The majority of available models in practice to predict the punching shear resistance of working platforms may result in considerable overestimation of platform thickness due to conservative simplifications in the development process of the design models. With this background, systematic large laboratory tests were conducted to identify and overcome the shortcomings in the available design models with a particular focus on the popular model by BRE470. The focus is laid on achieving an improved understanding of the parameters and processes affecting the behavior of geogrid reinforced working platforms under concentrated loads. In this regard, the working platform is subject to extreme loads representing track loads. The gained improved knowledge from laboratory tests is then used to modify the available bearing capacity equation to account for the effect of a footing punching through a geosynthetic reinforced granular platform material overlying a soft cohesive subgrade. In addition, the data is further analyzed to develop a simplified semi-empirical equation to predict the immediate deformation of working platforms subject to loads from semi-rigid tracks. The developed prediction models are finally applied for the boundary conditions of the laboratory tests and the accuracy of models in terms of bearing capacity and deformation is examined