DESIGN OF

REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN
R E I N FORCED CON CR E TE D E S I GN
CE 5 1 2

E N GR. CH R I S TOPHER S . P A LADI O

DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMN
• INTRODUCTION
• AXIAL LOAD CAPACITY OF COLUMN
• CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAST-IN-PLACE COLUMNS
• DESIGN OF AXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS
• AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING
• PLASTIC CENTROID
• DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTION DIAGRAM
• DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED COLUMN USING
INTERACTION DIAGRAM
• SHEAR IN COLUMNS
• BIAXIAL BENDING
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

INTRODUCTION
• CATEGORIES OF CONCRETE COLUMN
• Short compression blocks or pedestals

𝑕𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 < 3 ∗ 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

may be designed with unreinforced or plain concrete with a maximum

design compressive stress

𝑃𝑛 = 0.85∅𝑓𝑐′𝐴𝑔
where ∅ = 0.65.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

INTRODUCTION
• CATEGORIES OF 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.

• Long or slender reinforced concrete columns

moments are of such magnitude as to significantly reduce the axial load
capacities of columns

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

INTRODUCTION
• TYPES OF COLUMNS
• PLAIN CONCRETE COLUMN
• TIED COLUMN
column has a series of closed lateral ties
• SPIRAL COLUMN
continuous helical spiral made from bars or heavy wire is wrapped
around the longitudinal bars
• COMPOSITE COLUMN
concrete columns that are reinforced longitudinally by structural steel
shapes, which may or may not be surrounded by structural steel bars, or
they may consist of structural steel tubing filled with concrete (commonly
called lally columns).
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

INTRODUCTION
• TYPES OF COLUMNS

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

AXIAL LOAD CAPACITY OF COLUMN

• At failure, the theoretical ultimate strength or nominal strength of a short
axially loaded column is

𝑃𝑛 = 0.85𝑓𝑐 ′ 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑡

where:
𝐴𝑔 - gross concrete area
𝐴𝑠𝑡 - total cross sectional area of longitudinal reinforcement

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

FAILURE OF TIED AND SPIRAL COLUMNS

• TIED COLUMN
• When loaded until failure, parts of the shell or covering concrete will spall off and, unless
the ties are quite closely spaced, the longitudinal bars will buckle almost immediately,
as their lateral support (the covering concrete) is gone.
• Failure is quite sudden, and apparently they have occurred rather frequently in
structures subjected to earthquake loadings

• SPIRAL COLUMN
• When loaded until failure, covering concrete or shell will spall off, but the core will
continue to stand, and if the spiral is closely spaced, the core will be able to resist an
appreciable amount of additional load beyond the load that causes spalling.
• The spalling off of the shell of a spiral column provides a warning that failure is going to
occur if the load is further increased.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

FAILURE OF TIED AND SPIRAL COLUMNS

• SPIRAL COLUMN
𝑆𝑕𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡𝑕 = 0.85𝑓𝑐′ 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑐

𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡𝑕 = 2𝜌𝑠 𝐴𝑐 𝑓𝑦𝑡

equating
0.85𝑓𝑐 ′ 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑐 = 2𝜌𝑠 𝐴𝑐 𝑓𝑦𝑡

𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑐 𝑓𝑐′ 𝐴𝑔 𝑓𝑐′
𝜌𝑠 = 0.425 = 0.425 −1
𝐴𝑐 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝐴𝑐 𝑓𝑦𝑡

𝐴𝑔 𝑓𝑐′
𝜌𝑠 = 0.45 −1
𝐴𝑐 𝑓𝑦𝑡
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

FAILURE OF TIED AND SPIRAL COLUMNS

• SPIRAL COLUMN

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝

𝜌𝑠 =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐𝑕, 𝑠

𝑉𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑙
𝜌𝑠 =
𝑉𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒

𝑎𝑠 𝜋 𝐷𝑐 − 𝑑𝑏 4𝑎𝑠 𝐷𝑐 − 𝑑𝑏
𝜌𝑠 = =
𝜋𝐷𝑐 2
𝑠𝐷𝑐 2
𝑠
4

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

FAILURE OF TIED AND SPIRAL COLUMNS

• SPIRAL COLUMN
where:
𝑎𝑠 - cross sectional area of the spiral bar
𝐷𝑐 - diameter of the core out to out of the spiral
𝑑𝑏 - diameter of the spiral bar
diameter for the spiral bar can be assumed and solve for the pitch required
If the results do not seem reasonable, try another diameter.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAST-IN-PLACE COLUMNS

