Punching Shear Behavior under Sustained Load

Abstract—This paper presents an experimental research program focused on the punching strength of flat-plate test specimens under the effect of sustained load. Two identical 2/3 scaled test specimens were loaded up to different sustained load levels for 270 days and the change in the crack width and propagation were monitored. After 270 days, these two specimens were loaded up to failure. The punching strengths of those specimens were compared with the identical control specimen that kept unloaded in the same environment.