Title: Evaluation of Older Reinforced Concrete Floor Slabs under Corner Support Failure

Author(s): Saurabh Prasad and Tara C. Hutchinson

Publication: Structural Journal

Volume: 111

Issue: 4

Appears on pages(s): 839-850

Keywords: cracking; ductility; flat slab; membrane forces; spandrel beam; ultimate strength

DOI: 10.14359/51686735

Date: 7/1/2014

Abstract:
This paper summarizes results obtained from the experimental evaluation of a one-third-scale reinforced concrete (RC) beam-slab system subjected to simulated support failure at its corners. The specimen models a portion of a floor system encountered in older reinforced concrete buildings, constructed before the introduction of seismic design provisions. Tests were conducted at three corner support locations to study the behavior of the floor under a column failure scenario, with particular interest in understanding its ability to redistribute the loads to adjacent support locations. Yield line patterns developed in the specimen were consistent with theoretical estimates, and a stable post-yield behavior was observed at each test location. Measured ultimate load capacity was found to be larger than theoretical predictions based on the Yield Line Theory (YLT). This enhancement in the load-carrying capacity was attributed to the presence of in-plane membrane forces.