• 1. The percentage of longitudinal reinforcement may not be less than 1%
of the gross cross-sectional area of a column.
• 2. The maximum percentage of steel may not be greater than 8% of the
gross cross-sectional area of the column.
• 3. The minimum numbers of longitudinal bars permissible for compression
members are as follows: four for bars within rectangular or circular ties,
three for bars within triangular-shaped ties, and six for bars enclosed within
spirals.
• 4. The code does not directly provide a minimum column cross-sectional
area, but it is obvious that minimum widths or diameters of about 8 in. to 10
in. are necessary to provide the necessary cover outside of ties or spirals
and to provide the necessary clearance between longitudinal bars from
one face of the column to the other.
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAST-IN-PLACE COLUMNS

• 5. When tied columns are used, the ties shall not be less than #3, provided
that the longitudinal bars are #10 or smaller. The minimum size is #4 for
longitudinal bars larger than #10 and for bundled bars. Deformed wire or
welded wire fabric with an equivalent area may also be used
• Spacing of lateral ties shall be the least of:
𝑆 = 16𝑑𝑏
𝑆 = 48𝑑𝑡
𝑆 = 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛
• The ties must be arranged so that every corner and alternate longitudinal
bar will have lateral support provided by the corner of a tie having an
included angle not greater than 135𝑜 .

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAST-IN-PLACE COLUMNS

• TYPICAL TIE ARRANGEMENTS

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAST-IN-PLACE COLUMNS

• No bars can be located a greater distance than 6 in. clear on either side
from such a laterally supported bar. Should longitudinal bars be arranged
in a circle, round ties may be placed around them and the bars do not
have to be individually tied or restrained otherwise.
• There is little evidence available concerning the behavior of spliced bars
and bundled bars. For this reason, the commentary states that it is
advisable to provide ties at each end of lap spliced bars and presents
recommendations concerning the placing of ties in the region of end-
bearing splices and offset bent bars.
• Ties should not be placed more than one-half a spacing above the top of
a footing or slab and not more than one-half a spacing below the lowest
reinforcing in a slab or drop panel. Where beams frame into a column
from all four directions, the last tie may be below the lowest reinforcing in
any of the beams.
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAST-IN-PLACE COLUMNS

3
• 6. The code states that spirals may not have diameters less than and
"
8
that the clear spacing between them may not be less than 1“ or greater
than 3“.
• Should splices be necessary in spirals, they are to be provided by welding
or by lapping deformed uncoated spiral bars or wires by the larger of 48
diameters or 12 in.
• Special spacer bars may be used to hold the spirals in place and at the
desired pitch until the concrete hardens. These spacers consist of vertical
bars with small hooks.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR CAST-IN-PLACE COLUMNS

• 7. The ACI 318 Code states that where longitudinal bars are located
around the perimeter of a circle, a complete circular tie is permitted. The
ends of the circular tie must overlap by not less than 6 in. and terminate
with standard hooks that engage a longitudinal column bar. Overlaps at
ends of adjacent circular ties shall be staggered around the perimeter
enclosing the longitudinal bars.
• While the transverse reinforcement in members with longitudinal bars
located around the periphery of a circle can be either spirals or circular
ties, spirals are usually more effective.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

SAFETY PROVISIONS FOR COLUMNS

• A value of ∅ = 0.65 is specified for tied columns and ∅ = 0.75 for spiral
columns. A slightly larger ∅ is specified for spiral columns because of their
greater toughness.
• Reasons for lower ∅ value of column than beams:
• The failure of a column is generally a more severe matter than is the
failure of a beam
• it is more difficult to do as good a job in placing the concrete for a
column than it is for a beam
• The failure strength of a column is closely related to the concrete’s
ultimate strength, a value that is quite variable.
• The length factors also drastically affect the strength of columns
• It seems impossible for a column to be perfectly axially loaded
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN OF AXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS

𝑃𝑢 𝑒 = 𝑀𝑢

𝑀𝑢
𝑒=
𝑃𝑢
Minimum eccentricities for spiral column
𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.05𝑕 ≥ 1“
Minimum eccentricities for tied column
𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.10𝑕 ≥ 1“
where:
𝑕 - outside diameter of round columns or total depth of
square or rectangular columns

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN OF AXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS

Axial load capacity of tied column

∅𝑃𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑥 ≤ 0.80∅ 0.85𝑓𝑐 ′ 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑡

∅ = 0.65
Axial load capacity of spiral column

∅𝑃𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑥 ≤ 0.85∅ 0.85𝑓𝑐 ′ 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑡

∅ = 0.75

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN OF AXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS

EXAMPLE 1:
Design a square tied column to support an axial dead load of 130 k and an
axial live load of 180 k. Initially assume that 2% longitudinal steel is desired,
𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, and 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖.

