by simple integration of the rotations per unit length obtained from the following expression:

T
θ = In the case of non-cracked sections
0,3 E c I j

T
θ = In the case of cracked sections
0,1 E c I j
in which:

T Torsional moment in service.

Ec Secant modulus of longitudinal deformation defined in 39.6.
Ij Moment of torsional inertia of the gross concrete section.

50.4 Elements subjected to pure tension

Deformations in members subjected to pure tension may be calculated by multiplying the
mean elongation per unit of the reinforcements εsm, obtained in accordance with 49.2.5, by the
member’s length.

Article 51. Vibration Limit State

51.1 General considerations

Vibrations may affect the service performance of structures for functional reasons. Vibrations
may be uncomfortable for occupants and users, may affect the operating of equipment sensitive
to this type of phenomenon, for example.

51.2 Dynamic performance

Generally, in order to satisfy the Vibration Limit State, the structure must be designed for
natural vibration frequencies being sufficiently different of definite critical values.

CHAPTER 11 - 7