Design of Concrete Columns

 Columns are mainly subjected to axial compression loads and are often
called compression members
 Few reinforced concrete columns are subjected to purely axial
compression loads while most columns are subjected to bending moments
due to the eccentricity of applied loads, applied end moments, and/or
lateral loading on the column
 Concrete columns can be classified as follows:

a) Composite Column b) Spiral Column c) Tied Column

Design of Concrete Columns
Tied columns
Are reinforced with longitudinal bars enclosed by lateral ties provided
throughout the column length
Spiral columns
are reinforced with longitudinal bars enclosed by closely spaced and
continuously wound spiral reinforcement
Composite columns
are reinforced longitudinally with a structural steel shape, either
encased in or encasing the concrete, and with or without longitudinal
bars (for example, a hollow steel pile filled with concrete and
reinforced with steel bars).
 Reinforced columns can be classified based on their length into:
 Short column (very common)
 Long columns (buckling considered)
Design of Concrete Columns
 Longitudinal reinforcement with adequate transverse reinforcement
contributes to the load-carrying capacity of a column in the following
two ways:
 by increasing the column compression capacity
 By providing flexural capacity similar to that of a reinforced concrete
beam
 The longitudinal bars must be laterally supported at regular intervals
by ties to prevent the buckling failure
 The main functions of the transverse reinforcement are:
 to provide lateral restraint to longitudinal bars under compression and
prevent their premature buckling
 to prevent the sudden bursting of the concrete core
 to hold the longitudinal reinforcement in place during construction
 to resist the shear and/or torsion when reinforcing for these effects is
required
Design of Concrete Columns
 Concrete by itself is a brittle material, so steel reinforcement
(longitudinal and transverse) must be provided in columns to prevent
brittle failure and ensure ductile behavior
Design of Concrete Columns
 Based on the location of the axial load, columns can be classified into two
categories:
 Concentrically loaded columns (also called compression members) are
subjected to axial loads applied along the longitudinal column axis.
 Eccentrically loaded columns are subjected to axial load acting at an
eccentricity with regard to the centroid of the column section; as a
result, these columns are subjected to combined axial load and flexure
(M = P * e)
Design of Concrete Columns
Short Columns
 Concentrically loaded columns (zero eccentricity)
 The load causes a uniformly distributed
compressive strain in the cross-section
 The maximum axial load capacity (Pro) is the
sum of the concrete contribution and the steel
contribution
 The failure of a concentrically loaded column
occurs after the longitudinal reinforcement yields
 Design of Concrete Columns
Short Columns
 Eccentrically loaded columns (small eccentricity)
 the strain distribution in the column is no longer
uniform
 The maximum load capacity of the column is
reached when the strain at the compression face
(εc) reaches the maximum value (εcmax) of 0.0035
 The maximum load the section can carry (P) is
less than the axial load capacity of the
concentrically loaded column; that is, P < Pro.
 The extent of the decrease in the load capacity
(P) depends on the magnitude of the eccentricity:
the larger the eccentricity, the smaller the load
capacity
Design of Concrete Columns
Short Columns
 Eccentrically loaded columns (large eccentricity)
 The effect of the bending moment (M = Pe) is
significant
 The column behave like a beam subjected to
flexure but with some compression as well
 In a very high eccentricity (e) P can be
assumed zero and the column denoted as pure
bending condition
 The discussed load conditions can be
conveniently presented in diagram form, with
bending moment on the horizontal axis and
axial load on the vertical axis. Such a diagram
is called a column interaction diagram
Design of Concrete Columns
Short Columns
 There are two distinct regions shown hatched on the diagram,
corresponding to eccentrically loaded columns with small and large
eccentricities, respectively. These two regions are divided by a line
corresponding to the balanced condition.
Design of Concrete Columns
Axial load resistance of short columns
 The total axial load resistance of a short column is determined as the
combined resistance provided by the concrete and the longitudinal
reinforcement:
Pro = Prco + Prso
Pro = the factored axial load resistance of a reinforced concrete column
Prco = the factored axial load resistance provided by the concrete
Prso = the factored axial load resistance provided by the longitudinal
reinforcement
 Prco is determined as the product of the net concrete area (Ag - As) times the
equivalent concrete stress at the column cross section
Prco = α1φcf’c (Ag - As)
Where: f’c is the specified compressive strength of concrete, φcis the resistance
factor for concrete, Ag is the gross area of the column section, As is the total
area of the longitudinal steel
Design of Concrete Columns
Axial load resistance of short columns
 Prso is the maximum force in the steel reinforcement
Prso = Astφsfy
Where: fy is the specified yield strength of steel, φs is the resistance factor for
steel
Therefore:
Pro = Prco + Prso
Pro = α1φcf’c (Ag - As) + Astφsfy
 A23.3 determine the maximum tied column resistance (Prmax) as 0.8 Pro to
account for unanticipated moment in the concentrically short column
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
 A concentrically loaded short columns has a square cross section as shown in
the figure below. 8-25M longitudinal reinforcement and 10M stirrups with 250
spacing are used. Calculated the maximum load capacity (Prmax). Assume the
code requirement for reinforcements and cover are satisfied.
concrete cover = 40 mm & maximum aggregate size ag = 20mm
f’c = 25 MPa & fy = 400 MPa
Solution:
Calculate reinforcement steel Area & cross section Area;
Ast = Bar area x No. of bars
= 500 x 8
= 4000 mm2
Ag = b x h = 450x450 = 202 500 mm2
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1

