Unit 11: Column

Classification of Columns
• Short Column
• Slender Column
Short Compression Blocks or pedestals – If the height of the column is less than three times its lateral
dimension, it may be considered as short compression blocks or pedestal. Pedestal may be designed without
reinforcement with a maximum design compressive stress equal to 0.85Φf’c where Φ is 0.65(2010 and 2015)
and 0.70(2001). Should the total load applied to the member be larger than 0.85φf’c Ag, it will be necessary
either to enlarge the cross-sectional area of the pedestal or to design it as a reinforced concrete column
Short reinforced concrete columns – Should a reinforced concrete column fail due to initial material failure;
it is classified as a short column. The load that it can support is controlled by the dimensions of the cross
section and the strength of the materials of which it is constructed. We think of a short column as being a
rather stocky member with little flexibility.
Long or slender reinforced concrete columns – As columns become more slender, bending deformations will
increase, as will the resulting secondary moments. If these moments are of such magnitude as to significantly
reduce the axial load capacities of columns, those columns are referred to as being long or slender.

P-Delta Moment
 When a column is subjected to primary moments M, such as those caused by applied loads or joint
rotation, the axis of the member deflects laterally. This deflection causes additional moment applied
to the column, which is equal to the column load times the lateral deflection. This moment is called
secondary moment or P-delta moment. If the secondary moment becomes too large, the column is
said to be long column and it is necessary to design its section for the sum of both primary and
secondary moments. However, the Code permits that columns be designed as short columns if the
secondary or P∆ effect does not reduce their strength by more than 5%.
Types of Column
Plain concrete pedestal - This may be used only if the height does not exceed three times the least lateral
dimension.
Tied columns - A column in which the longitudinal bars are braced with a series of closed ties.
Spiral columns - a column in which the longitudinal bars and concrete core are wrapped with a closely spaced
helix or spiral.
Composite columns - These columns may contain a structural steel shape surrounded by longitudinal bars
with ties or spirals or it may consist of high-strength steel tubing filled with

Axial Load Capacity of Columns

Axial load without moment is not a practical case in design of columns, but the discussion of such case is
necessary for explaining the theory involved in eccentrically loaded columns. For a column subjected purely
by an axial load, the nominal load Pn that it can carry is the sum of the strength of steel which is fyAst and the
strength of concrete 0. 85f’c(Ag-Ast), where Ag-Ast is the net concrete area, or
𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = 0.85𝑓𝑓 ′ 𝑐𝑐 (𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 − 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴) + 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 1
To counter the effect of possible eccentricities, the nominal strength Pn is multiplied by 0.80 for tied columns
and 0.85 for spiral columns. Finally, the ultimate axial load capacity of the column Pu is ΦPn, where Φ is 0.65
for tied columns and 0.75 for spiral columns. (0.7 for tied and 0.75 for spirals based on 2001 NSCP)

Tied Column
The axial load capacity of the tied column is given by
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢 = 𝛷𝛷𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = 𝛷𝛷0.80[0.85𝑓𝑓 ′ 𝑐𝑐 (𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 − 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴) + 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓] − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 2

Limits of Reinforcement for Tied Columns

Ast shall not be less than 0.01Ag and Ast shall not be more than 0.06Ag.
The minimum number of longitudinal bars is 4 for bars within rectangular or circular· ties, 3 for bars within
triangular ties.

Sizes and Spacing of Main Bars and Ties

 Clear distance between longitudinal bars shall be not less than 1.5db nor 40 mm.
 Use 10-mm diameter ties for 32-mm bars or smaller and at least 12 mm in size for 36 mm, 42mm,
58mm and bundled longitudinal bars.
 Vertical spacing of ties shall be the smallest of the following: 16 x db (db =longitudinal bar diameter),
48 x tie diameter and least dimension of the column.
 Ties shall be arranged such that every corner and alternate longitudinal bar shall have lateral support
provided by the corner of the tie with an included angle of not more than 135° and no bar shall be
farther than 150 mm clear on each side along the tie from such a laterally supported bar. Where
longitudinal bars are located around the perimeter of a circle, a complete circular tie is allowed.

