Punching Shear Strength of Lightweight Self Consolidating Flat Slabs

In this research, the punching shear strength of flat plate lightweight self-consolidating concrete and lightweight concrete slabs is studied. The experimental work consisted of 9 rectangular slab specimens with either 100 or 150 mm depth, 1000 mm length and 1000 mm width. The type of concrete, Strength of concrete and reinforcement varied in different tests. The slab dimensions and the area of reinforcing bars in slabs have been carefully designed so that the slabs failed due to punching shear. In a test, load and displacement were measured using a data acquisition system. Using the results, the behavior of slabs, cracking pattern and the slab stiffness were studied. The experimental results have been compared with the provisions of different codes. The comparison shows that the BS-8110 code estimates the punching shear of lightweight slabs most accurately. The slabs made by leca lightweight aggregates can be used in structures providing that they have a good mix concrete design.