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Mechanical & Civil Engineering

Concrete Crack Width Control Calculator

Estimate the maximum surface crack width of reinforced concrete under service loads per ACI/Eurocode approaches.

Your inputs

Change any value to update the result instantly.

Mechanical & Civil Engineering
MPa
mm
mm²
MPa

Estimated crack width

0.008 mm

Allowable crack width

0.3 mm

Utilization ratio

0.03

Steel service stress

240 MPa

What this calculator does

Concrete Crack Width Control Calculator: Applies the standard civil and geotechnical relationship for this problem so the flow, pressure, settlement or capacity can be worked out from measured site inputs.

What your result means

The headline figure is the hydraulic or geotechnical quantity implied by your site inputs. Compare it against the design criteria in the applicable code before acting on it.

Formula and working

w = k × fs × √(dc × A) / Es (Gergely-Lutz style)

  1. 1

    Collect the inputs

    Service stress in steel (fs) = 240 MPa; Concrete cover to bar (dc) = 40 mm; Effective tension area per bar (A) = 15,000 mm²; Steel elastic modulus (Es) = 200,000 MPa

  2. 2

    Apply the formula

    w = k × fs × √(dc × A) / Es (Gergely-Lutz style)

  3. 3

    Result

    Estimated crack width = 0.008 mm

Frequently asked questions

Symbols and assumptions

steelStress
Service stress in steel (fs) (MPa)
coverThickness
Concrete cover to bar (dc) (mm)
effectiveArea
Effective tension area per bar (A) (mm²)
steelModulus
Steel elastic modulus (Es) (MPa)
  • Steady-state, single-phase conditions are assumed unless the page says otherwise.
  • Site inputs (soil properties, flow, roughness) come from the user's own survey or testing.

Sources and review

Reviewed 2026-09-22 · Next review 2027-09-22

  • This is an educational estimate for learning and checking, not a design deliverable.
  • Real design must follow the governing code or standard for your jurisdiction and be reviewed and signed off by a qualified engineer.
  • Safety factors, load combinations and material certification are the responsibility of the designer, not of this page.

Important limitation

This is an educational estimate based only on the values and formula shown. Verify current rates, rules, units, and professional standards before relying on the result. It is not personalized financial or investment advice.

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