Simulation of punching and post-punching shear behaviours of RC slab–column connections

Abstract

Punching and post-punching shear behaviours of reinforced concrete (RC) flat plate structures are often studied using a representative slab-column connection being isolated from the parent structure. A set of numerical modelling techniques is established in this study to create a competent 3D nonlinear model to simulate punching and post-punching shear behaviours of RC slab-column connections without shear reinforcement. With which, the punching shear failure featuring a critical punching shear surface and an abrupt drop of the applied force in the load-displacement response is able to be accurately reproduced. The post-punching shear behaviour, taking the form of an increased load-carrying capacity which is ceased by rebar fracture in the suspension stage, is also well captured. Using the proposed numerical model, typical punching and post-punching shear failure mechanisms are studied in some detail.