PUNCHING SHEAR-STRENGTH OF FERROCEMENT SLABS

The behavior of ferrocement slabs under punching shear load was invest igated Fifteen square slabs were tested with the effective span-to-dep th ratio, steel content, slab thickness, mortar strength, load-beating plate size, and spacing of skeletal steel as test parameters. The loa d deflection and cracking characteristics of the slabs were studied an d compared Test results on the punching shear strength were compared w ith predictions of the formulas proposed by codes of practice and prev ious researchers, and an empirical relation is proposed to determine t he punching shear strength of square ferrocement slabs, simply support ed on four edges and subjected to a concentrated load at its center.