Lattice Shear Reinforcement for Slab-Column Connections

This study develops a new type of shear reinforcement using lattice bars to increase the punching shear strength and ductility of slab-column connections. To study the structural performance of the lattice shear reinforcement, direct punching shear tests for four specimens with the lattice shear reinforcement and four specimens without the lattice shear reinforcement were performed. The test results showed that the punching shear strength and deformation capacity of the specimens with the lattice shear reinforcement were improved up to 1.4 and 9.2 times those of the specimens without the lattice shear reinforcement, respectively. A method for estimating the shear strengths of slab-column connections with the lattice shear reinforcement was developed using these test results. Although more research is needed, the lattice shear reinforcement is expected to be suitable for the earthquake design of flat plate structure.