Spiral Column
The axial load capacity of spiral column is given by
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢 = 𝛷𝛷𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = 𝛷𝛷0.85[0.85𝑓𝑓 ′ 𝑐𝑐 (𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 − 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴) + 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓] − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 3
Limits of Reinforcement for Spiral Columns
 Ast shall not be less than 0.01Ag and Ast shall not be more than 0.06Ag.
 The minimum number of longitudinal bars is 6.
Sizes and spacing of spirals
 Spiral shall consists of evenly spaced continuous bar or wire of such size and so assembled to permit
handling and placing without distortion from designed dimensions.
 For cast-in-place construction, size of spirals shall not be less than 10 mm.
 Clear spacing between spirals shall not exceed 75 mm, nor less than 25 mm.
 Anchorage of spiral reinforcement shall be provided by 1-1/2 extra turns of spiral bar or wire at each
end of a spiral unit.
 Spiral reinforcement shall be spliced, if needed, by any one of the following methods:
 Lap splices not less than the larger of 300 mm and the length indicated in one of (1) through (5) below:
 (1) deformed uncoated bar or wire-------------------48db
 (2) plain uncoated bar or wire--------------------------72db
 (3) epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire -------------72db
 (4) plain uncoated bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook at ends of lapped spiral
reinforcement----------------------------------------------48db
 (5) epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook at ends of lapped
spiral reinforcement. The hooks shall be embedded within the core confined by the spiral
reinforcement----------------------------------------------48db
 Spirals shall extend from top of footing or slab in any storey to level of lowest horizontal reinforcement
in members supported above.
 Where beams or brackets do not frame into all sides of a column, ties shall attend above termination
of spiral to bottom of slab, drop panel or shear cap.
  In columns with capitals, spirals shall extend to a level at which diameter or width of capital is two
times that of the column.
 Spirals shall be held may in place and true to line.
 Splices of spiral reinforcement shall be lap splices of 48db but not less than 300 mm or welded.
 The percentage of spiral steel ρs is computed from the following equation
𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
𝜌𝜌𝑠𝑠 = − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 4
𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑎𝑎 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝ℎ 𝑠𝑠
4𝑎𝑎𝑠𝑠 (𝐷𝐷𝑐𝑐 − 𝑑𝑑𝑏𝑏 )
𝜌𝜌𝑠𝑠 = − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 5
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑐𝑐 2
 where as is the cross-sectional area of spiral bar, Dc is diameter of the core out to out of the spiral,
and db, is the diameter of the spiral bar.
 The minimum spiral percentage is given by:
𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 𝑓𝑓 ′ 𝑐𝑐
𝜌𝜌𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 0.45 � − 1� − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 6
𝐴𝐴𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦
 where fy is the specified yield strength of spiral reinforcement but not more than 415 MPa.
Economical Column Design
In beams, where 60% to 70% of its section is under tension and assumed to be cracked, a section can
be made economical by making the tension part smaller in area, as in I or T section. In columns where all the
concrete is under compression, savings can be made by using small percentage of longitudinal percentages
(since reinforcing bars are quite expensive). This can be accomplished by "using larger column size and/ or
higher-strength concrete.
If floor space is not a problem, tied columns are more economical than spiral columns particularly if
square or rectangular shapes are used. For multi-story buildings, savings can be achieved by using uniform
column size. This means that a designer may select a column size for the top floor with the least percentage
of steel then continue to use the same size for as many stories as possible by increasing the steel percentage
floor by floor as required. Consistency of column sizes will provide appreciable savings in labor cost.

Composite column
Composite compression members include all such members reinforced longitudinally with structural
steel shapes, pipe, or tubing with or without longitudinal bars. Strength of a composite member is computed
for the same limiting conditions applicable to ordinary reinforced concrete members. Any axial load strength
assigned to concrete of a composite member should be transferred to the concrete by members or brackets
in direct bearing on the composite member concrete. All axial load strength not assigned to concrete of a
composite member should be developed by direct connection to the structural steel shape, pipe, or tube.
 The design axial strength P, of a composite member is:
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢 = 𝛷𝛷𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = 𝛷𝛷0.85[0.85𝑓𝑓 ′ 𝑐𝑐𝐴𝐴𝑐𝑐 + 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 + 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹] − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 7
where 𝛷𝛷 = 0.75 for composite member with spiral reinforcement
𝛷𝛷 = 0.65 for other reinforcement (𝛷𝛷 = 0.70 2001 NSCP)
Ast = area of reinforcing steel of strength fy
Ass = area of structural steel shape of strength Fy
Ac = net concrete area
  For evaluation of slenderness effects, radius of gyration of a composite section should not be greater
than the value given by
𝐸𝐸𝑐𝑐𝐼𝐼𝑔𝑔
+ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
𝑟𝑟 = � 5 − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 8
𝐸𝐸𝑐𝑐𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔
+ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
5
Structural Steel Encased Concrete Core

