ProtaStructure Design Guide

Column Design Verification by (N-M) Interaction Diagram

Version 1.0 14 September 2022

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Table of Contents
Column Interaction Diagram ....................................................................................................................4
Objective ..............................................................................................................................................4
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................4
Axial Load to Moment (N-M) Diagram Explained: ...............................................................................5
Stress Block ..........................................................................................................................................7
Notation Based on the Stress Block ..................................................................................................7
Example (Eurocode): ............................................................................................................................9
Column Utilisation Ratio ................................................................................................................ 14
Example (British Standard): .............................................................................................................. 16
Intermediate Rebars Capacity........................................................................................................... 19
Thank You…........................................................................................................................................... 20
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Column Interaction Diagram

Objective
This document aims to outline the steps to verify reinforced concrete column design using the capacity
curve, commonly referred to as N-M (Axial-Moment) Interactive Diagram.

The N-M Interaction Diagram will be derived using empirical formulas of concrete stress block. This is
then compared to the same capacity curve generated by the ProtaStructure column design to verify the
validity and adequacy of its column design.

This method can be used to check and verify the adequacy of any column design program. The capacity
curve generated by any column design application should tally with the empirical curve derived from
the first principles.

Introduction
Reinforced columns and walls are subjected to combined axial loads and bending moments as part of a
3D building frame behaviour. Due to monolithic construction, the column and beam joints should be
assumed to be fixed for reinforced concrete buildings. Hence, all columns and walls will be subjected to
axial and moment forces because of gravity and lateral external loads.

A reinforced concrete column's capacity depends on the coincident axial load and the moment, i.e., they
are not mutually exclusive. An interactive diagram is a capacity curve that can be plotted to completely
describe the strength of the reinforced column in terms of its axial and moment capacity. Hence, using
the term capacity curve & N-M interaction diagram interchangeably is common.

Therefore, an interaction diagram can be used to check against the design load combinations and
determine a reinforced structural member's acceptable moment and axial capacities.

If axial load N is applied with eccentricity, e (distance away from centroid), it creates a pure moment,
N*e, and to be combined with the initial axial load, N.

As the eccentricity “e” changes from the section centroid, behaviours of a column/wall and stress
distribution in the section will be generated differently. These are used to plot the Axial Load to Moment
(N–M) Interaction curve.

In reinforcement concrete buildings, moments are naturally generated due to the fixity of the joints
even under gravity load, not necessarily due to eccentric eccentricity alone.
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Axial Load to Moment (N-M) Diagram Explained:

Case A: Pure axial compression

• The column can only achieve this maximum compression capacity if there are zero coincident
moments. This capacity can never be achieved in reality, as the small moment will always exist.
Case B: Compression with minor bending due to small eccentricity.
• The axial capacity starts to decrease with an increase in the bending moment.
• Ground-level columns are likely to be at this part of the curve as it is subject to high axial load.
Case C: Compression controls
• The axial capacity decreases rapidly with the increasing moment.
• Column subjected to compression and tension whereas the stress in steel at tension side, fst, is
less than the yield stress, fyk.
Case D: Balanced Condition
• This is the maximum moment capacity, provided the coincident axial value is exactly value D.
• Compression concrete strain, εc reaches the maximum strain limit, and steel strain, εs is
equivalent to the steel strain limit, εy.
Case E: Tension controls.
• Both the axial & moment capacity decreases after the balanced point.
• For example, a roof column will likely be at this part of the curve due to low axial loads. Hence,
roof columns have a lower moment capacity than ground-level columns.
• Column subjected to compression and tension whereas the stress in steel at tension side, fst is
greater than the yield stress, fyk.
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Case F: Pure Flexure

• The column is subjected to pure moment only & zero axial force.
Case G: Pure axial tension
• Column subjected tension force only.
• This case happens to buildings subjected to rotational force where some columns are in
compression, and some are in tension.
• This maximum tension capacity can never be achieved as a small bending moment will
always exist.
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Stress Block
All formulas will be extracted and derived from this stress block.

