Prediction of punching behaviour of RC slabs using continuum non-linear FE analysis

Failure of reinforced concrete (RC) slabs without shear reinforcement in punching has been a challenging problem for nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis. To improve the analysis approach, this study was conducted by developing a nonlinear FE analysis method for slabs subjected to punching failure without shear reinforcement, using three-dimensional continuum elements. The influence of several modelling choices were investigated by comparing such results as loadcarrying capacity, load-deflection response and crack pattern from the FE analyses with available experimental data. The proposed method shows the possibility of accurately predicting the load-carrying capacity and realistically describing the behaviour of slabs.