Experimental data for punching shear behavior of high-performance concrete flat slabs incorporating hybrid fibers
Description
This dataset contains the experimental and processed data supporting the study “Punching shear behavior of high-performance concrete flat slabs incorporating hybrid fibers.” The experimental program comprised 23 reinforced concrete flat-slab specimens tested under concentric monotonic loading. The investigated variables included fiber configuration, localized high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (HPFRC) strengthening, slab thickness, and flexural reinforcement ratio. The dataset includes material documentation, specimen preparation photographs, test setup and instrumentation photographs, original failure photographs, annotated failure photographs showing the observed crack and damage patterns, and test videos. The accompanying Excel workbook contains specimen and material parameters, load–displacement data, experimental response parameters, punching shear calculations, predictions obtained from selected design codes and theoretical models, and the corresponding statistical assessments. During the slab tests, the applied load and displacement measurements were continuously recorded using a synchronized data-acquisition system. The central displacement was measured by LVDT 1, while additional LVDTs were used to characterize the slab deflection profile. For the layered specimens, supplementary LVDTs were used to monitor possible relative displacement at the interface. The photographs without annotations are provided as the original experimental records. The corresponding annotated photographs are supplied separately to facilitate identification of visible crack development and the final surface-damage region. All measurements are reported using SI units. The dataset is intended to support verification, reproduction of the reported load–displacement responses, and independent comparison of experimental punching shear resistance with existing predictive approaches.
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Steps to reproduce
Specimens were prepared in wooden formwork with flexural reinforcement arranged in two orthogonal directions. Concrete was mixed following ASTM C192/C192M. The dry constituents were first blended, followed by gradual addition of water and superplasticizer. For fiber-reinforced mixtures, the fibers were introduced progressively during the final mixing stage to promote uniform dispersion. The slabs were demolded after 24 h and cured under laboratory conditions at 27 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 10% relative humidity until testing. Each slab was tested under concentric monotonic loading using a rigid steel reaction frame. The vertical load was applied at the slab center through a 100 × 100 mm steel loading plate using a 500 kN hydraulic actuator. Loading was applied under load control at 0.2 kN/s. The slabs were line-supported along four edges using smooth D10 round steel bars. Applied load and displacement were continuously recorded using a synchronized data-acquisition system. LVDT 1 measured the central slab displacement, while LVDTs 2–4 were used to obtain the deflection profile. Additional interface measurements were recorded for the layered specimens S2L2 and S2L4. Testing continued until punching failure. The experimental load–displacement curves can be reproduced directly from the data provided in the Excel workbook. The calculation sheets contain the specimen parameters and formulas used to obtain the reported punching shear predictions and statistical indicators. Original and annotated photographs can be matched using the specimen identification codes.