Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with Openings

Openings in two-way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs are frequently incorporated for architectural and functional purposes, such as providing pathways for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. While necessary, these openings can significantly compromise the structural performance of slabs, pa...

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Main Authors: Ahmed Ashteyat, Mousa Shhabat, Ahmad Al-Khreisat, Salem Aldawsari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2765
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author Ahmed Ashteyat
Mousa Shhabat
Ahmad Al-Khreisat
Salem Aldawsari
author_facet Ahmed Ashteyat
Mousa Shhabat
Ahmad Al-Khreisat
Salem Aldawsari
author_sort Ahmed Ashteyat
collection DOAJ
description Openings in two-way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs are frequently incorporated for architectural and functional purposes, such as providing pathways for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. While necessary, these openings can significantly compromise the structural performance of slabs, particularly by reducing their capacity to resist punching shear, an effect that is especially critical when the openings are located near column–slab connections. This paper provides a detailed review of the existing research, examining how various opening parameters such as their size, shape, and position affect key structural performance metrics including their stiffness, ductility, and failure modes. The findings highlight that opening geometry is a major determinant of a slab’s overall behavior. Notably, the proximity of openings to column faces is identified as a critical factor that can substantially influence the extent of strength degradation and failure mechanisms. Furthermore, this review identifies a significant research gap concerning the behavior of slabs with openings under non-standard loading conditions, such as seismic activity, blasts, and impact loads. It also emphasizes the need for further investigation into the long-term performance of such slabs under adverse environmental influences, including elevated temperatures, corrosion, and material degradation. By consolidating the current knowledge and identifying unresolved challenges, this review aims to guide engineers and researchers in developing more robust design strategies and performance-based solutions for RC slabs with openings, ultimately contributing to safer and more resilient structural systems.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2075-5309
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
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spelling doaj-art-8565f99fd4154b719fee07a00e4a7ff02025-08-20T03:35:58ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-08-011515276510.3390/buildings15152765Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with OpeningsAhmed Ashteyat0Mousa Shhabat1Ahmad Al-Khreisat2Salem Aldawsari3Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanCivil Engineering Department, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, EgyptDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi ArabiaOpenings in two-way reinforced concrete (RC) slabs are frequently incorporated for architectural and functional purposes, such as providing pathways for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services. While necessary, these openings can significantly compromise the structural performance of slabs, particularly by reducing their capacity to resist punching shear, an effect that is especially critical when the openings are located near column–slab connections. This paper provides a detailed review of the existing research, examining how various opening parameters such as their size, shape, and position affect key structural performance metrics including their stiffness, ductility, and failure modes. The findings highlight that opening geometry is a major determinant of a slab’s overall behavior. Notably, the proximity of openings to column faces is identified as a critical factor that can substantially influence the extent of strength degradation and failure mechanisms. Furthermore, this review identifies a significant research gap concerning the behavior of slabs with openings under non-standard loading conditions, such as seismic activity, blasts, and impact loads. It also emphasizes the need for further investigation into the long-term performance of such slabs under adverse environmental influences, including elevated temperatures, corrosion, and material degradation. By consolidating the current knowledge and identifying unresolved challenges, this review aims to guide engineers and researchers in developing more robust design strategies and performance-based solutions for RC slabs with openings, ultimately contributing to safer and more resilient structural systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2765openingstwo-way slabpunching shearstructural behaviorreview
spellingShingle Ahmed Ashteyat
Mousa Shhabat
Ahmad Al-Khreisat
Salem Aldawsari
Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with Openings
Buildings
openings
two-way slab
punching shear
structural behavior
review
title Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with Openings
title_full Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with Openings
title_fullStr Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with Openings
title_full_unstemmed Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with Openings
title_short Shear Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Two-Way Slabs with Openings
title_sort shear behavior of reinforced concrete two way slabs with openings
topic openings
two-way slab
punching shear
structural behavior
review
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2765
work_keys_str_mv AT ahmedashteyat shearbehaviorofreinforcedconcretetwowayslabswithopenings
AT mousashhabat shearbehaviorofreinforcedconcretetwowayslabswithopenings
AT ahmadalkhreisat shearbehaviorofreinforcedconcretetwowayslabswithopenings
AT salemaldawsari shearbehaviorofreinforcedconcretetwowayslabswithopenings