Mn-Pn Diagram and
Design of Column
Prof. Ir. Widodo, MSCE, PhD
Earthquake Engineering Management
Master Program
Analysis of
Short Column
1. Introduction
There are several methods can be used in the design of reinforced con-
crete column. Among of them are :
1. Numerical Method by using equilibrium of forces
2. Graphical method by using Mn-Pn diagram
3. Semi-Analytical method
What method that easily used depend on the point of interest of the de-
signer. Graphical method is very simple and most widely used in the de-
sign practice, however, it contains approximation. Numerical method is a
little bit longer way but it gives more refine result. Semi-analytical method
is very good but it should be written in computer program.
Whatever the used method, the design of the concrete column should
considers the type of failure modes (compression or tension failure) and
check the strain status of the steel reinforcement.
7. Type Failure Modes
hc 1. Balance Condition (Pn = Pnb)
Balance condition is the condition where under
bc As As’ eccentric loading the concrete compression of the
column reaches the ultimate strain at the same
h
time the tension steel is yielded.
d eb According to the side figure, the following rela-
Pnb
tionship can be written,
cb h
cb 8.28)
y y
c c y
c
ab
From Eq. 8 the thickness of balance compres-
sion concrete cb can be defined,
Tsb c
Ccb Csb cb h 8.29)
c y
The internal forces acting in the column will be,
Ccb 0,85. f c . ab . b 8.29.a)
C sb As ( f y 0,85. f c ) 8.29.b)
Tsb As f y 8.29.c)
The equilibrium of forces will be,
Pnb Ccb C sb Tsb 8.30)
The balance moment Mb can be calculated by taking moment to the
plastic centroid or,
ht ht ht
M b Cc 0,5. a C s d ' Ts d 8.31)
2 2 2
The loading eccentricity eb can be found by,
M nb
eb 8.32)
Pnb
hc
Numerical Example :
bc 6D25 Given a concrete column with 40/60 cm size, fc = 25
Mpa, fy = 400 MPa and dp = 25 mm, d = d’ = 6,25 cm.
h
d e Pnb Ad = 0.25.(3.14).2,52 =4,906 cm2
As = 6. 4,906 = 29,452 cm2.
cb
y y According to Eq. 8.29),
c 0,003
ab cb 53,5 0,6069.(53,5) 32,469 cm
0,003 0,001943
ab 0,85.(32,469) 27,598 cm
Ts Cc Cs
32,469 6,25
s ' 0,003 0,00242 0,001943
32,469
The compression steel has yielded
Based on Eq. 8.29)
Ccb 0,85.(255).27,598.(40) 239274,7 kg
Csb 29,452 ( 4080 0,85.255) 113780,4 kg
Tsb 29,452.(4080) 120164,4 kg
Pnb Ccb Csb Tsb 234,465 t
According to EQ.8.31 :
M nb 39,029 27,023 28,539 94,592 tm
Then the eccentricity eb
M nb 94,592
eb 0,4034 m
Pnb 234,465
2) Compression Failure (Pn > Pnb)
Compression failure occur when the axial load of the column is relatively
high and small flexural moment (especially for column at lower stories)
while the size of the column is limited. In this case the required concrete
compression is relatively large so that the compression concrete c is
relatively thick. Compression failure having characteristics :
Pn > Pb, c > cb and e < eb
2) Tension Failure (Pn < Pnb)
Tension failure will occur when the column axial load is relatively small
and the flexural moment is relatively high. This characteristics is usually
occur in the column at the upper stories of the building. Relatively small
area of concrete compression area is required
The tension failure has characteristics
Pn < Pb, c < cb and e > eb
Three types of column failure graphically can be represented by the
following illustration
Balance condition ctf
>y
ccf
y
s cb
’s c
Compression failure
ccf > cb, e < eb , Pn > Pnb Tension failure
ctf < cb, e > eb , Pn < Pnb
8. The Mn-Pn Diagram
hc
P
Pno
bc As As’
Pn,max = 0.8Pno h
d s cb
Pn,max
Compression failure c
Balance
Condition
Mn, Pn y cb
emin
>y c
c < cb
eb
0,1.fc.Ag Tension failure c
Mno M
0 Mno
To
Ccb 0,85. f c .a.b 0,85.(255).(0,85.41,7249).55 422,8221 ton
9. Analysis of Column
Case 1 : Given Loading eccentricity (e)
75 Given that the axial load acting on the column
with e = 21,8035 cm
55 8D25 As’
fc = 255 kg/cm2, fy = 4080 kg/cm2, D25, c = 0,003,
Es = 2100000 kg/cm2, y = fy/Es = 0,001943, Ad =
h 4,906 cm2. Used 8D28 in each side, d = d’ = 6,25 cm,
d e
Pn h = 75 – 6,25 = 68,75 cm. As = As’ = 8x4,906 = 39,25
cm2 (1-side).
