Failure characteristics of columns intersected by slabs with different compressive strengths

The objective of this study was to determine the effective compressive strength of a column-slab connection with different compressive strengths between the column and slab concrete. A total of eight column specimens were fabricated, among which four specimens were restrained by slabs while the others did not have any slab, and the test results were compared with current design codes. According to ACI 318, the compressive strength of a column can be used as the effective compressive strength of the column-slab connection in design when the strength ratio of column concrete to slab concrete is less than 1.4. Even in this case, however, this study showed that the effective compressive strength decreased. The specimen with its slab-column connection zone reinforced by steel fibers showed an increased effective compressive strength compared to that of the specimen without the reinforcement, and the interior column specimens restrained with slabs reached the compressive strength of the column.