9

Substituting Equation (14) into Equation (13) gives

 0.85 f c   Ag  Dc S f sy f sy
   1 
s s
 
 8.20   Ac  4 Dc S 4

or,
0.41 f c  Ag 
  
s
f sy  A  1 (15)
 c 
The constant in the previous equation is replaced by 0.45 to get the equation given in ACI 9.10.3.

0.45 f c  Ag 
And    1 (16)
s 
f sy  Ac 
Combining equations (14) and (16), the pitch of the spiral S is given as

4 as
S (17)
A   f
0.45 Dc  g  1  c 
 
 Ac   f sy 

Columns Subjected To Pure Axial Tension

The strength under pure axial tension is computed assuming that the section is completely
cracked and subjected to a uniform strain equal to, or less than y . The axial capacity of the
concrete is ignored and the axial strength in tension is given by the following equation.

Pu   As f y (18)

where  is the strength reduction factor for axial tension = 0.90, and As is the area of column
reinforcement.

Design Considerations
Maximum and Minimum Reinforcement Ratios
ACI Code 10.9.1 specifies that a minimum reinforcement ratio of 1 % is to be used in tied or
spirally reinforced columns. This minimum reinforcement is needed to safeguard against any
bending, reduce the effect of shrinkage and creep and enhance ductility of columns. Maximum
reinforcement ratio is limited to 8 % for columns in general to avoid honeycombing of concrete.
For compression member with a cross section larger than required by consideration of loading,
ACI Code 10.8.4 permits the minimum area of steel reinforcement to be based on the gross
sectional area required by analysis. The reduced sectional area is not to be less than one half the
actual cross sectional dimensions. In regions of high seismic risk, ACI Code 10.8.4 is not
applicable.
 10
Minimum Number of Reinforcing Bars
ACI Code 10.9.2 specifies a minimum of four bars within rectangular or circular sections; or one
bar in each corner of the cross section for other shapes and a minimum of six bars in spirally
reinforced columns.
Clear Distance between Reinforcing Bars
ACI Code 7.6.3 and 7.6.4 specify that for tied or spirally reinforced columns, clear distance
between bars, shown in Figure 8, is not to be less than the larger of 1.50 times bar diameter or 4
cm. This is done to ensure free flow of concrete among reinforcing bars. The clear distance
limitations also apply to the clear distance between lap spliced bars and adjacent lap splices since
the maximum number of bars occurs at the splices.

Figure 8: Clear distance between bars

Concrete Protection Cover
ACI Code 7.7.1 specifies that for reinforced columns, the clear concrete cover is not to be taken
less than 4 cm for columns not exposed to weather or in contact with ground. It is essential for
protecting the reinforcement from corrosion or fire hazards.
Minimum Cross Sectional Dimensions
With the 1971 Code, minimum sizes for compression members were eliminated to allow wider
utilization of reinforced concrete compression members in smaller size and lightly loaded
structures, such as low-rise residential and light office buildings. When small sections are used,
there is a greater need for careful workmanship. For practical considerations, column dimensions
are taken as multiples of 5 cm.
Lateral Reinforcement
Ties are effective in restraining the longitudinal bars from buckling out through the surface of the
column, holding the reinforcement cage together during the construction process, confining the
concrete core and when columns are subjected to horizontal forces, they serve as shear
reinforcement. Spirals, on the other hand, serve in addition to these benefits in compensating for
the strength loss due to spalling of the outside concrete shell at ultimate column strength.
 11
Ties
According to ACI Code 7.10.5.1, for longitudinal bars 32 mm or smaller, lateral ties 10 mm in
diameter are used. In our country and in some neighboring countries, ties 8 mm in diameter are
used in column construction.
Tests have proven that spacing between ties has no significant effect on ultimate strength of
columns.
ACI Code 7.10.5.2 specifies that vertical spacing of ties is not to exceed the smallest of:
 16 times longitudinal bar diameter.
 48 times tie diameter.
 Least cross sectional dimension.
ACI Code 7.10.5.3 specifies that ties are arranged in such a way that every corner and alternate
longitudinal bar is to have lateral support provided by the corner of a tie with an included angle of
not more than 135 degrees. Besides, no longitudinal bar is to be farther than 15 cm clear on each
side along the tie from such a laterally supported bar. When longitudinal bars are located around
the perimeter of a circle, circular ties are used. Figure 9.a shows a number of tie and spiral
arrangements.
 12

Figure 9.a: Tie and spiral arrangements

 13
Spirals
According to ACI Code 7.10.4.2 spirals not less than 10 mm in diameter are to be used in cast-in-
place construction. The clear pitch of the spiral is not to be less than 2.5 cm and not more than 7.5
cm as dictated by ACI Code 7.10.4.3. The smaller limit is set to ensure flow of concrete between
spiral hoops while the larger limit is set to ensure effective confinement of concrete core. The
diameter of the spiral could be changed to ensure that the spacing lies within the specified limits.

