Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs
Flat slabs supported by columns without beams are widely used in construction owing to their economy and efficiency. However, brittle punching shear failure at slab–column connections can cause progressive collapse. UHPC has a higher tensile strength than NSC and, when appropriately reinforced with...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/209 |
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| author | Ahmed A. Hassoon Rafea F. Hassan Husam H. Hussein |
| author_facet | Ahmed A. Hassoon Rafea F. Hassan Husam H. Hussein |
| author_sort | Ahmed A. Hassoon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Flat slabs supported by columns without beams are widely used in construction owing to their economy and efficiency. However, brittle punching shear failure at slab–column connections can cause progressive collapse. UHPC has a higher tensile strength than NSC and, when appropriately reinforced with steel fibers, exhibits strain hardening after initial cracking. These properties make Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) ideal for durable, thin, low-cost bridge decking and heavily loaded elements and an excellent choice for improving slab–column connections that have experienced punched shear failure. This study explores the impact of UHPC layers on the punching shear behavior of reinforced concrete slabs. Sixteen slab specimens were tested with variations in UHPC layer thickness, placement, and column shape. Results demonstrate that incorporating UHPC layers significantly enhances punching shear resistance, increasing ultimate load capacity by 27–91% compared to reference specimens. Notably, thicker UHPC layers (75 mm) and bottom-placed layers exhibited superior performance in terms of ductility and toughness. Square columns outperformed circular ones in resisting punching shear. Additionally, thicker layers reduced initial stiffness, while debonding issues in 25 mm layers adversely affected structural performance. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing UHPC configurations to improve the punching shear resistance of concrete slabs, offering promising solutions for high-load structures in modern construction. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-be3a846a4b964c5e8d779d2dd4d31bc9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-be3a846a4b964c5e8d779d2dd4d31bc92025-01-24T13:26:11ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-01-0115220910.3390/buildings15020209Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete SlabsAhmed A. Hassoon0Rafea F. Hassan1Husam H. Hussein2Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Babylon, Babylon 51002, IraqDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Babylon, Babylon 51002, IraqDepartment of Civil Engineering, Stocker Center 102, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979, USAFlat slabs supported by columns without beams are widely used in construction owing to their economy and efficiency. However, brittle punching shear failure at slab–column connections can cause progressive collapse. UHPC has a higher tensile strength than NSC and, when appropriately reinforced with steel fibers, exhibits strain hardening after initial cracking. These properties make Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) ideal for durable, thin, low-cost bridge decking and heavily loaded elements and an excellent choice for improving slab–column connections that have experienced punched shear failure. This study explores the impact of UHPC layers on the punching shear behavior of reinforced concrete slabs. Sixteen slab specimens were tested with variations in UHPC layer thickness, placement, and column shape. Results demonstrate that incorporating UHPC layers significantly enhances punching shear resistance, increasing ultimate load capacity by 27–91% compared to reference specimens. Notably, thicker UHPC layers (75 mm) and bottom-placed layers exhibited superior performance in terms of ductility and toughness. Square columns outperformed circular ones in resisting punching shear. Additionally, thicker layers reduced initial stiffness, while debonding issues in 25 mm layers adversely affected structural performance. This research provides valuable insights for optimizing UHPC configurations to improve the punching shear resistance of concrete slabs, offering promising solutions for high-load structures in modern construction.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/209punching shearslab with layersUltra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC)layer thickness optimizationcolumn-slab connections |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed A. Hassoon Rafea F. Hassan Husam H. Hussein Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs Buildings punching shear slab with layers Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) layer thickness optimization column-slab connections |
| title | Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs |
| title_full | Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs |
| title_short | Optimizing UHPC Layers to Improve Punching Shear Performance in Concrete Slabs |
| title_sort | optimizing uhpc layers to improve punching shear performance in concrete slabs |
| topic | punching shear slab with layers Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) layer thickness optimization column-slab connections |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/2/209 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ahmedahassoon optimizinguhpclayerstoimprovepunchingshearperformanceinconcreteslabs AT rafeafhassan optimizinguhpclayerstoimprovepunchingshearperformanceinconcreteslabs AT husamhhussein optimizinguhpclayerstoimprovepunchingshearperformanceinconcreteslabs |