807

Changes in punching shear design in Canadian

standard CSA A23.3-04: a critical review
Ramez B. Gayed and Amin Ghali

Abstract: Provisions of the 2004 version of the Canadian standard A23.3 related to punching shear design of reinforced
concrete flat plates at their connections with columns are reviewed, with attention to the changes introduced in 2004. Revi-
sions are proposed and justified.
Key words: columns, connections, flat plate, punching, shear, stud shear reinforcement, unbalanced moment.
Résumé : Les dispositions de la version 2004 du norme canadienne A23.3 lié à la conception du cisaillement par poinçon-
nement de planchers-dalles de béton armé à leurs connexions avec des colonnes sont passées en revue, avec une attention
aux changements introduits en 2004. Des révisions sont proposées et justifiées.
Mots-clés : colonnes, connexions, plancher-dalle, poinçonnement, cisaillement, armature de cisaillement en forme de gou-
jons, moment déséquilibré.
[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Introduction
Reinforced concrete slabs, supported directly on columns
without column capitals or beams, must be designed to
avoid punching shear failure induced by the transfer of
forces at the connections with columns. Lateral forces, in-
duced by wind or earthquakes, impose lateral displacements
(drifts) to flat plate structures; differential drift between con-
secutive floors induces bending moments in the columns.
The sum of the moments at the column ends above and be-
low a floor, referred to as the unbalanced moment, is trans-
ferred between the column and the slab. Furthermore,
gravity load patterns produce unbalanced moments at con-
nections of the slab with the exterior (edge and corner) col-
umns, and to some extent with interior columns. This paper
is concerned with the CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004) provisions
for punching shear at slab–column connections, transferring
shear forces combined with unbalanced moments. The
standard’s relevant provisions are reviewed; modifications
to its equations are proposed to simplify the design process
and to cover essential cases frequently encountered in prac-
tice. The 2004 version of the standard includes three
changes — from CSA A23.3-94 (CSA 1994) — that deserve
discussion. Revisions to CSA A23.3-04 are proposed. The
present paper does not cover clause 21.12.3 – added to the
standard in 2004 – on punching shear design of flat plates
Received 14 September 2006. Revision accepted 3 January
2008. Published on the NRC Research Press Web site at
cjce.nrc.ca on 18 July 2008.
R.B. Gayed and A. Ghali.1 Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB
T2N 1N4, Canada.
Written discussion of this article is welcomed and will be
received by the Editor until 31 December 2008.
1Corresponding author (e-mail: aghali@ucalgary.ca).
subjected to seismically induced displacements; this clause
is reviewed and discussed in Gayed and Ghali (2008b).
Provisions for punching shear design in CSA
A23.3-04
Requirement of shear reinforcement
CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004) requires that at an assumed
shear critical section:
½1
vf  vr
where vr is the factored shear stress resistance and vf is the
vertical shear stress caused by the transfer of factored shear
force, Vf, combined with unbalanced moment(s), Mfx and
(or) Mfy (Fig. 1). Clause 13.3 of CSA A23.3-04 employs
the eccentric shear model in calculating the distribution of
vf at the assumed shear critical sections; the following equa-
tion is given:
½2
vf ¼ ½Vf =ðbo dÞ
þ ð
vx Mfx y=Jx Þ þ ð
vy Mfy x=Jy Þ
where bo is the perimeter length of the assumed shear criti-
cal section, d is the average of distances from the extreme
compression fiber to the centroids of the tension reinforce-
ments running in two orthogonal directions, the subscripts x
and y refer to two axes defined by CSA A23.3-04 as the
‘‘centroidal axes of the critical section,’’ (x, y) is the coordi-
nate of the point at which vf is calculated, gv is the fraction
of the unbalanced moment transferred by shear, and J is de-
fined by CSA A23.3-04 as the ‘‘property of the critical shear
section analogous to the polar moment of inertia.’’ Positive
directions of Vf, Mfx, and Mfy are indicated in Fig. 1; the ar-
rows represent the internal forces exerted by the column on
the slab. The standard specifies eq. [3] for the fraction gv
and requires its use for all the connections shown in Fig. 1
(clause 13.3.5.3).

Can. J. Civ. Eng. 35: 807–819 (2008) doi:10.1139/L08-006 # 2008 NRC Canada
808 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 35, 2008

Fig. 1. Shear critical sections at d/2 from the face of: (a) interior column; (b) edge column; (c) corner column.

1 induced some designers to forgo the calculations in-

vx ¼ 1  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1 þ ð2=3Þ b2 =b1 volved in the use of principal axes with eq. [2]
½3
(2) CSA A23.3, for the first time in 2004, explicitly ex-
1 tended the use of eq. [3] to the shear critical sections

