Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

Column Worked Example (1)

A 300mm square column on the edge of a flat slab structure supports an axial load of 1620KN and first
order moments of 38.5KNm from top and -38.5KNm from bottom in one direction only. The concrete
grade is C30/37 and concrete cover Cnom = 25mm. the 250mm thick flat slab are at 4000mm vertical
centers. The structural grids are 7.5m in each direction. Calculate MEd and As.

Solution

Step1: calculate effective length

250 250
From the given length of column, 𝐿 = 4000 − − = 3750𝑚𝑚
2 2

1 𝐾 2 𝐾
Assume the column is braced and effective length, 𝑙𝑜 = 0.5𝑙√{1 + 0.45+𝐾 } {1 + 0.45+𝐾 }
1 2

K1 and K2 are the relative flexibilities of the top and bottom ends respectively.

∑ 𝐸𝐼 /𝑙
Calculate value of K1 and K2, 𝐾1 = 𝐾2 = ∑ 2𝐸𝐼𝑐 /𝑙𝑐 where 𝑙𝑐 = 3750𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑏 = 7500𝑚𝑚
𝑏 𝑏

Then calculate

3004
𝐼𝑐 = = 6.75 ∗ 108 𝑚𝑚4 𝑎𝑛𝑑
12

3750 ∗ 2503
𝐼𝑏 = = 4.88 ∗ 109 𝑚𝑚4
12

7500
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 3750𝑚𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑏 =
2

𝑎𝑛𝑑 250𝑚𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑏 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠

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Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

(6.75 ∗ 108 )/3750

𝐾1 = 𝐾2 = = 0.14
(2 ∗ 4.88 ∗ 109 )/7500

Then calculate effective length

𝐾1 𝐾2 0.14 0.14
𝑙𝑜 = 0.5𝑙√{1 + } {1 + } = 0.5 ∗ 3750√{1 + } {1 + 0.45+0.14} = 2320𝑚𝑚
0.45+𝐾1 0.45+𝐾2 0.45+0.14

Step 2: calculate the radius of gyration

3004
𝐼 √ ( 12 )
=√ = = 86.6
𝐴 300 ∗ 300

Step 3 calculate the slenderness ration of the column

𝑙𝑜 2320
= = = 26.79
 86.6

Step 4 calculate limiting slenderness

20𝐴𝐵𝐷
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐴 = 0.7, 𝐵 = 1.1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶 = 1.7 − 𝑟𝑚
√𝑛

To calculate the value of 𝑟𝑚 consider the value of eccentricity from imperfections

𝑙𝑜 2320
𝑒𝑖 = = = 5.8𝑚𝑚, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑒𝑖 𝑁𝐸𝑑 = 0.0058 ∗ 1620 = 9.4𝐾𝑁𝑚
400 400

𝑀01 (−38.5 + 9.4)

𝐶 = 1.7 − ( ) = 1.7 − = 2.31
𝑀02 38.5 + 9.4

𝑁𝐸𝑑 1620 ∗ 103

𝑛= = = 1.06
𝐴𝐶 𝑓𝑐𝑑 3002 ∗ 0.85 ∗ 30
1.5

20𝐴𝐵𝐷 2.31
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = = 20 ∗ 0.7 ∗ 1.1 ∗ = 34.5.
√𝑛 √1.06

Since 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 34.5 >  = 26.79 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀2 = 0.

Step 5: Design Moments:

𝑀𝐸𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[𝑀02 , 𝑀0𝐸𝑑 + 𝑀2 , 𝑀01 + 0.5𝑀2 , 𝑀 + 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑒0 ]

0 𝑙 2320
Where: 𝑀02 = 𝑀 + 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑒𝑖 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑀 = 38.5𝐾𝑁𝑚, 𝑒𝑖 = 400 = 400
= 5.8𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝐸𝑑 = 1620𝐾𝑁

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𝑀02 = 38.5 + 1620 ∗ 0.0058 = 47.89𝐾𝑁𝑚

𝑀01 = −38.5 + 1620 ∗ 0.0058 = −28.8𝐾𝑁𝑚

𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 0.6 ∗ 𝑀02 + 0.4 ∗ 𝑀01 ≥ 0.4 ∗ 𝑀02

𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 0.6 ∗ 47.89 + 0.4 ∗ (−28.8) ≥ 0.4 ∗ 47.89

𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 17.2𝐾𝑁𝑚 ≤ 19.12𝐾𝑁𝑚, 𝑠𝑜 𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 19.12𝐾𝑁𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀2 = 0𝐾𝑁𝑚

Minimum moment from accidental eccentricity will be:

ℎ 300
𝑒0 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑒0 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ , 20] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ , 20] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[10, 20] = 20𝑚𝑚
30 30

𝑒0 𝑁𝐸𝑑 = 0.02 ∗ 1620 = 32.4𝐾𝑁𝑚

Finally calculate value of 𝑀𝐸𝑑

𝑀𝐸𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[𝑀02 , 𝑀0𝐸𝑑 + 𝑀2 , 𝑀01 + 0.5𝑀2 , 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑒0 ]

𝑀𝐸𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[47.89, 19.12 + 0, −28.8 + 0, 38.5 + 32.4] = 70.9𝐾𝑁𝑚 … . . 𝐴𝑁𝑆.

Step 6: calculate area of steel depending on design charts for design values of concrete and steel.

Using design charts:

Require d’/h to determine which charts to use

𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 20
𝑑′ = 𝐶𝑛𝑜𝑚 + 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘 + = 25 + 8 + = 43𝑚𝑚
2 2

𝑑′ 43
= = 0.14
ℎ 300

Assuming 4 bars and interpolating for d’/h = 0.1 and d’/h = 0.15 for calculated below parameters.

𝑁𝐸𝑑 1620 ∗ 103 𝑀𝐸𝑑 70.9 ∗ 106

𝑠𝑑 = = = 0.9 𝑎𝑛𝑑  = = = 0.13
𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑑 3002 ∗ 30/1.5 𝑠𝑑 𝑏ℎ2 𝑓𝑐𝑑 3003 ∗ 30/1.5

Read the value of  = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦𝑑 /𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑑 form interaction diagram for d’/h = 0.15 and d’/h = 0.2 then interpolate
for d’/h = 0.163

0.1 = 0.25, 0.15= 0.28, 0.163 =?

From interpolations d’/h = 0.163 we have  = 0.274

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𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦𝑑
= = 0.274 𝑏𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛,
𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑑

0.274 ∗ 𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑑 0.274 ∗ 3002 ∗ 30/1.5

𝐴𝑠 = = = 𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟓𝑚𝑚2 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙.
𝑓𝑦𝑑 500/1.15

𝑻𝒓𝒚 𝒏𝒐. 𝟒 𝟐𝟎 (𝟏𝟐𝟓𝟔𝒎𝒎𝟐 ) is provided area of steel

Step 7: calculate link diameter and spacings

Link or stirrup diameter

1 1
𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ ∗ 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 , 8𝑚𝑚] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ ∗ 20, 8𝑚𝑚] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[5𝑚𝑚, 8𝑚𝑚] = 𝟖𝑚𝑚
4 4

Link spacing:

𝑆 = 𝑚𝑖𝑛 [20 ∗ 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 , min(𝑏, ℎ), 400] = 𝑚𝑖𝑛[20 ∗ 20, min(300,300) , 400] = 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝑚𝑚.

Provide 8mm link at 300mm spacings. 𝟖 𝑪/𝑪 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝒎𝒎.

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Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

Column Worked Example (2)

Column design charts are created to simplify the design of reinforced concrete columns. These
charts are suitable for columns with symmetrical arrangements of reinforcement and they are
produced peculiarly for columns with certain d/h or d’/h ratios.

Fundamentally, columns appropriate to be designed using the charts as aides are assumed to have
reinforcements concentrated at the corners of such columns., but when they are not a
conservative approach should be taken such that d’ becomes the distance from the centroid of
bars in half-section of the column as shown in diagram below.

Although these are very essential charts for the design of symmetrically reinforced column, they
however are not particularly present in Eurocode 2. They can only be found in reference
materials and manuals such as “how to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2”. “Concise
Eurocode” etc.

This article presents a worked example on how to design a column using these charts. The
column that shall be designed is column EF which has been analyzed as a part of a frame using
moment distribution method. The moment in the column has been obtained already and it has
been evaluated to be 11.2KNm. we are left with evaluating the axial load on the column.

The axial load of the column in structural frame may be calculated on the assumption that beams
and slabs transmitting force into the particular column are simply supported. By this, the reaction
from the column can be calculated which in turn serves as the load on the column. The reaction
on the column shall be calculated as follows.

