Combined Axial Force and Biaxial Bending Interaction Diagram – Square Reinforced Concrete Column (ACI

318-14)
Combined Axial Force and Biaxial Bending Interaction Diagram - Square Reinforced Concrete Column (ACI
318-14)

Biaxial bending of columns occurs when the loading causes bending simultaneously about both principal axes. The
commonly encountered case of such loading occurs in corner columns. Corner and other columns exposed to known
moments about each axis simultaneously should be designed for biaxial bending and axial load.

A uniaxial interaction diagram defines the load-moment strength along a single plane of a section under an axial load
P and a uniaxial moment M. the biaxial bending resistance of an axially loaded column can be represented
schematically as a surface formed by a series of uniaxial interaction curves drawn radially from the P axis. Data for
these intermediate curves are obtained by varying the angle of the neutral axis (for assumed strain configurations)
with respect to the major axes.

The difficulty associated with the determination of the strength of reinforced columns subjected to combined axial
load and biaxial bending is primarily an arithmetic one. The bending resistance of an axially loaded column about a
particular skewed axis is determined through iterations involving simple but lengthy calculations. These extensive
calculations are compounded when optimization of the reinforcement or cross-section is sought.

This example demonstrates the determination of the design axial load capacity, φPn, and the design φMnx and φMny
moments corresponding to the following case: The neutral axis position crosses the vertical axis of symmetry of the
section (y-axis) at 10 in. below the top of the section, at an angle of 30º counterclockwise from the x-axis of the cross
section. The figure below shows the reinforced concrete square column cross section in consideration. We will
compare the calculated values of the column axial strength and biaxial bending strength with the values from the
reference and the exact values from spColumn engineering software program from StructurePoint. The steps to
develop the three-dimensional failure surface (interaction diagram) using spColumn will be shown in detail as well.

Figure 1 – Reinforced Concrete Column Cross-Section

Version: May-05-2020
Contents
1. Concrete Column Biaxial Strength Calculations ...................................................................................................... 5
1.1. Location of Neutral Axis and Concrete Compression Force ............................................................................. 6
1.2. Strains and Forces Determination in Reinforcement Layers ............................................................................. 7
1.3. Calculation of Pn, Mnx and Mny ......................................................................................................................... 8
2. Column Biaxial Bending Interaction Diagram – spColumn Software ..................................................................... 9
3. Summary and Comparison of Design Results ........................................................................................................ 21
4. Conclusions & Observations .................................................................................................................................. 22

Version: May-05-2020
Code

Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-14) and Commentary (ACI 318R-14)

Reference

Reinforced Concrete Mechanics and Design, 7th Edition, 2016, James Wight, Pearson, Example 11-5

Notes on ACI 318-11 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, Twelfth Edition, 2013 Portland
Cement Association

spColumn Engineering Software Program Manual v6.50, StructurePoint, 2019

Design Data

fc’ = 4000 psi

fy = 60000 psi

Cover = 2.4 in.

Column dimensions and reinforcement locations are shown in following figure.

Figure 2 – Reinforced Concrete Column Cross-Section and Reinforcement Locations

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Solution
In a reinforced concrete column, the determination of the nominal axial load capacity, Pn, and the nominal Mnx and
Mny moments involves a trial-and-error process for calculating the neutral axis depth and angle α. The reference
provided the neutral axis depth and angle as an input (The neutral axis position crosses the vertical axis of symmetry
of the section at 10 in. leading to c = 12.66 in. and an angle of α = 30.0º) for illustration.

The steps to calculate biaxial flexural strength of a reinforced concrete column for a given nominal axial strength
and moment ratio of biaxial bending moments is discussed in details in “Combined Axial Force and Biaxial
Bending Interaction Diagram - Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Column (ACI 318-14)” design example.

Figure 3 – Nominal Axial Load and Biaxial Flexural Strength Calculation Methods for a Reinforced
Concrete Column.

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1. Concrete Column Biaxial Strength Calculations

Figure 4 – Strains, Forces, and Moment Arms Diagram

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1.1. Location of Neutral Axis and Concrete Compression Force

The trial-and-error process for calculating the neutral axis depth and angle α is not required in this example
since these values are given by the reference (c = 12.66 in. and α = 30.0o). Where c is the distance from the
fiber of maximum compressive strain to the neutral axis and α is the angle of the neutral axis.
ACI 318-14 (22.2.2.4.2)

fy 60
y = = = 0.00207
Es 29, 000

 cu 0.003
 s 5 = ( c − d5 )  = (12.66 − 18.578)  = −0.00140 (Tension) <  y → reinforcement has not yielded
c 12.66

  = 0.65 ACI 318-14 (Table 21.2.2)

a = 1  c = 0.85  12.66 = 10.761 in. ACI 318-14 (22.2.2.4.1)

 cu = 0.003 ACI 318-14 (22.2.2.1)

