Punching of flat slabs with in-plane forces

The experimental analysis of reduced scale flat slab models under punching, subject to in-plane forces is described and the results are compared with the Eurocode 2 (2004) [1] provisions, the FIP Recommendations for the Design of Post-tensioned Slabs and Foundation Rafts (1998) [2] and ACI 318-08 (2008) [3], to evaluate their validity. The tests presented here consist of two sets of experimental models: Ramos’s tests Ramos (2003) [10] with six reduced scale flat slab specimens and Regan’s tests Regan (1983) [7] that comprised seven experimental specimens. This work aims to improve the understanding of the behaviour of flat slabs under punching load, in order to properly evaluate the effect of the in-plane forces on the punching resistance.