 For steel pipe filled with concrete in the previous figure a:

𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦
𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝐷𝐷� − − − −Eq. 9
8𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸

For steel tubing filled with concrete in the previous figure b:

𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦 𝑓𝑓𝑦𝑦
𝑡𝑡1𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝑏𝑏1� and 𝑡𝑡2𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝑏𝑏2� − − − −𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 10
3𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 8𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸

Spiral Reinforcement Around Structural Steel Core

 A composite member with spirally reinforced concrete around a structural steel core should conform
to the following:
 Specified compressive strength of concrete f’c should be not less than 17 MPa.
 Design yield strength of structural steel core should be the specified minimum yield strength
for grade of structural steel used but not to exceed 350 MPa.
 Spiral reinforcement should conform to limits of reinforcement for spiral columns
 Longitudinal bars located within the spiral should be not less 0.01 nor more than 0.08 times
net area of concrete section.
 Longitudinal bars located within the spiral may be considered in computing Ast and Isx.

Tied Reinforcement Around Steel Core

A composite member with laterally tied concrete around a structural steel core should conform to the
following:
1. Specified compressive strength of concrete f c should be not less than 17 MPa.
2. Design yield strength of structural steel core should be the specified minimum yield strength for grade of
structural steel used but not to exceed 350 MPa.
3. Lateral ties should extend completely around the structural steel core.
4. Lateral ties should have a diameter not less than 1/50 times the greatest side dimension of composite
member, except that ties should not be smaller than 10 mm and are not required to be larger than 16 mm.
Welded wire fabric of equivalent area is permitted.
5. Vertical spacing of lateral ties should not exceed 16 longitudinal bar diameters, 48 tie bar diameters, or 1/2
times the least dimension of the composite member.
6. Longitudinal bars located within the ties should be not less than 0.01 nor more than 0.08 times net area of
concrete section.
7. A longitudinal bar should 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.
8. Longitudinal bars located within the ties may be considered in computing Ast for strength but not in
computing It for evaluation of slenderness effects.

A square tied column 400 mm on each side is reinforced with 8-25 mm bars with fy=275 MPa. Assuming
fc = 22 MPa, determine the ultimate axial load capacity of this column.
Design a square tied column is to support an axial dead load of 575 kN and an axial live load of 795 kN.
Assume f’c = 27.6 MPa, and fy = 414 MPa. Use 28 mm main bars and 10 mm ties. For calculation Ast =
0.02Ag
 Hint: In the design of column, first we assume value of steel ratio from 1% to 6% of the gross
concrete area. (Ast = 0.01Ag to 0.06Ag).
Calculate the ultimate axial load capacity of a round spiral column having a diameter of 450 mm
reinforced with six 25 mm bars having fy = 276 MPa. Assume f’c = 34 MPa.
Design a spiral column to carry a factored load of 1,570 kN and a factored moment of 20 kN-m. Assume
f’c = 27.6 MPa. Use 22 mm main bars with fy = 345 MPa and 10 mm diameter spiral bar with fy = 276
MPa.
 Calculate the ultimate axial load capacity of the
composite column shown. Assume fc = 21 MPa
and Fy = 250 MPa for the W section.
Properties of Wl4 x 211:
Weight= 315 kg/m
Area = 40,000 mm2
Depth, H = 399 mm
Ix = 1,107 X 106 mm4
ly = 429 x 106 mm4

References:
Books
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Gillesania, D. T. (2013). Simplified Reinforced Concrete Design. Diego Inocencio Tapang Gillesania.
Hassoun, M. N., & Al-Manaseer, A. (2015). Structural Concrete: Theory and Design (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John
Wiley & Sons, Inc.
McCormac, J. C., & Brown, R. H. (2014). Design of reinforced concrete ACI 318-11 code edition (9th ed).
Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Moehle, J. P., & Zeisler, G. M. (2019). Building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318-19),
commentary on building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318R-19) an ACI standard. Farmington
Hills, MI, MI: American Concrete Institute.
National structural code of the Philippines (7th ed., Vol. 1). (2015). Quezon City, Philippines:
Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines.
Nawy, E. G. (2009). Reinforced concrete: A fundamental approach (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Education.
Nilson, A. H., Darwin, D., & Dolan, C. W. (2010). Design of concrete structures (14th ed.). New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill.
Wight, J. K., & MacGregor, J. G. (2012). Reinforced concrete: Mechanics and design. Boston: Pearson.