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

The paper reports tests designed to study the improvement in the post-punching resistance of slab–column connections by the provision of bottom bars passing through the columns and anchored in the slab. A series of model tests on slabs was used to developan expression for the strength limit governed by the slab concrete, while large-scale tests on abbreviated specimens were used to formulate the criterion dependent on the failure of the reinforcement. It is demonstrated that bottom reinforcement can be of significant benefit and that the resistance given by it can be assessed with reasonable accuracy.