Experimental investigation of influence of internal crack on punching shear capacity of RC slabs

Abstract

Internal cracks such as corrosion induced horizontal crack and penetrated vertical crack due to fatigue damage are often observed in deteriorated RC bridge deck slabs. However, the impact of these internal cracks on punching shear capacity of RC slab has not been clarified yet. Therefore, in order to investigate the influence of internal cracks, a series of loading test was carried out with horizontal or vertical pre-cracked slab specimens. From the test results, it was confirmed that punching shear capacity decreased significantly if a slab had a horizontal or vertical internal crack. In addition, the influence of water was investigated. Then, it was confirmed that the existence of water was also a factor to degrade the punching shear capacity.