Where:

a = Depth of equivalent rectangular stress block ACI 318-14 (Table 22.2.2.4.3)

0.05  ( f c'  4000 ) 0.05  ( 4000 − 4000 )

1 = 0.85 − = 0.85 − = 0.85 ACI 318-14 (Table 22.2.2.4.3)
1000 1000

Cc = 0.85  f c'  Acomp = 0.85  4000 124.88 = 424.59 kip (Compression) ACI 318-14 (22.2.2.4.1)

Where (see the following figure):

1 
Acomp = A1 + A2 =   9.24  16  + ( 3.19 16 ) = 124.88 in.2
2 

 A  x + A2  x2   73.84  5.33 + 51.04  8.00 

x =  1 1  − 8.00 =   − 8.00 = −1.58 in.
 A1 + A2   73.84 + 51.04 

 A  y + A2  y2   73.84  6.153 + 51.04 18.825 

y =  1 1  − 4.42 =   − 4.42 = 3.64 in.
 A1 + A2   73.84 + 51.04 

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 Figure 5 – Cracked Concrete Column Section Centroid Calculations

1.2. Strains and Forces Determination in Reinforcement Layers

The following shows the calculations of forces in the reinforcement layers with the extreme tension (at bar 5)
and extreme compression (at bar 1) strains. The calculations for the rest of layers are shown the table at the
end of this section.

For extreme tension reinforcement layer (at bar 5):

 s 5 = −0.00140 (Tension) <  y → reinforcement has not yielded

 f s 5 =  s 5  Es = −0.00140  29000000 = −40669 psi

Fs 5 = f s 5  As 5 = −40669  (1 0.79 ) = −32.13 kip (Tension)

For extreme compression reinforcement layer (at bar 1):

 cu 0.003
 s1 = ( c − d1 )  = (12.66 − 3.278)  = 0.00222 (Compression) >  y → reinforcement has yielded
c 12.66

 f s1 = f y = 60000 psi

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 The area of the reinforcement in this layer is included in the area used to compute Cc (a = 10.76 in. > d1 = 3.28
in.). As a result, it is necessary to subtract 0.85fc’ from fs1 before computing Fs1:

Fs1 = f s1  As1 = ( 60000 − 0.85  4000 )  (1 0.79 ) = 44.71 kip (Compression)

The same procedure shown above can be repeated to calculate the forces in the remaining reinforcement
locations, results are summarized in the following table:

Table 1 - Strains, internal force resultants and Moments

d, ε, fs , Fs, Cc, Moment arm (x), My, Moment arm (y), Mx,
Location
in. in./in. psi kip kip in. kip-ft in. kip-ft
Concrete --- 0.00300 --- --- 424.59 1.58 55.90 3.64 128.79
Bar 1 3.278 0.00222 60000 44.71* --- 2.4 20.87 2.4 20.87
Bar 2 6.078 0.00156 45232 33.05* --- 8.0 0.00 2.4 15.42
Bar 3 8.878 0.00090 25990 17.85* --- 13.6 -8.33 2.4 8.33
Bar 4 13.728 -0.00025 -7339 -5.8 --- 13.6 2.71 8.0 0.00
Bar 5 18.578 -0.00140 -40669 -32.13 --- 13.6 14.99 13.6 14.99
Bar 6 15.778 -0.00074 -21427 -16.93 --- 8.0 0.00 13.6 7.90
Bar 7 12.978 -0.00008 -2185 -1.73 --- 2.4 -0.81 13.6 0.81
Bar 8 8.128 0.00107 31144 21.92* --- 2.4 10.23 8.0 0.00

Axial Force and Biaxial Pn, kip 485.54 Mny, kip-ft 95.56 Mnx, kip-ft 197.11
Bending Moments Capacities ϕPn, kip 315.60 ϕMny, kip-ft 62.12 ϕMnx, kip-ft 128.12
*
The area of the reinforcement in this layer has been included in the area used to compute Cc. As a result, 0.85fc’ is subtracted from fs in the
computation of Fs.

1.3. Calculation of Pn, Mnx and Mny

Pn = Cc +  Fs (+) = Compression (-) = Tension

 Pn =   Pn = 0.65  Pn

b  n =10  b 
M ny = Cc   − x c  +   Fsi   − xi   (+) = Counter Clockwise (-) = Clockwise
2  i =1  2 

 M ny =   M ny = 0.65  M ny

h  n =10  h 
M nx = Cc   − y c  +   Fsi   − yi   (+) = Counter Clockwise (-) = Clockwise
2  i =1  2 

 M nx =   M nx = 0.65  M nx

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2. Column Biaxial Bending Interaction Diagram – spColumn Software

spColumn program performs the analysis of the reinforced concrete section conforming to the provisions of the
Strength Design Method and Unified Design Provisions with all conditions of strength satisfying the applicable
conditions of equilibrium and strain compatibility. For this column section, we ran in investigation mode with
“biaxial” option for “Run Axis” using the ACI 318-14.

