Punching assessment of a slab bridge stock in Finland

Abstract Increased understanding of the punching phenomenon and increasing traffic loads have raised questions about the punching capacity of reinforced concrete slab bridges on columns. In this research, 116 slab bridges are analyzed with rough estimates of the punching loads using the maximum allowable vehicle loads in Finland and the punching capacities according to EN 1992‐1‐1:2023. Critical factors for the punching of slab bridges are identified and discussed. Measured concrete compressive strengths of 20 slab bridges are presented, and the effect of concrete strength on the punching assessment of slab bridges is discussed. In addition, five bridges are selected from the database for a more detailed analysis using linear elastic finite element analysis to calculate the punching load and punching eccentricity. Slab bridges built before 1980 seem most critical for punching for current traffic loads. On the other hand, slab bridges have underlying capacity due to the high concrete strength and other factors.