What is the full definition of the "Cracked Section" option in PSC Design? How does the program know to skip this particular material, and how are the cross-section characteristics determined with and without the "Cracked Section" option turned on? Are there any manuals or tutorials available that provide a detailed analysis of this type of cross-section, especially according to Eurocode EN?

Question:

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Answer:

1. What is the full definition of the "Cracked Section" option?

The cracked section in the negative moment zone can be created using the "Cracked Section" option under the "Reinforcement" tab. With this option, the program internally calculates the stiffness scale factors and applied them to the elements assigned with this section.

2. How does the program know to skip this particular material?

The "Cracked Section" option is related to the section, but not material.

3, How exactly are the cross-section characteristics determined with and without the "Cracked Section" option turned on.

We can see the section property change by the below command.

Furthermore,  Consideration of stiffness due to reinforcement can be controlled by "Main Control Data". 

4. Are there any manuals on the detailed analysis of this type of cross-section? (ebooks, tutorials)  especially according to Eurocode EN

I am attaching a test model, where you can see the difference in results between cracked and uncracked sections.