Bundled Bars
For isolated situations requiring heavy concentration of reinforcement, bundles of standard bar
sizes can save space and reduce congestion for placement and compaction of concrete. Bundling
of parallel reinforcing bars in contact is permitted but only if ties enclose such bundles.
According to ACI Code 7.6.6, groups of parallel reinforcing bars bundled in contact to act as one
unit are limited to four in any one bundle, as shown in Figure 9.b.

Figure 9.b: Bundled bars

Column Reinforcement Details

When column offset are necessary, longitudinal bars may be bent subject to the following
limitations.
1. Slope of the inclined portion of an offset bar with axis of column must not exceed 1 in 6,
shown in Figure 10.
 14

Figure 10: Offset Bars

2. Portion of bar above and below the offset must be parallel to axis of column.
3. Horizontal support at offset bends must be provided by lateral ties, spirals, or parts of the
floor construction. Ties or spirals, if used, shall be placed not more than 15 cm from points of
bend. Horizontal support provided must be designed to resist 1.5 times the horizontal
component of the computed force in the inclined portion of an offset bar.
4. Offset bars must be bent before placement in the forms.
5. When a column face is offset 7.5 cm ,or more, longitudinal column bars parallel to and near
the face must not be offset bent. Separate dowels, lap spliced with the longitudinal bars
adjacent to the offset column faces, must be provided as shown in Figure 11. In some cases, a
column might be offset 7.5 cm or more on some faces, and less than 7.5 cm on the remaining
faces, which could possibly result in some offset bent longitudinal column bars and some
separate dowels being used in the same column.

Figure 11: Separated Dowels

 15
Column Lateral Reinforcement
Ties
In tied reinforced concrete columns, ties must be located at no more than half a tie spacing above
the floor or footing and at no more than half a tie spacing below the lowest horizontal
reinforcement in the slab or drop panel above. If beams or brackets frame from four directions
into a column, ties may be terminated not more than 7.5 cm below the lowest horizontal
reinforcement in the shallowest of such beams or brackets, shown in Figure 12.

(a) (b)
Figure 12: Beams on all column faces
Spirals
Spiral reinforcement must extend from the top of footing or slab in any story to the level of the
lowest horizontal reinforcement in slabs, drop panels, or beams above. If beams or brackets do
not frame into all sides of the column, ties must extend above the top of the spiral to the bottom of
the slab or drop panel, shown in Figure 13.

(a) (b)
Figure 13: Beams on all column faces
 16
Design Procedure for Short Axially Loaded Columns
1. Evaluate the factored axial load Pu acting on the column.

2. Decide on a reinforcement ratio g that satisfies ACI Code limits. Usually a 1 % ratio is
chosen for economic considerations.
3. From equations (8) or (9) for tied and spirally reinforced columns respectively, determine the
gross sectional area Ag of the concrete section.

4. Choose the dimensions of the cross section based on its shape. For rectangular sections, the
ratio of the longer to shorter side is recommended to not exceed 3.
5. Readjust the reinforcement ratio by substituting the actual cross sectional area in Equations
(8) or (9). This ratio has to fall within the specified code limits.
6. Calculate the needed area of longitudinal reinforcement ratio based on the adjusted reinforced
ratio and the chosen concrete dimensions.
7. From reinforcement tables, choose the number and diameters of needed reinforcing bars. For
rectangular sections, a minimum of four bars is needed, while a minimum of six bars is used
for circular columns.
8. Design the lateral reinforcement according to the type of column, either ties or spirals, as
explained in the previous sections of this chapter.
9. Check whether the spacing between longitudinal reinforcing bars satisfies ACI Code
requirements.
10. Draw the designed section showing concrete dimensions and with required longitudinal and
lateral reinforcement.

Example (1):
The cross section of a short axially loaded tied column is shown in Figure 14. It is reinforced with
6 16 mm bars.

Calculate the design load capacity of the cross section. Use f c = 280 kg/cm2 and f y = 4200
kg/cm2.

