ACI STRUCTURAL JOURNAL
Title no. 102-S78
Dynamic Responses of Flat Plate Systems with
Shear Reinforcement
by Thomas H.-K. Kang and John W. Wallace
Use of flat plate floor systems consisting of a conventional or post-
tensioned reinforced concrete slab-column system incorporating
shear reinforcement within the slab-column connection region has
become increasingly popular as lateral-force resisting systems in
intermediate seismic zones and gravity systems in high seismic
zones. Relatively sparse experimental data, however, are available
to assess the dynamic responses of such systems, particularly for
post-tensioned systems. To address these gaps, shaketable tests of
a conventional reinforced-concrete slab-column frame (RC
specimen) and a post-tensioned slab-column frame (PT specimen)
were conducted. An overview of the test program and the findings
is presented. Lateral drift ratios of approximately 3 and 4% were
achieved during testing for the RC and PT system frames, respectively,
with relatively little loss of lateral load capacity. Also, although slab-
column punching failures occurred for both specimens, the degree of
damage observed was less extensive than damage observed for prior
quasi-static tests of specimens without shear reinforcement.
Keywords: concrete; flat plate; post-tensioning; reinforced concrete;
shear reinforcement; stud.
INTRODUCTION
Building systems constructed to resist seismic forces are
often designed with a lateral-force resisting system to resist
the seismic forces and a nonparticipating system (or gravity-
force resisting system) to support vertical loads. Flat plate
systems have become very popular gravity systems; there-
fore, their behavior, when subjected to lateral forces or
deformations, has been studied extensively (for example,
Moehle and Diebold; 1 Hwang; 2 Moehle; 3 and Robertson et
al.4). In general, studies of flat plate systems have focused on
developing and refining models that describe the stiffness
of the slab-column frame and the strength of the slab-
column connection.
Use of flat plate systems to resist earthquake lateral loads
is not permitted in Zones 3 and 4 (Uniform Building Code5);
however, no specific requirements are stated in ACI 318-02,6
Section 21.11, Frame Members Not Proportioned to Resist
Forces Induced by Earthquake Motions for slab-column
systems. Therefore, the systems are designed for gravity loads
and for deformation compatibility with the lateral-force
resisting system to ensure that the system can maintain
support for vertical loads. ACI 318-02,6 Chapter 7, requires
continuous bottom reinforcement (integrity reinforcement)
through the column to prevent progressive collapse; most
engineers assume that providing the integrity reinforcement
satisfies the deformation compatibility requirement a priori,
versus designing the slab-column connection to avoid a
punching failure when the slab-column frame is checked for
deformation compatibility. Given that the punching shear
capacity may be nearly exhausted under gravity loads,
however, punching failures may occur for ground motion
ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005
TECHNICAL PAPER
intensities considerably less than those expected in the
design basis event (for example, 10% in a 50 year event).
A code change has been approved for ACI 318-057 to
clarify the intent of the code. The approved code change
assesses the need for shear reinforcement at slab-column
connections based on the inter-story lateral drift and the
gravity shear stress on the slab critical section, unless
calculations are made to show that the connection is
capable of sustaining the drift associated with the design
displacement without punching. Analysis of the slab-
column frame requires that appropriate models be used and
that the drift associated with punching failures be documented
for a range of conditions.
An effective slab width model is commonly used to model
the lateral-load stiffness of the slab-column frame.1 In the
effective slab width method, the three-dimensional system is
modeled as a two-dimensional frame using an effective slab
width l2 and a conventional column, where the -factor is
derived using elastic plate theory to result in an equivalent
slab width with uniform rotation across the effective slab
width that yields the same rotation stiffness as the original
system with nonuniform rotation.8 The -value for the effective
slab width model depends primarily on the column and slab
aspect ratios, whereas the influence of cracking on stiffness
is accounted for by using an additional factor, commonly
referred to as a -factor. 2
According to ACI 318-02 6 requirements, design shear Vu
and unbalanced moment Mu,unb from a gravity load analysis
of a slab-column frame are assumed to be transferred to the
column by direct shear and eccentric shear acting on a
critical section within the slab adjacent to the column
perimeter, and by slab flexural yielding within a slab transfer
width of c2 + 3h centered on the column. The maximum
shear stress on the slab critical section is a sum of the direct
shear stress from gravity load and the maximum shear stress
from the eccentric shear stress model. If the connection
strength is insufficient to transfer the unbalanced moment
anywhere on the slab critical section, then a punching shear
failure is assumed to occur. Common approaches used to
increase the shear strength of the slab-column connection are
to provide either a drop panel or slab shear reinforcement.
Currently, use of slab shear reinforcement is a popular
option, as it obviates the need to provide a drop panel, and
thus tends to reduce costs associated with labor and formwork.
ACI Structural Journal, V. 102, No. 5, September-October 2005.
MS No. 04-325 received October 8, 2004, and reviewed under Institute publication
policies. Copyright 2005, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved, including the
making of copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors. Pertinent
discussion including authors closure, if any, will be published in the July-August
2006 ACI Structural Journal if the discussion is received by March 1, 2006.
763

