Design to BS5337 for Controlled Cracking of Water Retaining Structures

Early thermal and shrinkage cracking of reinforced concrete walls is a frequent cause for concern on construction sites, especially for water retaining structures. The revised edition of CP2007 (BS5337) includes specific limit state design recommendations to control the cracking in water containing structures by means of the distribution reinforcement. The paper therefore considers a service reservoir for the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company which was designed to the new recommendations, and which provided the opportunity of comparing theory with practice not only for this design but also with a typical design to the former Code, CP2007:1960, on which the amended design was based. Other equally satisfactory design solutions which would
have been possible in accordance with the new recommendations are also indicated.

B.P. Hughes