Structural performance assessment of reinforced concrete flat slab-edge column connections under the effects of outward eccentricity

Although several advantages - either constructive or architectural - are assigned to flat slabs, the continuity between consecutive spans in multifloor buildings may turn slab-column connections into a critical region, due to the limited contact between both elements. When transferring moments caused by horizontal and/or vertical eccentric loads are present, these effects are even more pronounced on external panels. Specific studies on the effects of outward eccentricities are still rather scarce, although it is recognized that the codes, in general, are concerned with eventually meeting all potential cases, seeking to improve safety structural performance. Some current recommendations are based on considerable extrapolations, whose theory was originally developed for cases of asymmetric loading at internal connections and need to be consolidated with specific test data. Thus, to investigate the structural behaviour of slabs-edge columns connections, four specimens were tested, reproducing a 2,350 mm x 1,700 mm portion of a 180 mm thick reinforced concrete slab adjacent to a 300 mm x 300 mm cross section squared edge column, with a projection at the base for the imposition of eccentricities. The position of the support under the column has determined the eccentricity, defining in physical terms the interaction between bending moment and shear force, as follows: 300 mm (inward), centred (reference) and 300 mm and 400 mm (outward). Experimental results allowed to comparatively assess the performance of the specimens relating the strain measurements in steel and concrete, vertical displacements, rotations, failure mode and ultimate loads of the slabs. Results indicate that the influence of transferring moments on failure modes is much more pronounced than the shear action in the case of edge connections subjected to outward eccentricities.