vy ¼ 1  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1 þ ð2=3Þ b1 =b2 having three and two sides (Figs. 1b and 1c).
(3) Clause 13.3.6.2 of CSA A23.3-04 gave an optional new
where b1 and b2 are widths of the shear critical section, method for the shear design of connections of flat plates
measured in directions parallel to and perpendicular to the with corner columns. In this optional method, the trans-
span for which the moment is being determined, respec- fer of unbalanced moment is ignored in calculating the
tively. For the corner column in Fig. 1c, b1 and b2 are shear stress; a critical section ABC (Fig. 1c) is designed
widths of the shear critical section in the nonprincipal direc- for one-way shear with a resistance,
tions of x and y; i.e., b1 ¼ cx þ ðd=2Þ and b2 ¼ cy þ ðd=2Þ. pffiffiffiffi
In absence of shear reinforcement, vr : vc; where vc is ½5
vc ¼ c fc0
the shear stress resistance, provided by concrete, at a shear where b = 0.21 or other values when certain conditions,
critical section at d/2 from the column periphery. For non- specified in clause 11.3.6.2 or 11.3.6.3, are satisfied.
prestressed slabs,
8 pffiffiffiffi
>
> 0:38c fc0 Design with shear reinforcement
>
>
>
> 0 1 When shear reinforcement is required, vr is the sum of the
>
>
> strengths provided by concrete, vcs, and that provided by the
< @1 þ A0:19 pffiffiffi
> 2 0
ffi
c fc shear reinforcement, vs. The shear-reinforced zone has to ex-
½4
vc ¼ the least of : c
>
> tend such that the factored shear stress, vf (eq. [2]), at d/2
> 0 1
>
> from the outermost peripheral line of shear reinforcement,
>
>  d pffiffiffiffi
>
> @ s þ 0:19Ac f 0 satisfies eq. [1], with vr being calculated by:
>
: bo c
pffiffiffiffi
½6
vr ¼ 0:19c fc0
where c (= 0.65) is the resistance factor for concrete;  is a
factor that accounts for low-density concrete (= 1.0 for In addition, clause 13.3.7.4 of CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004)
normal-weight concrete); bc(‡ 1.0) is the aspect ratio of the specifies a minimum extension of the shear-reinforced zone
column; as = 4, 3 or 2 for interior, edge or corner columns, from the column face: lsh ‡ 2d.
respectively; f ’c is the specified compressive strength of CSA A23.3-04 permits headed stud shear reinforcement
concrete. To calculate vc for slabs having d > 300 mm, (SSR) and stirrups, satisfying certain anchorage conditions,
eq. [4] is multiplied by a size factor: 1300/(1000 + d). for use as shear reinforcement. Equations for the design of
SSR and stirrups are given in the CSA A23.3-04. For sim-
New provisions introduced in CSA A23.3-04 plicity of presentation, only SSR and its design equations
The following summarizes the new provisions introduced are reviewed below:
in CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004): pffiffiffiffi
½7
vr ¼ vcs þ vs  0:75c fc0
(1) CSA A23.3-94 (CSA 1994) required that eq. [2] refer to
the centroidal principal axes; the commentary N13.4.5.5 pffiffiffiffi
gave an equation that can replace eq. [2] when reference ½8
vcs ¼ 0:28c fc0
to centroidal nonprincipal axes is preferred. CSA A23.3-
04 removed the requirement for the use of the principal ½9
vs ¼ s Av fyv =ðbo sÞ
axes and the relevant commentary; it defined the x and y
axes as centroidal axes of the critical section. The where s (= 0.85) is the resistance factor for nonprestressed
editions of the A23.3 standard earlier than 1984 did not reinforcement, Av is the area of the vertical legs of shear re-
explicitly require reference to principal axes and, thus, inforcement on one peripheral line parallel to the column
# 2008 NRC Canada
Gayed and Ghali
perimeter, fyv is the specified yield strength of shear reinfor-
cement, and s is the spacing between peripheral lines of
shear reinforcement. The spacing, s, between peripheral
lines of studs and that between the column face and the first
peripheral line of studs, s0, must satisfy:
8 pffiffiffiffi
< 0:75d when vf  0:56c fc0
½10
s pffiffiffiffi s0  0:4 d
:
0:50d when vf > 0:56c fc0
where vf is the the maximum shear stress due to the factored
shearing force combined with the factored unbalanced mo-
ments induced by both gravity and lateral (e.g., wind or
earthquake) loads.
Headed stud shear reinforcement
Figure 2 depicts two types of SSR assemblies, satisfying
the requirement of clause 7.1.4 of CSA A23.3-04 (CSA
2004) in providing positive anchorage at their ends. CSA
A23.3-04 requires that the forged heads of the studs,
shown at the upper ends of the studs in Fig. 2, have an
area of at least 10 times that of the vertical rod. Anchor-
age at the lower ends of the headed studs is achieved by
either welding the rods to a base rail (Fig. 2a) or by an-
other head, similar to that at the upper end, crimped into
a nonstructural steel shape (Fig. 2b). Both the base rail
and the nonstructural steel shape (Fig. 2) serve to hold the
studs in the appropriate location, direction, and spacing un-
til the concrete is placed. Efficiency of both anchorage
techniques has been experimentally verified (Dilger et al.
2001). The dimensions, shown in Fig. 2, for different com-
ponents of the SSR assemblies, are those required by
ASTM A1044-05 (ASTM 2005). Clause 7.1.4 limits fyv of
SSR to 500 MPa; it also limits the concrete strength, to be
used with SSR, to no less than 25 MPa.
Reference to principal axes
The shear critical sections in Figs. 1a and 1b have cen-
troidal principal axes, x and y, parallel to the columns’
faces. But, the shear critical section in Fig. 1c has its cen-
troidal principal axes, x and y, in directions different from
the centroidal nonprincipal axes, x and y
. Similarly, when
the slab has an eccentric opening adjacent to any of the col-
umns of Figs. 1a and 1b, the centroidal principal axes of the
shear critical section will not be parallel to the columns’
faces. Consider a general shear critical section; clause
13.3.5.5 of CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004) requires that the
shear stress due to Vf,
vx Mfx , and
vy Mfy vary linearly
over the shear critical section; thus, the shear stress at any
point can be expressed as:
½11
vf ¼ c1 þ c2 x þ c3 y
where ðx; yÞ is the coordinate of the point with respect to
centroidal nonprincipal axes, x and y, and c1, c2, and c3 are
constants. The internal forces Vf,
vy Mfy , and
vx Mfx are the
resultants of the vertical shear stress vf; thus,
809
Fig. 2. Headed stud shear reinforcement assemblies: (a) anchorage
by forged heads and by rail; (b) anchorage by forged heads at top
and bottom.
Z
Vf ¼ vf da
Z
½12

