Why use Punching Shear Reinforcement?  The weight of a slab supported on a column induces shear stresses in the slab. These stresses, if sufficient and where additional reinforcement has not been provided, would result in the column ‘punching’ through the slab. This punching shear is similarly induced in the footing on which the column bears. Although punching shear can be relieved by localised thickening of the concrete with downstand beams and enlarged column heads, the construction of flat slabs offers many advantages. A consistent head space can reduce the overall height of a building and provide significant time and material savings. Used within a slab to provide additional reinforcement around columns, the rail is the ideal solution to the design and construction problems associated with punching shear. The system consists of doubleheaded studs welded to flat rails, positioned around the column head or base. The shear load from the slab is transferred through the studs into the column.