BEHAVIOR OF PARTIALLY RESTRAINED SLABS UNDER CONCENTRATED LOAD

The behavior of 18 partially restrained reinforced concrete slabs with isotropic reinforcements under concentrated load is reported. The primary variables included concrete strength, reinforcement content, grade of steel, thickness of slab, and the degree of fixity at support. Test results showed that all the slabs finally failed by punching. The key elements determining the load capacity of thick slabs were concrete strength and thickness. The amount of steel did not affect the load capacity, whereas for thin slabs, the load capacity was primarily dominated by flexural capacity. At failure, the membrane action of all slabs had become tensile. Slabs having lower reinforcement content exhibited greater intensity and longer existence of the state of compressive membrane action if they had the same the span-to-depth ratio and thickness.