On-demand Webinar

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INSTRUCTORS: 
Matthew Fadden, Ph.D, P.E.
Andrea Shear, P.E.

Course Length: 2 hours

Sponsored by ASCE's Forensic Engineering Division

This presentation is “Part 2” of the short course originally presented at the 2024 Forensic Engineering Congress.

Part 1 is available for purchase here: Champlain Towers South Collapse Part 1: Identifying and Addressing Punching Shear Deficiencies in Flat Plate Construction

Purpose and Background

Identifying, Evaluating, and Correcting Punching Shear Deficiencies in Flat Plate Construction (1 hour 46 minutes)

This presentation examines the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of punching shear deficiencies in flat plate construction, with a focus on structural failures such as the Champlain Towers South collapse. It discusses historical and modern design practices, including the evolution of ACI codes and the influence of flexural reinforcement ratios and slab thickness on punching shear capacity. Assessment techniques such as visual inspections, non-destructive testing, and structural analysis are reviewed, emphasizing the importance of recognizing subtle warning signs like cracking and water infiltration. Various retrofit solutions, including shear collars, drop panels, and post-installed shear reinforcement, are analyzed for their effectiveness in preventing progressive collapse. Case studies provide real-world applications of these concepts, highlighting key factors like unbalanced moments, post-tensioning effects, and construction errors that contribute to structural failures.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of these sessions, you will be able to:

  • Explain the causes and mechanisms of punching shear failures in flat plate construction, including the role of flexural reinforcement, slab thickness, and unbalanced moments.
  • Identify key visual indicators of potential punching shear deficiencies, such as radial cracking, water infiltration, and column-related slab distress.
  • Describe the evolution of ACI code provisions related to punching shear design and how recent updates address flexural-driven shear failures and size effects.
  • Analyze various retrofit solutions, including shear collars, drop panels, and post-installed shear reinforcement, to determine their effectiveness in mitigating structural deficiencies.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are assessed and achieved through passing a 10 multiple choice question post-test with at least a 70%.

Who Should Attend?

  • Structural engineers
  • Forensic engineers
  • Traffic engineers
  • Materials engineers
  • Construction engineers

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

This course is worth 0.2 CEUs/2 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]