vy Mfy ¼ vf x da
Z

vx Mfx ¼ vf y da
Appendix A derives eq. [2] from eq. [11] and shows that
the shear stress distribution that satisfies the equilibrium
(eq. [12]) is given by eq. [2] only when x and y coincide
with the centroidal principal axes, x and y. In other words,
clause 13.3.5.5 cannot be satisfied without the use of the
principal axes. Example 1 (below) shows that the shear
stress resulting from eq. [2], without reference to principal
axes, does not satisfy eq. [12].
Definitions of the parameters Jx and Jy
The CSA (2004) definition of Jx or Jy as ‘‘analogous to
polar moment of inertia’’ is ambiguous. Polar moment of in-
ertia is known, in mechanics, as the second moment of a
plane area about a point, not about an axis (x or y); but the
assumed shear critical section is a spatial nonplane surface.
The ambiguity of the definition of J is a hurdle in account-
ing for the unbalanced moment in punching shear design,
using eq. [2]. To satisfy the equilibrium eq. [12], Appendix
A shows that Jx or Jy of eq. [2] must be equal to: ‘‘d multi-
plied by the second moment of the perimeter of the shear
critical section about centroidal principal axis x or y, respec-
tively.’’ For a general shear critical section, having a polyg-
onal perimeter,
X
Jx ¼ ðd=3Þ lij ðy2i þ yi yj þ y2j Þ
½13
X
Jy ¼ ðd=3Þ lij ðx2i þ xi xj þ x2j Þ
where lij, (xi, yi), and (xj, yj) are the length and the coordi-
nates of the ends of a typical side ij; the summation is for
all the sides of the polygon. For a shear critical section in
the shape of a closed rectangle (Fig. 1a), the Concrete de-
sign handbook (CDH) (Cement Association of Canada
2004, pp. 5–38) gives:
# 2008 NRC Canada
810
dðcx þ dÞ3 dðcy þ dÞðcx þ dÞ2
½14
Jy;CDH ¼ þ ery of the corner column shown in Fig. 3a; the first is calcu-
6 2
ðcx þ dÞd 3
þ (Cement Association of Canada 2004), while the other satis-
6 fies equilibrium (eq. [12]). The distribution of shear stress,
where cx and cy are the column dimensions parallel to the x
and y axes, respectively. Equation [14] gives the same result
as eq. [13] when the relatively small term (cx + d)d3/6 is ig-
nored. The difference between the two equations may be in-
significant (less than 3% in most cases), but eq. [13] can be
used for the shear critical sections at d/2 from the column
and outside the shear-reinforced zone.
Example 1: shear stress distribution at critical section of
corner column
This example will illustrate two distributions for the shear
3 3
½cx þ ðd=2Þ
d þ ½cx þ ðd=2Þ
d ½cy þ ðd=2Þ
½cx þ ðd=2Þ
d
½15
Jy;CDH ¼ þ
12 4bo
This equation and symmetry give: Jx;CDH ¼ Jy;CDH =
2.045  10–3 m4. The coordinates ðx; yÞ of points A, B,
and C (Fig. 3a) are (in metres): (–0.287, 0.096), (0.096,
0.096), and (0.096, –0.287). Substitution in eq. [2] (using
x and y in lieu of x and y) gives the shear stress at the
three points: (vf)A = 0.923 MPa, (vf)B = 2.231 MPa,
(vf)C = 0.363 MPa, and the shear stress distribution in
Fig. 3b. The resultants of the shear stress in Fig. 3b are
(eq. [12]): an upward force = 180 kN, unbalanced moment
about the x axis = 5.40 kNm, and unbalanced moment
about the y axis = 0.93 kNm. It is obvious that both com-
ponents of the resultant unbalanced moment do not satisfy
equilibrium, by being substantially different from the given
values (10 and 7 kNm, respectively).
Because of symmetry of the shear critical section, the
principal centroidal axes are, by inspection, as shown in
Fig. 3c. The coordinates (x, y) of A, B, and C (in metres)
with respect to these axes are, respectively: (–0.135, 0.270),
(0.135, 0), and (–0.135, –0.270). The given unbalanced mo-
ments transformed in the directions of the principal axes are:

vx Mfx = 2.121 kNm and
vy Mfy = 12.021 kNm. The pa-
rameters Jx and Jy, calculated by eq. [13], are: Jx =
3.047  10–3 m4; Jy = 30.762  10–3 m4.
Applying eq. [2] with Vf = 180 kN, bo = 0.764 m, and d =
0.164 m, the unbalanced moments, Jx and Jy, from the pre-
ceding paragraph gives vf (MPa) = 1.437 + 0.696 y + 15.775 x.
The shear stress distribution shown in Fig. 3d has (vf)A =
–0.505 MPa, (vf)B = 3.567 MPa, and (vf)C = –0.881 MPa.
It can be verified, by eq. [12], that the shear stress in
Fig. 3d has resultant components that are exactly equal to
the given values of shearing force and unbalanced moments.
The shear stress distribution in Fig. 3b is dependent upon
the choice of the centroidal nonprincipal axes x and y. Ro-
tating the axes any angle and applying eq. [2] would result
in a different stress distribution that does not satisfy the
equilibrium eq. [12],
R as long as the rotated axes do not sat-
isfy the equation: xy dl ¼ 0 (Appendix A).
Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 35, 2008
stress, vf, at the shear critical section at d/2 from the periph-
lated as recommended in the Concrete design handbook
vf, due to Vf = 180 kN combined with
vx Mfx = 10 kNm
and
vy Mfy = 7 kNm is calculated by eq. [2] using the non-
principal centroidal axes x and y. The resultants of the cal-
culated stress are determined to show that they do not match
the given internal forces.
For the shear critical section in Fig. 3a, d = 0.164 m and
bo = 0.764 m. The Concrete design handbook (Cement As-
sociation of Canada 2004, pp. 5–38) gives the following
equation for Jy;CDH :
8 92
4
<cx þ ðd=2Þ ½cx þ ðd=2Þ
=
2
2 þ ½cx þ ðd=2Þ
 d
: 2 2bo ;
The fraction gv
Mast (1970a, 1970b) showed by linear elastic analyses
that the fraction
v of the unbalanced moment transferred
by shear was dependent upon the shape of the shear critical
section. The empirical eq. [3] was based on experiments of
interior column–slab connections (Moe 1961; Hanson and
Hanson 1968). In these tests, the slabs had no shear rein-
forcement and the columns were rectangular. Thus, eq. [3]
was derived for a shear critical section having the shape of
a closed rectangle at d/2 from column faces. However, a
shear critical section outside a shear-reinforced zone
(Fig. 4) generally has a polygonal shape, different from that
of the shear critical section at d/2 from the column periph-
ery; thus, when eq. [2] is used to calculate vf, different val-
ues of
v should be used for the two shear critical sections.
Based on numerous elastic finite-element analyses, com-
bined with experimental calibration, Elgabry and Ghali
(1996) derived empirical equations for
v as functions of
(lx/ly) and defined lx and ly as projections of the shear critical
section perimeter over the centroidal principal x and y axes
of the shear critical section. This work confirmed Mast’s
conclusion that a single empirical equation cannot apply to
all critical section shapes; it also confirmed that eq. [3] is
adequate for interior columns and derived empirical equa-
tions for
v for the critical section shapes in Figs. 1 and 4.
Nonlinear finite-element analyses by Megally and Ghali
(2000) and by Gayed and Ghali (2008a) showed that little
variation of
v occurs as the level of shearing force and un-
balanced moments are gradually increased up to failure; this
work confirmed that the empirical equations by Elgabry and
Ghali (1996) are adequate for ultimate strength design. The
same equations given below (eqs. [16]–[18]), are adopted by
ACI 421.1R-99 (ACI Comittee 421 1999) and ACI 318-08
(ACI Committee 318 2008; see section R11.11.5).
As mentioned earlier, clause 13.3.5.3 of CSA A23.3-04
(CSA 2004) requires that
v be calculated by eq. [3] for the
critical section at d/2 from the faces of interior, edge, and
# 2008 NRC Canada
Gayed and Ghali 811

Fig. 3. Shear stress distribution at d/2 from faces of a corner column, Example 1: (a) centroidal nonprincipal axes x
and y
; (b) shear stress
distribution, that does not satisfy equilibrium, calculated by eq. [2] with nonprincipal axes x
and y
; (c) centroidal principal axes x and y;
(d) correct shear stress distribution calculated by eq. [2] with principal axes. All dimensions are in millimetres.

