BIAXIAL BENDING
For members with a rectangular cross-section, separate checks in the two principal planes are
permissible if the ratio of the corresponding eccentricities satisfies one of the following conditions:
𝑒𝑧 𝑒𝑦
𝑀𝐸𝑑
Either ℎ⁄𝑒𝑦 ≤ 0.2 or 𝑏⁄𝑒𝑧 ≤ 0.2 , where 𝑒 = about each axis
𝑁𝐸𝑑
𝑏 ℎ
Where these conditions are not fulfilled, biaxial bending must be accounted for and EC2 presents an
interaction equation, relating the moments about the two axes to the moment of resistance about the
two axes, which must be satisfied. However, the given formula cannot be used directly to design a
column subject to biaxial bending but rather to check it once designed.
The approximate method based on BS8110 specifies that a column subjected to an ultimate load NEd
and moments Mz and My in the direction of the ZZ and YY axes respectively may be designed for a
single axis bending but with an increased moment and subject to the following conditions.
𝑀𝑧 𝑀𝑦 ′ ℎ′
a) If ′ ≥ ′ , then the increased single axis design moment is 𝑀𝑧 = 𝑀𝑧 + 𝛽 ′ 𝑀𝑦
ℎ 𝑏 𝑏
𝑀𝑧 𝑀𝑦 ′ 𝑏′
b) If ′ < ′ , then the increased single axis design moment is 𝑀𝑦 = 𝑀𝑦 + 𝛽 ′ 𝑀𝑧
ℎ 𝑏 ℎ
𝑁𝐸𝑑
𝛽 =1−
𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑘
The interaction formula that needs to be satisfied is
Example: Design the longitudinal and shear reinforcement for a 300mm square, short braced
column which supports an ultimate axial load of 1250kN and bending moments of 35kNm about the
y-y axis and 25kNm about the Z-Z axis (from elastic analysis). C25/30 concrete and Grade 500 steel
reinforcement is used.
Column input details
Column geometry
Overall depth; h =300 mm
Overall breadth; b = 300 mm
Stability in the y direction; Braced
Stability in the z direction; Braced
Concrete details
Concrete strength class; C25/30
Partial safety factor for concrete (2.4.2.4(1)); C = 1.50
Coefficient cc (3.1.6(1)); cc = 0.85
Maximum aggregate size; dg = 20 mm
Reinforcement details
Nominal cover to links; cnom = 37 mm
Longitudinal bar diameter; = 25mm(assumed)
Link diameter; v = 8 mm(assumed)
Characteristic yield strength; fyk = 500 N/mm2
Partial safety factor for reinft (2.4.2.4(1)); S = 1.15
Axial load and bending moments from frame analysis
Design axial load; NEd = 1250.0 kN
Moment about z axis at top; Mtopz = 25.0 kNm
Moment about z axis at bottom; Mbtmz = 0.0 kNm
Moment about y axis at top; Mtopy = 35.0 kNm
Moment about y axis at bottom; Mbtmy = 0.0 kNm
Calculated column properties
Concrete properties
Area of concrete; Ac = h b = 90000 mm2
Characteristic compression cylinder strength; fck = 25 N/mm2
Design compressive strength (3.1.6(1)); fcd = cc fck / C = 14.2 N/mm2
Design yield strength of reinforcement
Design yield strength (3.2.7(2)); fyd = fyk / S = 434.8 N/mm2
Effective depths of bars for bending about z axis
Layer 1 (in tension face); dz1 = h - cnom - v - / 2 = 239mm
Layer 2; dz2 = dz1 - sy = 61mm
Effective depths of bars for bending about y axis
Layer 1 (in tension face); dy1 = b - cnom - v - / 2 =239mm
Layer 2; dy2 = dy1 - sz = 61mm
Frame analysis moments about y axis combined with moments due to imperfections (cl. 5.2 & 6.1(4))
Eccentricity due to geometric imperfections (y axis); eiy = l0y /400 ≥h/30≥20mm= 20 mm
Design Moment MEd,y=M02+eNEd=35+(0.02*1250)=35+25=60kNm
Design Moment MEd,z=M02+eNEd=25+(0.02*1250)=25+25=50kNm
My Mz
Since h=b, then h'=b', therefore it is evident that >
b' h'
NEd 1250x1000
β = 1- = 1- = 0.44
bhfck 300*300*25
My Mz b'
> ' ; My = My + β ' Mz = 60 + 0.44*50 = 82kNm
b' h h
Chart
Chart ratio =d2/h=61/300=0.203; Use chart for 0.25
NEd 1250000
Axial load ratio = = 0.56
bhfck 300x300x25
MEd 82x106
Bending moment ratio = = 0.12
bh2 fck 300x3002 x25
As fyk
From chart, = 0.52
bhfck
0.52x300x300x25
As = = 2340mm2
500
Provide 4H32 (3217mm2)
As,max = 0.04Ac = 0.04*300*300 = 3600mm2 > As,prov
0.1NEd 0.1*1250*1000
As,min = ≥ 0.002Ac = = 250mm2 > 0.002*300*300 < As,prov
fyd 500
Links
Minimum link size≥32/4,6mm. Take 8mm links.
Vertical spacing of links: S≤12*32≤0.6(300)≤240mm. Take 180mm as maximum spacing.
Biaxial Checks
60000
ey = = 48mm
1250
50000
ez = = 40mm
1250
ey
⁄h 48
ez = 40 = 1.2 > 0.2, biaxial checks are necessary. Use an interaction formula
⁄b
NRd = Ac fcd + As fyd = (300*300*14.2) + (3217*434.8) = 2676.8kN
NEd 1250
= = 0.47; a = 1.31
NRd 2676.8
As fyk 3217*500
= = 0.71
bhfck 300*300*25
MRd
= 0.15
bh2 fck
MRd = 0.15*300*300*300*25 = 101.25kNm
50 1.31 60 1.31
[ ] +[ ] = 0.4 + 0.5 = 0.9 < 1, OKAY
101.25 101.25