EXAMPLE 2:
Design a round spiral column to support an axial dead load of 240 k and an
axial live load of 300 k. Initially assume that approximately 2% longitudinal
steel is desired, 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, and 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING

Axially loaded column
0.80 and 0.85 factors
accounts for the effect of small eccentricities in applied load

Axially loaded with bending column

Columns will bend, and moments will tend to produce compression
on one side of the columns and tension on the other

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING

DIFFERENT MAGNITUDES FOR MOMENT AND AXIAL LOAD ON COLUMN
(a)Large axial load with negligible moment: failure
will occur by the crushing of the concrete, with
all reinforcing bars in the column having reached
their yield stress in compression.
(b)Large axial load and small moment such that the
entire cross section is still in compression: When a
column is subject to a small bending moment,
the entire column will be in compression, but the
compression will be higher on one side than on
the other. The maximum compressive stress in the
column will be 0.85𝑓𝑐′, and failure will occur by
the crushing of the concrete with all the bars in
compression.
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING

DIFFERENT MAGNITUDES FOR MOMENT AND AXIAL LOAD ON COLUMN
c) Eccentricity larger than in case (b) such that
tension begins to develop on one side of the
column but less than the yield stress. On the other
side, the steel will be in compression. Failure will
occur as a result of the crushing of the concrete
on the compression side.
d) A balanced loading condition: reinforcing bars
on the tension side will reach their yield stress at
the same time that the concrete on the opposite
side reaches its maximum compression.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING

DIFFERENT MAGNITUDES FOR MOMENT AND AXIAL LOAD ON COLUMN
e) Large moment with small axial load: failure will
be initiated by the yielding of the bars on the
tensile side of the column prior to concrete
crushing.

f) Large moment with no appreciable axial load:

For this condition, failure will occur as it does in a
beam.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

PLASTIC CENTROID
• represents the location of the resultant force produced by the steel and
the concrete
• the point in the column cross section through which the resultant column
load must pass to produce uniform strain at failure
• it can be located by taking moments
eccentricity - distance from the load to the plastic centroid of the column

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

PLASTIC CENTROID
EXAMPLE 1:
Determine the plastic centroid of the T-shaped column shown if 𝑓𝑐 ′ =
4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 and 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

• Should an axial compressive load be applied to a short concrete member,
it will be subjected to a uniform strain or shortening.
• If a moment with zero axial load is applied to the same member, the result
will be bending about the member’s neutral axis such that strain is
proportional to the distance from the neutral axis.
• Should axial load and moment be applied at the same time, the resulting
strain diagram will be a combination of two linear diagrams and will itself
be linear.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

• COLUMN STRAIN DUE TO LOAD

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

• Assuming that the concrete on the compression edge of the column will
fail at a strain of 0.003, a strain can be assumed on the far edge of the
column, and the values of 𝑃𝑛 and 𝑀𝑛 can be computed by statics.
• Eventually a sufficient number of values will be obtained to plot an
interaction curve.
• One end of the curve will correspond to the case where 𝑃𝑛 is at its
maximum value and 𝑀𝑛 is zero.
• On the other end of the curve, 𝑀𝑛 is determined for the case where 𝑃𝑛 is
zero. This is the procedure used for a doubly reinforced member.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

• A column reaches its ultimate capacity when the compressive strain is
0.003. If the steel closest to the extreme tension side of the column reaches
yield strain, or even more when the concrete reaches a strain of 0.003, the
column is said to be tension controlled; otherwise, it is compression
controlled.
• Transition point between these regions is the balance point whose
compression concrete strain reached 0.003 at the same time as the tensile
𝑓𝑦
steel reached its yield strain at .
𝐸𝑠

• For circular column, using Whitney’s method, the area of the equivalent
column is made equal to the area of the actual circular column, and its
depth in the direction of bending is 0.80 times the outside diameter of the
real column.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

• One-half the steel is assumed to be placed on one side of the equivalent
column and one-half on the other. The distance between these two areas
of steel is assumed to equal two-thirds of the diameter of a circle passing
through the center of the bars in the real column.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DEVELOPMENT OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

EXAMPLE 1:
It is assumed that the tied column shown has a strain on its compression
edge equal to −0.003 and has a tensile strain of +0.002 on its other edge.
Determine the values of 𝑃𝑛 and 𝑀𝑛 that cause this strain distribution if
𝑓𝑦 = 60 𝑘𝑠𝑖 and 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4 𝑘𝑠𝑖.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

