Chapter 5

Reinforced Concrete
Columns

1
Lecture Goals
Definitions and Types of columns
Columns

2
 Analysis and Design of
Columns
General Information

Column: Vertical Structural members

Transmits axial compressive loads with
or without moment
transmit loads from the floor & roof to
the foundation

3
 Types of Columns

Short Columns Slender Columns

4
 Short Reinforced Concrete
Columns
Stocky members

Material failure

Maximum load supported is controlled

by section dimensions and strength of
materials

5
 Slender Reinforced Concrete
Columns

Bending deformations

Secondary moments

Instability OR buckling

6
 Analysis and Design of
“Short” Columns
General Information

Column Types:
1. Tied
2. Spiral
3. Composite
4. Combination
5. Steel pipe
7
 Analysis and Design of
“Short” Columns
Tied Columns - 95% of all columns in
buildings are tied
-Tie spacing  h (except for seismic)
-Tie supports long bars (reduce buckling)
-Ties provide negligible restraint to
lateral expose of core

8
 Analysis and Design of
“Short” Columns
Spiral Columns

Pitch = 25 mm. to 75 mm.

spiral restrains lateral (Poisson’s effect)
axial load delays failure (ductile)

9
 Column construction

Longitudinal column
reinforcement spliced every
floor (Most common)
Longitudinal column reinforcement
spliced every other floor to reduce
congestion
10
Tied column under Reinforcement cage for a
construction. tied column
11
 Behavior of Tied and Spiral Columns

Although this column has

Tied col. destroyed in 1971 been deflected sideways 50
San Fernando earthquake cm, it is still carrying load
12
Behavior of Tied and Spiral
Columns
In a spiral column, the
lateral expansion of the
concrete inside the
spiral (referred to as
the core) is restrained
by the spiral. This
effect increases the
stresses to:

13
Behavior of Tied and Spiral
Columns
Triaxial
stresses
in core of
spiral
column

14
 When spiral col. are
eccentrically loaded, the
second max. load may
be less than the initial
max., but the
deformations at failure
are large, allowing load
redistribution.

 Because of their greater

ductility, compression-
controlled failures of
spiral col. are assigned a
strength-reduction
factor, f of 0.75, rather
than the value 0.65 used
for tied columns. 15
Analysis and Design of “Short”
Columns

16
 Analysis and Design of “Short”
Columns
Elastic Behavior
The change in concrete strain with respect to time will
affect the concrete and steel stresses as follows:

Concrete stress

Steel stress

17
 Analysis and Design of “Short”
Columns
Elastic Behavior

Concrete creeps and shrinks, therefore we can not

calculate the stresses in the steel and concrete due
to “acting” loads using an elastic analysis.

18
 Analysis and Design of “Short”
Columns
Therefore, we are not able to calculate the real
stresses in the reinforced concrete column under
acting loads over time. As a result, an “allowable
stress” design procedure using an elastic analysis was
found to be unacceptable. Reinforced concrete
columns have been designed by a “strength” method
since the 1940’s.

Note: Creep and shrinkage do not affect the strength

of the member.

19
Ultimate Behavior, and Design
under Concentric Axial loads

20
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

 
P0  0.85 f c'  Ag  Ast  f y Ast

Let
Ag = Gross Area = b×h
Ast = Area of long. steel
fc = Concrete compressive strength
fy = Steel yield strength

21
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

2. Maximum Nominal Capacity for Design Pn (max)

Pn m ax  rP0
r = Reduction factor to account for:
Small eccentricity, Non-alignment, bending,…
r = 0.80 ( tied )
r = 0.85 ( spiral ) ACI 10.3.6.3
22
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

3. Reinforcement Requirements (Longitudinal Steel Ast)

Ast
Let  g 
Ag

- ACI Code 10.9.1 requires 0.01   g  0.08

1% ≤ ρg ≤ 8%

23
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

3. Reinforcement Requirements (Longitudinal Steel Ast)

- Minimum No. of Bars ACI Code 10.9.2
- min. of 6 bars in circular columns
with min. spiral reinforcement.
- min. of 4 bars in rectangular columns
- min. of 3 bars in triangular ties

24
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

3. Reinforcement Requirements (Lateral Ties)

ACI Code 7.10.5.1

size  Φ10 mm bar if longitudinal bar  Φ32 mm bar

 Φ 12mm bar if longitudinal bar  Φ36 mm bar
 Φ 16mm bar if longitudinal bars are bundled

25
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

3. Reinforcement Requirements (Lateral Ties)

Vertical spacing: (ACI 7.10.5.2)
s  16 db ( db for longitudinal bars )
s  48 dt ( dt for tie bar )
s  least lateral dimension of column

26
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads
3. Reinforcement Requirements (Lateral Ties)
Arrangement Vertical spacing: (ACI 7.10.5.3)

1.) At least every other longitudinal bar shall have

lateral support from the corner of a tie with an
included angle  135o.
2.) No longitudinal bar shall be more than 15 cm.
clear on either side from “support” bar.