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Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

We shall first provide the frame

structure below for easy
references. By length is 6m and
the height of IH is 4m and that of
HG is 3.5m.

Given cross-section
Lc = 4m, Lb = 6m
bb = bc = 300mm,
hc = 350mm, hb = 600mm
fck = 25MPa, fyk = 500MPa
Concrete cover = 25mm

From basic load distribution technique column EF supports half of the load acting on both beams
BE and EH. Since the load acting on the beam BE and EH are 207.5 and 117.6 respectively.
Then the column reaction is 207.5/2 + 117.6/2 = 162.55KN.

Having calculated the axial load on the column, we can now proceed to write down the loads and
other design parameters necessary for the column design.

Moment on the column M = 11.2KNm

Axial Load on the column N = 162.55KN

Design value of concrete and steel fcd = 16.67MPa and Fyd = 434.78MPa respectively.

Steps in designing the column

1. Check the slenderness of the column.

The slenderness of the column shall be compared against the limiting slenderness, if the
slenderness ratio is greater than the limiting slenderness then the column is declared “slender”.
The column is declared “short or non-slender” if otherwise.

a) Calculate the effective length of the column

Since the column is braced, the effective length (lo) is calculated thus:

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Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

𝐾1 𝐾2
𝑙𝑜 = 0.5𝑙√{1 + } {1 + }
0.45 + 𝐾1 0.45 + 𝐾2

K1 and K2 are the relative flexibilities of the top and bottom ends respectively.

∑ 𝐸𝐼 /𝑙
Calculate value of K1 and K2, 𝐾1 = 𝐾2 = ∑ 2𝐸𝐼𝑐 /𝑙𝑐 where 𝑙𝑐 = 4000𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑏 = 6000𝑚𝑚
𝑏 𝑏

Then calculate

300 ∗ 3503
𝐼𝑐 = = 10.72 ∗ 108 𝑚𝑚4 𝑎𝑛𝑑
12

300 ∗ 6003
𝐼𝑏 = = 5.4 ∗ 109 𝑚𝑚4
12

𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 6000𝑚𝑚 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚

(10.72 ∗ 108 )/4000 268000

𝐾1 = 𝐾2 = 9 9 = = 0.074
2 ∗ 5.4 ∗ 10 2 ∗ 5.4 ∗ 10 1.8 ∗ 106 + 1.8 ∗ 106
6000 + 6000

Then calculate effective length

𝐾1 𝐾2 0.074 0.074
𝑙𝑜 = 0.5𝑙√{1 + } {1 + } = 0.5 ∗ 4000√{1 + } {1 + 0.45+0.074} = 3021.55𝑚𝑚
0.45+𝐾1 0.45+𝐾2 0.45+0.074

b) Calculate the radius of gyration

300 ∗ 3503
𝐼 √( 12 )
=√ = = 101.04
𝐴 300 ∗ 350

c) Calculate the slenderness ration of the column

𝑙𝑜 3021.55
= = = 29.9
 101.04
d) Calculate the limiting slenderness
20𝐴𝐵𝐷
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐴 = 0.7, 𝐵 = 1.1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶 = 0.7
√𝑛
All these assumptions are based on alternative suggestion by the code, check clause 5:8:3:1
𝑁𝐸𝑑 162.55 ∗ 103
𝑛= = = 0.11
𝐴𝐶 𝑓𝑐𝑑 300 ∗ 350 ∗ 0.85 ∗ 25
1.5

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Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

20𝐴𝐵𝐷 0.7
𝑙𝑖𝑚 = = 20 ∗ 0.7 ∗ 1.1 ∗ = 32.5
√𝑛 √0.11
Since 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 32.5 >  = 29.9 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑀2 = 0.

