Plastic model for asymmetrically loaded reinforced concrete slabs

Synopsis: Most methods for the design and analysis of rcinforced concrete slabs for punching are based on experiments on slab-column connections, reflecting the situation in building slabs. Slab-column connections with unbalanced moments have also been studied in the past. Experiments indicate that the accuracy of models for asymmetrically loaded slabs is lower than for symmetrically loaded slabs. In this paper, the difference in accuracy between test predictions for symmetrically and asymmetrically loaded slabs is tackled. A plastic model, the Extended Strip Model, is proposed. The results of maximum loads according to this model are compared to experimental results of symmetrically and asymmetrically loaded slabs. The comparison between the proposed Extended Strip Model and the experimental results shows that the model has a consistent performance for both symmetrically and asymmetrically loaded slabs. Moreover, the model has as an advantage that it combines the failure modes of flexure, shear and punching. The proposed model can be used for the analysis of slabs. In particular, it can be used for the assessment of existing slab bridges subjected to concentrated live loads.