Digital image correlation analysis of crack behavior in a reinforced concrete beam during a load test

A displacement-measuring technique using digital image cross-correlation was applied to study the in situ behavior of a shear crack in a reinforced concrete beam during a bridge static load test. A numerical approach allowed measurement of the displacement field at the location of the crack on a 110 mm × 130 mm surface with a resolution of the order of 10 µm. Results of the analysis indicate that crack loading varies significantly with load position and sequence of applications to the structure. These results further indicate that damage cannot be attributed to the repetition of a single load cycle, as is often the case. The findings should improve the understanding of the fatigue behavior of reinforced concrete structures under operating conditions.