corner columns (Fig. 1). Furthermore, in the absence of
vx ¼ 0:40

½18

other equations, the standard implies that the same equation
vy ¼ same as
vy of eq: ½17

applies for the shear critical section outside the shear-
reinforced zone (Fig. 4); Examples 2 to 4 will show that
this can lead to the unreasonable situation in which the Example 2: use of the equation of
v in CSA A23.3-04 for
maximum shear stress vf increases indefinitely with the slab–corner column connection
outward extension of the shear-reinforced zone or requires This example will show that the use of
v as required by
an excessively large shear-reinforced zone (to satisfy CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004) (eq. [3]) leads to a maximum
eqs. [1] and [6]). To amend the standard, it is proposed shear stress that increases with the outward extension of the
here that clause 13.3.5.3 requires that
v be calculated by shear-reinforced zone. Figure 5 showspaffiffiffifficorner column–slab
the following equations [ACI 421.1R-99 (ACI Committee connection transferring Vf ¼ 0:65 d2 fc0 , combined with a
421 1999)]: positive unbalanced moment about an axis parallel to the
principal y-axis and passing through
pffiffiffiffi the column’s centroid
 Interior column:
O: ðMfy ÞO ¼ ðMfx ÞO ¼ 1:46 d 3 fc0 . The resultant of ðMfx ÞO
pffiffiffiffi
1 and ðMfy ÞO is ðMfy ÞO ¼ 2:06 d 3 fc0 and ðMfx ÞO ¼ 0. These

vx ¼ 1  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1 þ ð2=3Þ ly =lx forces correspond to a flat plate structure of six equal bays
½16
of span 6.0 m in both x and y directions (Fig. 1c) with a
1 slab thickness of 200 mm, designed for a service live load

vy ¼ 1  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1 þ ð2=3Þ lx =ly of 2.4 kPa, a superimposed dead load of 1.3 kPa, and a
self-weight of 5.0 kPa. Other data are: f ’c = 30 MPa, column
 Column at an edge parallel to the y-axis (Fig. 1b): size cx  cy = 300 mm  300 mm, slab depth, d, = 164 mm,
and floor height = 3.5 m. Figure 5a shows the shape of the

vx ¼ same as
vx of eq: ½16
shear critical section outside the shear-reinforced zone; the
parameter a in the figure equals to the distance of the shear
½17
1 critical section from the face of the column divided by d.

vy ¼ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1 þ ð2=3Þ ðlx =ly Þ  0:2 The plot in Fig. pffiffiffi5b
ffi shows the normalized maximum shear
0 1 0
stress, vf =ðc  fc Þ, at point C versus the dimensionless pa-
l
@when x  0:2;
vy ¼ 0:0A rameter a. The shear stress value, vf, at point C is calculated
ly by eq. [2], using Jy of eq. [13] and a constant value of
vy =
0.4 (eq. [3], as implied by CSA A23.3-04). The unbalanced
 Corner column: moment value about the centroidal principal y-axis of the
shear critical section, at d/2 from the outermost peripheral
line of shear reinforcement, is calculated by:
# 2008 NRC Canada
812
Fig. 4. Shear critical sections outside the shear-reinforced zone of: (a) interior column; (b) edge column; (c) corner column.
½19
Mfy ¼ ðMfy ÞO þ Vf xO
where xO is the coordinate of the column’s centroid relative
to the centroidal principal axes of the shear critical section;
it is noted that xO is a negative coordinate whose absolute
value increases with a. Note that the use of axes x and y,
instead of x and y, in preparing Fig. 5b is permitted by
CSA A23.3-04 because both pairs of axes satisfy the defini-
tion of this standard (centroidal axes). The indefinite in-
crease of vf with the increase in a, exhibited in Fig. 5b,
indicates that eqs. [1] and [6] cannot be satisfied by the out-
ward extension of the shear-reinforced zone. In other words,
a computer program, to find the extension of the shear-
reinforced zone that satisfies eqs. [1] and [6] based on
v
by eq. [3], would fail to find a solution. This situation
can be avoided by using
vy of eq. [18] (see Example 3).
Example 3: design of shear reinforcement for a slab–
corner column connection
This example shows the design of the stud shear rein-
forcement required for the corner column of Example 2
(Fig. 5a) using
v that varies with the shape of the shear
critical section (eq. [18]). Headed studs of 9.5 mm nominal
diameter and yield strength fyv = 345 MPa are used. Re-
maining data are the same as in Example 2. At the centroid
of the column section, the factored forces transferredpffiffiffiffibe-
tween the column and the slab are: Vf = 0:65d 2 fc0 =
pffiffiffiffi
96 kN, (Mfy)O = 2:06d 3 fc0 = 50 kNm and (Mfx)O = 0.
The shear critical section at d/2 from the column face
(Fig. 5a) has the properties: bo = 0.764 m, Jy = 0.762 
10–3 m4, gvy (eq. [18]) = 0.267, and xO = –0.135 m. At
the centroid of the shear critical section, the forces trans-
ferred between the column and the slab are: Vf = 96 kN
and Mfy = 96(–0.135) + 50 = 37.0 kNm. The maximum
shear stress (eq. [2]) is at point B, having coordinates
(0.135 m, 0):
96  103 0:267ð37:0  103 Þð0:135Þ
ðvf ÞB ¼ þ
0:764ð0:164Þ 0:762  103
pffiffiffiffi
¼ 2:516 MPa ¼ 0:707c fc0
Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 35, 2008
pffiffiffiffi
The maximum stress 0
pffiffiffiffi is greater than 0:38c fc and
smaller than 0:75c fc0 (eqs. [4] and [7]). Thus, the slab
thickness is adequate with the use of stud shear reinforce-
ment spaced at s £ 0.5d. Using 9.5 mm studs (Av =
4p(9.5)2/4 = 284 mm2 with s = 70 mm arranged as shown
in Fig. 5a, eq. [9] gives: vs = {0.85(284)(345)/[764(70)]} =
1.557 MPa.
The factored shear stress resistance is (eq. [7]):
pffiffiffiffiffi
vr ¼ vcs þ vs ¼ 0:28ð1:0Þð0:65Þ 30 þ 1:557
¼ 2:554 MPa > vf ¼ 2:516 MPa
Thus, the area and spacing of the shear reinforcement are
adequate.
The coordinates of the column’s centroid, O, with re-
spect to that of the shear critical section outside the
shear-reinforced zone (Fig. 5a) are (–0.418 m, 0). Statical
equivalent forces at the critical section’s centroid are: Vf =
96 kN, Mfx = 0, and Mfy = 96(–0.418) + 50 = 9.9 kNm.
The shear critical section at d/2 from the outermost periph-
eral line of studs (Fig. 5a) has the geometric properties: bo =
1.125 m, Jy = 1.129  10–3 m4 (eq. [13]), and
vy = 0.134
(eq. [18]). The maximum factored shear stress occurs at
point D (0.070, –0.228 m) and its value is (eq. [2]):
96  103 0:134ð9:9  103 Þð0:070Þ
ðvf ÞD ¼ þ
1:125ð0:164Þ 1:129  103
pffiffiffiffi
¼ 0:603 MPa ¼ 0:169c fc0
pffiffiffiffi
The maximum shear stress is less than 0:19c fc0 . Thus,
the extension of the shear reinforcement is adequate.
Example 4: design of shear reinforcement for a slab–
edge column connection
This example will show that the use of
v as required by
CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004) (eq. [3]) leads to an excessively
large shear-reinforced zone to satisfy eqs. [1] and [6]. Fig-
ure 6 showspan ffiffiffiffi edge column–slab connection transferring
Vf ¼ 1:52d2 fc0 , combined with a negative unbalanced
moment about an axis parallel to the principal y-axis and
# 2008 NRC Canada
Gayed and Ghali
Fig. 5. Design for shear at a corner column: (a) corner column of Examples 2 and 3; (b) indefinite increase of vf with the extension of
shear-reinforced zone, employing gvy of CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004). In part (a), the x and y shown are centroidal principal axes of the
critical section outside of the shear-reinforced zone.
passing p through
ffiffiffiffi the column’s centroid O: (Mfy)O =
3 0
1:24d fc . These internal forces correspond to a flat slab
structure of equal panels, 7 m  7 m, supported on
500 mm  250 mm edge columns and 300 mm  300 mm
interior columns; the structure is subjected to a lateral load–
producing unbalanced moment in a sense opposite to that
due to gravity loads. Figure 6a shows the shape of the shear
critical section outside the shear-reinforced zone; the loca-
tion of the critical section is defined by the dimensionless
parameter a. The plot in Fig. p 6bffiffiffishows
ffi the normalized max-
imum shear stress, ðvf ÞA =ðc  fc0 Þ at point A versus the pa-
rameter a. The shear stress value, (vf)A, is calculated by
eq. [2] with Jy calculated by eq. [13] and using two equa-
tions for
v: (i) eq. [3], required by CSA A23.3-04, giving