Calculate the maximum factored axial load resistance (Pmax)

Pro = α1 φc fc’ (Ag - As) + Astφsfy CI 10.10.4

Pro = 0.81x0.65x25x(202500 - 4000) + 4000x0.85x400

= 3972.7 kN
Pr,max = 0.80 x Pro = 0.80 x 3972.7
= 3178.20 kN

Therefore, the max factored axial load can be supported by this

column is 3178.20 kN
Design of Concrete Columns
Reinforcement Requirements
 The minimum longitudinal reinforcement ratio (ρt where ρt = Ast/Ag)
as per A23.3 (Cl.10.9.1) is 1%, to ensure the followings:
 there is some flexural resistance even in members where
calculations indicate no applied moment
 increased stresses in the steel reinforcement caused by creep and
shrinkage do not lead to the eventual yielding of the
reinforcement under service loads
 The maximum longitudinal reinforcement ratio as per A23.3
(Cl.10.9.2) based on economy requirements is 8%
 In areas containing lap splices the columns are usually designed with
no more than 4% because of the difficult concrete placing among
such heavy reinforcements
Design of Concrete Columns
Reinforcement Requirements
 The minimum number of longitudinal bars as per A23.3 (Cl.10.9.3) shall
be:
 four for columns with rectangular or circular ties

 three for columns with triangular ties

 six for spiral columns

 The minimum bar spacing as per A23.1 (Cl.6.6.5.2) or the clear distance
between adjacent longitudinal bars should not be less than the greatest
of
 1.4 times the bar diameter,

 1.4 times the maximum size of the coarse aggregate, and

 30 mm
Design of Concrete Columns
Reinforcement Requirements
 As per A23.3 (Cl.7.6.5.1), in compression members all non –
prestressed longitudinal bars of sizes 30M or smaller must be
enclosed with ties having a diameter of at least 30% of that of the
largest longitudinal bar, all non – prestressed longitudinal bars of
sizes 35M, 45M and 55M and all bundle bars, shall be enclosed by
ties of at least 10M

 Tie spacing is one of the critical

parameters in column design, the role of
ties is to provide lateral support to the
longitudinal reinforcement. If the ties are
spaced too far apart, the longitudinal bars
between them will buckle
Design of Concrete Columns
Reinforcement Requirements
 As per A23.3 (Cl.7.6.5.2), The tie spacing must not exceed the least of:
 16 times the diameter of the smallest longitudinal bar,
 48 tie diameters,
 The least lateral dimension of the compression member, and
 300 mm when bundled bars are used

 As per A23.3 (Cl.1.7.1.2), Ties should be

anchored by hooks with a bend of at least
135° unless the concrete cover surrounding
the hook is restrained against spalling, in
which case a 90° hook is permitted. In
Stirrups Hooks
general, it is recommended to use 135° tie
hooks in all column applications
 Design of Concrete Columns
Reinforcement Requirements

