U ltimate Strength Design

Reinforced Concrete Columns

Reference:
Design of Reinforced Concrete 9th Edition by J.C Mccormac
National Structural Code of the Philippines 2015 Edition
ACI 318-14

REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY
Introduction
What are Columns?

Defined as members that carry loads chiefly in compression. Usually,

columns carry bending moments as well, about one or both axes of the
cross section and the bending action may produce tensile forces over a
part of the cross section. Even in such cases, columns are generally
referred to as compression members, because the compression forces
dominate their behavior.
Introduction
Categories of Columns;

Short Compression Blocks or Pedestals - if the height of an upright compression

member is less than three times its least lateral dimensions, it may be considered
to be pedestal. The Code states that a pedestal may be designed with unreinforced
or plain concrete with a maximum permissible compressive stress. Should the
compressive stress be greater than this value, the pedestal will have to be designed
as a reinforced concrete column.
Introduction
Categories of Columns;

Short Reinforced Concrete Columns - should a reinforced concrete column fail

due to initial material failure, it is classified as a short column. The dimensions of
the cross section and the strength of the materials of which it is constructed
control the load that it can support. A short column can be likened to be a rather
stocky member with little flexibility.
Introduction
Categories of Columns;

Long Reinforced Concrete Columns -should the length of a column be increased,

the chances that it will fail by buckling will be increased. A long column can be
likened to a column with considerable flexibility.
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Tied Columns

If the column has a series of closed ties, it is referred to as a tied column. These ties
are effective in increasing the column strength. They prevent the longitudinal bars
from being displaced under construction and they resist the tendency of the same
bars to buckle outwards under load, which could cause the outer concrete to cover
to break or spall off. Tied columns are ordinarily square or rectangular, but they can
be octagonal, L-shaped and so forth.
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Tied Columns
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Spiral Columns

➢ If a continuous helical spring made from bars or heavy wire is wrapped around
the longitudinal bars, the column is referred to as a spiral column.
➢ Spirals are even more effective than ties in increasing a column’s strength. The
closely spaced spirals do a better job of holding the longitudinal bars in place
and they also confine the concrete inside and greatly increase its resistance to
axial compression.
➢ As the concrete inside the spiral tends to spread out laterally under the
compression load , the spiral that restrains it is put into hoop tension and the
column will not fail until the spiral yields or breaks, permitting the bursting of the
concrete inside.
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Spiral Columns

➢ Spiral columns are normally round, but they can also be made into
rectangular, octagonal or other shapes. For such columns, circular
arrangements of the bars are still used.
➢ Spirals, though adding to the resilience of columns, appreciably increase costs.
As a result, they are usually used only for large heavily loaded columns and for
columns in seismic areas due to their considerable resistance to earthquake
loadings.
➢ Spirals very effectively increase the ductility and toughness of columns, but they
are more expensive than tied columns.
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Spiral Columns
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Composite Columns

There are concrete columns that are reinforced longitudinally by

structural steel shapes, which may or may not be surrounded by
structural steel bars, or they may consist of structural steel tubing filled
with concrete (commonly called lally columns)
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Composite Columns
Types of Reinforced Concrete Compression Members

Composite Columns
Axially Loaded Columns

In members that sustain chiefly or exclusively axial compression loads, it is

economical to make concrete carry most of the loads.

- Still, some steel reinforcement is always provided for various reasons.

➢ For one, very few members are truly axially loaded; steel is essential for resisting
any bending that may exist.

➢ For another, if part of the total load is carried by steel with its much greater
strength, the cross-sectional dimensions of the member can be reduced – the
more so, the larger the amount of reinforcement.
Axially Loaded Columns

In members that sustain chiefly or exclusively axial compression loads, it is

economical to make concrete carry most of the loads.

- Still, some steel reinforcement is always provided for various reasons.

➢ For one, very few members are truly axially loaded; steel is essential for resisting
any bending that may exist.

➢ For another, if part of the total load is carried by steel with its much greater
strength, the cross-sectional dimensions of the member can be reduced – the
more so, the larger the amount of reinforcement.
Axially Loaded Columns

In members that sustain chiefly or exclusively axial compression loads, it is

economical to make concrete carry most of the loads.
Axially Loaded Columns

The axial load capacity of columns can be derived using the equations indicated
below;
Axially Loaded Columns

The axial load capacity of columns can be derived using the equations indicated
below;

- Spiral Columns;

𝑷𝒏 = 0.85 [0.85 𝑓 ′ 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝑓𝑦𝐴𝑠𝑡]

𝑐
- Tied Columns;

𝑷𝒏 = 0.80 [0.85 𝑓 ′ 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝑓𝑦𝐴𝑠𝑡]

𝑐
- Composite Columns;
𝑷𝒏 = 0.85 [0.85 𝑓 ′ 𝐴𝑐 + 𝑓𝑦𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝐹𝑦𝐴𝑆𝑆]
𝑐

Where, 𝑃𝑢 ≤ ∅𝑃𝑛 ∅ = 0.75 → 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑙

∅ = 0.65 → 𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑑
Axially Loaded Columns
- Minimum and Maximum Longitudinal Steel Reinforcements