Notation Based on the Stress Block

Symbols Definition
Asc Reinforcement area at extreme compression side
Ast Reinforcement area at the extreme tension side
b Member width
d Member depth
d’ Distance from the compression face to the center of the first layer
rebars
e Eccentricity
Fc Force at compressive side by concrete
Fsc Force at compressive side by steel
Fst Force at tension side by steel
fyk Rebar steel grade
h Member height
N Axial force
x Distance between compression face to the neutral axis
Z The lever arm of Internal Forces, distance from Fc to Fst
αcc Coefficient - eqn. 3.15
εc Strain in concrete at the compressive side
εs Strain in steel at the tension side
εsc Strain in steel at compressive side
λ Reduction Factor
η Effective Strength
ϒm Concrete Modification Factor
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Formula:

Reinforcement area at extreme tension side:

𝜋. 𝜑2
𝐴𝑠𝑡 = 𝑛𝑜. 𝑏𝑎𝑟 .
4
Reinforcement area at extreme compression side:

𝜋. 𝜑2
𝐴𝑠𝑐 = 𝑛𝑜. 𝑏𝑎𝑟.
4
Strain in steel at Yield Strength:
𝑓𝑦𝑘
𝜀𝑦 = =0
𝐸𝑠
Strain in steel at tension side:
𝑑−𝑥
𝜀𝑠 = 𝜀𝑐 . ( )
𝑥
Strain in steel at compression side:
𝑥 − 𝑑′
𝜀𝑠𝑐 = 𝜀𝑐 . ( )
𝑥
Tensile stress at tension side:

𝑓𝑠 = 𝜀𝑠 . 𝐸𝑠
Tensile stress at compression side:

𝑓𝑠𝑐 = 𝜀𝑠𝑐 . 𝐸𝑠
Compressive stress block depth:

𝐸𝑢𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 2 𝑐𝑙. 2 3.1.7(3): 𝑅𝐹. 𝜆𝑥

Forces at compression side:

By concrete: 𝐹𝑐𝑐 = 𝑓𝑐𝑑. (𝑅𝐹. 𝜆𝑥). 𝑏. 𝜂

By steel: 𝐹𝑠𝑐 = 𝐴𝑠𝑐. [max ((𝑚𝑖𝑛(𝑓𝑦, 𝜀𝑠𝑐. 𝐸), −𝑓𝑦𝑑) − (𝑓𝑐𝑑)]

Force at tension side:

By steel: 𝐹𝑠𝑡 = 𝐴𝑠𝑡. 𝑚𝑖𝑛(𝑓𝑦, 𝜀𝑠𝑡. 𝐸)

Summation of forces:

∑𝐹 = 0;
𝐹𝑠𝑡 + 𝑁 = 𝐹𝑐𝑐 + 𝐹𝑠𝑐
𝑁 = 𝐹𝑐𝑐 + 𝐹𝑠𝑐 − 𝐹𝑠𝑡
Summation of Moment about Fst:
ℎ 𝑥
𝑁. 𝑒. ( − 𝑑’) – 𝐹𝑐𝑠. (𝑑 − 𝑑’) − 𝐹𝑐𝑐. (𝑑 − ) = 0
2 2
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Eccentricity about Fst:

𝜆𝑥
𝐹𝑐𝑠. (𝑑 − 𝑑’) + 𝐹𝑐𝑐. (𝑑 − 2 )
𝐸 = – (ℎ/2 − 𝑑’)
𝑁
Ultimate Moment Capacity:

𝑀 = 𝑁. 𝑒
Ultimate Moment Capacity Limit (British Standard Only – BS8110-1, Eqn. 38):

𝑁 = 0.4. 𝑓𝑐𝑢 . 𝐴𝑐 + 0.75. 𝐴𝑠 . 𝑓𝑦𝑑

Example (Eurocode):
Take column 1C5 as an example from “Quick Start Guide Concrete Complete”.

Column 400mm x 200mm, concrete grade C30/37, steel grade 500 (Type 2),

Main Bar diameter= H13, link bar diameter= H10, cover = 35mm.

Take the first three design loads from Design Report in Interactive Design and design based on N and
M22.

Axial Load Without imperfection and With imperfection

Case second-order effect and second-order effect
N (kN) M22 (kNm) M22 (kNm)
1 999.47 23.7 28.04
2 960.04 24.6 28.78
3 848.89 15.1 18.83

Factor: Symbol: Value:

Coefficient - eqn. 3.15 αcc 0.85
Effective Strength η: 1.0
Reduction Factor λ: 0.8
Reduction Factor - cl.3.1.7(3) RF: 0.9
Max. Strain of Steel εc: 0.0035
Steel Modulus Es: 200,000 N/mm2
Concrete Modification Factor γm: 1.5
Rebar Modification Factor γms: 1.15
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Plastic Centroid, yp = 200mm

Calculation:

Case G: Pure Tension from Steel

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑁 = − 𝐴𝑠𝑡. 𝑓𝑦𝑑

𝑁 = −346.25𝑘𝑁
Case A: Pure Compression:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑁 = 𝐹𝑠𝑐 + 𝐹𝑐𝑐

𝑁 = (346.25 + 1,900.32)𝑘𝑁
𝑁 = 2,246.57 𝑘𝑁
The sample size for x is 20 in this example. Increase the size to have higher precision of the result.

