Post-punching resistance of connections between flat slabs and interior columns

The paper reports tests designed to study the improvement in the post-punch ing resistance of slab-column connections by the provision of bottom bars p assing through the columns and anchor ed in the slab. A series of model tes ts on slabs was used to develop an expression for the strength limit govern ed by the slab concrete, while large-scale tests on abbreviated specimens w ere used to formulate the criterion dependent on the failure of the reinfor cement. It is demonstrated that bottom reinforcement can be of significant benefit and that the resistance given by it can be assessed with reasonable accuracy.