ACI member Thomas H.-K. Kang is a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher at the
University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, Calif. He received his BS
from Seoul National University, Korea, in 1998 and his PhD from UCLA in 2004. He
is a member of Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 352, Joints and Connections in Monolithic
Concrete Structures. His research interests include the behavior and modeling of
reinforced and post-tensioned concrete systems subjected to dynamic loading.
John W. Wallace, FACI, is an associate professor of civil engineering at UCLA. He is
a member of ACI Committee 318-H, Seismic Provisions; 369, Seismic Repair and
Rehabilitation; 374, Performance-Based Seismic Design of Concrete Buildings; and
Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 352, Joints and Connections in Monolithic Concrete
Structures. His research interests include response and design of buildings and
bridges to earthquake actions, laboratory and field testing of structural components
and systems, and structural health monitoring and use of sensor networks.
Although the use of post-tensioned flat plate systems with
shear reinforcement has become very common in both
intermediate and high seismic regions in the U.S., a majority
of existing experimental work has focused on conventional
reinforced concrete slab-column connections with or
without shear reinforcement. Tests have been conducted
on conventionally reinforced slabs with shear reinforcement,
such as the tests by Megally9 and Robertson et al.,4 which
included specimens with shear (stud-rail) reinforcement
subjected to quasi-static, reversed cyclic loading. In most of
these tests, the specimens consisted of isolated, interior or
exterior connections without drop panels or shear capitals.
Test results for post-tensioned systems subjected to
earthquake-type loadings are limited to tests of seven
isolated connections conducted by Martinez-Cruzado,
Qaisrani, and Moehle.10 No dynamic tests of post-tensioned
systems have been conducted.
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
Given that use of flat plate systems, particularly post-
tensioned systems with shear reinforcement at the slab-column
connections, is popular and test results for reversed cyclic
and dynamic loading are scarce, a research study was
undertaken to conduct shaketable tests and analytical
studies. An overview of the experimental research program
and general results is presented. The test results provide
valuable data on the lateral-load behavior of flat plate
systems as well as information needed to verify analytical
models and to assess the extent of damage for dynamic
loading. These issues are particularly important given the
changes approved for ACI 318-057 for nonparticipating
slab-column frames.
EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
Two flat plate slab-column frames, designed to represent a
reinforced concrete slab-column frame (RC) and a post-
Fig. 1Test specimen on shaketable.
764
tensioned slab-column frame (PT) flat plate system for
common construction in intermediate and high seismic regions
in the U.S., respectively, were constructed and subjected to
uniaxial shaking. Due to dimensional limitations of the
University of California-Berkeley shaketable, a scale
factor of approximately 1/3 was used for both specimens. The
specimens included six columns, with two full spans in the east-
west (E-W) direction, and one full span and two half-spans in the
north-south (N-S) direction (Fig. 1). This geometry was selected
to provide symmetry and stability, as well as appropriate
boundary conditions for uniaxial shaketable tests.
Column flexural strengths for the specimens were selected
to ensure that yielding and damage would be concentrated in
the slab-column connection region versus within the column.
Resulting column cross sections for both the RC and PT
specimens were 203 x 203 mm reinforced with eight 12.7 mm
diameter (No. 4) longitudinal bars with a nominal yield
stress of 414 MPa (60 ksi). The connection regions for both
specimens were designed such that punching failures were
expected to occur prior to yielding of slab flexural (column
strip) reinforcement in the absence of slab shear reinforcement.
With the addition of slab shear reinforcement, yielding of
slab reinforcement within the column strip was anticipated;
however, punching failures were expected to occur prior to
yielding of slab reinforcement across the full width of the
slab (Table 1). Design of the test specimens is summarized
in the following paragraphs with more detailed information
provided by Kang.11
RC specimen
Typical slab span-depth ratios for RC flat plate construction
are roughly 20 to 30 (25 to 30 in the U.S., 20 to 25 in Japan);
therefore, a bay width of 2.06 m (6 ft. 9 in.) and a slab thickness
of 89 mm (3.5 in.) were selected, resulting in a span-depth
ratio of 23.1 for the test specimen. Gravity load consisted
of the slab self-weight (2.2 kPa [45 lb/ft2]) and lead
weights affixed to the slab to provide an additional 5.7 kPa
(120 lb/ft2) to represent the self-weight of the prototype
floor slab of 267 mm thickness (6.5 kPa [135 lb/ft2]), as
well as an additional gravity load of 1.4 kPa (30 lb/ft2). The
resulting gravity shear ratios on the slab critical sections
adjacent to the 203 x 203 mm columns for the interior and
exterior connections were 0.25Vc and 0.20Vc, respectively,
which are fairly representative of reinforced concrete flat
plate construction in the U.S. and Japan.
The slab reinforcement consisted of 9.5 mm-diameter
(No. 3) deformed bars with a yield stress of 458 MPa (66.4 ksi)
having 180-degree standard hooks at the slab edge.
Concrete clear cover was 9.5 mm for both top and bottom
slab reinforcement. Sufficient slab reinforcement was
placed within c2 + 3h (Fig. 2), where c2 is the column
dimension perpendicular to the direction of the applied loads
and h is the slab thickness, to resist the fraction of the
unbalanced moment transferred by flexure f t Mu,unb as well
as satisfy the requirements in ACI 318-02,6 Section 21.12.6.3.
The ratio of top to bottom reinforcement for unbalanced
moment transfer within the transfer width of c2 + 3h was
selected as approximately two as recommended in ACI 318-02,6
Section R.13.5.3.3, and slab minimum reinforcement was
provided to satisfy ACI 318-02,6 Section 7.12.2.1. In
addition, ACI 318-026 requirements of Section 21.12.6
were satisfied, as 71% of top bars were placed within the
column strip and all bottom bars were continuous. Two
ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005
continuous bottom bars were placed within the column cage in
accordance with ACI 318-02,6 Section 13.3.8.5.
Shear reinforcement, in the form of stud-rails, was
selected because available test results have shown them to be
effective (Ghali and Hammill;12 Megally;9 and Kang and
Wallace13) and they are commonly used. Design shear
strength of the shear reinforced connections was based on
ACI 318-026 and ACI 421.1R-9914 requirements. Stud-rails
were provided to resist combined direct gravity shear stress
vu,direct and eccentric shear stress vu,unb due to the unbalanced
moment transferred by eccentric shear on the slab critical
section located at d/2 from the column face (column critical
section in Fig. 3). Outside the shear-reinforced region
(outer critical section in Fig. 3), shear resistance is
provided by concrete alone.
PT specimen
The configuration of the PT specimen was similar to that
used for the RC specimen (Fig. 4), except a slab thickness of
76 mm (3 in.) and bay widths of 2.84 m (9 ft. 4 in.) in the
direction of testing were selected (Fig. 4). The resulting
span-to-depth ratio of 37.3 is slightly less than typical values