 As per A23.3 (Cl.7.6.5.5), the tie must enclose and laterally support every
corner bar and every alternate longitudinal bar by the corner of a tie having
an included angle of not more than 135°
 A bar is adequately supported against lateral movement if it is located at a
corner or if the clear distance to a laterally supported bar is less than
150mm
Design of Concrete Columns
Reinforcement Requirements
 The smallest dimension of a cast-in-place column should not be less than
200 mm, and preferably not less than 250 mm
 Based on the fire-resistance requirements, the smallest column dimension
should be at least 220 mm for a 1-hour fire rating and 300 mm for a 2-hour
or 3-hour fire rating
 The diameter of spiral columns should not be less than 300 mm
 In choosing the overall cross-sectional dimensions, the designer should use
multiples of 50 mm; that is, the dimensions should be rounded to the next
higher 50 mm figure
 In multi-storey buildings, it is considered economical to keep the same
cross-sectional dimensions to be able to reuse the forms from floor to floor
 The designer usually varies the amount of longitudinal reinforcement while
preserving the same cross-sectional dimensions. It is common practice to
vary the column longitudinal reinforcement every three floors
Design of Concrete Columns
Reinforcement Requirements
 A minimum 20M longitudinal bar size should be used for most
applications. Smaller bar sizes can buckle easily and require more
accurately placed ties to ensure the effectiveness of the column design
 In case of a short column subjected to a combined factor axial load (Pf) and
bending moment (Mf), the following strength requirement need to be
satisfied:
Pf ≤ Pr
Mf ≤ Mr
Design of Concrete Columns
Short columns subjected to axial force only
pf
 Estimate the column size using the following equation: Ag 
0.5 f c'
 Assume ρt around 1%
 Determine Ast as Ast = ρt x Ag
 Select the longitudinal reinforcement based on ρt
 Make sure the actual 1%≥ ρt ≤ 4%
 Check Pf < Prmax where Prmax = 0.8 [α1φcf’c (Ag - As) + Astφsfy]
 Check whether the number and spacing of longitudinal bars are within the
prescribed limits
 Design the transverse reinforcement (size, spacing, and arrangement)
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
 A concentrically loaded short column with a square cross section is subjected
to a 4700 kN. Choose adequate dimensions and reinforcement to support this
load. Use 40mm cover, 10M stirrups, and 20mm maximum aggregate size
f’c = 25 MPa & fy = 400 MPa
Solution:
Step 1:
- Estimate column size to support this load;
pf 4700x10^3
Ag  
0.5 f c' 0.5 x 25
Ag  376000mm2 
 b  Ag  613.18mm
Choose dimensions to nearest 50mm. If 650 x 650 is chosen, Ag = 422500mm
This area seems so high compared to 376000. Therefore, lets try 600 x 600,
This chosen area will be confirmed if Prmax > Pf
Ag,choosen = 600 x 600 = 360000 mm2
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
Step 2:
ρt should be assumed between 1% and 4% , take ρt = 1%
As = 600 x 600 x 0.01 = 3600 mm2. Choose bar size 25M (As,bar = 500 mm2)
As,choosen = 500 x 8 = 4000 mm2
ρt,choosen = 4000 / (600x600) = 0.011 > 1.0 %

Step 3:
Calculate the maximum factored axial load resistance (Pmax)
Pro = α1 φc fc’ (Ag - As) + Astφsfy (CI 10.10.4)

Pro = 0.81x0.65x25x(360000 – 4000) + 4000x0.85x400

= 6045.8 kN
Pr,max = 0.80 x Pro = 0.80 x 6045.80 = 4836.70 kN > Pf = 4700
Design of Concrete Columns
If Pr,max seems much greater than Pf , the calculation should be repeated by
reducing the cross sectional area by 50mm units (try not to reduce As since ρt
was selected as the minimum, 1%)
We choose square column 600x600 – Reinforced by 8-25M
Step 4:
The maximum bar spacing between adjacent longitudinal bars is
500mm, and the minimum bar spacing is the greatest of:
- 1.4 x 25 = 35 mm (1.4 x the bar diameter) Govern
- 1.4 x 20 = 28 mm (1.4 x the maximum size of the coarse aggregate)
- 30 mm
Assume the rebar arrangement was chosen as shown,
S = [600 – 2(40 + 10) – 3(25)]/2 = 212.5
Since 35 < 212.50 < 500 okay
Design of Concrete Columns
However since the 212.50 > 150 therefore additional stirrups should be
used (the diamond stirrups is the figure below)
Step 5:
Since 25M bars are used: 0.3 x 25 = 7.5mm stirrup okay to use
10M stirrups

Stirrups spacing:
16 x 25 = 400 mm
48 x 10 = 480 mm
600 (the least lateral dimension of the column)
Use the smallest value of the above, 400mm stirrup spacing
Design of Concrete Columns
Short columns subjected to axial force and bending moment
Interaction Diagram for Concrete Columns

Interaction diagrams for columns

are generally computed by
assuming a series of strain
distributions (various values of e),
each corresponding to a particular
point on the interaction diagram,
then computing the corresponding
values of P and M. Once enough
such points have been computed,
the results are summarized in an
interaction diagram
Design of Concrete Columns
Short columns subjected to axial force and bending moment
Interaction Diagram for Concrete Columns

