Several studies investigated the precision of non-linear finite element analyses (NLFEA) to predict the shear capacity of beams or the punching capacity of slab-column connections. However, in the literature, there is little discussion regarding the results of NLFEA to predict the ultimate capacity and failure mechanism of slabs susceptible to different failure mechanisms. In this study, a set of tests from literature that developed different shear failure mechanisms was evaluated by NLFEA. A total of thirteen slabs were modeled, where slab's width and shear span varied. A coupled damaged-plasticity model was employed to simulate the concrete behavior. The proposed model was calibrated to simulate specimens that failed as wide beams in one-way shear and specimens that failed by punching shear. Besides, the effect of different modeling choices was investigated: (i) the assumed stress–strain behavior in compression; (ii) tensile stress–strain behavior; (iii) the inclusion or not of damage parameters and (iv) the viscosity parameter. The results indicated that, on average, the proposed modeling strategy represented the failure mechanism and ultimate loads well. Also, the same calibrated model was found capable of representing one-way shear failure and punching shear failure or mixed modes. The sensitivity study demonstrated that the tensile stress–strain behavior and viscosity parameter influences the results of the numerical models more significantly than the assumed stress–strain behavior in compression or including/not including the damage parameters. This paper concludes that modeling strategies during the calibration process shall be checked carefully before performing any parametric analyses to identify the accuracy of the numerical models to represent the different failure mechanisms. Moreover, the validation step of the modeling strategy shall identify possible limits of the numerical model to be considered in the parametric analyses.@en

The outstanding mechanical properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) can be used to improve the punching behavior of new slab-column connections. This study investigates the punching capacity of flat slab-column connections built with a rational combination of normal strength concrete (NSC) and UHPFRC in critical shear regions through non-linear finite element analyses (NLFEA) and by a punching shear model based on the critical shear crack theory (CSCT). Ten control tests from the literature were used to validate the Finite Element Models (FEM) developed to capture the behavior of slab-column connections made entirely with NSC, UHPFRC, and a combination of both materials. Parametric analyses were performed to investigate the behavior of connections with the rational use of UHPFRC, varying the reinforcement ratio, area, and thickness of the UHPFRC layer. The results indicated that placing a UHPFRC layer near the column in the slab compression zone significantly increases the punching capacity and deformation capacity compared to placing UHPFRC on the tensile side. The punching capacity enhancements varied between 26% and 156%, according to the reinforcement ratios and configurations of the UHPFRC layer investigated. The mean ratio between predicted punching capacities by advanced NLFEA and the analytical method proposed was 1.09, with a coefficient of variation of 10.3%. Therefore, the results indicated that the design of flat slabs with UHPFRC at the critical shear regions is a viable solution. Finally, the CSCT model can be used in design to predict the punching capacity of these connections.@en

Eccentric punching shear can occur in concrete slab–column connections when the connection is subjected to shear and unbalanced moments. Unbalanced moments occur in all floor slabs at the edge and corner columns. As such, this problem is of practical relevance. However, most punching experiments in the literature deal with concentric punching shear at internal columns. This paper presents a developed database of 128 experiments of flat slabs under eccentric punching shear, including a summary of the testing procedure of each reference and a description of the slab specimens. Additionally, a linear finite element analysis of all the specimens is included to determine the relevant sectional shear forces and moments. Finally, the ultimate shear stresses from the database experiments are compared to the shear capacities determined with ACI 318-19, Eurocode 2 and the Model Code 2010. The comparison shows that the Model Code 2010 is the most precise in the predictions with an average tested to predicted ratio of 0.82 and a coefficient of variation of 29.63%. It can be concluded that improvements to the current design methods for eccentric punching shear are necessary.@en