Figure 14:Column cross section

 17
Solution:
12.10 (100)
g   1.21%
(40) (25)

40  2 4   2 0.80  3 1.60
Clear distance between bars =  12.80 cm
2
Since the clear distance between bars is less than 15 cm, only one tie is required for the cross
section.
The spacing between ties is not to exceed the smallest of
 16 (1.6) = 25.60 cm
 48 (0.80) = 38.40 cm
 25 cm
8 mm ties spaced @ 25 cm (one set, since only corner bars are used).
Thus, ACI requirements regarding reinforcement ratio, clear distance between bars and tie
spacing are all satisfied.
Substituting in Equation (6)

  
Pu  0.52 0.85 f 'c Ag  AS  As f y 
Pu  0.52 / 1000 0.85 280 40  25  12.10   12.10 4200

Pu  148.69 ton

Example (2):
The cross section of a short axially loaded tied column is shown in Figure 14. It is reinforced with
6 16 mm bars.

Calculate the design tensile load capacity of the cross section. Use f c = 280 kg/cm2 and f y =
4200 kg/cm2.

Solution:
 4200 
Pu  As f y  0.90 12.10     45.74 tons
 1000 

Example (3):
Design a short tied column to support a factored concentric load of 80 tons, with one side of the
cross section equals to 25 cm.
Use f c = 280 kg/cm2, f y = 4200 kg/cm2 and g  1%.

Solution:
1- The factored load Pu is given as 80 tons.
 18
2- The reinforcement ratio g is given as 1%.

3- From Equation (8), determine the gross sectional area Ag of the concrete section:


Pu  0.52 Ag 0.85 f ' c  g  f y  0.85 f ' c 
80 ,000  0.52 Ag 0.85 280  0.01 4200  0.85  280

Ag  554.16 cm 2

4- Choose the dimensions of the cross section based on its shape:

h = 554.16/25 = 22.17 cm, use a 25  25 cm cross section.
5- Evaluate the adjusted g by substituting the newly designed gross sectional area Ag in
Equation (8)
Minimum reinforcement of 1 % will be used.
6- Calculate the needed area of longitudinal reinforcement ratio:
As  a Ag = 0.01 (554.16) = 5.54 cm2

7- From reinforcement tables, choose the number and diameters of needed reinforcement:
use 4 14 mm A s  6.16 cm 2 

8- Design the needed ties:

The spacing between ties is not to exceed the smallest of
 16 (1.4) = 22.40 cm
 48 (0.80) = 38.40 cm
 20 cm
Use ties 8 mm spaced @ 20 cm (one set, since only corner bars are used).
9- Check whether the spacing between longitudinal reinforcing bars satisfies ACI Code
requirements:
S clear  25  2 4   2 0.80   2 1.40   12.6 cm  1.5 1.40  cm  4.0 cm

10- The designed cross section together with needed longitudinal and lateral reinforcement
is shown in Figure 15.
 19

Figure 15: Designed cross section

Example (4):
Design a short, spirally reinforced column to support a service dead load of 45 tons and a service
live load of 60 tons.
Use f c = 280 kg/cm2, f y = 4200 kg/cm2.and g  1%.

Solution:
1- Pu  1.20 PD  1.60 PL = 1.20 (45) + 1.6 (60) = 150 tons
2- The reinforcement ratio g is given as 1%.

3- From equation (10.19.b), determine the gross sectional area Ag of the concrete section:

Pu  0.6375 Ag 0.85 f c  g ( f y  0.85 f c)

150 ,000  0.6375 Ag 0.85 280   0.01 4200  0.85  280 

Ag  847.54 cm 2

4- Choose the dimensions of the cross section based on its shape:

D = 32.85 cm, taken as 35 cm in diameter.
5- g is taken as 1 % since smaller values are not allowed by the code.

6- Calculate the needed area of longitudinal reinforcement ratio:

As  g Ag  0.01  / 4 35 2  9.62 cm 2

7- From reinforcement tables, choose the number and diameters of needed reinforcement:
use 7 14 mm ( As  10.78 cm2 )
8- Design the needed spiral:
From Equation (16) and trying 8 mm spiral,

Dc  35  4  4  27 cm
 20
4 as
S
 Ag   f c 
0.45 Dc   1  
A f 
 c   sy 

4 0.50 
S  3.63 cm
  / 4 35 2   280 
0.45 27    1  
  / 4 27 
2
  4200 

taken as 3.50 cm (center-to-center)

S c  3.5  0.80  2.7 cm , i.e within ACI Code limits.

Use 8 mm spiral with a pitch of 3.5 cm, center-to-center.

9- Check whether the spacing between longitudinal reinforcing bars satisfies ACI Code
requirements:
D  = 35 2 (4) 2 (0.80) 1.40 = 24 cm
 51 .43 
S = 2 (12) sin   = 10.41 cm
 2 
S clear  10.41  1.40  9.01 cm  1.5 1.40  cm  4.0 cm

10- The designed cross section together with needed longitudinal and lateral reinforcement
is shown in Figure 16.

Figure 16: Designed cross section