Practical Design to Eurocode 2

Columns
Strain compatibility
Steel (B600)

Stress

Steel (B500)

Concrete (C30/37)

c1 = 0.0022 cu1 = 0.0035

Strain
 Bending with/without Axial
Load Concise Figure 6.3
EC2 Figure 6.1 (1- c2/cu2)h
or
(1- c3/cu3)h B
A s2

d C
h
p p(0)
Ap A
As1

s , p c
 ud  y
0 c2 cu2
c3 
cu3
A reinforcing steel tension strain limit
B concrete compression strain limit
C concrete pure compression strain limit

Minimum eccentricity: e0 = h/30 but  20 mm

Column Design Chart
- Figure 15.5b
Column Design Chart
- Figure 15.5e
Geometric Imperfections
Cl. 5.2 5.5

Deviations in cross-section dimensions are normally taken into account

in the material factors and should not be included in structural analysis
Imperfections need not be considered for SLS
Out-of-plumb is represented by an inclination, i
i = 0 h m where 0 = 1/200
h = 2/l; 2/3  h  1
m = (0.5(1+1/m))
l is the length or height (m) (see 5.2(6))
m is the number of vert. members

For isolated columns in braced systems, m = 1 and

h may be taken as 1
ie i = 0 = 1/200
Effect of Imperfections
Cl. 5.2 (7) & (9) 5.6.2.1

For isolated members

The effect of imperfections may be taken into account in two ways:

a) as an eccentricity, ei = i l0/2
For isolated columns in braced systems, ei = l0/400 may be used.

b) as a transverse force, Hi

Hi = i N for unbraced members

Hi = 2i N for braced members = N/100

Minimum eccentricity: e0 = h/30 but  20 mm cl 6.1(4)

Isolated Members
EC 2: Figure 5.1a Concise: 5.5.2

Braced
Unbraced

ei = i l0/2 For walls and isolated columns ei = l0/400

or
Hi = iN for unbraced members
Hi = 2iN for braced members = N/100
Structures
Figure 5.1b Figure 5.5

i Na
Hi

Nb  i /2
l i
Na
Hi

Nb
 i /2

Bracing System Floor Diaphragm Roof

Hi = i (Nb-Na) Hi = i (Nb+Na)/2 Hi = i Na
Column Design Process
Determine the actions on the column
Determine the effective length, l0
Determine the first order moments
Determine slenderness, 
Determine slenderness limit, lim

Is   lim?
Yes Column is slender
Second order effects
No
Column is not slender, MEd = Max (M02, NEde0)

Calculate As (eg using column chart)

Check detailing requirements

Second Order Effects with Axial Load
EC 2: Cl. 5.8.2, 5.8.3.1 Concise: 5.6.1

Second order effects may be ignored if they are less than 10% of the
corresponding first order effects

Slenderness  = l0/i where i = (I/A)

hence for a rectangular section  = 3.46 l0 / h
for a circular section  = 4 l0 / h

Second order effects may be ignored if the slenderness,  is less than

lim where
lim = 20 A B C/√n

With biaxial bending the slenderness should be checked separately for

each direction and only need be considered in the directions where
lim is exceeded
Slenderness Limit (5.8.3.1)
EC 2: Cl. 5.8.3.1 Concise: 5.6.1.4

lim = 20ABC/n (5.13N)

where:
A = 1 / (1+0,2ef) ef is the effective creep ratio;
(if ef is not known, A = 0.7 may be used)
B = (1 + 2) ω = Asfyd / (Acfcd)
(if  is not known, B = 1.1 may be used)
C = 1.7 - rm rm = M01/M02
(if rm is not known, C = 0.7 may be used)
M01, M02 are first order end moments, including the effect of
imperfections, M02  M01

M02 = Max{|Mtop|;|Mbot|} +ei NEd

M01 = Min {|Mtop|;|Mbot|} +ei NEd
n = NEd / (Acfcd)
Slenderness Limit (5.8.3.1)
Cl. 5.8.3.1 5.6.1.4

C = 1.7 - rm rm = M01/M02

Note:

In the following cases, rm should be taken as 1.0 (i.e. C= 0.7)

• for braced members in which the first order moments arise only
from or predominantly due to imperfections or transverse loading

