Optimization potential for flat slabs according to the ‘form follows force’ approach under punching shear load. Due to the urgent need to save resources, in the building industry new construction methods have to be researched for structural design that makes it possible to reduce the high material consumption. Following the approach ‘form follows force’, different slab support connections were designed for the support area of continuous flat slabs without punching shear reinforcement, optimized by means of physically non-linear finite element calculations within the framework of a variant study and tested by load-bearing tests. Material was added in highly stressed areas and removed in less stressed areas. The load-bearing capacities were compared while maintaining a constant volume.