Fig. 2Reinforced-concrete slab-column frame specimen.

Table 1Shear demand and capacity for column and outer critical sections
Reinforced concrete Reinforced concrete Reinforced concrete Reinforced concrete Post-tensioned Post-tensioned
slab-column frame- slab-column frame- slab-column frame- slab-column frame- slab-column slab-column
interior, Min v exterior, Max v interior, Min v exterior, Max v frame-interior frame-exterior
vu,direct 0.434 0.434 0.345 0.345 0.641 0.555
1* 1.710/0.848 2.475/1.613 0.738/0.041 2.772/3.468 2.613./1.331 3.508/2.972
vu
2* NA 0.614/0.234 NA 0.855/0.317 0.889/0.221 1.103/0.531
vu
1 2.392/1.531 3.571/2.703 1.007/0.131 4.096/5.288 2.896/1.613 3.896/3.358
vu
vu 2 NA 0.841/0.469 NA 1.207/0.600 0.972/0.303 1.200/0.614
1
vc 1.482 1.482 1.482 1.482 1.648 1.648
2
vc NA 0.745 NA 0.745 1.110
1.110
vn1 2.227 2.227 2.227 2.227 2.965 2.965
* _
Based on Mu,unb = M+y,cs (+ M y, cs); (sum of yield moments within column strip).
_
Based on Mu,unb = M+v,fs(+ M v, fs); (sum of yield moments across full span).
1/2
Upper limit of vn = 2/3(fc) (based on ACI 421.1R-99).
1On critical section at d/2 from column face (column critical section).
2On critical section at d/2 from outermost peripheral line of studs (outer critical section).

Notes: All units are in kPa; vu = vu,direct + vu, unb = (Vu/Ac) (v Mu,unbc/Jc); vc1 = 1/3(f c )1/2, vc2 = 1/6(f c )1/2, vn = 1/2(f c )1/2, where v and f c are in MPa; NA = not available.
Min v = 0.25 (reinforced-concrete slab-column frame-interior), 0 (reinforced-concrete slab-column frame-exterior), NA (reinforced-concrete slab-column frame, exterior, outer critical section)
(based on ACI 318-02).
Max v = 0.40 (reinforced-concrete slab-column frame-interior), 0.384 (reinforced-concrete slab-column frame, exterior, column critical section), 0.305 (reinforced-concrete
slab-column frame, exterior, outer critical section).
v = 0.40 (post-tensioned slab-column frame-interior), 0.386 (post-tensioned slab-column frame, exterior, column critical section), 0.313 (post-tensioned slab-column frame,
exterior, outer critical section).

ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005 765

used for PT slab-column frame construction on the west
coast of the U.S. (40 to 45). Lead weights were affixed to the
76 mm-thick floor slabs to provide 3.6 kPa (76 lb/ft2) of
gravity load, to result in a total slab self-weight of 5.5 kPa
(114 lb/ft2), which corresponds closely to the self-weight of
the prototype 229 mm (9 in.) thick post-tensioned slab. The
resulting gravity stress ratios on the interior and exterior
connections are approximately 0.33Vc (0.39Vc) and 0.25Vc
(0.30Vc), which are less than the limit of 0.4Vc for
intermediate slab-column frames of ACI 318-02,6 Section
21.12, but low for typical nonparticipating slab-column
frames used in the U.S., where ratios as high as 0.50 to
0.60Vc are sometimes used.
Slabs were post-tensioned with 7.9 mm (5/16 in.) diameter,
seven-wire strand with a yield strength of 1627 MPa (236 ksi).
The post-tensioning strands were greased and wrapped directly
in an extruded plastic coating per PTI recommendations15 and
post-tensioned to provide a design average compressive
concrete stress of fpc = 1.38 MPa (200 psi). The diameter of the
unbonded extruded tendons was kept to 11.1 mm (7/16 in.),
which was desirable given the slab thickness of 76 mm (3 in.).
Fig. 3Stud-rails and critical sections at connection
regions.
Fig. 4Post-tensioned slab-column frame specimen.
766
Tendons were placed according to ACI 318-026 and
ACI 423.3R-9616 provisions and recommendations,
respectively, as shown in Fig. 4. Six banded tendons, with
two passing through the column cage, were used along each
column line in the E-W direction (direction of testing), and
seven (two passing through the column cage) distributed
tendons between each column line were used in the N-S
direction. Minimum clear cover was 9.5 mm over both the
top and bottom of tendons or bonded reinforcement (No. 2,
db = 6.35 mm), except at interior connections where top clear
cover of 7.9 and 12.7 mm were designated for tendons and
bonded (deformed) reinforcement, respectively, due to space
limitations (Fig. 4). An effective tension force of 44 kN
(9.9 kips) per strand was applied based on flexural strength
requirements, resulting in an average compressive stress of
1.39 MPa (202 psi) in the banded (testing) direction (E-W)
and 1.37 MPa (199 psi) in the other direction (N-S). Given
the effective tendon force, the post-tensioned slab balanced
a gravity load of 4.3 kPa (90 lb/ft2), or 79% of dead load
(including lead-weights).17
Bonded top reinforcement was provided at connection
regions as required by ACI 318-02,6 Section 18.9.3.3 (Fig. 4).
Although not required, an equal quantity of bottom reinforce-
ment was provided to control cracking along the bottom of
the slab anticipated due to applied dynamic (cyclic) load
history as well as to improve the hysteretic energy dissipation
capacity of the system.
Shear reinforcement
Shear reinforcement for the RC and PT specimens
consisted of stud-rails (Fig. 2 and 4) satisfying requirements
of ACI 318-026 and ACI 421.1R-99.14 The size and spacing
of the stud-rails were selected to require flexural yielding of
bonded bars prior to punching failure on a critical section d/2
from the column face (Table 1). Based on ACI 421.1R-99,14
ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005
the first studs were located at 19 mm (0.75 in.) (= 0.27d =
0.40d) away from the column faces, and studs were spaced at
0.5d = 35 mm (1.38 in.) on center for both the RC and PT
specimens. The stud-rails extended 2.5h (note that the
minimum length of 4h will be required in ACI 318-057 provi-
sions) from the column face, to ensure that the punching
failure would occur within the shear-reinforced region (at the
slab critical section d/2 from the column face). Two stud-
rails were placed perpendicular to each column face 187 mm
(7.35 in.) apart for the RC specimen, whereas three stud-rails
were placed perpendicular to each column face for the PT
specimen (due to the thinner slab).
slab-column punching failure assessment; and 5) flexural
transfer width and slab effective width evaluation.
Free vibration tests and shaketable tests
Free vibration tests were conducted prior to initial testing
and after each shaketable test to assess changes in stiffness
and damping of the specimens (Table 4). The damped
fundamental period Tn was determined by averaging the
time between response peaks for several cycles and dividing
by the number of cycles for 17 and 15 channels for the RC
and PT frames, respectively. Damping ratios were
determined using the logarithmic decrement method for 4 to

Materials
Table 2Material properties
Design compressive concrete strength was 27.6 MPa
(4000 psi) with a maximum aggregate size of 9.5 mm (3/8 in.). Esec,
MPa fc , kPa o
Table 2 summarizes material properties for the concrete
used in the test structure. A representative concrete stress- Concrete 19,305 27,668 0.0024
strain relation for a 152 x 305 mm (6 x 12 in.) cylinder is db, mm As, mm2 Es, MPa fy, MPa y fs*, MPa fu, MPa
presented in Fig. 5(a). Material properties obtained for the
No. 2 bars 4.1 13.1 207,717 481 0.00432 373 684
deformed reinforcing bars, stud-rail shaft, and the seven-
wire strand are shown in Table 2 and the associated stress-strain No. 3 bars 6.3 31.3 239,384 458 0.00395 401 652
relations are depicted in Fig. 5(b). More detailed material No. 4 bars 9.1 64.3 204,756 491 0.00242 698
information is available elsewhere.18 Studs 4.0 12.8 213,867 635 0.00489 743
Strands 8.0 37.5 200,898 1625 0.00979 1834
*f = stress
Instrumentation s at 0.002 strains.

During testing, information was collected from 193 channels Yield stress at 0.2% offset.
for each specimen. A detailed summary of the instrumentation
used is provided by Kang.11 The instrumentation layout was
selected to allow the determination of story shear and over-
turning moments, story displacements, reinforcing bar and
stud-rail strains, and slab and column moments and
curvatures, with a particular emphasis on evaluating the
unbalanced moment transferred at slab-column connections
during the dynamic tests.

Testing and ground (table) motions

A ground motion with fairly long duration and without
significant near-fault effects, the CHY087W record from the
September 21, 1999, earthquake in Taiwan was selected. The
original ground motion was time-compressed by 1/3
corresponding to the dimension scale factor of 1/3 (Harris
and Sabnis19). The peak values of the spectral pseudo-
acceleration response spectrum of the modified ground
motion were located between 0.2 to 0.4 s, where the
fundamental periods of the specimens were located. The
specimens were subjected to several runs of uniaxial shaking
with the intensity of the motions increasing with each test to
study specimen behavior for: 1) low-level excitation; 2)
service-level excitation to approximately 2/3 of the yield
displacement; 3) moderate-level excitation to produce
limited yielding within the structure; and 4) damage-level
excitation. For the PT specimen, a fifth test was run with
very intense motions given that relatively little damage was
observed after Run 4 (Table 3).

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Observations and experimental results obtained from
evaluation of the data collected from the free vibration tests
and the shaketable tests are presented and discussed in the
following sections. The information presented includes: 1)
general findings and observed damage; 2) periods and Fig. 5Stress-strain relations of materials: (a) one concrete
damping ratios; 3) base shear versus drift ratio relations; 4) cylinder; and (b) steel bars and seven-wire strands.

ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005 767

6 cycles of response. Fourier amplitude spectra (FAS) of the
response histories obtained during the free vibration tests
also were used to identify first and second mode periods Tp1
and Tp2. As anticipated, periods and damping ratios increased as
the intensity of the table motions were increased, with the most
significant increases noted for Run 4 for the RC specimen.
Table 5 summarizes the responses of the test specimens to
all shaketable test runs. First-mode and second-mode periods
were identified from the FAS of the absolute story
displacement histories. Significant changes in the funda-
mental period occurred during Run 4 for both the RC and
PT specimens. To identify these changes, response histories
of absolute story accelerations for Run 4 were divided into
two time windows and FAS analyses for each window were
compared. The fundamental period before and after 12.70 s
was 0.42 and 0.53 s, respectively, for the RC specimen,
whereas the fundamental period before and after 11.10 s was
0.43 and 0.54 s for the PT specimen. As will be discussed in
more detail later, these period increases were caused by
punching failures at the slab-column connections, as well as
yielding at the base of the columns. Punching was noted for
some connections between 12.68 s and 12.72 s for the RC

Table 3Testing sequence and table motion characteristics

Reinforced concrete slab-column frame specimen Post-tensioned slab-column frame specimen
Test ID PHA, g IA, cm/s D, s Tp, s Tm , s Test ID PHA, g IA, cm/s D, s Tp , s Tm , s
Free vibration Tests 1 and 2 (FV 1, 2) Free vibration Tests 1 and 2 (FV 1, 2)
Run 1 0.109 12.7 7.9 0.290 0.307 Run 1 0.095 10.2 8.8 0.318 0.320
Run 2-1 0.287 89.2 11.3 0.438 0.295 Run 2 0.276 77.7 8.9 0.346 0.363
Free vibration Tests 3 and 4 (FV 3, 4) Free vibration Tests 3 and 4 (FV 3, 4)
Run 2-2 0.256 94.2 11.3 0.439 0.286 Run 3 0.413 202.4 11.0 0.407 0.408
Free vibration Tests 5 and 6 (FV 5, 6) Free vibration Tests 5 and 6 (FV 5, 6)
Run 3 0.407 223.5 10.9 0.438 0.319 Run 4 1.144 1730.0 9.9 0.558 0.518
Free vibration Tests 7 and 8 (FV 7, 8) Free vibration Tests 7 and 8 (FV 7, 8)
Run 4 1.254 1775.0 9.9 0.439 0.366 Run 5 1.275 2221.0 9.8 0.585 0.552
Free vibration Tests 9 and 10 (FV 9, 10) Free vibration Tests 9 and 10 (FV 9, 10)
Note: PHA = Peak horizontal acceleration; IA = Arias intensity (Arias 1970); D = time interval between points at which 5 and
75% of Arias intensity has been recorded; Tp = predominant period; and Tm = mean period.

Table 4Free vibration tests

Tn , s Tn, % Tpl, s Tp1 , % Tp2, s Tp2, % , %
Reinforced-concrete slab-column frame specimen
FV 1, 2 0.233 0.240 0.057 0.0119
FV 3, 4 0.285 22 0.308 28 0.071 25 0.0323 171
FV 5, 6 0.293 3 0.319 4 0.076 7 0.0311 4
FV 7, 8 0.318 9 0.334 5 0.075 1 0.0394 27
FV 9, 10 0.481 51 0.566 69 0.113 51 0.0608 54
Post-tensioned slab-column frame specimen
FV 1, 2 0.276 0.286 0.071 0.0163
FV 3, 4 0.305 11 0.315 10 0.074 4 0.0213 31
FV 5, 6 0.333 9 0.336 7 0.076 3 0.0339 59
FV 7, 8 0.432 30 0.444 32 0.096 26 0.0419 24
FV 9, 10 0.465 8 0.502 13 0.105 9 0.0503 20

Table 5Responses of shaketable tests

Peak base Peak first story Peak first story Peak base First-mode Second-mode
t t
acceleration, g acceleration, a1 , g acceleration, a2 , g shear, kN Tp1, s Tp2, s
Reinforced-concrete slab-column frame specimen
Run 1 0.109 0.241 0.328 82.7 (0.25W) 0.271 0.0776
Run 2-1 0.287 0.420 0.644 149.3 (0.46W) 0.324 0.0843
Run 2-2 0.256 0.556 0.681 182.5 (0.56W) 0.346 0.0870
Run 3 0.407 0.767 1.055 281.2 (0.87W) 0.404 0.1333
Run 4 1.254 1.065 1.752 433.8 (1.33W) 0.456
Post-tensioned slab-column frame specimen
Run 1 0.095 0.222 0.326 96.6 (0.27W) 0.319 0.0758
Run 2 0.276 0.460 0.600 175.2 (0.48W) 0.346 0.0807
Run 3 0.413 0.714 0.854 175.2 (0.77W) 0.404 0.0880
Run 4 1.144 0.968 1.469 409.3 (1.13W) 0.544
Run 5 1.275 0.805 1.327 352.9 (0.97W) 0.600

