Punching shear strength of flat slab edge column connections with outward eccentricity of loading

Thirteen tests were carried out to investigate the effect of outwards eccentricity on the punching resistance of flat slab edge column connections. The slabs measured 2350 x 1700 mm (92.5 x 66.9 in.) on plan and were 180 mm (7.1 in.) thick. One end of the slab was supported on a 300 mm (11.8 in.) square column with a boot at its base for imposition of eccentricity. The other end was supported on a fixed roller support that extended across the full slab width of 1700 mm (66.9 in.). Four point loads were applied to the unsupported slab edges. The tested variables were eccentricity and the areas of flexural, shear, and torsion reinforcement. Presented test results include reinforcement strains, displacements, rotations, crack patterns, failure modes, and ultimate loads. The ACI 318 design procedure for punching shear at edge columns with outwards eccentricity is shown to be overly conservative unless the interaction between punching shear and unbalanced moment is reduced as permitted by the code. The EC2 design procedure is unsatisfactory and a modification is proposed