الجهة البحثية: الجامعة الأردنية
عنوان البحث المنشور:
Shear strengthening of two-way reinforced concrete slabs with openings: A review of strengthening techniques and code perspectives
سنة النشر: 2025
Two-way reinforced concrete (RC) flat slabs are widely used in modern buildings because of their architectural flexibility and efficient load transfer. However, the introduction of openings for mechanical and electrical services disturbs the stress flow and considerably increases the risk of brittle punching shear failure. To address this issue, this review systematically investigates the influence of the size, shape, and position of openings on the punching shear behavior of RC slabs and evaluates the effectiveness of major strengthening techniques such as fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP), shear studs, and textile-reinforced mortar (TRM). In addition, it critically examines the accuracy and reliability of international design codes in predicting punching shear capacity. A systematic PRISMA approach was applied to review studies from the Scopus database published over the past 15 years, including experimental, numerical, and analytical research. The reviewed results indicate that slab openings can reduce punching shear strength by up to 45 %, particularly when located near the column. Regarding strengthening systems, FRP applications showed notable improvements in load capacity up to 76 % and maintained good ductility when proper anchorage and fiber orientation were ensured. In contrast, TRM systems achieved the greatest gains in stiffness and energy dissipation, reaching 336 % and 118 %, respectively, due to superior bond compatibility and distributed cracking. From a design perspective, evaluation of major international codes revealed that ACI is the most conservative, whereas Eurocode 2 and MC2010 provide more balanced predictions. Furthermore, FEM analyses validated these findings by capturing crack evolution, stiffness degradation, and punching failure mechanisms. Ultimately, this review research combines experimental, numerical, and code-based evidence into a unified framework, emphasizing the need for refined design provisions and advanced modeling to ensure the safe and sustainable design of two-way RC slabs with openings.
رابط البحث المنشور
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.108059