Punching and flexural strength of flat plates

This thesis studies the influence of the flexural reinforcement ratio on the mode of failure, the strength and the ductility in experiments on interior slab-column connections transferring shear force or shear force combined with unbalanced moment.; Seven full-size interior slab-column connections were tested. All specimens consisted of square slabs with central square columns. Three specimens were subjected to axial load on the column; four other specimens were subjected to axial load, combined with unbalanced moment. The only test variable was the flexural reinforcement ratio. All slabs were reinforced with shear reinforcement in the form of headed studs.; The experimental program showed that it can be difficult to distinguish between flexural and punching shear failure modes. Indicative results regarding the effectiveness of shear reinforcement in increasing the strength and the ductility can only be obtained when the flexural reinforcement ratio is sufficiently high to exclude the possibility of flexural failure prior to punching.