AbstractReinforced concrete flat slabs are widely employed in contemporary architecture due to their structural efficiency and construction simplicity; however, their susceptibility to punching shear failure remains a critical design concern, particularly at slab–column connections where concentrated loads occur. This brittle failure mechanism is a key issue in structural engineering and requires careful evaluation. This paper presents findings from an experimental program involving seven flat slabs, examining the influence of circular openings near columns on punching shear behavior, with particular focus on the effectiveness of shear reinforcement. The results indicate that, in the tested scenarios, the detrimental impact of openings outweighs the benefits provided by shear reinforcement. Furthermore, increasing the number of openings does not significantly affect slab strength. Notably, the opening closest to the column has the most adverse effect on the slab–column connection.