The calibration of NLFE model for the assessment of the maximum punching capacity of flat slabs

Abstract

The requirements on structural engineers to design more subtle flat slabs are still increasing and therefore they must often design a large amount of reinforcement against punching. The maximum amount of transverse reinforcement is limited by the maximum punching capacity of slab, so the precise determination of the limit is essential. In the second generation of Eurocode 2, the model for the assessment of the maximum possible increase of the punching shear resistance of slab is less empirical and it considers the performance of the punching shear reinforcement. The main objective of the paper is to develop nonlinear finite element model, which would determine as closely as possible the maximum punching capacity of flat slab, strongly reinforced with punching shear reinforcement. So that, an effect of some transverse reinforcement’s parameters on the maximum punching shear strength could be investigated quite easily. For this purpose, the software GID was used. The calibrated NLFE model showed quite good agreement with experiment. The difference is less than 8 %, even for slabs reinforced with double-headed studs it did not exceed 1%.