Pn = ? , Mn = ?
s
c
1. Balance Condition
c c 0,003
cb h 68,75 41,7269 cm
a c y 0,003 0,001943
Ccb 0,85. f c .a.b 0,85.(255).(0,85.41,7249).55 422,8221 ton
Ts C sb As .( f y 0,85. f c ) 39,25.(4080 0,85.255) 151,6326 ton
Cc Cs
Tsb As ( f y ) 39,25.(4080) 160,14 ton
Pnb Ccb Csb Tsb
422,8221 151,6326 160,14 414,3136 ton
Taking moment to the plastic centroid,
h h h
M nb C cb t 0,5.a C sb t d ' Tsb t d
2 2 2
181,0041 tm
M nb
eb 0,438867 m
Pnb
Since e = 21,8043 cm < 43,8867 cm, therefore column is in the
compression control
2) Thickness of the compression concrete, c (c is unknown)
Cc 0,85. f c .(1 .c).b 0,85.(255).(0,85.c).40 10133,06.c
C s A' s ( f y 0,85. f c ) 39,25(4080 0,85.255) 151632,6 kg
hc
Ts As f s As . s .E s As . c .E s
h
39,25
63,75 c 17000156 247275.c
.0.003.(2100000)
c c
ht
55 8D25 As’
Pn
ht/2
h
d e
Pn (ht/2-e)
Static moment of for-
ces to Pn force-line. d’
c 1c
s a/2-(ht/2-e) = (ht/2-e)
2
c
a
Cs (ht/2-e) – d’
Ts Cc
(ht/2 – d + e)
a/2
In this case the nominal axial capacity Pn is also unknown, therefore there
are 2-unknown in the system. Accordingly, the static moment of forces with
respect to the action-line Pn is required to eliminate/to maintain only 1-
unknown in the system, therefore :
1.c ht ht
.c C
0,5.h e 2
c h0 ,5 .h
t h e
C s e d ' Ts d e 0
C
2 2
C e T e 0
2 2
1 t t
c t s s
2
(37,5 21
0,85.c .c
151632,6.37,5 6,25
(37 ,5 21,8035 151632 ,6.37 ,5 21,8035 6,25
(10133,06.c) 0,85
,8035
(10133
2 ,06 .c)
17000156 247472.c (37,5 6,25) 221,8035 0
c
17000156 247472 .c (37 ,5 6,25) 21,8035 0
c
The above relationship leads to the equation in term of c. After rearrange-
ment, the following relationship is found,
c 3 36,9331.c 2 2713,63.c 209249,04 0
This is non linear/cubic equation, the solution can be done by solving the
roots of the equation. Several methods can be used in solving the equation.
One of the root which satisfies the equation is,
c 55,707 cm
Then,
s
63,75 55,707
.0.003 0,000702 0,001943 , tension steel not yet yield
55,707
f s 0,000701 .( 2100000 ) 1475 ,055 kg / cm 2
The corresponding internal forces are,
C c 0,85.(255).0.85.(55,707).55 564,482 ton
C s 151,632 ton
C c 0,85.(255).0.85.(55,707).55 564,482 ton
T 39,25.(1475,055) 57,896 ton
C s s 151,632 ton
Ts 39,25.(1475,055) 57,896 ton
The nominal axial load generated by column will be
Pn 564,482 151,632 57,896
658,219 ton
The nominal moment produced by column can be found by taking the static
moment of internal forces or Pn respect to the plastic centroid, therefore,
M n Pn .e 658,219.(0,2180) 143,5147 tm.