• For unbraced members in general

Factor C

100 kNm 100 kNm 100 kNm

-100 kNm 100 kNm

rm = M01/ M02 rm = M01/ M02 rm = M01/ M02

= 0 / 100 = -100 / 100 = 100 / 100
=0 = -1 =1
C = 1.7 – 0 C = 1.7 + 1 C = 1.7 – 1
= 1.7 = 2.7 = 0.7
Different Column End Restraints
EC 2: Figure 5.7, 5.8.3.2 Concise: Figure 5.6, 5.6.1.2

 = l0/i


l


M

f) g)
l0 = l l0 = 2l l0 = 0.7l l0 = l / 2 l0 = l l /2 <l0< l l0 > 2l

 k1   k2 
Braced members: l0 = 0.5l  1     1  
 0,45  k1   0,45  k 2 
Fig f)
 k1  k 2  k1   k2  
l
Unbraced members: 0 = lmax  1  10  ;  1    
 1 k   1 k 1   
Fig g) 
 k 1  k 2  1   2  
k = ( / M) (E / l)
Typical Column Effective
EC 2: PD 6687 Cl.2.10 Concise: -

Non failing
column From PD 6687
The contribution of ‘non failing’
End 1 columns to the joint stiffness may be
Failing column ignored

End 2
For beams /M may be taken as l/2EI
(allowing for cracking in the beams)
Non failing
column

Assuming that the beams are symmetrical about the column and their
sizes are the same in the two storeys shown, then:
k1 = k2 = EI`/`lcol / 2EI / lbeams
= EI /`lcol / 2 x 2EI / lbeams ≥ 0.1
Although not stated effective lengths can be used?
Typical Column Effective Length
EC 2: - Concise: -

lo = Fl

l is clear height

Conservative to
use the method in
BS 8110 – Table
3.19
2nd order effects – Slender columns
Methods of analysis
EC 2: Cl 5.8.5, cl 5.8.8 Concise: 5.6.2.1

The methods of analysis include a general method. Based

on non-linear second order analysis and the following two
simplified methods:
• Method based on nominal stiffness
• Method based on nominal curvature
This method is primarily suitable for isolated members with
constant normal force and defined effective length. The
method gives a nominal second order moment based on a
deflection, which in turn is based on the effective length and
an estimated maximum curvature.
Nominal Curvature Method
EC 2: Cl. 5.8.8.2 Concise: 5.6.2.2

MEd = M0Ed+ M2
M0Ed = Equivalent first order moment including the effect
of imperfections [At about mid-height]. May be
taken as = M0e
M0e = (0.6 M02 + 0.4 M01) ≥ 0.4M02
HOWEVER, this is only the mid-height moment - the two
end moments should be considered too. PD 6687
advises for braced structures:
MEd = MAX{M0e+M2; M02; M01+0.5M2} ≥ e0NEd
M02 = Max{|Mtop|;|Mbot|} +ei NEd
M01 = Min {|Mtop|;|Mbot|} + ei NEd
M2 = nominal 2nd order moment in slender columns = NEde2
Moments in Slender Columns

2nd Order Combination

moments Combination of moments
of moments

2nd Order
1st Order moments
moments
1st Order
moments

Typical braced column Typical unbraced column

Nominal Curvature Method
- Figure 5.10
Second order moment
Cl. 5.8.8 5.6.2.2

M2 = NEd e2
e2 = (1/r)l02/2

1/r = KrK/r0 where 1/r0 = yd /(0.45d)

Kr = (nu –n)/(nu-nbal)  1

K = 1 + ef  1

 = 0.35 + fck /200 – λ /150

Biaxial Bending
Cl. 5.8.9 5.6.3

a a
 MEdz   MEdy 
      1,0
 MRdz   MRdy 

For rectangular cross-sections

NEd/NRd 0.1 0.7 1.0
a 1.0 1.5 2.0
where NRd = Acfcd + Asfyd

For circular cross-sections a = 2.0

Biaxial bending for rectangular
column
NRd
a=2

NEd
a = 1.5

a=1

MEdz
MEdy
Columns (1)
(9.5.2)
• h  4b
• min  12
• As,min = 0,10NEd/fyd but  0,002 Ac

• As,max = 0.04 Ac (0,08Ac at laps)

• Minimum number of bars in a circular column is 4.