20 −276.53 8.68
40 −200.03 17.10
60 −54.46 29.82
80 117.74 43.74
100 251.66 54.08
120 366.44 62.25
140 470.28 68.85
160 567.29 74.18
180 659.74 78.42
𝑥 (𝑚𝑚) = 200
220 𝑁, 𝑢𝑙𝑡
(𝑘𝑁) = 758.23 𝑀, 𝑢𝑙𝑡 (𝑘𝑁𝑚) = 80.97
884.20 80.22
240 994.24 78.52
260 1099.11 76.44
280 1199.93 73.88
300 1297.51 70.80
320 1392.45 67.15
340 1485.22 62.90
360 1576.19 58.01
380 1665.63 52.47
(400) ( 1753.78 ) ( 46.26)
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Based on the output from manually potted curve, say using Excel program, as shown below.

In ProtaStructure, the interaction diagram can be displayed in “Column Analysis” in the Interactive
Column design after a successful design (as shown below).
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The curve for direction 3 (M22) about “plane X” from ProtaStructure is shown below:

The interaction diagram generated is identical to the manually plotted diagram derived using empirical
formulae. Hence, we can conclude that the N-M interaction Diagram result in ProtaStructure is correct
and adequate.
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Curve for both direction 2 (M33) & 3 (M22) is shown below:

Both directions (2 & 3) can be verified using the same formulae. When the design loads fall within the
curve, the column section size and applied steel rebars are adequate. The governing design will be the
direction with load combinations closer to the curve. For this case, the governing curve is the dir-3
(M22).

If any design loads from either direction surpass the curve, the column design fails.

If the rebar sizes, rebar numbers or the size of the column increases, the boundary of the curve will
increase, i.e. both the axial and the moment capacity increase; vice-versa.

ProtaStructure auto-design will attempt to increase the number and sizes of rebars to the maximum
allowable as defined in the column design settings while keeping the column size constant. If this fails,
the column will be marked as failed, with the message “Section Insufficient”.

Alternatively, the user may refer to the curve and manually reduce/increase the rebar or column section
size for each direction. Then recheck the capacity curve to ensure all the design points are within the
capacity curve in each direction respectively.
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Column Utilisation Ratio

After “Interactive Design” has been performed, the Utilisation Ratio will be shown at the bottom of
the dialogue. This utilization ratio shows the design efficiency of the column.

This utilization ratio will be based on three checks and shown only the governed check. The checks can
be found in the “Design Report” in the “Interactive Design”. The three checks are:

1. Required steel area over provided steel area.

2. Design axial Load, Nd, over the maximum axial load capacity of the column.
(This check only applies to EC8 and BS8110.)

3. Design moment, Md, over maximum moment capacity, Msup, of the column.

a. Md = Design moment
b. Msup = Maximum column moment capacity

The formula to calculate Md and Msup is as below:

𝑀𝑑 = √(𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑀22)2 + (𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑀33)2

𝑀𝑑 = √50.32 + 282 = 𝟓𝟕. 𝟓𝟕𝒌𝑵𝒎

𝑀𝑠𝑢𝑝 = √(𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑀22)2 + (𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑀33)2

𝑀𝑠𝑢𝑝 = √932 + 522 = 𝟏𝟎𝟔. 𝟔𝒌𝑵𝒎

The moment capacity ratio in item (3) can be explained by referring to the Interaction Diagram (M22-
M33), as shown in the figure below.
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max (M22, M33)

design (M22, M33)

The above is the moment capacity curve expressed in moments in two directions, respectively (M22,
M33) for a given axial load. This curve is plotted for the case N = 999.47 kN, obtained for critical load
combination 2.

The shape and boundary of the curve will change with axial load in the same way that the N-M
interaction diagram behaves. Similarly, the moment design point should be within the boundary of the
curve to prove the column passes.

Based on the three utilization ratios of column 1C5, Md/Msup ratio has the highest figure. Hence, we
can conclude that the column is governed by the bending moment.
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Example (British Standard):

Another quick and simple example of the BS8110 reinforced concrete column:

Column 400mm x 400mm, concrete grade 30, steel grade 460 (Type 2),

Main Bar diameter= T12, link bar diameter= T10, cover = 30 mm.

Apply dead load 180 kN vertically and 15 kN horizontally (dir-y) at the top of the column.

Take the random three design loads from Design Report in Interactive Design and design based on N
and M22.

Axial Without imperfection With imperfection

Load and second-order and second-order effect
Case
effect)
N (kN) M22 (kNm) M22 (kNm)
1 (G+Q) 268.1 63.0 68.00
2 (G+Q)p1 196.1 45.0 48.73
6 (G+Q+Ny 229.8 62.6 66.95

Factor: Symbol: Value:

Coefficient – EC2, eqn. 3.15 αcc N/A, therefore 1.0
Effective Strength – BS8110, fig. 2.1 η: 0.67
Reduction Factor – BS8110, fig. 3.3 λ: 0.9
Reduction Factor – EC2, cl.3.1.7(3) RF: N/A, therefore 1.0
Max. Strain of Steel εc: 0.0035
Steel Modulus Es: 200,000 N/mm2
Concrete Modification Factor γm: 1.5
Rebar Modification Factor γms: 1.15

Plastic Centroid, yp = 200mm

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Calculation:

Case G: Pure Tension from Steel

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑁 = − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑

𝑁 = −361.9𝑘𝑁
Case A: Pure Compression:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑, 𝑁 = 𝐹𝑠𝑐 + 𝐹𝑐𝑐

𝑁 = (361.91 + 2,131.88)𝑘𝑁
𝑁 = 2,493.79 𝑘𝑁
Ultimate Moment Capacity Limit: (BS8110 only)

𝑁 = 0.4 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑢 ∗ 𝐴𝑐 + 0.75 ∗ 𝐴𝑠 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑

𝑁 = 0.4 ∗ 30 ∗ 160,000 + 0.75 ∗ 904.8 ∗ 400 = 2,180.58𝑘𝑁

The sample size for x is 20 in this example. Increase the size to have higher precision of the result.

20 −272.217 17.38
40 −75.65 49.49
60 111.88 78.46
80 253.88 98.69
100 377.672 114.38
120 481.62 125.27
140 600.72 133.28
160 725.47 139.55
180 843.94 144.09
𝑥 (𝑚𝑚) = 200 (𝑘𝑁) = 958.01 (𝑘𝑁𝑚) = 146.88
220 𝑁, 𝑢𝑙𝑡 1068.89 𝑀, 𝑢𝑙𝑡 147.95
240 1200.27 143.74
260 1333.84 137.18
280 1462.12 129.48
300 1586.16 120.51
320 1706.75 110.19
340 1824.51 98.45
360 1939.9 85.24
380 2053.3 70.51
(400) ( 2165.01 ) ( 54.24 )
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The curve for direction 3 (M22) about “plane X” from ProtaStructure is shown below:

Based on the output from the manually potted curve and the result generated from ProtaStructure,
they are proved to be identical. Hence, we can conclude that the N-M Interaction Diagram results in
ProtaStructure are correct and adequate.
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Intermediate Rebars Capacity

Intermediate rebars provide additional axial load capacity and moment resistance to the column/wall.

The capacity of these bars must be calculated separately and manually added to the total column axial
load and Moment capacity. The formula is straightforward.

Formula:

The stress on single intermediate rebar:

𝜀𝑐 . (𝑥 − 𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑑 )
𝜎𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑑 = 𝐸𝑠 . 𝑏𝑢𝑡 −𝑓𝑦𝑑 ≤ 𝜎𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑑 ≤ 𝑓𝑦𝑑
𝑥
(-ve = tension, +ve = compression)

The axial load capacity on single intermediate rebar:

𝐹𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑑 = 𝜎𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑑 . 𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑑

Moment capacity of single intermediate rebar:

𝑀,𝑚𝑖𝑑 = 𝐹𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑑 (𝑦𝑝 − 𝑑,𝑚𝑖𝑑 )

The calculated axial load capacity and moment capacity from the intermediate rebar is then summed
into the column axial load capacity and moment capacity (which has not yet accounted for intermediate
rebar capacity) to become the final column capacity.
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