768 ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005

specimen and between 11.08 and 11.11 s for the PT spec- Based on measured responses, the RC specimen was
imen, whereas the columns began to yield at the base at 12.64 subjected to peak drift levels of approximately 3% with only
and 10.86 s for the RC and PT specimens, respectively. modest strength deterioration. The measured base shear of
the RC specimen began to degrade after t = 12.68 s, when the
Observed damage top drift ratio reached 2.5% (Fig. 9(a)). Strength deterioration
Significant cracking was observed both on the top and was observed for the PT specimen after the top drift ratio
bottom of the slab adjacent to columns of the RC specimen. reached 2.78% at t = 11.08 s (Fig. 9(b)). During the first
On the top surface of the slab, approximately d/2 (35 mm) significant excursion into the nonlinear range, a slight
from the column faces, where d is the effective slab depth, decrease in the base shear of the RC specimen was observed.
extensive cracking was observed and radial extension of In contrast, more substantial deterioration in base shear was
cracks from the critical sections occurred (Fig. 6(a)); however, observed for the PT specimen.
in general, cracks were not observed outside the shear- Although substantial loss of stiffness is apparent for both
reinforced region for the RC specimen. The most significant specimens, results for the RC specimen reveal significant
slab damage was observed at the exterior connections of the pinching of the hysteresis loops relative to the PT specimen.
RC specimen where substantial torsional cracking and The hysteresis loops for the lateral load versus top
concrete spalling occurred during Run 4 (Fig. 6(b)). displacement relations for the PT specimen are narrower
than the corresponding loops for the RC specimen. For the
For the PT specimen, less severe cracking was observed PT specimen, after yielding of the nominal quantity of
within the connection regions; however, cracking was bonded slab reinforcement and at the column bases, the PT
observed outside of the region reinforced with the banded specimen acts as an essentially elastic system with reduced
post-tensioning at the east edge (Fig. 6(c)). Yield lines were stiffness due to the presence of the unbonded post-tensioning
observed to extend the full width of the slab at the interior reinforcement. This behavior is apparent in both Runs 4 and 5.
connections and on the west edge of the PT specimen as
well, indicating that the post-tensioning was effective in
developing the full nominal moment strength of the slab.
Overall, the damage observed at the RC connections was
more significant and more widely distributed than the
damage observed for the PT specimen.
Significant relative rotation between the slabs and the
columns was observed during Run 4 for both the RC and PT
specimens, indicating that moment transfer strength at some
connections had been lost, that is, effectively a hinge had
formed and the connection was free to rotate. Inspection of
the connections (using a hammer to tap the concrete) after
Run 4 also indicated that connection damage had occurred.
The limited damage at punching failure is in sharp contrast
to that observed for tests of reinforced concrete flat plate
tests without shear reinforcement2 (for example, Fig. 6(d)).
The test results indicate that use of slab shear reinforcement
substantially reduces the extent of damage and, in particular,
prevents the dropping of the slab observed in reinforced
concrete connections where shear reinforcement is not Fig. 6(a) to (d): Observed damage at slab-column
provided. More detailed assessment of slab-column connection region.
punching failures and the drift that resulted in connection
failure is provided by Kang.11

Base shear versus drift ratio

Displacement transducers were used to monitor the
absolute displacements of each floor slab level and at the top
of the column footing. These measurements, corrected to
remove the lateral displacement due to footing rotation, were
used to obtain relative displacements between the second
floor (top) and the column base, as well as inter-story
displacements.11 Base shear forces were measured using
triaxial load cells as well as derived from absolute floor
acceleration records multiplied by the floor masses (Fig. 7).
In addition, interstory displacements obtained from the
external displacement transducers compare favorably with
the corresponding displacements obtained from the transducers
mounted diagonally between floor levels (Fig. 8), providing
confidence that the measured responses are reliable. Average
responses obtained for the two frames (Frames N and S in
Fig. 1) are plotted in Fig. 9(a) and (b) for Run 2-2 and 4 (RC),
and Run 2, 4, and 5 (PT), respectively. Fig. 7Comparison of base shear.

ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005 769

Slab curvature versus column curvature
When punching failure occurs, the slab loses its ability to
transfer moment from the slab to the column; therefore, one
approach to assessing if connection punching has occurred
for shaketable tests is to plot the relationship between slab
curvature and column curvature. As slab curvature increases,
the column curvature should either increase or remain
approximately constant if the slab has yielded, unless slab
moment capacity drops (that is, punching occurs) or the
column yields. Column yielding is not expected because the
columns of the two specimens were designed to be stronger
than the slab; therefore, for this study, a drop in column
curvature when significant slab curvatures exist signals that
the strength deterioration is occurring at the slab-column
connection (that is, a punching failure has occurred).
A representative relationship for slab curvature versus
column curvature is presented in Fig. 10, for additional
results, refer to Kang.11 Calculated yield curvatures for the
slab and column also are indicated on these figures. As
shown in Fig. 10, for positive curvatures, column curvatures
begin to drop for higher slab curvatures, indicating that the
moment transfer capacity of the slab-column connection is
degrading, which is consistent with punching failure. Therefore,
the results indicate that a punching failure occurred for
connection RC-FL2NW (refer to Fig. 1) of the RC specimen
at approximately t = 12.72 s for Run 4. The ratio of column
curvature to slab curvature (K1) at t = 12.72 s is 0.057, is
reduced to K2 = 0.022 at t = 30.35 s, for a relatively modest
increase in slab curvature. The smaller value of K2 relative
to K1 is a result of a punching failure. For negative bending,
column curvature remains relatively constant at 0.0001/cm
for a large range of slab curvatures (0.00006 to 0.00024/cm),
indicating that the slab has yielded, but no degradation in
the strength of the slab-column connection has occurred.
Degradation of connection moment capacity, however,
appears to occur after t = 14.38 s where K3 = 0.054,
versus K4 = 0.023 at t = 30.06 s. Similar results are noted
for other connections.11
A detailed presentation of the results for each connection
is beyond the scope of this paper, a detailed assessment of
Fig. 8Comparison of first story displacement relative
to footing.
770
punching failures and the relationship between the gravity
shear ratio and drift for the RC and PT specimens, as well as
from tests conducted by other researchers, is presented by
Kang.11 Results presented by Robertson et al.4 based on
quasistatic tests of slab-column specimens with shear
reinforcement suggest that providing shear reinforcement
roughly doubles the drift capacity at which punching failures
are observed for isolated interior slab-column connections.
Results for this study, such as the results reported in the
preceding paragraph for connection RC-FL2NW (punching
at 3.12% second-story drift at punching), indicate that
punching failures occurred at significantly lower drift ratios
than expected based on the quasistatic testing (punching
capacity of approximately 7% based on Fig. 18 of Robertson
et al.4). This discrepancy could be attributed to the difference
in the specimens (isolated slab-column specimen versus a
multiple-span specimen); however, this trend is not apparent
in available (although limited) test results. Although more
detailed studies of the reasons for this discrepancy are
needed, preliminary observations indicate that the reduced
drift capacity might be due to loss of interface shear capacity
at the column-slab interface, which was not observed in the
quasi-static tests.
Effective flexural transfer width
Slab reinforcement strains were measured to assess if the
test results were consistent with the ACI 318-026 defined
Fig. 9Base shear versus top drift.
ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005
transfer width for interior and exterior connections. Rein-
forcement strains for top and bottom bars at the first story
exterior connection (RC-FL1NW) and interior connection
(RC-FL1NC-w) are plotted in Fig. 11. Results indicate that
the tensile strains in the top bars at the column centerline
significantly exceeded the yield strain and that bars placed
within approximately c2 + 3h reached the yield (Fig. 11(a)
and (c)). Bars located outside of c2 + 3h, however, reached
maximum tensile strains of only 50 to 70% of the yield
strain. Crack patterns at exterior connections for the RC
specimen indicate that the moment transfer width was limited
due to torsional cracking (Fig. 6(b)), which is consistent with
observations from prior studies.20 Slab reinforcement outside of
the torsional yield lines are not sufficiently anchored and thus do
not develop significant tensile strains (Fig. 11(a)). Results
obtained for average slab curvatures from displacement
gauges mounted above and below the slab produce similar
conclusions for both interior and exterior connections of the
RC specimen.11
For the exterior connections of the PT specimen, torsional
cracks formed outside the region reinforced with banded
tendons at the east edge (Fig. 6(c)) and a flexural crack
developed across the entire slab width at the west edge;
therefore, the banded post-tensioning tendons provided
sufficient membrane forces to move the torsional yield line
outside the banded tendon region, or to suppress the torsional
yield line completely.
Lateral load stiffnesseffective slab width model
Analytical models for each specimen were created to
allow comparison of responses obtained with analytical
models with responses obtained during the tests. Responses
for Runs 1 and 2 (or 2-2) for each specimen were compared
to determine appropriate - and -factors for the effective
slab width model, because responses for these runs were
effectively within the elastic range. The specimens were
modeled as a plane frame using a finite element program
designed for earthquake engineering simulation.21 A fiber
model, using as-tested material properties, was used for the
columns and rotational springs (k = 565 kN-m/rad) were
included in the model at the base of column footings to
Fig. 10Curvature diagram (RC-FL2NW).
ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005
account for footing rotation. The slab-column joints were
assumed to be rigid, as studies indicate that use of this
assumption tends to produce better correlation with test
results.22 Gravity loads tributary to the column strip were
included in the model as a uniform load on the effective slab-
beam. Additional point loads were applied directly to the
columns to account for the tributary gravity load from the
slab middle strips.
Appropriate values of and were determined by varying
modeling parameters and comparing analytical and
experimental responses. Values for were determined using
the free vibration test results prior to Run 1 (that is, prior to
conducting shaketable tests), whereas values for were
determined using results for Run 2. Predominant periods
determined from the analytical models for Run 1 for the RC
specimen were 0.233 and 0.240 s for -values of 0.75 and
0.5, respectively, indicating that the fundamental period of
the model was relatively insensitive to changes in the -value
(Table 6). Analytical results for the PT specimen indicated
that the fundamental period was more sensitive to changes in
the -value, as the predominant period increased from