vy = 0.441 based on the dimensions of the critical section
at d/2 from the column periphery and treated as constant for
all the shear critical sections outside the shear-reinforced
zone; (ii) eq. [17], giving
vy depending on the shape of the
critical section that varies with a. For the shear critical sec-
tion shown in Fig. 6a, eq. [17]
pffiffiffiffigives
vy = 0.312. Figure 6b
shows that ðvf ÞA  0:19c fc0 at ad ‡ 6.2d when eq. [17]
is used compared with ad ‡ 8.1d when eq. [3] is used.
Using the data d = 164 pffiffiffimm;
ffi f ’c = 30 MPa; fyv =
345 MPa; Vf = 1:52d2 fc0 = 225 kN; (Mfy)O =
pffiffiffiffi
1:24d3 fc0 = –35 kNm, it can be verified that the cross-
813
sectional area and the spacing of the shear reinforcement
in Fig. 6a satisfies the CSA A23.3-04 requirements. The
properties of the shear critical section at d/2 from the out-
ermost peripheral line of shear reinforcement (Fig. 6a) are:
bo = 4.180 m; Jy = 138.735  10–3 m4 (eq. [13]);
xO = –0.621 m. The factored shear stress at pointpA ffiffiffiffi
(–0.871, 1.147 m) is: (vf)A = 0.670 MPa = 0:188c fc0
pffiffiffiffi
(eq. [2]). This is less than 0:19c fc0 , indicating that the
extension of the shear reinforcement is adequate. This ex-
ample shows that the use of constant
vy gives 33% more
studs than what is needed (using eq. [17]).
Safety of the new shear design for corner
column–slab joints
In the absence of shear reinforcement, clause 13.3.6.2 of
CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004) permits calculation of the shear
resistance of slabs in the assumed shear critical section at d/2
from the ‘‘edge’’ of a corner column by eq. [5] in lieu of
eq. [4]. The new clause does not specify how to design the
shear reinforcement and its extension when vf exceeds the
value permitted by eq. [5]. The Concrete design handbook
explains the calculations in applying clause 13.3.6.2 to cor-
ner columns transferring Vf combined with unbalanced mo-
ment due to gravity load (Cement Association of Canada
2004, pp. 5–12). The case of Vf combined with an unbal-
# 2008 NRC Canada
814
Fig. 6. Design for shear at an edge column: (a) edge column of Example 4; (b) variation of vf with the extension of shear-reinforced zone of
an edge connection. All dimensions are in millimetres.
anced moment due to earthquake load is explained on
pages 11–59 (Cement Association of Canada 2004). Ac-
cordingly, clause 13.3.6.2 is considered satisfied, in the ab-
sence of shear reinforcement, when:
½20
Vf =ðbo dÞ  vceq:½5

where bo is the perimeter of the shear critical section at d/2
from column faces as defined earlier (Fig. 1c). Thus, with
the new option, the shear stress due to an unbalanced mo-
ment need not be calculated (eq. [2]) and eq. [20] replaces
eq. [1]. This option implies that the unbalanced moment
does not produce shear stress that can contribute to punch-
ing shear failure; experimental data refuting this concept is
presented by Ritchie et al. (2006).
Table 1 gives published data of 11 corner column–slab
connections that have reportedly failed by punching; the
shearing force and unbalanced moment at which failure oc-
curred, Vtest and Mtest, are listed in the ninth and 11th col-
umns, respectively. The tenth column gives the one-way
shear strength, Vc13:3:6:2 ¼ vceq:½5
bo d. Specimens Z-II(4)
and NH4 were subjected to an unbalanced moment with
Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 35, 2008
Vtest = 0; according to clause 13.3.6.2 of CSA A23.3-04 —
such a connection would fail by flexure. The unbalanced
moment, Mflex, which can produce a yield line fracture pat-
tern is calculated and given in the 12th column of Table 1
(see Appendix B); Mtest is less than Mflex, confirming that
failure was by punching (as reported by the researchers)
rather than by flexure. This indicates that clause 13.3.6.2
cannot be a design tool that prevents punching failure.
Specimen Z-II(6) failed at Vtest less than the one-way shear,
Vc–13.3.6.2, permitted by clause 13.3.6.2, combined with Mtest
smaller than Mflex. Here again, it is obvious that clause
13.3.6.2 used as explained in the Concrete design handbook
cannot be a design criterion that prevents punching shear
failure.
The remaining eight tests failed by punching at Vtest
greater than Vc–13.3.6.2 combined with Mtest less than Mflex. It
can be reasoned that the failure by punching occurred be-
cause clause 13.3.6.2 is not satisfied (eqs. [5] and [20]).
The punching failure can also be attributed to the contribu-
tions of both V and M (eqs. [1] and [2]). Repetition of the
eight tests with Vtest set at a value less than Vc–13.3.6.2 would
prove the validity of clause 13.3.6.2 if the failure occurs at
# 2008 NRC Canada
Gayed and Ghali 815

