An innovative formulation for predicting the punching shear behavior in two-way reinforced concrete slabs

Punching shear failure represents one of the most critical and perilous challenges that slabs may encounter under load-bearing conditions. Numerous studies have delved into the mechanics of punching shear and the methods for assessing the strength of slabs against punching shear failures. However, owing to the inherent complexity of the punching shear phenomenon, a universally applicable relationship has remained elusive. This article introduces a mathematical framework for analyzing the punching shear strength of two-way reinforced concrete slabs. The framework leverages a dataset of 218 laboratory test results compiled from various literature sources. To achieve the objective, the authors preprocessed the database, optimized the computational architecture, established the computational structure, and extracted mathematical relationships from the resulting system, respectively. The punching shear values generated by the computational model presented in this article were also compared with those determined using existing relationships. The framework surpasses existing methods by achieving a demonstrably lower error rate in predicting punching shear strength. This translates into a significant advantage for engineers, enabling them to design two-way reinforced concrete slabs with greater confidence and accuracy. Furthermore, it can be a valuable tool for assessing the viability of strengthening strategies for existing slabs or guiding rehabilitation efforts to ensure structural integrity. By facilitating these applications, the proposed framework holds immense promise for enhancing the safety, reliability, and lifespan of two-way RC slabs.