2. Compute the design moment (MEd)

𝑀𝐸𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[𝑀02 , 𝑀0𝐸𝑑 + 𝑀2 , 𝑀01 + 0.5𝑀2 , 𝑀 + 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑒0 ]

Where: 𝑀02 = max{𝑀 + 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑒𝑖 , 𝑀 + 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑒𝑜 } 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑀 = 11.2𝐾𝑁𝑚,

𝑙0 3021.55
𝑒𝑖 = = = 7.55𝑚𝑚 and 𝑁𝐸𝑑 = 162.55𝐾𝑁
400 400

𝑀02 = 11.2 + 162.55 ∗ 0.00755 = 12.43𝐾𝑁𝑚

𝑀01 = 0

𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 0.6 ∗ 𝑀02 + 0.4 ∗ 𝑀01 ≥ 0.4 ∗ 𝑀02

𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 0.6 ∗ 12.43 + 0.4 ∗ (0) ≥ 0.4 ∗ 12.43

𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 7.46𝐾𝑁𝑚 ≥ 4.97𝐾𝑁𝑚, 𝑠𝑜 𝑀0𝐸𝑑 = 7.46𝐾𝑁𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀2 = 0𝐾𝑁𝑚

Minimum moment from accidental eccentricity will be:

ℎ 350
𝑒0 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑒0 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ , 20] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ , 20] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[11.67, 20] = 20𝑚𝑚
30 30

𝑒0 𝑁𝐸𝑑 = 0.02 ∗ 162.55 = 3.25𝐾𝑁𝑚

Finally calculate value of 𝑀𝐸𝑑

𝑀𝐸𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[𝑀02 , 𝑀0𝐸𝑑 + 𝑀2 , 𝑀01 + 0.5𝑀2 , 𝑀 + 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑒0 ]

𝑀𝐸𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[12.43, 7.46 + 0, 0 + 0, 11.2 + 3.25] = 14.45𝐾𝑁𝑚 … . . 𝐴𝑁𝑆.

3. calculate area of steel depending on design charts for design values of concrete and steel.

Using design charts:

Require d’/h to determine which charts to use

𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 20
𝑑′ = 𝐶𝑛𝑜𝑚 + 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘 + = 25 + 8 + = 43𝑚𝑚
2 2

𝑑′ 43
= = 0.12
ℎ 350

Civil Engineering prep. By Mogos T. (MSc. In Structural Engineering)

Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

Assuming 4 bars and interpolating for d’/h = 0.1 and d’/h = 0.15 for calculated below parameters.

𝑁𝐸𝑑 162.5 ∗ 103 𝑀𝐸𝑑 14.45 ∗ 106

𝑠𝑑 = = = 0.09 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑑 = 2 = = 0.02
𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑑 300 ∗ 350 ∗ 25/1.5 𝑏ℎ 𝑓𝑐𝑑 300 ∗ 3502 ∗ 25/1.5

Read the value of  = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦𝑑 /𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑑 form interaction diagram for d’/h = 0.15 and d’/h = 0.2 then interpolate
for d’/h = 0.12

0.1 = 0, 0.15= 0., 0.12=

From interpolations d’/h = 0.12 we have  = 0

𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦𝑑
= = 0 implies no need of providing reinforcements.
𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑑

However, to keep to EC2 directives minimum area of reinforcement shall be provided.

0.1𝑁𝐸𝐷 0.1 ∗ 162.5 ∗ 103

𝐴𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = ≥ 0.002𝐴𝑐 = 37.37𝑚𝑚2 .
𝑓𝑦𝑑 500/1.15

0.002𝐴𝑐 = 0.002 ∗ 300 ∗ 350 = 210𝑚𝑚2 > 37.74𝑚𝑚2 𝑠𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒 210𝑚𝑚2

Civil Engineering prep. By Mogos T. (MSc. In Structural Engineering)

Reinforced concrete-II SLU 2024 Academic Year

𝑻𝒓𝒚 𝒏𝒐. 𝟒 𝟏𝟐 (𝟒𝟓𝟐𝒎𝒎𝟐 ) is provided area of steel

Step 7: calculate link diameter and spacings

Link or stirrup diameter

1 1
𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ ∗ 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 , 8𝑚𝑚] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 [ ∗ 12, 8𝑚𝑚] = 𝑚𝑎𝑥[3𝑚𝑚, 8𝑚𝑚] = 8𝑚𝑚
4 4

Link spacing:

𝑆 = 𝑚𝑖𝑛 [20 ∗ 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 , min(𝑏, ℎ), 400] = 𝑚𝑖𝑛[20 ∗ 12, min(300,350) , 400] = 240𝑚𝑚.

Provide 8mm link at 240mm spacings. 𝟖 𝑪/𝑪 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝒎𝒎.

Civil Engineering prep. By Mogos T. (MSc. In Structural Engineering)