Table 1. Experimental data of corner column–slab connections, failing by punching shear.

fc0 c d bo ave* m Vtest Vc–13.3.6.2 Mtest Mflex

Source Specimen (MPa) (mm) (mm) (mm) (%) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kNm) (kNm)
Zaghlool and de Z-I(1) 32.7 178 121 477 1.23 62.2 74 69 27 41
Pavia (1973)
Z-II(1) 33.0 267 121 655 1.23 63.7 138 96 55 74
Z-II(2) 33.4 267 121 655 1.65 85.7 177 96 76 98
Z-II(3) 27.7 267 121 655 2.23 108.6 178 85 82 116
Z-II(4) 30.8 267 121 655 1.23 63.3 0 92 40 48
Z-II(6) 33.6 267 121 655 1.23 62.7 82 97 55 63
Z-III(1) 33.6 356 121 833 1.23 62.4 180 123 75 108
Hammill and NH1 41.5 250 114 614 1.76 88.5 147 95 83 89
Ghali (1994)
NH2 42.2 250 114 614 1.76 88.7 139 96 78 87
NH3 36.4 250 114 614 1.76 86.9 147 89 80 87
NH4 36.9 250 114 614 1.76 87.1 0 89 47 62
Note: Rows in bold type indicate connections that failed by punching at Vtest < Vc–13.3.6.2.
*ave equals to the average value of the reinforcement ratios: x and y.

Mtest close to or greater than Mflex; however, no such tests
could be found in the published literature.
The above discussion highlights three tests that challenge
the validity of clause 13.3.6.2; the authors cannot find ex-
perimental evidence of its validity.
Finite-element analyses
Calibration of the nonlinear finite-element software,
ANACAP (ANATECH 1995), with experimental data has
shown that the ultimate strength for punching shear of slab–
column connections can be predicted by analysis with error
varying between –9% and +26% (Megally 1998; Megally
and Ghali 2000). Figure 7 shows a sample of the results for
interior column–slab connections subjected to shearing
force.
By using the same software and analyzing similar finite-
element models, results, shown in Table 2, are obtained for
three slabs, subjected to constant V combined with unbal-
anced moment M of increasing magnitude up to failure; V
is between 45% and 65% of Vc–13.3.6.2. The calculated unbal-
anced moment at failure, Mfail, is given in the 10th column
of Table 2. Mfail is substantially less than Mflex (11th column
of Table 2), confirming that failure is by punching, not by
flexure. The numerical examples, presented in Table 2, also
refute clause 13.3.6.2 of CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004). There
is no difficulty in conducting additional finite-element analy-
ses varying the geometrical data to reach the same conclusion.
Proposed revisions to CSA A23.3-04
The objectives of the revisions to CSA A23.3-04 (CSA
2004) proposed below are:
(1) To give definitions of the axes x and y and the symbols
Jx and Jy that result in shear stress distribution, satisfying
eq. [12], and eliminate the ambiguity in defining Jx and
Jy. An editorial revision is made: ex and ey are replaced
by x and y and defined as coordinates having signs,
rather than distances. Note that eq. (13-9) of CSA
A23.3-04 has a printing error; ex and ey in the second
and third terms on the right-hand side of the equation
should be interchanged.
(2) Give equations for gv for different shapes of shear criti-
cal section encountered in practice.
(3) Delete clause 13.3.6.2.
The above revisions will make the calculations of punch-
ing shear stresses consistent with the recommendations of
ACI 421.1R-99 (ACI Committee 421 1999) that are the ba-
sis of the most used software in the design of punching
shear reinforcement (DECON 1996). The calculation will
give the only correct shear stress distribution that satisfies
clause 13.3.5.5 of CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004).
Clause 2.3: symbols
Revise definitions:
Jx, Jy = d multiplied by the moment of inertia of bo about
x or y axis [see Eq. (13-9)]
x, y = centroidal principal axes of a critical section (see
Clause 13)
x, y = coordinates, with respect to the x and y axes, of the
point where shear stress is being calculated (see Clause 13)
Delete e, b1, b2, and their definitions. Add definitions of
new symbols:
lx, ly = projections of the shear critical section on its prin-
cipal centroidal x and y axes (see Clause 13)
Modify clause 13.3.5.3 to read as follows:
The fractions gvx and gvy of the moments transferred by
shear eccentricity about the centroidal principal x and y
axes, respectively, shall be calculated as follows:
For an interior column:
1

vx ¼ 1  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ð13  8aÞ
1 þ ð2=3Þ ly =lx
# 2008 NRC Canada
816 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 35, 2008

Fig. 7. Load versus maximum slab deflection of Specimens I-1 and I-2 (Megally 1998), subjected to transfer of shearing force only (from
Megally and Ghali 2000, with permission from ASCE).

Table 2. Results of finite-element analyses of corner column–slab connections.

fc0 c d bo ave m V Vc–13.3.6.2 Mfail Mflex

Slab (MPa) (mm) (mm) (mm) (%) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kNm) (kNm)
C1 25.0 250 119 619 0.56 30.0 37 77 16 28
C2 25.0 250 119 619 0.56 30.0 35 77 18 27
C3 25.0 250 114 614 0.97 45.6 48 74 28 41

1 vf ¼ ½Vf =ðbo dÞ
þ ð
v Mf =JÞx y

vy ¼ 1  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ð13  8bÞ
1 þ ð2=3Þ lx =ly þ ð
v Mf =JÞy x ð13  9Þ

Delete clause 13.3.6.2.

For an edge column, with the x-axis perpendicular to the
free edge:
Conclusions

vx ¼ ðsame as Eq: 13  8aÞ ð13  8cÞ
Provisions for punching shear design of slab–column con-
nections, given in CSA A23.3-04 (CSA 2004), are critically
1 reviewed and changes are submitted. The proposed changes

vy ¼ 1  pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi simplify the design process, eliminate the ambiguity in
1 þ ð2=3Þ ðlx =ly Þ  0:2
  defining the parameter J, and cover all possible cases fre-
lx quently encountered in practice. Design examples incorpo-
when  0:2;
vy ¼ 0:0 ð13  8dÞ
ly rating the revisions are presented. With these revisions, the
Canadian standard A23.3 will become consistent with the
For a corner column, with the y-axis intersecting two free recommendations of ACI 421.1R-99 (ACI Committee 421
edges: 1999).

vx ¼ 0:40 ð13  8eÞ

Acknowledgement

vy ¼ ðsame as Eq: 13  8dÞ ð13  8fÞ This study was funded by a research grant from the Natu-
ral Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada,
Clause 13.3.5.5 should be modified to read: which is gratefully acknowledged.