• Where direction of longitudinal bars changes more than

1:12 the spacing of transverse reinforcement should be
calculated.
Columns (2)
(9.5.3)  150mm

scl,tmax

 150mm

• scl,tmax = min {20 min; b ; 400mm}

• scl,tmax should be reduced by a factor 0,6:

– in sections within h above or below a beam
or slab
– near lapped joints where  > 14.
A min of 3 bars is required in lap length
scl,tmax = min {12 min; 0.6b ; 240mm}
Worked Example

The structural grid is 7.5 m in each direction

Worked Examples to EC2 - Example 5.1

38.5 kN.m

38.5 kN.m
Solution – effective length

Using PD 6687 method

Clear span is 4000 – 250 = 3750 mm
EI c 300 4 12
Lc 3750
k    0.14
2EI b 2  3750  250 3 12
 L 7500
Take ‘beam’ width as,
b
say, half the bay width
From Table 4 of How to…Columns

F = 0.62  lo = 0.62 x 3.750 = 2.33 m

Check slenderness:
 = 3.46 lo/h = 3.46 x 2.33 / 0.3 = 26.8
Column moments
First order moments
M02 = M + eiNEd
ei = l0/400 = 2300/400 = 5.8 mm
M02 = 38.5 + 0.0058 x 1620
= 47.9 kNm

M01 = 38.5 + 0.0058 x 1620

= 47.9 kNm


Slenderness
A = 0.7 (use default value)
B = 1.1 (use default value)
C = 1.7 – rm = 1.7 – M01/M02 = 1.7 – (-47.9/47.9) = 2.70
n = NEd/Acfcd = 1620 x 1000/(3002 x 0.85 x 30/1.5) = 1.06

λlim = 20 ABC/√n
= 20 x 0.7 x 1.1 x 2.7/√1.06 = 40.4
λlim > λ (26.8) ...column is not slender  M2 = 0
Column moments
Design moments

MEd = Max { M02, e0NEd}

e0 = Max[h/30,20mm] = Max[300/30,20mm] = 20 mm
MEd = Max { 47.9, 0.02 x 1620} = Max { 47.9 , 32.4}
MEd = 47.9 kN.m
Solution – determine As
d2 = cnom + link + ϕ/2 = 25 + 8 +16 = 49 mm
d2/h = 49/300 = 0.163
Column design charts – interpolate between d2/h = 0.15 and 0.20

MEd/(bh2fck) = 47.9 x 106/(3003 x 30) = 0.059

NEd/(bhfck) = 1620 x 1000/(3002 x 30) = 0.60

Charts are for symmetrically reinforced columns

where bars are in the corners.

See concise 15.9.3 for method where bars are not

concentrated in the corners
Interaction Chart

Asfyk/bhfck

0.22
Interaction Chart

Asfyk/bhfck

0.24
Solution – determine As
Interpolating:
Asfyk/(bhfck) = 0.23
As = 0.23 x 3002 x 30/500 = 1242 mm2
Try 4 H25 (1964 mm2) (note 4 H20 is 1260 mm2)
Workshop Problem
Design column C2
between ground and first
floors for bending about
axis parallel to line 2.

Assume the following:

•Axial load: 7146kN
•Top Moment: 95.7kN.m
•Nominal cover:35mm
•Pinned base
•Bay width is 6.0 m
•Elastic modulus is the
same for column and slab
 Solution - effective length

Using PD 6687 method

Clear span is 4500 – 300 = 4200 mm
EI c 500 4 12
Lc 4200
k    0.41
2EI b 2  3000  300 12 2  3000  300 3 12
3

 L 8600

9600
b

From Table 4 of How to…Columns

Take ‘beam’
width as, say,
half the bay
width

F = 0.86  lo = 0.86 x 4.2 = 3.612 m

Check slenderness:
 = 3.46 lo/h = 3.46 x 3.612 /0.5 = 25.0
Column moments
First order moments
M02 = M + eiNEd
ei = l0/400 =3612/400 = 9.0 mm
M02 = 95.7 + 0.0090 x 7146
= 160.0 ≥ 142.9 kNm
M01 = 0 kNm (pinned base)
Slenderness
A = 0.7 (use default value)
B = 1.1 (use default value)
C = 1.7 – rm = 1.7 – M01/M02 = 1.7 – (0/160.0) = 1.7
n = NEd/Acfcd = 7146 x 1000/(5002 x 0.85 x 50/1.5) = 1.01

