When crack widths are assessed without direct calculation, the reinforcement stress is limited to the values in Tables 8.6.2.2(A) and (B) for beams or Tables 9.5.2.1(A) and (B) for slabs. If a characteristic maximum crack width is input by the user and the input value is between the tabulated minimum and maximum value in the tables, linear interpolation is used to determine the corresponding maximum steel stress. If the input value is outside the bounds of the tables, crack widths will be assessed using the lower or upper bound crack widths in the table (0.2 mm and 0.4 mm, respectively).

8.6.2.2(a) – This section is used if the cross section is a tension member and the environment is not protected.

• For the service design:
  • Reinforcement is added both faces to keep the reinforcement stresses within the limits of Table 8.6.2.2(A).
  • The maximum diameter of all reinforcement assigned to a particular face is used in Table 8.6.2.2(A).
• For the max service design:
  • Reinforcement is added both faces to keep the reinforcement stresses less than 0.8 f_sy.

8.6.2.2(b) – This section is used if the cross section is not a tension member and the environment is not protected.

• For the service design:
  • Reinforcement is added both faces to keep the reinforcement stresses within the limits of Table 8.6.2.2(A) or Table 8.6.2.2(B), whichever is larger.
  • The maximum diameter of all reinforcement assigned to a particular face is used in Table 8.6.2.2(A).
  • The bar spacing for Table 8.6.2.2(B) is calculated using all bars on the appropriate face (including fractional components for bars at an angle to the cross section). Bars with a diameter of less than half the diameter of the maximum bar diameter on the face being considered are converted to an equivalent number of hypothetical bars with a diameter of half the maximum bar diameter. This conversion is based upon area. A fractional number of bars and number of spaces may be used.
• For the max service design:
  • Reinforcement is added to both faces to keep the reinforcement stresses less than 0.8 f_sy.

9.5.2.2 – This section is only used for service design, but is not used in protected environments.

• Reinforcement is added both faces to keep the reinforcement stresses within the limits of Table 8.6.2.2(A) Table9.5.2.1(A) or 9.5.2.1 (B), whichever is larger.
• The maximum diameter of all reinforcement assigned to a particular face is used in Table 8.6.2.2(A) or Table 9.5.2.1 (A).
• The bar spacing for Table 9.5.2.1 (B) is calculated using all bars on the appropriate face (including fractional components for bars at an angle to the cross section). Bars with a diameter of less than half the diameter of the maximum bar diameter on the face being considered are converted to an equivalent number of hypothetical bars with a diameter of half the maximum bar diameter. This conversion is based upon area. A fractional number of bars and number of spaces may be used.