Punching Shear Behavior of Restrained Ferrocement Slabs

An experimental study was carried out on a total of 14 restrained ferrocement slabs under a central patch load. The slab panels were supported and partially restrained on all four sides by edge ribs. The influences of the degree of end restraint, size of the loaded area, mortar strength, volume fraction of reinforcement, and overall thickness on the behavior and punching shear capacity of the slabs were investigated. Test results revealed that the provision of end restraint leads to a substantial enhancement in strength and stiffness of the slabs, but the shape and location of the critical punching shear perimeter remained unchanged. Both cracking and punching shear loads increased with an independent increase in any of the test parameters considered in this study, except for the thickness of the edge rib. Based on test results, an equation was proposed to predict the punching shear strength of partially restrained ferrocement slabs.