Crack Formation in Reinforced Concrete Bridges in Poland

Cracks on newly built reinforced concrete bridges in Poland have been observed for several years, posing a significant concern despite being considered a standard occurrence in concrete theory. These cracks typically appear on monolithic structures, especially at slab spans and support columns, with openings reaching up to 2 mm. This paper discusses the experiences from consulting on cracked structures, the effects of mechanical cleaning on crack visibility, and common errors in crack measurement. It also examines the fluctuations in crack opening allowances within Polish and European codes, highlighting the influence of code changes and reinforcing cover thickness on crack formation. Recommendations for a unified assessment approach based on code systems are proposed.