Experimental, analytical, and numerical investigation of punching behaviour of two-way rc slab with multiple openings

Abstract

Because of its advantages, reinforced concrete (RC) flat slabs have become increasingly popular in recent years. On the other hand, flat slabs have the problem of being vulnerable to punching, which is a dangerous type of collapse. The openings around the column are the most important factor affecting this behavior. The effects of multiple opening positions in two-way reinforced concrete slabs on punching behavior were explored in this study. The factors studied were opening sizes (300 × 300 mm, 500 × 500 mm, and 700 × 700 mm) and opening positions (parallel, diagonal, and adjacent). In this context, ten two-way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs with a length of 2000 × 2000 × 120 mm were made and tested under punching loading from a 200 × 200 mm square column in the slab's middle. The analytical capacity equations presented in TS 500 (TSE, 2000), ACI 318 (ACI, 2019), and Eurocode 2 (CEN, 2002) were used to determine the specimens' ultimate load capabilities. In addition to these studies, finite element models of the slabs were created using ABAQUS finite element software, and comments on how successful the numerical model could be were made by comparing the analysis findings with the experimental results. According to the research, as the openings grew larger, unfavorable results were achieved in ultimate load capacity, initial stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity, with the most unsuccessful results in the test specimens with the adjacent opening position. © 2022 Institution of Structural Engineers