USE OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

COLUMN INTERACTION DIAGRAM
• Interaction diagrams are useful
for studying the strengths of
columns with varying proportions
of loads and moments. Any
combination of loading that falls
inside the curve is satisfactory,
whereas any combination falling
outside the curve represents
failure.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

USE OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

INTERPRETATION OF COLUMN INTERACTION DIAGRAM
• If a column is loaded to failure with an axial load only, the failure will occur
at point A on the diagram.
• At the very bottom of the curve, point C represents the bending strength
of the member if it is subjected to moment only with no axial load present.
• Point B is called the balanced point and represents the balanced loading
case, where theoretically a compression failure and tensile yielding occur
simultaneously.
• Refer to point D on the curve. The horizontal and vertical dashed lines to
this point indicate a particular combination of axial load and moment at
which the column will fail.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

USE OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

INTERPRETATION OF COLUMN INTERACTION DIAGRAM
• The part of the curve from B to C represents the range of tensile failures.
Any axial compressive load in that range tends to reduce the stresses in
the tensile bars, with the result that a larger moment can be resisted.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

USE OF INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

INTERACTION CURVE FOR A
RECTANGULAR COLUMN WITH DIFFERENT
SETS OF REINFORCING BARS
• an interaction curve is drawn for the
14"𝑥24“ column with six #9 bars. If eight
#9 bars had been used in the same
dimension column, another curve could
be generated as shown in the figure; if
ten #9 bars were used, still another curve
would result.
• The shape of the new diagrams would
be the same as for the six #9 curve, but
the values of 𝑃𝑛 and 𝑀𝑛 would be larger.
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE MODIFICATIONS OF COLUMN INTERACTION

DIAGRAMS
a) ACI Code specifies strength reduction or ∅ factors (0.65 for tied columns
and 0.75 for spiral columns) that must be multiplied by 𝑃𝑛 values.
b) The code states that when members subject to axial load and bending
have net tensile strains ∈𝑡 between the limits for compression-controlled
and tensile-controlled sections, they fall in the transition zone for ∅.
c) Maximum permissible column loads were specified for columns no
matter how small their 𝑒 values. These values were developed to be
approximately equivalent to loads applied with eccentricities of 0.10h for
tied columns and 0.05h for spiral columns.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

CODE MODIFICATIONS OF COLUMN INTERACTION

DIAGRAMS
COLUMN INTERACTION CURVE ADJUSTED FOR THE THREE MODIFICATIONS
DESCRIBED

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED

COLUMN USING INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
𝑃𝑛
• Diagrams are plotted with ordinates of 𝐾𝑛 = (instead of 𝑃𝑛 ) and with
𝑓𝑐′𝐴𝑔
𝑃𝑛 𝑒
abscissas of 𝑅𝑛 = (instead of 𝑀𝑛 ).
𝑓𝑐′𝐴𝑔 𝑕

• In order to correctly use the diagrams, it is necessary to compute the

value of 𝛾 (gamma), which is equal to the distance from the center of the
bars on one side of the column to the center of the bars on the other side
of the column divided by h, the depth of the column (both values being
taken in the direction of bending).
• Be sure that the column picture at the upper right of the interaction curve
being used agrees with the column being considered. If the wrong curves
are selected, the answers may be quite incorrect.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED

COLUMN USING INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
EXAMPLE 1:
The short 14" 𝑥 20“ tied column shown is to be used to support the following
loads and moments: 𝑃𝐷 = 125 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠, 𝑃𝐿 = 140 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠, 𝑀𝐷 = 75 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝, and
𝑀𝐿 = 90 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝. If 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 and 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, select reinforcing bars
to be placed in its end faces only using appropriate ACI column interaction
diagrams.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED

COLUMN USING INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
EXAMPLE 2:
Design a short square column for the following conditions: 𝑃𝑢 = 600 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠,
𝑀𝑢 = 80 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝, 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 and 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖. Place the bars uniformly
around all four faces of the column.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED

COLUMN USING INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
EXAMPLE 3:
Using the ACI column interaction graphs, select reinforcing for the short
round spiral column shown if 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, 𝑃𝑢 = 500 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠,
and 𝑀𝑢 = 225 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED

COLUMN USING INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
EXAMPLE 4:
Using the appropriate interaction curves, determine the value of 𝑃𝑛 for the
short tied column shown if 𝑒𝑥 = 10". Assume 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 and 𝑓𝑦 =
60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

SHEAR IN COLUMNS
• The shearing forces in interior columns in braced structures are usually
quite small and normally do not control the design.
• Shearing forces in exterior columns can be large, even in a braced
structure, particularly in columns bent in double curvature.
• Shear force carried by the concrete