• Point A represent pure axial compression (Pro)

• Point B corresponds to crushing at one face and zero tension at the other
• Point C corresponds to a balanced failure in which crushing of the concrete and
yielding of the tension steel develop simultaneously
• Point D corresponds to the strain several times the yield strain before the concrete
reaches its crushing strain.
 Assume a value of εs (+0.5εy to -4εy) then draw the strain distribution as shown
below
 The location of the neutral axis and the strain in each level of reinforcement are
computed from the strain distribution
 This information is then used to compute the size of the compression stress block
and the stress in each layer of reinforcement
 The forces in the concrete and the steel layers are computed by multiplying the
stresses by the areas on which they act
 The axial force Pr is computed by summing the individual forces in the concrete
and steel
 The moment Mr is computed by summing the moments of these forces about the
geometric centroid of the cross section
 These values of Pr and Mr represent one point on the interaction diagram
 Design of Concrete Columns
Short columns subjected to axial force and bending moment
Interaction Diagram for Concrete Columns

 For eccentricity ratios, e/ h, greater than 0.2,

a tied column with bars in the faces farthest
from the axis of bending is most efficient
 Even more efficiency can be obtained by
using a rectangular column to increase the
depth perpendicular to the axis of bending
 Tied columns with bars in four faces are
used for e/h ratios of less than about 0.2 and
also when moments exist about both axes
 Many designers prefer this arrangement
because there is less possibility of Interaction diagrams for three columns, each
construction error . with the same fc’ and fy,, the same total steel
area and the same gross area (only differ in
the arrangement of the reinforcement)
Design of Concrete Columns
Short columns subjected to axial force and bending moment
Interaction Diagram for Concrete Columns

Equal amounts of reinforcement in each of the four faces (Tables 7.4.1 to 7.4.20)
Design of Concrete Columns
Short columns subjected to axial force and bending moment
Interaction Diagram for Concrete Columns

• Equal amounts of reinforcement in the two-side faces parallel to the axis of bending
(Tables 7.5.1 to 7.5.20)
• Tables 7.5.1 to 7.5.20 are also used for columns with 4 bars
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
 An eccentrically [75mm] loaded square column subjected to an axial load of
2000 kN, choose adequate dimensions and longitudinal reinforcement to
support this load safely. Concrete cover = 40 mm, 10M stirrups, and
maximum aggregate size = 20 mm
f’c = 25 MPa & fy = 400 MPa

Solution:
Step 1:
- Estimate column size to support this load assuming square column;
pf 2000 x103
Ag  
'
0.5 f c 0.5 x 25

Ag  160000mm2

b Ag  400mm
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
Step 2:
Here you have to guess the bar size in order to select appropriate interaction
diagram. To guess the bar size, use 4%> ρt > 1% as a start point. Note: this is
not the actual ρt, the actual ρt will be calculated later.
As = 400 x 400 x 0.01 = 1600 mm2 Choose 4 bars 25M
Step 3:
- Check the adequacy of section and reinforcement considering the bending
due to eccentricity using interaction diagram
- As mentioned before, the interaction diagrams with reinforcements in both
sides can be used for columns reinforced with 4 bars.
- To determine which diagram to be used we calculate γ using the given f’c
and fy
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
Step 3 – Cont.:
400  2(50  12.5)
- Calculate γ Where;   0.687
400
Since the diagrams have only γ = 0.60 or 0.7 then it is necessarily to interpolate
Use the interaction diagrams to determine ρt
- Get (Pr /Ag) & (Mr /Ag h)
Assume Pr =Pf and Mr = Mf
Pf /Ag = 2000 x 103 / 160000 = 12.50 MPa
Mf = Pf x e = 2000 x 103 x 75 = 150 x106 MPa
Mf /Agh = 150 x106 /(160000*400) = 2.34
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
Step 3 – Cont.:
The interaction diagram for rectangular columns with bars in two end faces only and f’c
= 25 , fy = 400
@ γ = 0.6 ρt= 0.019
@ γ = 0.7 ρt= 0.018
@ γ = 0.687 ρt= 0.018
If the value of ρt computed here exceeded 0.04, a larger section should be used. Also If
the value of ρt was less than 0.01 either use 0.01 or re-compute using smaller section
Select the longitudinal reinforcement
Ast = ρt x Ag = 0.018 x 400 x 400 = 2880 mm2
The assumption made in step 2 was based on 25M bars using interaction tables with bars
in two end faces only. Now this assumption cannot be met as the area of steel is 2880
mm2 which cannot accommodate 4 bars #25. You can now use either 6 bars # 25
(making sure that the two end faces of the bars are appendicular to the direction of the
moment) or use 8#25. However, if you used 8 #25 you have to start from step 3 and use
another tables when calculating γ (tables with an equal number of bars on all four faces)
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
• Use 6 bars # 25 and make sure that the two end faces of the steel are placed
perpendicular to the direction of the moment.
• ρtactual = 3000/(400x400) = 1.87 % 1% < ρt < 4% okay