0.01𝐴𝑔s≤ 𝐴s(actual) < 0.08𝐴𝑔

- Minimum number of longitudinal bars - Tie wire diameter

Axially Loaded Columns
- Ratio of spiral reinforcements shall not be less than the volume given by;

4𝑎𝑠 (𝐷𝑐−𝑑𝑏)
- Where 𝜌𝑠 =
𝑠𝐷𝑐2
s - spiral pitch
𝑑𝑏 - diameter of the spiral bar
𝜌𝑠 - ratio of spiral reinforcement
𝑎𝑠 - cross-sectional area of the spiral bar
𝐷𝑐 - diameter of the core out to out of the spiral
𝐴𝑐 - area of core of spirally reinforced compression member measured to outside of spiral
Axially Loaded Columns
Tie Reinforcement around Structural Steel Core;

➢ longitudinal bars located within the ties shall be permitted to be used in computing 𝐴𝑡 for
strength but not in computing for 𝐼𝑡 for evaluation of slenderness ratio.

➢ specified compressive strength of concrete shall not be less than 17 Mpa

➢ design yield strength of structural steel core shall be the specified minimum yield strength for
grade of structural steel but not to exceed 345 MPa.

➢ Lateral ties shall have a diameter not less than 0.02 times the greatest side dimension of
composite member, except that ties shall not be smaller than 10-mm ϕ and are not required to
be larger than 16-mm ϕ. Welded wire fabric of equivalent area shall be permitted.
Axially Loaded Columns
Tie Reinforcement around Structural Steel Core;

➢ Lateral ties shall extend completely around the structural steel core

➢ Vertical spacing of lateral ties shall not exceed 16 longitudinal bar diameters, 48 tie bar diameters
or the least side dimension of the composite member.

➢ Longitudinal bar located within the ties shall not be less than 0.01 or more than 0.08 times net
area of concrete section.

➢ A longitudinal bar shall be located at every corner of a rectangular cross section, with other
longitudinal bars spaced not farther apart than one-half the least side dimension of the
composite member.
Axially Loaded Columns
Spiral Reinforcement around Structural Steel Core;

➢ longitudinal bars located within the spiral shall be permitted to be used in computing 𝐴𝑡 and 𝐼𝑡.

➢ Specified compressive strength of concrete shall not be less than 17 MPa.

➢ Design yield strength of structural steel core shall be the specified minimum yield strength for
grade of structural steel but not to exceed 345 MPa.

➢ Longitudinal bars located within the spiral shall not be less than 0.01 or more than 0.08 times net
area of concrete section.
 Example 1: TIED COLUMNS
Design a square tied column to support an axial load of 500 kN and an axial live load of 400 kN. Assume
2.5% of longitudinal steel.
𝑓𝑐 = 28.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 420 MPa

1.6
 Example 1: TIED COLUMNS
Design a square tied column to support an axial load of 500 kN and an axial live load of 400 kN. Assume
2.5% of longitudinal steel.
𝑓𝑐 = 28.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 420 MPa
 Example 1: TIED COLUMNS
Design a square tied column to support an axial load of 500 kN and an axial live load of 400 kN. Assume
2.5% of longitudinal steel.
𝑓𝑐 = 28.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 420 MPa

say 270 mm
Note: rounding down of spacing depends on the designer’s discretion
 Example 1: TIED COLUMNS
Design a square tied column to support an axial load of 500 kN and an axial live load of 400 kN. Assume
2.5% of longitudinal steel.
𝑓𝑐 = 28.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 420 MPa

Provide a 275-mm x 275-mm square tied column with 4-22 mm 𝜙 longitudinal bars with 10 mm 𝜙
column ties with 270 mm spacing O.C
 Example 2: SPIRAL COLUMNS
Design a round spiral column to support an axial dead load of 800 kN and an axial live load of 1000 kN.
Assume the longitudinal steel to be 2.0 % of the column gross section.
𝑓𝑐 = 30.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 350 MPa
 Example 2: SPIRAL COLUMNS
Design a round spiral column to support an axial dead load of 800 kN and an axial live load of 1000 kN.
Assume the longitudinal steel to be 2.0 % of the column gross section.
𝑓𝑐 = 30.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 350 MPa
 Example 2: SPIRAL COLUMNS
Design a round spiral column to support an axial dead load of 800 kN and an axial live load of 1000 kN.
Assume the longitudinal steel to be 2.0 % of the column gross section.
𝑓𝑐 = 30.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 350 MPa
 Example 2: SPIRAL COLUMNS
Design a round spiral column to support an axial dead load of 800 kN and an axial live load of 1000 kN.
Assume the longitudinal steel to be 2.0 % of the column gross section.
𝑓𝑐 = 30.0 MPa 𝑓𝑦 = 350 MPa

say 30 mm

Sclear = S – db

= 30 – 10 = 20 mm < 25 mm

*Clear spacing should be at least 25 mm but not greater than 75mm.

*Therefore, providing a 400-mm 𝜙 spiral column with 8-20 mm 𝜙 longitudinal bars with 10 mm 𝜙 for the spiral with
30 mm spacing O.C is incorrect. Redesign to meet the requirements of the code.