0.271 to 0.315 s for -values of 0.75 and 0.5, respectively.
Fundamental periods of the models were matched with
fundamental periods determined from the experimental
Fig. 11Slab strain gauge data.
771
results to obtain -values of approximately 0.75 and 0.70 for
the RC and PT specimens, respectively. Table 6 presents
comparisons of the -factors obtained for the RC and PT
specimens with various recommended values (Pecknold;8
Allen and Darvall;22 and Federal Emergency Management
Agency 23), which are used to model the uncracked lateral-
load stiffness of slab-column frames. The results obtained in
this study are quite close to the values recommended in
Federal Emergency Management Agency.23
Responses of the test structures to Run 2-2 (RC) or Run 2
(PT) were used to assess the reduction of slab stiffness due
to cracking by comparing the relative stiffness values for
these runs with results for the free vibration tests prior to the
shaketable testing. Given the -factors of 0.75 and 0.70 for
the RC and PT specimens determined from the free vibration
testing, respectively, -values of approximately 1/3 and 2/3
resulted in good agreement between experimentally and
analytically determined periods for Runs 2-2 (RC) and 2
(PT) (Table 6). These -values are appropriate to account for
the stiffness reduction due to concrete cracking for the analysis
of slab-column frames within the elastic range.
Fig. 12Top relative displacement histories.
Table 6Effective slab width factors and
high = 1.00
Reinforced- concrete avg = 0.75
slab-column frame specimen
low = 0.50
high = 1.00
Post-tensioned slab-column avg = 0.70
frame specimen
low = 0.50
Reinforced-concrete slab-column frame specimen
Measured- 0.75
Theoretical
Pecknold7 0.78
19 0.57
Allen and Darvall
20 0.74
FEMA-274
*Tp1 = Analytical results obtained using a finite element program.21
772
Response history analyses of the RC and PT models with
the same - and -values noted in the previous paragraph
were conducted and computed responses are compared to
experimental results in Fig. 12. Analytical results are plotted
for two values of damping (1 and 3%), to assess sensitivity.
Portions of the response histories compare favorably for the
RC specimen (Fig. 12(a)), although the peak values are not
well represented, whereas results for the PT specimen
compare quite well for 1% damping (Fig. 12(b)). The greater
discrepancy for the RC specimen may be due to the influence
of footing rotations, which were measured directly for the PT
specimen whereas footing rotations were derived for the RC
specimen using results from the PT specimen test.18
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Two, approximately 1/3-scale, RC and PT frames were
subjected to gravity loads and increasing intensity of
uniaxial base acceleration histories. Based on the observed
damage at slab-column connections, it was concluded that
connection punching had occurred during the test program,
despite the somewhat limited connection damage observed
compared with tests conducted under slowly varying loads
on specimens of similar scale. The limited damage at
punching failure is in sharp contrast to that observed for prior
quasi-static tests of reinforced concrete flat plate without
shear reinforcement. The damage observed at the RC
connections was more significant and more widely distributed
than those observed for the PT specimen. The test results
indicate that use of slab shear reinforcement substantially
reduces the extent of damage, and in particular, prevents the
dropping of the slab observed in reinforced concrete
connections where shear reinforcement is not provided. This
may be an important factor in post-earthquake repairs.
An evaluation of measured responses indicates that the
moment transfer at the slab-column connections degraded
during the tests; however, mean lateral drift ratios of
approximately 3 and 4% were achieved for the RC and PT
specimens, respectively, with relatively little loss of lateral
load capacity for the system. The ability of the systems to
reach these relatively high deformation levels was impacted
by several factors. First, a capacity design approach was used
for the columns to force yielding into the slab as well as
preclude column yielding or shear failure. Second, shear
(stud-rails) reinforcement was used to enhance post-punching
Tp1, s* Tp1, % Tp1 , s* Tp1, %
0.222 5 high = 1/2 0.267 10
0.233 0 avg = 1/3 0.297 0
0.240 +3 low = 1/6 0.343 +16
0.261 8 high = 1 0.289 4
avg = 2/3
0.285 0 0.302 0
0.315 +11 low = 1/3 0.333 10
Post-tensioned slab-column frame specimen
0.70
Theoretical/Measured Theoretical Theoretical/Measured
1.04 0.71 1.01
0.76 0.57 0.81
0.99 0.61 0.87
ACI Structural Journal/September-October 2005
deformation capacity, and lastly, the ratio of top to bottom
reinforcement for unbalanced moment transfer within the
transfer width of c2 + 3h was maintained as approximately
two. A capacity design approach is uncommon in the U.S.,
and the use of bottom reinforcement within c2 + 3h for
gravity systems within high seismic zones is not common.
Punching failures were verified by plotting slab curvature
versus column curvature (or unbalanced moment) relations
for a representative connection. Punching failures were
noted where column curvature dropped as slab curvatures
increased. Given the gravity shear ratios on the connections,
preliminary results for the drift ratios at which punching failures
were observed are substantially less than those suggested based
on tests of similar scale specimens subjected to quasistatic,
reversed cyclic loading, possibly due to the loss of interface
shear capacity at the slab-column interface.
Based on measured reinforcing bar strain data and slab
curvature data, yielding of slab flexural reinforcement was
found to be limited to the effective flexural transfer width of
c2 + 3h for both the interior and exterior connections, and
yield lines formed at approximately 45 degrees for the exterior
connections of the RC specimen. These findings are generally
consistent with existing ACI 318-026 provisions.
Analytical studies were conducted to assess appropriate
modification factors to use for effective slab width () and
cracking () for lateral load analysis of slab-column frames.
Using an effective slab with model and a column fiber model,
-values of 0.75 and 0.70, and -values of 1/3 and 2/3, resulted
in generally good correspondence between experimental and
analytical results for periods and top displacements in the elastic
range, and are similar to the values suggested in Federal
Emergency Management Agency.23
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The work presented in this paper was sponsored by Phase IV of the joint
CUREE-Kajima Research Program. The authors would like to acknowledge the
active participation of Kajima Corp. researchers K. Igarashi and N. Suzuki
throughout the project, as well as D. Cylde, W. Neighbour, S. Takhirov,
and C. Machado at the Earthquake Engineering Research Center at the
University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, Calif., for their assistance. The
views expressed are those of authors and do not necessarily represent those
of the sponsor.
NOTATION
Ac = area of slab critical section
c = distance from centroid of critical section to perimeter of critical section
Jc = polar moment of inertia of critical section
vc = nominal concrete shear stress
vn = nominal shear stress
vu = combined direct gravity shear stress and eccentric shear stress
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