Analysis of recommendations to predict the ultimate punching resistance of flat slabs according to the actual Brazilian code, NBR 6118:2003, which does not consider the effects of the internal columns' rectangularity, and its previous version, NBR 6118:1980, are presented. In rectangular cross sections, the shear stress polarization rate is crescent. Thus, the slab failure mode changes, since the punching failure takes place at the column's ends, without compromizing the larger sides, as recommended by the new version of the code. This behavior tends to reduce the ultimate punching resistance of flat slabs when the normative estimates are compared. In addition to the results from the two codes, are presented a numerical analysis by the Finite Element Method and a proposal to improve the ductility of flat slabs based on the minimal dimensions for rectangular columns. The results showed that the NBR 6118:2003 estimates can be improved.
Reinforced concrete; flat slab; punching; rectangular column