𝑁𝑢 λ 𝑓𝑐′
𝑉𝑐 = 1 + 𝑏𝑤 𝑑
14𝐴𝑔 6
𝑁𝑢 - factored axial force acting simultaneously with the
factored shearing force, 𝑉𝑢 , that is applied to the member.
𝑁𝑢
- average factored axial stress in the column
𝐴𝑔
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

SHEAR IN COLUMNS
• If
𝑉𝑐
𝑉𝑢 > ∅
2
calculate required tie spacing using the stirrup spacing procedures
• For circular columns, the shear area, 𝑏𝑤 𝑑, in the previous equation would
be equal to the gross area of the column. However, to provide for
compatibility with other calculations requiring an effective depth, the ACI
requires that,
𝑏𝑤 = 𝐷

𝑑 = 0.80𝐷

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

BIAXIAL BENDING
• Corner columns in buildings where beams and girders frame into the
columns from both directions are the most common cases of columns
subjected to biaxial bending.
• Other cases are columns that are cast monolithically as part of frames in
both directions or where columns are supporting heavy spandrel beams.
• Bridge piers are almost always subject to biaxial bending.
• For circular columns, biaxial moment:
2
𝑀𝑢 = 𝑀𝑢𝑥 2 + 𝑀𝑢𝑦

• For circular columns, eccentricities:

2 2
𝑒= 𝑒𝑥 + 𝑒𝑦

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

BIAXIAL BENDING
• For column shapes other than circular ones, it is desirable to consider
three-dimensional interaction curves
• Interaction curve labeled 𝑀𝑛𝑥𝑜 represents the interaction curve if bending
occurs about the x-axis only.
• Interaction curve labeled 𝑀𝑛𝑦𝑜 represents the interaction curve if bending
occurs about the y-axis only.
• Can be analyzed using the reciprocal interaction equation or the Bresler’s
Equation (developed by Prof Boris Bresler)

1 1 1 1
= + +
𝑃𝑛𝑖 𝑃𝑛𝑥 𝑃𝑛𝑦 𝑃𝑜

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

BIAXIAL BENDING
• where
𝑃𝑛𝑖 - the nominal axial load capacity of the section when the load
is placed at a given eccentricity along both axes.
𝑃𝑛𝑥 - the nominal axial load capacity of the section when the load
is placed at an eccentricity 𝑒𝑥 .
𝑃𝑛𝑦 - the nominal axial load capacity of the section when the load
is placed at an eccentricity 𝑒𝑦 .
𝑃𝑜 - the nominal axial load capacity of the section when the load
is placed with a zero eccentricity. It is usually taken as 0.85𝑓𝑐 ′ 𝐴𝑔 + 𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠
• If 𝑃𝑛𝑖 < 0.10𝑃𝑜 neglect the effect of 𝑃𝑜
• Bresler equation does not apply to axial tension loads.
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

BIAXIAL BENDING
• Example 1
• Determine the design capacity of the short
tied column shown which is subjected to
biaxial bending. 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, 𝑓𝑦 =
60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖, 𝑒𝑥 = 16 𝑖𝑛 and 𝑒𝑦 = 8 𝑖𝑛.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN OF BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMN

• For square columns, the values of both 𝑀𝑛𝑥 and 𝑀𝑛𝑦 are assumed to act
about both the x-axis and the y-axis (i.e., 𝑀𝑥 = 𝑀𝑦 = 𝑀𝑛𝑥 + 𝑀𝑛𝑦 ). The steel is
selected about one of the axes and is spread around the column, and the
Bresler expression is used to check the ultimate load capacity of the
eccentrically loaded column.
• For rectangular section, where y-axis is the weaker direction, calculate
𝑀𝑦 = 𝑀𝑛𝑥 + 𝑀𝑛𝑦 and to use that moment to select the steel required about
the y-axis and spread the computed steel area over the whole column
cross section.
𝑏
• For rectangular section, multiply 𝑀𝑦 = 𝑀𝑛𝑥 + 𝑀𝑛𝑦 by and with that
𝑕
moment design the column about the weaker axis.

CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

DESIGN OF REINFORCED
CONCRETE COLUMN

DESIGN OF BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMN

• Example 1:
• Select the reinforcing needed for the short square tied column shown for
the following:
• 𝑃𝐷 = 100 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
• 𝑃𝐿 = 200 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
• 𝑀𝐷𝑋 = 50 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
• 𝑀𝐿𝑋 = 110 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
• 𝑀𝐷𝑌 = 40 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
• 𝑀𝐿𝑌 = 90 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
• 𝑓𝑐 ′ = 4,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 and 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖.
CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT