This paper deals with the modelling of punching shear failure in reinforced concrete slabs using
nonlinear finite element analysis. An analytical procedure is presented for simulating punching failure. The procedure is validated for a large-scale reinforced concrete flat slab without shear reinforcement that failed in punching. A parametric analysis is carried out to determine the influence of the key parameters which govern the performance. The analytical procedure is then used to model the response of a large-scale hybrid reinforced concrete flat slab specimen tested at Imperial College London which
failed in punching. The specimen incorporated a tubular steel column and an ACI 318 type structural steel shearhead. The results of the analysis are used to gain fundamental insights into the contribution of the shearhead to the shear resistance, and to assess the reliability of existing design recommendations for structural steel shearheads.