Experimental and numerical investigation of punching and post-punching shear capacities of post-tensioned flat plate slab-column joints influenced by prestressing levels

Abstract

Post-tensioned slab systems serve as an effective method to enhance the progressive collapse resistance of concrete flat plate structures by significantly improving the punching shear and post-punching capacities of their slab-column joints. While the existing research mainly focused on the punching shear behaviour of post-tensioned slab-column joints in small deformation stages, the post-punching behaviour in large deformations has been overlooked. This study aims to fill this research gap thorough experimental and numerical studies. Experimentally, four slab-column joints, including three post-tensioned specimens (with varied prestressing levels) and one specimen without tendons, were designed and tested. Detailed failure process and load-resisting mechanisms of the specimens at different deformation stages were discussed. The test results confirmed the efficiency of post-tensioning in improving the punching shear performance. Varying prestressing levels have influenced the development of punching shear capacity but did not affect the growth rate of load resistance in the initial post-punching stage. Numerically, validated finite element models were used to predict the post-punching capacities of the specimens. The numerical results indicated that post-tensioning helped increase post-punching capacities, but such an enhancement was independent of the prestressing levels. Additionally, the influence of the rupture strains of both tendons and reinforcement on the post-punching capacity was investigated through a parametric study.