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.