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14 Types of Columns

There are 14 main types of columns used in building construction. Columns are classified based on their reinforcement type, loading type, slenderness ratio, shape, and construction material. The types include tied columns, spiral columns, composite columns, axially loaded columns, eccentrically loaded columns, short columns, long columns, square/rectangular columns, circular columns, L-shaped columns, T-shaped columns, standard/built-up steel columns, composite columns, and columns made of reinforced concrete, steel, timber, brick, block, or stone.

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Caryl Louise Obciana
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2K views

14 Types of Columns

There are 14 main types of columns used in building construction. Columns are classified based on their reinforcement type, loading type, slenderness ratio, shape, and construction material. The types include tied columns, spiral columns, composite columns, axially loaded columns, eccentrically loaded columns, short columns, long columns, square/rectangular columns, circular columns, L-shaped columns, T-shaped columns, standard/built-up steel columns, composite columns, and columns made of reinforced concrete, steel, timber, brick, block, or stone.

Uploaded by

Caryl Louise Obciana
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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14 Types of Columns in building

Construction

There are several types of columns which are used in different parts of structures.
Column is a vertical structural member that carry loads mainly in compression. It might
transfer loads from a ceiling, floor slab, roof slab, or from a beam, to a floor or
foundations.

Commonly, columns also carry bending moments about one or both of the cross-section
axes. In this article, different types of columns used in building construction will be
discussed.

Types of Columns in Building Construction


Columns are classified based on the several conditions which include:

1. Based on Types of Reinforcement

2. Based on Types of Loading

3. Based on Slenderness Ratio

4. Based on Shape

5. Based on Construction Material

Based on Types of Reinforcement


1. Tied Column
This type of column is commonly construction from reinforced concrete. Longitudinal
reinforcement are confined within closely spaced tie reinforcement. It is estimated
that 95% of all columns in buildings are tied.
Fig. 1: Tied column

2. Spiral Column
Spiral column is also construction from reinforced concrete. In this type of column,
longitudinal bars are confined within closely spaced and continuously wound spiral
reinforcement.

Spiral reinforcement provide lateral restrains (Poisson’s effect) and delays axial load
failure (ductile).

Fig. 2: Spiral Column

3. Composite column
When the longitudinal reinforcement is in the form of structural steel section or pipe with
or without longitudinal bars, it is called as a composite column.

This type of column have high strength with fairly small cross section, in addition to
exhibit good fire performance.
Fig. 3: Composite column
Based on Types of Loading
4. Axially Loaded Column
If vertical axial loads act on the center of gravity of the cross-section of the column, then
it is termed as axially loaded column.

Axially loaded column is rare in construction since coinciding vertical loads on the center
of gravity of column cross section is not practical.

Interior column of multi-storey buildings with symmetrical loads from floor slabs from
all sides is an example of this type of column.

Fig. 4: Axially loaded column

5. Column with Uniaxial Eccentric Loading


When vertical loads do not coincide with center of gravity of column cross section, but
rather act eccentrically either on X or Y axis of the column cross section, then it is called
uniaxially eccentric loading column.
Column with uniaxial loading are generally encountered in the case of columns rigidly
connected beam from one side only such as edge columns.

Fig. 5: Column with uniaxial eccentric loading

6. Column with Biaxial Eccentric Loading


When vertical on the column is not coincide with center of gravity of column cross
section and does not act on either axis (X and Y axis), then the column is called biaxially
eccentric loaded column.

Columns with biaxial loading is common in corner columns with beams rigidly
connected at right angles at the top of columns.

Fig. 6: Column with biaxial eccentric loading


Based on Slenderness Ratio
Based on slenderness ratio, (effective length/ least lateral dimension), columns are
categorized as follow:

6. Short Column
If the ratio effective length of the column to the least lateral dimension is less than 12, the
column is called as the short column. A short column fails by crushing (pure compression
failure).

Fig. 7: Short column

7. Long Column
If the ratio effective length of the column to the least lateral dimension exceeds 12, it is
called as long column. A long column fails by bending or buckling.
Fig. 8: Long column
Based on Shape
Shape of Reinforced Concrete Column

8. Square or Rectangular Column


They are generally used in the construction of buildings. It is much easier to construct
and cast rectangular or square columns than circular ones because of ease of
shuttering and to support it from collapsing due to pressure while the concrete is still in
flowable form.

Fig. 9: Square column

9. Circular column
They are specially designed columns, which are mostly used in piling and elevation of
the buildings.
Fig. 10: Circular column

10. L-Shape Column


Commonly, L-shaped column is utilized in the corners of the boundary wall and has
similar characteristics of a rectangular or square column.

Fig. 11: L-shaped column


11. T-Shape column
It is utilized based on design requirements of a structure. T-Shaped column is widely
used in the construction of bridges.

Fig. 12: T-shaped column

12. Shape of Steel Column


There are different standard and built up shape of steel columns which are shown in Fig.
and Fig. Common shapes of steel columns include I, channel, equal angle, and T-shape.

Fig. 13: Steel column cross section shape (Standard)

Fig. 14: Steel column cross section shape (built up)

13. Shape of Composite Column


The usual shape of composite columns are shown in Fig.
Fig. 15: Composite column shape
Based on Construction Material
Types of columns based on construction materials include

14. Reinforced Concrete, Steel, timber, Brick,


Block, and Stone Column.

Fig. 16: Types of Column; A-reinforced concrete, B- steel, C-timber, D-brick, E-block, and F-stone

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