The factored shear stress, vf, shall be computed from the
following equation with the factored shear force and un-
balanced moments, about the principal centroidal x and y
axes, obtained from a consistent loading:
References
ACI Committee 318. 2008. Building code requirements for struc-
tural concrete and commentary. ACI 318-08 and ACI 318R-08.
American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.
# 2008 NRC Canada
Gayed and Ghali
ACI Committee 421. 1999. Shear reinforcement for slabs. ACI
421.1R-99. American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills,
Mich.
ANATECH. 1995. Concrete analysis program ANACAP. Version
2.1, User’s Guide. ANATECH Consulting Engineers, San
Diego, Calif.
ASTM. 2005. Standard specification for steel stud assemblies for
shear reinforcement of concrete. ASTM standard A1044/
A1044M-05. American Society for Testing and Materials, West
Conshohocken, Pa.
Cement Association of Canada. 2004. Concrete design handbook.
3rd ed. Cement Association of Canada, Ottawa, Ont.
CSA. 1994. Design of concrete structures. CSA standard A23.3-94.
Canadian Standards Association, Rexdale, Ont.
CSA. 2004. Design of concrete structures. CSA standard A23.3-04.
Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga, Ont.
Decon. 1996. STDESIGN. Version 1.2 for Windows, Design of
punching shear reinforcement. Decon Inc., Brampton, Ont.
Dilger, W.H., Dechka, D., and Ghali, A. 2001. Tests on slab-
column connections with new shear reinforcement: Decon
Studrail CS. Report prepared for Decon Inc.
Elgabry, A.A., and Ghali, A. 1996. Moment transfer by shear in slab-
column connections. ACI Structural Journal, 93(2): 187–196.
Gayed, R.B., and Ghali, A. 2008a. Unbalanced moment resistance
in slab—column connections: analytical assessment. Journal of
Structural Engineering, 134(5): 859–864. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)
0733-9445(2008)134:5(859).
Gayed, R.B., and Ghali, A. 2008b. Seismic design of concrete slabs
for punching shear: a critical review of Canadian standard
A23.3-04. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 35(6): 588–
599. doi:10.1139/L07-130.
Hammill, N., and Ghali, A. 1994. Punching shear resistance of cor-
ner slab-column connections. ACI Structural Journal, 91(6):
697–707.
Hanson, N.W., and Hanson, J.M. 1968. Shear and moment transfer
between concrete slabs and columns. Journal of PCA Research
and Development Laboratories, 10(1): 2–16.
Mast, P.E. 1970a. Stresses in flat plates near columns. ACI Struc-
tural Journal, 67(10): 761–768.
Mast, P.E. 1970b. Plate stresses at columns near the free edge. ACI
Structural Journal, 67(11): 898–902.
Megally, S.H. 1998. Punching strength of reinforced concrete slabs
to gravity and earthquake loading. Ph.D. dissertation, University
of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.
Megally, S., and Ghali, A. 2000. Punching of concrete slabs due to
column moment transfer. Journal of Structural Engineering,
126(2): 180–189. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(2000)
126:2(180).
Moe, J. 1961. Shearing strength of reinforced concrete slabs and
footings under concentrated loads. Development Department
Bulletin D47 (April). Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.
Ritchie, M.H., Ghali, A., Dilger, W.H., and Gayed, R.B. 2006. Un-
balanced moment resistance by shear in slab-column connec-
tions: experimental assessment. ACI Structural Journal, 103(1):
74–82.
Zaghlool, E.R.F., and de Pavia, H.A.R. 1973. Tests of flat-plate
corner column-slab connections. Journal of the Structural Divi-
sion, 99(3): 551–572.
List of symbols
Av cross-sectional area of vertical shear reinforcement
on one peripheral line, parallel to the column peri-
meter
817
bo perimeter length of shear critical section
b1, b2 widths of the shear critical section in the nonprinci-
pal directions
c side length of a square column
c1, c2, c3 constants
cx, cy column dimensions in the x and y directions,
respectively
cx ; cy column dimensions in the x and y directions,
respectively (Fig. 1c)
d average of distances from extreme compression
fiber to the centroids of the tension reinforcements
running in two orthogonal directions
da elemental area
D, db, th, dimensions of headed stud shear reinforcement, de-
tp fined in Fig. 2
e, ex, ey symbols defined in CSA A23.3-04 as ‘‘distance(s)
from centroid of section for critical shear to point
where shear stress is being calculated’’
f ’c specified concrete compressive strength
fyv specified yield strength of shear reinforcement
i, j end points of a typical side
J parameter defined by CSA A23.3-04 as ‘‘property
of the shear critical section analogous to polar mo-
ment of inertia’’
Jx, Jy d multiplied by the moment of inertia of bo about
the centroidal principal x or y axis
Jy,CDH value of the parameter J for a closed rectangle as
given by the Concrete design handbook
Jy;CDH value of the parameter J for the shear critical sec-
tion at d/2 from the faces of a corner column as gi-
ven by the Concrete design handbook
lij length of a typical side ij
lsh distance from the column face to outermost periph-
eral line of shear reinforcement
lx, ly projections of shear critical section on the centroi-
dal principal x and y axes of the shear critical sec-
tion, respectively
m flexural moment resistance per unit width of the
slab
M unbalanced moment
Mf factored unbalanced moment transferred between
slab and column
Mfail value calculated by finite element analysis for the
unbalanced moment at failure
Mflex unbalanced moment that can produce a yield line
fracture pattern
Mfx, Mfy factored unbalanced moment about centroidal prin-
cipal x and y axes, respectively
Mfx ; Mfy factored unbalanced moments about the centroidal
nonprincipal x and y axes, respectively
Mtest unbalanced moment at which failure occurred in a
physical test
s spacing between peripheral lines of shear reinforce-
ment
s0 distance between column face and first peripheral
line of shear reinforcement
vc shear strength (in stress units) provided by concrete
in absence of shear reinforcement
vc–eq.[5] factored shear resistance permitted by CSA A23.3-
04 at the shear critical section at d/2 from the faces
of a corner column
vcs shear strength (in stress units) provided by concrete
in presence of shear reinforcement
vf factored shear stress
vr factored shear stress resistance
vs shear stress resistance, provided by shear reinforce-
ment
V shearing force
# 2008 NRC Canada
818 Can. J. Civ. Eng. Vol. 35, 2008

Vc–13.3.6.2 shear strength provided by concrete in absence of

Z Z
2
shear reinforcement, according to CSA A23.3-04 ½A5
Jy ¼ d x dl ; Jx ¼ d y2 dl
clause 13.3.6.2
Vf factored shear force
Vtest shearing force at failure in a physical test
Substitution of eq. [A4] in eq. [11] gives eq. [2]. From the
x, y centroidal principal axes or coordinates of points at above derivation it can be seen that eq. [2], adopted in CSA
which shear stress is calculated A23.3-04 (CSA 2004), applies only when x and y are the
x; y centroidal nonprincipal axes or coordinates of centroidal principal axes and when Jy and Jx are defined by
points at which shear stress is calculated eq. [A5]. Whereas there are infinite pairs of centroidal or-
xO coordinate of the column’s centroid relative to the thogonal axes x andR y, only the principal axes, x and y, sat-
centroidal principal axes of the shear critical section isfy the equation xydl ¼ 0.
a distance of the shear critical section from the col-
umn face divided by d
as, b, bc empirical coefficients given in clause 13 of CSA Determination of principal axes
A23.3-04 Figure 1c is an example of a shear critical section for

v fraction of unbalanced moment transferred by shear which the principal centroidal axes, x and y, are not parallel
eccentricity to the directions x and y of the column sides. The principal

vx,
vy fraction of unbalanced moment transferred by ec- axis x or y makes an angle q, measured in clockwise direc-
centricity of shear at slab–column connection tion from the x or y axis and is given by:

vx ;
vy fraction of unbalanced moment transferred by ec-
centricity of shear at slab–column connection (with 2Jxy
the use of centroidal nonprincipal x and y axes, re- ½A6
tan 2 ¼
Jx  Jy
spectively, according to CSA A23.3-04)
 concrete density factor where Jxy is equal to d multiplied by the product of inertia
rave average value of the top reinforcement ratios rx and of the perimeter of the shear critical section about the x and
ry
rx, ry top reinforcement ratios in x and y directions, re-
y axes.
spectively Z
c, s resistance factors for concrete and nonprestressed ½A7
Jxy ¼ d xydl
reinforcement, respectively
For a general shear critical section, having a polygonal
perimeter,
X
½A8
Jxy ¼ ðd=6Þ lij ð2x i y i þ x i y j þ x j y i þ 2 x j y j Þ
Appendix A. Principal axes
This appendix derives eq. [2] from eq. [11] with x and y where lij, ðx i ; y i Þ, and ðx j ; y j Þ are the length and the coordi-
being the principal axes and Jx and Jy equal to d multiplied nates of the ends of a typical side ij, respectively. Jx and Jy ,
by the moment of inertia of bo about the x- and y-axis, re- in eq. [A6], are second moments of area of the shear critical
spectively. Substitution of eq. [11] in eq. [12] gives: section about the centroidal nonprincipal axes x and y, re-
Z Z Z spectively (eq. [13], substituting x and y for x and y). The
½A1
Vf ¼ c1 da þ c2 xda þ c3 yda coordinates (x, y) of any point are related to the coordinates
ðx; yÞ by:
Z Z Z ½A9
x ¼ x cos þ y sin; y ¼ x sin þ y cos
½A2

vy Mfy ¼ c1 xda þ c2 x 2 da þ c3 xyda
References
Z Z Z
CSA. 2004. Design of concrete structures. CSA standard A23.3-04.
½A3

vx Mfx ¼ c1 yda þ c2 xyda þ c3 y 2 da
Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga, Ont.

where da is an elemental area equal to (dl)d and dl is an

elemental length of the critical section perimeter; thus, A1. List of symbols
R
da ¼R bo d. Because
R x and y are centroidal axes, the inte-
bo perimeter length of shear critical section
grals xdl and ydl are nil. Furthermore, when xRand y co-
c1, c2, c3 constants
incide with the centroidal principal axes x and y, xydl ¼ 0 d average of distances from extreme compression fi-
and eqs. [A1] to [A3] become: ber to the centroids of the tension reinforcements
running in two orthogonal directions
c1 ¼ Vf =ðbo dÞ
da elemental area
dl elemental length
½A4
c2 ¼
vy Mfy =Jy i, j end points of a typical side
Jx, Jy d multiplied by the moment of inertia of bo about
c3 ¼
vx Mfx =Jx the centroidal principal x or y axis
Jx ; Jy second moments of area of the shear critical section
with Jy and Jx defined as: about the centroidal nonprincipal axes x and y, re-
spectively

# 2008 NRC Canada

Gayed and Ghali 819

Jxy d multiplied by the product of inertia of the peri- Fig. B1. Corner column–slab connections in tests and in analyses
meter of the shear critical section about the x and y referred to in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.
axes
l length
lij length of a typical side ij
Mfx, Mfy factored unbalanced moment about centroidal prin-
cipal x and y axes, respectively
Mfx ; Mfy factored unbalanced moments about the centroidal
nonprincipal x and y axes, respectively
Vf factored shear force
x, y centroidal principal axes or coordinates of points at
which shear stress is calculated
x; y centroidal nonprincipal axes or coordinates of
points at which shear stress is calculated
(x i ; y i ), coordinates of the ends of a typical side ij
(x j ; y j )
q angle measured in clockwise direction from the x or
y axis to the principal axis x or y

vx,
vy fraction of unbalanced moment transferred by shear
eccentricity about the centroidal principal x or y
axis, respectively

vx ;
vy fraction of unbalanced moment transferred by ec-
centricity of shear at slab–column connection (with value of flexural resistance of the slab, m, is based either on
the use of centroidal nonprincipal x and y axes, re- the measured strength of concrete and yield stress of steel
spectively, according to CSA A23.3-04) reported by the researchers in Table 1 or on nominal
strength values for the concrete and steel, assumed for the
Appendix B. Yield line analysis analyses in Table 2. The value of V substituted into eq.
The data presented in Tables 1 and 2 are, respectively, for [B1] is either equal to Vtest (ninth column of Table 1) or the
experiments and analyses of reinforced concrete slabs con- value of V listed in the eighth column of Table 2. Equation
nected to square columns of side c. The column transfers to [B1] gives the value of the unbalanced moment to be ex-
the slab an upward force V combined with unbalanced mo- pected had the failure been by flexure.
ment M (Fig. B1). The yield line analysis is used to calcu-
late the value of the unbalanced moment Mflex that would B1. List of symbols
produce failure by flexure in presence of a force V of a
given magnitude. The top reinforcement ratios, x and y, in c side length of a square column
two orthogonal directions provide approximately equal mo- m flexural moment resistance per unit width of the
ment resistance, m, for the slab. With these conditions, it slab
can be shown that the failure pattern that corresponds to the M unbalanced moment
Mflex unbalanced moment that would produce failure by
smallest value of Mflex is simply a straight line AB, shown
flexure in presence of a shearing force V of a given
in Fig. B1; the corresponding Mflex is given by: magnitude
pffiffiffi Vc V shearing force
½B1
Mflex ¼ 2 2 mc þ pffiffiffi Vtest shearing force at failure in a physical test
2 rx, ry top reinforcement ratios in x and y directions, re-
spectively
This equation is used to calculate the values in the 12th
column of Table 1 and in the 11th column of Table 2; the

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