Experimental investigation of punching shear failure of column footings

Abstract

Bearing capacity of column footings to punching shear in the standing codes is mostly based on experiments performed on reinforced concrete slabs. The experiments done on footings have been rare so far, and they were performed in laboratories, where soil was simulated in various ways. The goal of this research is to perform punching shear experiments in the circumstances which are as close as possible to actual conditions both in terms of the foundations, and in terms of the soil. This would provide answers to questions such are: what is the gradient angle of punching cracks, and what is the distribution of pressures on the soil like, and what its effects on the bearing capacity of footings to punching shear are. These parameters are fundamental for the bearing capacity of footings to punching shear failures, and there is a large discrepancy between them and the standing codes. Apart from this, the punching shear failure mechanism would be determined, which would indicate the parameters whose influence is dominant in the course of punching shear of footings. These parameters should be focused on in the further research.