What is Punching Shear? Punching Shear in Slabs and Foundations

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What is Punching Shear?

The punching shear is a failure mechanism in structural members like slabs and foundation by shear under the action of concentrated loads. The action of concentrated loads is on a smaller area in the structural members. In most cases, this reaction is the one from the column acting against the slab. Eventually the slab will fail. One possible method of failure is that the load punches through the slab. Some examples of the occurrence of concentrated loads on a slab are a column, particularly on a pad foundation, and wheel loads. This same type of failure could also happen in another way. Turning the structure upside down we get a flat slab supported by a column, where there is a high concentration of shear force around the column head. When the total shear force exceeds the shear resistance of the slab, the slab will be pushed down around the column, or this can be viewed as the column being punched through the slab. Punching shear failure mechanism is observed in normal floor slabs, flat slabs, and in the foundation slabs below the column. In pad foundations, where weight and depth are not so critical, it's effects are satisfied by providing sufficient depth.

Punching Shear in Reinforced Concrete Slabs

The Punching shear in reinforced concrete slabs can be considered as a 2D analog of the shear observed in beams. This kind of failure occurs as a sudden rupture. This rupture cannot be restrained by the help of main reinforcement. Hence, there is a reduction of ultimate load capacity of the structure below the flexural capacity by the action of shear. But when compared to beam shear, the punching shear is less critical. In slabs, the punching shear occurs when they are subjected to high values of concentrated loads. These load categories includes the wheel loads on the bridge slabs or the loads from above floors on the columns that support the slab floors.

Calculations in Punching Shear

The calculations of punching shear dealt in the design is based on the punching shear force that is punching against the thickness of the slab or foundation. This can happen only if there exists shear alone in the system. This is not possible if there exist any form of moment in the pedestal or the column. The Maximum Punching Shear Stress is determined based on the punching shear failure cone and the applied values of shear and moments.

Fig.1. Punching Shear Failure Zone for Slabs above and below the column

The ‘d’ is the effective depth of the slab. The punching shear perimeter is formed at a distance of d/2 from the edges of the column or the pedestal. In the figure-1, D_ped is the depth of the pedestal.

Design Considerations for Punching Shear in Slabs

The Punching Failure in the structure can be prevented by taking the following control measures:

1. Undergo proper checking to make sure that the concrete itself is strong enough.
2. If the concrete lacks adequate strength, check whether the amount of reinforcement that is provided is reasonable.
3. If it is not reasonable, it is recommended to change the form of the structure.

The methods involved in changing the form of the structure are:

1. Increasing the depth of the slab
2. The column size can be made larger
3. Incorporation of drop panels
4. Introduction of Flared column heads
5. Other foreign codes can be referred to practice other liberal designs

Different failure zones are mentioned below in figure-2 based along with the area where the reinforcement have to be provided. Usually vertical and traverse failure lines are possible. We do not actually know where the failure can occur. So, each possible failure plane must be reinforced.

Fig.2: Punching Shear Failure Zones

Based on building codes, the slabs are designed for punching shear as follows: 1. A cylindrical control surface is considered around the loaded area or the column area at a particular distance. This distance is proportional to the slab depth. This is shown in figure-3.

Fig.3. Control Surface Under Punching Failure – Notation and Definition

  2. The average shear stress on the control surface must not exceed the design strength. This design strength is often proportional to the tensile strength. The effects of moment transfer at the column or the slab junction is facilitated by the design for punching shear. The punching shear assessment is based on different parameters. These parameters are sections at particular distance from the face of the column. Among different sections, the most important ones are at the face of the column and at a distance of d/2 on either side of the column. If the shear stress at these sections exceeds the allowable stress value, the structure will be subjected to punching failure. The design formulas and parameter distance would vary from one code to other. But the concept behind the assessment of punching shear failure is the same. Read More: Causes of Excessive Deflections in Reinforced Concrete Slabs Factors Affecting Selection of Foundation for Buildings