Service reservoirs, as water-retaining structures, necessitate strict control over crack width to maintain their integrity and functionality. Therefore, their reinforcement design is primarily governed by serviceability limit state criteria, which focus on ensuring the structure’s performance under normal service conditions.
In the case of service reservoir walls, concrete contraction and expansion are more pronounced in the horizontal direction due to their elongated lengths compared to their heights. To optimize reinforcement usage and minimize crack width, horizontal reinforcement bars are strategically placed in the outermost layer of the wall. This reduces the distance between the reinforcement and the concrete surface, a critical factor in crack width control.
The rationale behind this approach is that the closer the reinforcement is to the point of concern (the concrete surface), the smaller the potential crack width. This is because the reinforcement restricts the opening of cracks, and the closer it is to the surface, the more effective it is in controlling crack width. By placing horizontal bars in the outermost layer, engineers leverage this principle to achieve optimal crack control with minimal reinforcement.
This reinforcement arrangement in service reservoir walls exemplifies a strategic design approach that balances structural integrity, crack width control, and material efficiency. It showcases how engineering principles can be applied to address specific challenges in water-retaining structures, ensuring their long-term performance and reliability.