2005 Volume 3 Issue 2 Pages 283-296
A 3D FEM program was used to predict the punching shear failure mechanism and its strength for open sandwich slabs with studs. In the analysis, studs were modeled using link elements for shear transfer, whose constitutive model is derived from the authors' experimental studies, and truss elements for tension transfer. The results showed very good agreement between the analytical and experimental values. Punching shear failure phenomena were carefully examined in analysis observing predicted concrete cracking and concrete crushing. Based on analytical observation, a qualitative study on factors such as concrete strength, plate thickness, stud height, and stud spacing, was performed to develop an analytical expression for computing the punching shear strength of open sandwich slabs.