27
Behavior, Nominal Capacity and Design
under Concentric Axial loads

Examples of
lateral ties.

28
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

Reinforcement Requirements (Spirals )

ACI Code 7.10.4

size  10 mm diameter

25mm.  clear spacing

between spirals  75 mm. ACI 7.10.4.3
( Pitch )

29
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

Reinforcement Requirements (Spiral)

Spiral Reinforcement Ratio, s

Volume of Spiral 4 Asp

s  
Volume of Core Dc s

 ( Asp ) ( Dc ) 
 from: s  
 ( Dc /4) s 
2

30
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads
Reinforcement Requirements (Spiral)
 Ag   fc 
s  0.45   1   
 fy  ACI Eqn. 10-5
 Ach   
where

31
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads
4. Design for Concentric Axial Loads
(a) Load Combination
Pu = 1.4 PDL
Gravity:
Pu = 1.2 PDL + 1.6 PLL

Gravity + Wind: Pu = 1.2 PDL + 1.0 PLL + 1.6 PWL

and Pu = 0.9 PDL ± 1.3 PWL

Check for
Tension
32
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads
4. Design for Concentric Axial Loads
(b) General Strength Requirement f Pn  Pu
where, f = 0.65 for tied columns
f = 0.75 for spiral columns
(c) Expression for Design

ACI Code 0.01   g  0.08 

Ast
g 
Ag
33
 Behavior, Nominal Capacity and
Design under Concentric Axial loads

or
Tied Cols

Spiral Cols

ACI Code Equation 10-1 (spiral)

ACI Code Equation 10-2 (tied)
34
Example 1: Design Tied Column for
Concentric Axial Load
Design tied column for concentric axial load
PDL = 670 kN; PLL = 1340 kN; Pw = 220 kN
fc = 30 MPa, fy = 414 MPa
Design a square column aim for g ≤ 0.03.
Select longitudinal transverse reinforcement.

35
Example 1: Design Tied Column for
Concentric Axial Load
Determine the loading
Pu = 1.4 PDL = 1.4 (670) = 938 kN

Pu = 1.2 PDL + 1.6 PLL

Pu = 1.2 (670) + 1.6 (1340) =2948 kN

Pu = 1.2 PDL + 1.0 PLL + 1.6 PWL

Pu = 1.2 (670) + 1.0 (1340) + 1.6 (220) = 2496 kN
Design Axial load Pu = 2948 kN
Check the compression or tension in the column
Pu = 0.9 PDL + 1.3 PWL
= 0.9 (670) ± 1.3 (220) = 889 kN
36
Example 1: Design Tied Column for
Concentric Axial Load
For a square column r = 0.80 and f = 0.65 and  ≤ 0.03

Ag = 152583 mm2

Ag = h2 , h =390.6 mm

Use h = 400 mm, Ag = 160000 mm2

37
Example 1: Design Tied Column for
Concentric Axial Load
Then, calculate the corresponding area of steel Ast:

Ast = 4090.68 mm2 ,

use 4 Φ 28 mm + 4 Φ 25 mm
Ast ,prov. = 4426 mm2

38
 Example 1: Design Tied Column for
Concentric Axial Load
Use Φ 10 mm ties compute the spacing

< 150 mm. No cross-ties needed

Stirrup design
S ≤ 16 db = 16(28) = 448 mm
≤ 48 dstirrups = 48(10) = 480 mm
≤ Smaller b or h = 400 mm
Use Φ10 mm stirrups with 400 mm spacing in the
39
column
Columns subjected to eccentric loads
Interaction Diagrams

 A, I = area and moment of inertia

of the cross section, respectively
 Y = distance from the centroidal
axis to the most highly comp.
surface (surface A–A), (+) to the
right
 P = axial load, (+) in compression
 M = moment, (+) as shown in Fig.

40
Interaction diagram for an elastic column, |ƒcu| = |ƒtu|
41
 Interaction diagrams for elastic
columns, |ƒcu| not equal to |ƒtu|.

