Punching research history at KTH

Punching history at KTH is mainly connected with the Division of Building Statics and Engineering, which changed name to Department of Structural Engineering when merged with the former Division of Bridges. It started in the fifties when Prof. Henrik Nylander and his young assistant Sven Kinnunen performed tests on circular slabs on columns and developed a theoretical model for this very complicated and challenging mode of failure, which was very little known at the time being. Since then punching has been investigated by researchers guided by Professors Nylander and Kinnunen. Five PhD's and four licentiates have produced 28 reports together with Nylander and Kinnunen or alone. The reports cover areas as shear reinforcement, lift slabs, edge columns, comer columns, post tensioned reinforcement, dynamic loading, influence of the slab thickness, column footings, fracture mechanics and strengthening.