For biaxial runs, the values of maximum compressive axial load capacity and maximum tensile load capacity are
computed. These two values set the range within which the moment capacities are computed for a predetermined
number of axial load values. For each level of axial load, the section is rotated in 10-degree increments from 0
degrees to 360 degrees and the Mx and My moment capacities are computed. Thus, for each level of axial load,
an Mx-My contour is developed. Repeating this for the entire range of axial loads, the three-dimensional failure
surface is computed. A three-dimensional visualization of the resulting entire nominal and factored failure surface
is provided to support enhanced understanding of the section capacity.

The “biaxial” feature allows the user to investigate the P-M interaction diagrams, the Mx-My moment contour
plots, as well as the 3D failure surface for even the most irregular column and shear wall sections quickly, simply,
and accurately.

In lieu of using program shortcuts, spColumn model editor was used to place the reinforcement and define the
cover to illustrate handling of irregular shapes and unusual bar arrangement.

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Figure 6 – Generating spColumn Model

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Figure 7 – spColumn Model Editor (spSection)

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Figure 8 – Column Section Interaction Diagram at 26º (spColumn)

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Two factored loads are applied to locate the nominal (point 1) and design (point 2)
capacities of the section. In both points, the capacity ratio is calculated based on the
design capacity causing point 1 to show 54% beyond design capacity.

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3. Summary and Comparison of Design Results

Table 2 - Comparison of Results

Parameter Reference Hand spColumn
c, in. 12.66 12.66 12.64
d5, in. 18.58 18.58 18.58
εs5, in./in. 0.00140 0.00140 0.00141
φPn, kip 315.0 315.6 314.7
φMnx, kip-ft 128.3 128.1 128.2
φMny, kip-ft 62.3 62.1 62.2

In all of the hand calculations and the reference used illustrated above, the results are in precise agreement with
the automated exact results obtained from the spColumn program.

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4. Conclusions & Observations

The analysis of the reinforced concrete section performed by spColumn conforms to the provisions of the Strength
Design Method and Unified Design Provisions with all conditions of strength satisfying the applicable conditions
of equilibrium and strain compatibility.

In most building design calculations, such as the examples shown for flat plate or flat slab concrete floor systems,
all building columns may be subjected to biaxial bending (Mx and My) due to lateral effects and unbalanced
moments from both directions of analysis. This requires an investigation of the column P-Mx-My interaction
diagram in two directions simultaneously (axial force interaction with biaxial bending).

This example shows the calculations needed to obtain one point on the three-dimensional failure surface (biaxial
Mx-My interaction diagram). Generating the three-dimensional failure surface (interaction diagram) for a column
section subjected to a combined axial force and biaxial bending moments is tedious and challenging for engineers
and the use of a computer aid can save time and eliminate errors. StucturePoint’s spColumn program can, quickly,
simply and accurately generate the three-dimensional failure surface (interaction diagram) for all commonly
encountered column, beam or wall sections in addition to highly complex and irregular cross-sections.

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 Points calculated in this example

Pn = 485.5 kips
Mnx = 197.1 kips-ft
Mny = 95.6 kips-ft

φPn = 315.6 kips

φMnx = 128.1 kips-ft
φMny = 62.1 kips-ft

Figure 9 – Interaction Diagram in Two Directions (Biaxial) (spColumn)

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The spColumn 2D/3D viewer is a powerful tool especially for investigating interaction diagrams (failure surfaces) for
columns and walls sections subjected to a combined axial force and biaxial bending moments. The viewer allows the
user to view and analyze 2D interaction diagrams and contours along with 3D failure surfaces in a multi viewport
environment. The following figure shows three views of:

1. P-M interaction diagram cut at angle of 26º

2. Mx-My interaction diagram cut at axial load of 314.7 kip in compression

3. A 3D failure surface (interaction diagram showing the points calculated in this example).

Figures (11-12) and (13) show 3D visualization of failure surface with a horizontal and vertical plane cut, respectively.

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Figure 10 – 2D/3D Biaxial Interaction Diagram Viewer (spColumn)

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Figure 11 – 3D Visualization of Failure Surface with a Horizontal Plane Cut at P = 314.7 kip (spColumn)

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Figure 12 – 3D Visualization of Failure Surface with a Horizontal Plane Cut at P = 484.1 kip (spColumn)

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Figure 13 – 3D Visualization of Failure Surface with a Vertical Plane Cut at 26º (spColumn)

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