42
 Interaction Diagram for
Reinforced Concrete Columns

Calculation of Pn and Mn for a given strain distribution.43

Strain distributions
corresponding to
points on the
interaction
diagram

44
Significant Points on the Column
Interaction Diagram

1. Point A- Pure Axial Load

2. Point B - Zero Tension,
Onset of Cracking.
1. Region A–C - Compression-Controlled
Failures.
2. Point C - Balanced Failure,
Compression-Controlled Limit Strain.
3. Point D - Tensile-Controlled Limit.
4. Region C–D - Transition Region.
45
Columns subjected to eccentric loads
Strength Reduction Factors

46
Computation Method for Interaction
Diagrams
The general case involves the calculation of Pn acting at
the centroid and Mn acting about the centroid of the gross
cross section, for an assumed strain distribution with
ecu = 0.003

47
Computation Method for Interaction
Diagrams
 The strain distribution will be defined by setting ecu =
0.003 and assuming a value for es1.
 An iterative calculation will be necessary to consider a
series of cases.
 The iteration can be controlled by selecting a series of
values for the neutral axis depth, c.
 Large values of c will give points high in the
interaction diagram and low values of c will give
points low in the interaction diagram.
 To find points corresponding to specific values of strain in
the extreme layer of tension reinforcement, the iteration
can be controlled by setting es1 = Zey, where Z is an
arbitrarily chosen value.
48
Computation Method for Interaction
Diagrams
By similar triangles

For elastic–plastic
reinforcement with the
stress–strain curve

49
Computation Method for Interaction
Diagrams
The stresses in the concrete are represented by the
equivalent rectangular stress block
𝑓′𝑐 −28
𝛽1 =0.85 – 0.05
7

If a is less than di

(negative in tension)

If a is greater than di for a particular layer of steel

50
Computation Method for Interaction
Diagrams
The nominal axial load capacity, Pn for the assumed strain
distribution is the summation of the axial forces:

A positive internal moment corresponds to a compression

at the top face

If the gross cross section is not symmetrical, the moments

would be computed about the centroid of the gross
section, and the factored moment resistance would be
51
Computation Method for Interaction
Diagrams

52
Columns in Pure Tension

Section is completely cracked

(no concrete axial capacity)
Uniform Strain  ey
N
Pnt tension     f y As
i
i 1

53
 Behavior under Combined
Bending and Axial Loads
Interaction Diagram Between Axial Load and Moment
(Failure Envelope)

Concrete crushes
before steel yields

Steel yields before

concrete crushes

Note: Any combination of P and M outside the

envelope will cause failure. 54
EX. 2- Calculation of an
Interaction Diagram
Compute four points on the interaction diagram for the
column shown below:
Use 𝑓𝑐′ = 35 MPa, 𝑓𝑦 = 414 MPa

𝐴𝑠1 =4Φ28mm=2463 mm2, 𝐴𝑠2 =4Φ28mm=2463 mm2

𝐴𝑠𝑡 = 𝐴𝑠𝑖 =4826 mm2

55
1. Compute the concentric axial-load capacity
and maximum axial-load capacity.

𝑃0 =0.85𝑓𝑐 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 +𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑡

=0.85 35 160000 − 4826 + 4826 414

= 4616426.5 + 1997964 = 6614.39 kN

3439.48 kN

56
2. Compute fPn and fMn for the general case.

57
2. Compute fPn and fMn for the general case.

58
Interaction
diagram
Ex. 2
Fig. 1

59
2. Compute f and fMn for balanced failure.

60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
 Interaction Diagrams for
Circular Columns
The compression zone is a segment of a circle having
depth a. To compute the compressive force and its
moment about the centroid of the column, it is
necessary to be able to compute the area and centroid
of the segment

71
72
 MPa
0.145 x

0.145 x MPa

73
Nondimensional interaction diagram for rect. tied col. with bars in two faces
 Simplified Interaction
Unsymmetrical Columns Diagrams for Columns74
Choice of
Column
Type
In seismic areas
or in other
situations where
ductility is
important, spiral
columns are used
more extensively

75
 Design for Combined Bending
and Axial Load (Short Column)
Column Types
1)
Spiral Column - more efficient for e/h < 0.1,
but forming and spiral expensive
2) Tied Column - Bars in four faces used when
e/h < 0.2 and for biaxial bending

76
Estimating the Column Size
Tied columns

Spiral Columns

Although the ACI Code does not specify a minimum

column size, the min dimension of a cast-in-place tied
column should not be less than 200mm. and preferably
not less than 250mm. The diameter of a spiral
column should not be less than 300mm.
77
Bar-Spacing Requirements

Arrangement of bars at lap splices in columns78

Reinforcement Splices

79
Types of lap
splices
required if
all bars are
lap spliced
at every
floor.

80
EX. 2- Design of a Tied Column for a
Given Pu and Mu
Pu =2000 kN, Mu = 160 kN.m

Unsupported length of 3.2 m

Materials: fy = 414 MPa, f’c = 27.6 MPa.
1. Select trial size, and trial reinforcement ratio.

𝑃𝑢
𝐴𝑔(𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙) ≥
0.40(𝑓 ′ 𝑐 + 𝑓𝑦 𝜌𝑔 )
2000 𝑋 103 Choose a
≥ 400mm square
0.40(27.6+0.015 𝑋 414)

≥ 147885.24 𝑚𝑚2 column

81
 𝑀𝑢
𝑒=
𝑃𝑢
Consider a column with
160
= = 0.08 m = 80 mm bars in two faces. Use a
2000
tied column with bars in
𝑒
= 0.2 two faces.
ℎ

Neglect the Slenderness Effect

Summary for the trial column. A 400 mm×400mm. tied

column with bars in two faces.