75
55 8D25 As’ Case 2 : Given Loading intensity, Pn
Given that the column axial load Pn = 658,219 ton
h
d e
Pn
fc = 255 kg/cm2, fy = 4080 kg/cm2, D25, c = 0,003,
Es = 2100000 kg/cm2, y = fy/Es = 0,001943, Ad =
4,906 cm2. Used 8D28 in each side, d = d’ = 6,25 cm,
c
s h = 75 – 6,25 = 68,75 cm. As = As’ = 8x4,906 = 39,25
c cm2 (1-side).
a
Mn = ?, e = ?
Ts
1. Balance Condition
c 0,003
cb h 68,75 41,7269 cm
c y 0,003 0,001943
Ccb 0,85. f c .a.b 0,85.(255).(0,85.41,7249).55 422,8221 ton
C sb As .( f y 0,85. f c ) 39,25.(4080 0,85.255) 151,6326 ton
Tsb As ( f y ) 39,25.(4080) 160,14 ton
Pnb Ccb Csb Tsb
422,8221 151,6326 160,14 414,3136 ton
Since Pn = 658,2179 ton > Pnb = 414,3136 ton, therefore column is in the
compression control
2) Thickness of the compression concrete, c (c is unknown)
Cc 0,85. f c .(1 .c).b 0,85.(255).(0,85.c).40 10133,06.c
C s A' s ( f y 0,85. f c ) 39,25(4080 0,85.255) 151632,6 kg
hc
Ts As f s As . s .E s As . c .E s
h
39,25
63,75 c 17000156 247275.c
.0.003.(2100000)
c c
In this case the loading eccentricity, e is also unknown, however, the
nominal axial load Pn is given. There is an equilibrium of forces between
external (Pn) and internal forces (Cc, Cs and Ts), therefore,
Pn Cc Cs Ts
(17000156 247472. c
658 217,9 10133. c 151632,6
c
After rearranging, those above relationship leads to the quadratic equation
such as,
c 2 25,5906 c 1677,69 0
The root which satisfies the equation is,
c 55,707 cm
c 55,707 cm
By knowing c, then the internal forces, Cc, Cs and Ts can be computed
easily.
C c 0,85.(255).0.85.(55,707).55 564,482 ton
C s 151,632 ton
Ts 39,25.(1475,055) 57,896 ton
Checking for Pn,
Pn 564,482 151,632 57,896
658,219 ton
Which confirms to the given of column axial load (Pn = 658,219 ton), OK.
The flexural moment generated by internal forces can be known by taking
the static moment of internal forces to the plastic centroid of the column,
h h h
M b C c t 0,5. a C s t d ' t d
2 2 2
564,482.0,375 0,5.0.85.0,5570 151,632.(0,375 0,0625) 57,986.(0,375 0,0625)
143,5147 tm
The loading eccentricity, e therefore,
143,5147 tm
e 0,218035 m
658, 2179 m
75 Which accordingly confirms also to the given
loading eccentricity at the beginning of this
55 8D25 As’
numerical example.
h Case 3 : Given the compression concrete, c
d e
Pn
Given that the compression concrete c = 55,707 cm
When the compression concrete c is known than
c the computation is straightforward
s
c C c 0,85.(255).0.85.(55,707).55 564,482 ton
a C s 151,632 ton
Ts 39,25.(1475,055) 57,896 ton
Ts
Cc Cs
Pn 564,482 151,632 57,896
658,219 ton
Which confirms to the given of column axial load (Pn = 658,219 ton), OK.
The flexural moment generated by internal forces can be known by taking
the static moment of internal forces to the plastic centroid of the column,
h h h
M b C c t 0,5. a C s t d ' t d
2 2 2
564,482.0,375 0,5.0.85.0,5570 151,632.(0,375 0,0625) 57,986.(0,375 0,0625)
143,5147 tm
From the 3-cases above, it can be concluded that :
1. When the loading eccentricity is the given, the analysis of column leads
to the cubic equation in c,
2. When the loading intensity Pn is given, the analysis comes to the
quadratic equation in c
3. However when compression concrete c is given no, equation should be
solved, only a normal computation is required.
These conclusion are very important in the next step i.e in the constructing
of the Mn-Pn interaction.
