Experimentally Validated Numerical Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Connections Subjected to Punching Shear

The paper presents the results of experimental investigations and numerical analyses performed on reinforced concrete flat slabs. Two tests were carried out on two flat slab specimens designed without specific shear reinforcement. The present paper deals only with the experimental behaviour and numerical modelling of such slabs, this representing the initial part of a larger study which aims to evaluate the shear capacity of such deficient slabs resulted from faulty design or execution and to identify viable and efficient strengthening solutions. ATENA finite element software package was used to numerically model the behaviour of the specimens. A very good agreement was achieved between the results of experimental investigations and numerical modelling with deviations of 0.2% in terms of maximum load carrying capacity and of 7% in terms of corresponding displacement. The specimens were able to carry loads of more than 950kN, larger than those evaluated using designated Eurocodes, displaying a safety factor of 2.72.