λlim = 20 ABC/√n
= 20 x 0.7 x 1.1 x 1.7/√1.01 = 26.1
λlim > λ (25.0) ...column is not slender  M2 = 0
Column moments
Design moments

MEd = Max { M02, e0NEd}

e0 = Max[h/30,20mm] = Max[500/30,20mm] = 20 mm
MEd = Max { 160.0, 0.02 x 7146} = Max { 160.0 , 142.9}
MEd = 160.0 kN.m
Solution – determine As

d2 = cnom + link + ϕ/2 = 35 + 8 + 16 = 59 mm

d2/h = 59/500 = 0.118

MEd/(bh2fck) = 160.0 x 106/(5003 x 50) = 0.026

NEd/(bhfck) = 7146 x 1000/(5002 x 50) = 0.57
Interaction Chart

hf ck
/b
fy
k
As

0.09
Solution – determine As

Asfyk/bhfck = 0.09
As = 0.09 x 5002 x 50 / 500 = 2250 mm2
Use 8 H20 (2513 mm2)
Practical Design to Eurocode 2

Fire Design
Fire
Structural Fire Design
Part 1-2, Fig 5.2 Figure 4.2

Scope

Part 1-2 Structural fire design gives several methods for fire engineering
Tabulated data for various elements is given in section 5

Reinforcement cover
Axis distance, a, to centre of bar
a = c + m/2 + l

a Axis
Distance
Eurocode 2: Part 1.2 Structural
Fire Design
• General
• Basis of fire design
• Material properties
• Design procedures
– Simplified and advanced calculation methods
– Shear and torsion 100 Pages
– Spalling
– Joints
– Protective layers
• Tabulated data
• High strength concrete
• Annexes A, B, C, D and E
Chapter 2: Basis of Fire Design

• Requirements:
– Criteria considered are:
“R” Mechanical resistance (load bearing)
“E” Integrity (compartment separation)
“I” Insulation (where required)

“M” Impact resistance (where required)

• Actions - from BS EN 1991-1-2

– Nominal and Parametric Fire Curves
Chapter 2: Basis of Fire Design

• Verification methods Ed,fi  Rd,fi(t)

• Member Analysis Ed,fi = fi Ed

Ed is the design value for normal temperature design
fi is the reduction factor for the fire situation
fi = (Gk + fi Qk.1)/(GGk + Q.1Qk.1) fi is taken as 1 or 2 (= 1 - NA)
Design Procedures

• Tabulated data (Chapter 5)

• Simplified calculation methods
• Advanced calculation method
Which method?
Section 5. Tabulated Data
Cl. 5.1 -

Provides design solutions for the standard fire exposure up to 4

hours

• The tables have been developed on an empirical basis

confirmed by experience and theoretical evaluation of tests
• Values are given for normal weight concrete made with siliceous
aggregates
• For calcareous or lightweight aggregates minimum dimension
may be reduced by 10%
• No further checks are required for shear, torsion or anchorage

• No further checks are required for spalling up to an axis

distance of 70 mm
• For HSC (> C50/60) the minimum cross section dimension should
be increased
Elements
• Approach for Beams and Slabs very similar
– Separate tables for continuous members
– One way, two way spanning and flat slabs
treated separately

• Columns depend on load and slenderness

• Walls depend on exposure conditions

Continuous Beams
EC 2: Table 5.6 Concise: Table 4.6
Flat Slabs
1992-1-2 Table 5.9 Table 4.8
Columns Tabular Approach
Columns more Tricky!
• Two approaches
• Only for braced structures
• Unbraced structures – columns
can be considered braced if
there are columns outside the
fire zone
Columns: Method A
EC 2: Table 5.2a Concise: Table 4.4A