•(Tables 7.5.2) γ = 0.60 •(Tables 7.5.3) γ = 0.70

• Interaction Diagrams for Rectangular Columns With Bars in Two End Faces Only
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
Step 4:
The maximum spacing between two adjacent enclosed longitudinal bars is 500
mm. Also the maximum spacing for the unenclosed longitudinal bars is 150
mm. The minimum bar spacing is the greatest of:
- 1.4 x 25 = 35 mm (1.4 x the bar diameter) Govern
- 1.4 x 20 = 28 mm (1.4 x the maximum size of the coarse aggregate)
- 30 mm

Check:
Horizontal S = [400 – 2(40 + 10) – 2(25)] = 250
Since 35 < 250 < 500 okay
Vertical S = [400 – 2(40 + 10) – 3(25)]/2 = 112.5 mm
Since 35 < 112.5 < 150 okay
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 1
Step 5:
-Check size of ties 10M confirm [dtie > 0.3 db]
- dtie = 10 mm > 0.30 db = 0.30 x 25 = 7.50 mm
-Design for ties spacing
- 16 x db = 16 x 25 = 400 mm
- 48 x dtie = 48 x 10 = 480 mm
- 400 mm (the least lateral dimension of the compression member)
Choose the smallest value of the previous – Use stirrups 10M @ 400mm
spacing
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 2
 For the column cross section shown below [550 x 550 mm] if the axial
factored load Pf = 1800 kN and bending moment Mf = 325 kN.m, determine
whether the column section is adequate to resist the applied loading.
 Assume 10M stirrups and concrete cover = 30mm
f’c = 30 MPa & fy = 400 MPa
Solution A:
Step 1:
- determine section properties ρg & γ
Ast 4 x700
g    0.00926
Ag 302500
 30 
550  2 30  10  
 .h  2   0.80
  
h 550
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 2
Step 2.:
Use the interaction diagram for
f’c = 30 MPa , fy = 400 MPa, and γ = 0.80

Get (Pr /Ag) & (Mr /Ag h), assuming Pr = Pf & Mr = Mf

Pf /Ag = 1800 x 103 / 302500 = 5.95 MPa

Mf /Agh = 325 x106 /(550 x 550 x 550) = 1.95 MPa

Locate the point on the interaction diagram

It is now clear that this point is located inside the curve of ρg = 0.00926
therefore the provided cross section is adequate to resist the loading.
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 2

However, to find Pr and Mr:

• Draw a line passing by the origin and extended through this point
• Locate the intersection point of that line with ρg = 0.00926 curve
• Find Pr and Mr of this point
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 2
Solution B:
In order for the column to be adequate to resist the loading
Pf ≤ Pr & Mf ≤ Mf
Step 1:

Ast 4 x700
g    0.00926
Ag 302500

 30 
550  2 30  10  
 .h  2   0.80
  
h 550
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 2

Mf 
  325
e  Pf  x103
   1800  0.328
h h 550

Draw a straight line passing through the origin and having a slope of 0.328 with y axis
Pr
Ag
 Mf  Pr .e
 
 A .h 
slope   g  
Ag .h

e
Pr Pr h
Ag Ag M f

Ag .h
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 2
Design of Concrete Columns
Example 2
Pr
 g  0.00926  9
Ag
Pr
Pr  ( ) xAg  Pr  9 x302500  2722.5kN  Pf
Ag
325
M r  Pr xe  M r  2722.5 x  491.56kN.m  M f
1800
Step 3:
-Check size of ties 10M confirm [dtie > 0.3 db]
- dtie = 10 mm > 0.30 db = 0.30 x 30 = 10.0 mm
-Design for ties spacing
- 16 x db = 16 x 29.9 = 478 mm
- 48 x dtie = 48 x 11.3 = 542 mm
- 550 mm (the least lateral dimension of the compression member)
Choose the smallest value of the previous. Use stirrups 10M @ 478 mm