82
 400−2 30+10 −20
2. Compute g 𝛾= =0.75
400

3. Use interaction diagrams to determine g

∅𝑀𝑛 𝑀𝑢
∅𝑃𝑛 𝑃𝑢 =
= 𝐴𝑔 ℎ 𝐴𝑔 ℎ
𝐴𝑔 𝐴𝑔

2000 𝑋 103 160 𝑋 106

= 0.145 X
400 𝑋 400
= 1.81 =0.145 X 4002 𝑋 400
= 0.36

From Fig. A-6a (Interaction diagram for 𝛾 = 0.75

𝑒
𝜌𝑔 ≅ 0.015, ≅ 0.2
ℎ

83
 0.145 x MPa

84
If the value of g computed here exceeds 0.03 to
0.04, a larger section should be chosen. If is less than
0.01, either use 0.01 (the min. allowed by ACI Section
10.9.1) or recompute, using a smaller cross section.
4. Select the reinforcement.
Ast = 𝜌𝑔 Ag
= 0.015 X 400 X 400 = 2400 mm2

Possible combination is (from the Table )

Use Six bars, 25 mm, Ast = 2945 mm2, three in each side

Try a 400 mm. square column with six 25mm bars.

85
5. Check the maximum load capacity Pu

6. Design the lap splices.

The tensile face for Pu/bh = 1.81 and Mu/bh2 = 0.36

𝑙𝑑 5 𝜑𝑡 𝜑𝑒 𝑓𝑦
=
𝑑𝑏 8
𝛌 𝑓′𝑐
1.3 Ld =1.58 m
5 (1.0)(1)(414)
= = 48.9
8 1 28
Ld =48.9 x 25 =1.222m

86
7. Select the ties. 10 mm diameter stirrups

16 longitudinal bar diameters = 16 X 25= 400 mm

48 ties diameters = 48 X 10 = 480 mm
Least column dimensions = 400 mm

The ties must satisfy both ACI

Code Chapter 11 and ACI Code
Sec. 7.10.5
𝑓𝑐 𝑁𝑢 28 2000 000
𝑣𝑐 =𝛌 1+ = 𝑣𝑐 =1 1+
6 14𝐴𝑔 6 14 𝑋 400 𝑋 400

= 1.669 MPa , Vc = 1.669 x bd= 226.98 kN

87
Computation of γ and arrangement of ties 88
Design of a Circular Spiral Column for a
Large Axial Load and Small Moment
Pu = 7100 kN and Mu = 200 kN.m

1. Select the material properties, trial size, and trial reinf.

ratio.
f’c = 28 Mpa fy = 414 Mpa, try ρg = 0.04

Try 650mm Dia.

650−2 60
2. Compute g 𝛾= =0.81
650

3. Use interaction ∅𝑃𝑛 𝑃𝑢 7100 𝑋 103

= =0.145 X = 3.1
diagrams to 𝐴𝑔 𝐴𝑔 𝜋 3252
determine g ∅𝑀𝑛 𝑀𝑢 200 𝑋 106
= =0.145 X = 0.13
𝐴𝑔 ℎ 𝐴𝑔 ℎ 𝜋 3252 𝑋 650
89
 Looking at Figs. A-12b and A-12c, due to the relatively
small moment, we are on the flat part of the diagrams.
For both g values read g = 0.024

4. Select the reinforcement.

Ast = 𝜌𝑔 Ag
= 0.024 X 𝜋 𝑋 3252 = 7964 mm2 , Try 10 Φ 32 mm

5. Check the maximum load capacity.

ΦPn = 0.85 x 0.75 [0.85 x 28(𝜋 3252 -8042)+ 8042 x 414]
= 7135.16 kN, therefore, o.k.

6. Select the spiral.

The minimum-size spiral is 10mm 90

MPa

MPa
91
 = 650 – 2x 37.5 =575 mm
Ag =gross Area= 𝜋 𝑥 3252 = 331830 𝑚𝑚2
Ach =Area of concrete core= 𝜋 𝑋 287.52 =259672 mm2

𝜋 .102 .414
𝑠≤ 331830 = 65 mm
0.45 575 (28)[ −1]
259672

Use Φ10mm at S= 65 mm
7. Design the lap splices.

From the interaction diagrams, fs is compression.

Therefore, use compression lap splices (ACI Code Section
12.16.1). From the equation, these must be 960 mm.
long. Because the bars are enclosed in a spiral, this can
be multiplied by 0.75, giving a splice length of 720 mm.
(ACI 12.17.2.5) 92
93