The minimum
dimensions are
larger than
BS 8110

μfi = NEd,fi/ NRd = Gk + ψ1,1 Qk,1/(1.35Gk + 1.5 Qk) Conservatively 0.7

where NEd,fi is the design axial load in the fire condition
NRd is the design axial resistance at normal temperature
Limitations to Table 5.2a
Limitations to Method A:

• Effective length of the column under fire conditions l0,fi

<= 3m.
• First order eccentricity under fire conditions: e = M0Ed,fi /
N0Ed,fi <= emax = 0.15 h
• Amount of reinforcement: As < 0.04 Ac
Columns: Method B
Limitations to Table 5.2b
• l/h (or l/b)  17.3 for rectangular column (fi  30)

• First order eccentricity under fire conditions:

e/b = M0Ed,fi /b N0Ed,fi  0.25 with emax= 100 mm

• Amount of reinforcement,  = As fyd / Ac fcd  1

For other values of these parameters see Annex C

Spalling
• EC2 distinguishes between explosive spalling that can occur
in concrete under compressive conditions, such as in
columns, and the concrete falling off the soffit in the
tension zones of beams and slabs.
• Explosive spalling occurs early on in the fire exposure and is
mainly caused by the expansion of the water/steam particles
trapped in the matrix of the concrete. The denser the
concrete. the greater the explosive force.
 Unlikely if moisture content is less than 3% (NDP) by
weight
 Tabular data OK for axis distance up to 70 mm

• Falling off of concrete occurs in the latter stage of fire

exposure
High Strength Concrete -
Tabulated Data
Minimum cross section should be increased:

• For walls and slabs exposed on one side only by:

For Class 1: 0.1a for C55/67 to C60/75
For Class 2: 0.3a for C70/85 to C80/95

• For all other structural members by:

For Class 1: 0.2a for C55/67 to C60/75
For Class 2: 0.6a for C70/85 to C80/95

Axis distance, a, increased by factor:

For Class 1: 1.1 for C55/67 to C60/75
For Class 2: 1.3 for C70/85 to C80/95
High Strength Concrete -
Spalling

• For C 55/67 to C 80/95 the rules for normal strength concrete

apply. provided that the maximum content of silica fume is less
than 6% by weight.

• For C 80/95 to C 90/105 there is a risk of spalling and at least

one of the following should be provided (NA):

Method A: A reinforcement mesh

Method B: A type of concrete which resists spalling

Method C: Protective layers which prevent spalling

Method D: monofilament polypropylene fibres.

Other Methods

• Simplified calculation method for beams, slabs

and columns
• Full Non-linear temperature dependent ……..

• But all of these must have the caveat that they

are unproven for shear and torsion.
Annex E: Simplified Calculation
Method for Beams and Slabs
M Rd1,fi
M Rd2,fi

MEd,fi = wEd,fileff / 8

1
M Rd,fi,Span

1 - Free moment diagram for UDL under fire conditions

• MRd,fi,Span = (s /s,fi ) ks() MEd (As,prov /As,req)

• MRd,fi,Support = (s /s,fi ) MEd (As,prov /As,req) (d-a)/d
Where a is the required bottom axis distance given in Section 5
As,prov /As,req should not be taken greater than 1.3
500°C Isotherm Method

Ignore concrete > 500°C

Zone Method

Divide concrete into zones and work out average

temperature of each zone, to calculate strength
Worked Example
• NEd=1824kN
• Myy,Ed=78.5kNm
• Mzz,Ed=76.8kNm
• 2 hour fire resistance
required
• External, but no de-icing
salts
• fck = 30MPa
Worked Example
Cover:
cmin,b = diameter of bar (assume 25mm bars with 8mm links)
cmin,dur = (XC3/XC4) 25mm
say Δcdev = 10mm
cnom (to main bars) = max{(25+10),(25+8+10)} = 43mm
Use cnom = 35mm to links
Worked Example
Check fire resistance of R120 to Method A
eccentricity e < 0.15b
e = MEd/NEd = 78.5x103/1824 = 43mm
0.15 x 350 = 52.5mm  OK
Assume 8 bars  OK
l0,fi = 0.7l = 2.8m < 3m  OK
From Table 5.2a: min dimensions = 350/57
Column is 350mm, axis distance = 57mm
Check cover – 35mm + 8 (link) + /2 = 55.5mm
 Increase nominal cover to 40mm.