FLAT SLABS WITH FIBER OR LINK REINFORCEMENT AT SLAB-COLUMN CONNECTIONS

The punching shear strength at the slab-column connections is usually critical for controlling the depth of the slab if drops, bent-up bars or links are to be avoided, The use of three different types of random ly distributed fibre reinforcement as an alternative to links has been investigated and all three types of fibre have been shown to offer a practical alternative, Twenty two one-third scale slab-column connecti ons were cast and tested, which included three different depths of sla b, three different ratios of main reinforcement, and slabs with and wi thout links or fibres, The different factors influencing the strength and ductility of slab-column connections have been further investigate d, and the results show that fibrous concrete connections can provide significantly improved shear strength, ductility and crack control com pared with the usual reinforced column-to-slab connection.