ACI CONVENTION

MILWAUKEE 2016
(Open session)

Thai X. Dam, James K. Wight,

The University of Michigan
Gustavo J. Parra-Montesinos,
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
and Alex DaCosta
Bridge Engineer at RS&H, Inc.

April 2016
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Introduction
Experimental program
Test results and discussions
Conclusions

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The University of Shelffied

Pilakoutas and Li (1995)

Pilakoutas K, Li X, "Alternative Shear Reinforcement for Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs," Journal of Structural
Engineering, V. 129, No. 9. 2003, pp. 1164-72. 3
Studies on shearband (SB) reinforcement
 Li (1997) tests with gravity loads:
 SB Increased punching shear strength and ductility for the test specimens,
 SB can be used in thin slabs (< 6 in.), and
 SB can be designed using the current Code provisions for two-way shear in
slabs
 Kang and Wallace (2008), and Park, Kim et al. (2012) tests with cyclic
loads:
 SB performed as well as or better than the headed studs (SS),
 SB may be effective without engagement with slab compression reinforcing
bars,
 SB can be used for all Seismic Design Categories.

Li, X. (1997). Punching shear resistance of RC flat slabs. PhD., University of Sheffield.
Kang, T. H. and J. W. Wallace (2008). "Seismic performance of reinforced concrete slab-column connections with thin plate
stirrups." ACI Structural Journal 105(5): 617.
Park, H., Y. Kim, J. Song and S. Kang (2012). "Lattice Shear Reinforcement for Enhancement of Slab-Column Connections."
Journal of Structural Engineering 138(3): 425-437 4
Concerns over shearbands
 Birkle, G. and R. B. Gayed (2006), and Ghali, A. et al. (2015)
 SB is similar to stirrups: the ACI Code requires engagement with slab bars
 In the previous tests, SB engaged with slab rebars
 In practice, however, SB cannot engage slab compression reinforcement

Birkle, G. and R. B. Gayed (2006). "Discussion of “Alternative Shear Reinforcement of Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs” by K.
Pilakoutas and X. Li." Journal of Structural Engineering 132(1): 167-168.
Ghali, A., R. B. Gayed and W. Dilger (2015). "Design of Concrete Slabs for Punching Shear: Controversial Concepts." ACI
Structural Journal 112(4): 505. 5
Research objective:

To assess the effect of shearbands on the behavior and

shear strength of slab-column connections subjected
to concentric gravity loadings.
 No engagement between shearband and slab compression reinforcement
 Different slab reinforcement ratios

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 Five specimens were tested under simulated gravity loads

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 Specimen design

𝑓yt = 72500 psi

Slab flexural reinf. bars

1. #4 @ 4 in. (0.8%) : C08-
2. #5 @ 4 in. (1.2%) : C12-
C08-LSF & C12-LSF C08-LSF2
(200 legs) (140 legs) 8
Shear reinforcement details Side view

Plan view

Plan view

1/16 in. thick

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Strain measurement

For slab reinforcing bars For shearbands

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 A steel cage before casting concrete

Column reinforcement

Shear reinforcement
(LSF)

Strain gauges
Slab flexural reinf. bars
1. #4 @ 4 in.
2. #5 @ 4 in.
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 Test setup

Reaction frame.
Load cell

Hydraulic jack

Test specimen

Neoprene pad

Support frame

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 Shearbands yield

yielding
Inclined
cracking
cracks

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 LET’S LOOK INSIDE THE SLABS!

The shearbands with punched holes had sufficient anchorage

capacity to develop the full tensile strength without engaging
with slab compression reinforcing bars
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 Test results

1. The SB increased
punching shear
strength and
deformation capacity
2. The SB helped
specimens with 𝝆 =
𝟎. 𝟖% develop the
flexural strength
3. The ACI code
overestimated shear
strength of the
specimens with SB
and lower 𝝆
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 Comparisons between shearbands and shear studs

8 rails
12 studs (#3)
s = 2.5 in.
s0=2 in.

𝐴𝑠(1𝑟𝑜𝑤) 𝑓yt 𝑑
𝑉𝑠 =
𝑠

4𝐴𝑠 1𝑙𝑒𝑔 𝑓yt 𝑏c + 𝑑 𝑑

𝑉𝑠 =
𝑠x 𝑠y

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 Comparisons between shearbands and shear studs

SB

SB

The shearbands performed better than the

shear studs arranged in an orthogonal layout in
term of shear strength and ductility.

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For slab-column connections under concentric gravity loads:

1. Shearbands increased punching shear

strength and deformation capacity for slab-
column connections,
2. Shearbands yielded without engaging with
slab compression reinforcing bars,
3. Shearbands performed better than the
headed shear studs placed in an orthogonal
layout.

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The authors would like to thank The University of Michigan, Vietnam Education
Foundation, and ERICO for their financial supports.

THANK YOU!

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20
Tensile test for shearbands

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