Column Module
Column Module
Module No. 6
Design and Analysis for Compression Members
Topic: Reinforced Concrete Columns, Tied Columns, Spiral Columns, Effective Length Factors, Plastic
Centroid
Introduction:
Column is a slender, vertical member that carries a superimposed load. Concrete columns,
especially those subjected to bending stresses, must always be reinforced with steel. In concrete
columns, vertical reinforcement is the principal reinforcement. However, a loaded column
shortens vertically and expands laterally; hence, lateral reinforcements in the form of lateral ties
are used to restrain the expansion. Columns reinforced in this manner are called tied columns.
Generally, concrete columns consist of square, rectangular or circular cross sectional area. It is
essentially required with the primary longitudinal reinforcement and lateral ties to avoid buckling
of the primary bars.
Objectives:
By the end of this topic, the students will be able to
1. Explain the classification of columns based on column ties, based on length, loading and
framed bracings.
2. Apply on how to design compression members, determine the plastic centroid and if it is a
short or slender column.
Pre-Test:
1. Identify the factors that influence in the design and analysis of a compression members.
2. Explain why concrete has a high compressive strength.
Learning Activities:
1. Design and Analysis of Compression Members, Classification of Columns based
on ties, Short Tied Columns, Short Spiral Columns, Plastic Centroid, Effective
Length Factors
Columns are members used primarily to support axial compressive loads and have ratio of
height to least lateral dimension of not less than 3. Since concrete has a high compressive
strength and is an inexpensive material, it can be used for the design of compression
members economically. Under compressive loads, columns tend only to shorten lengthwise
but also to expand laterally due to Poisson effect. The capacity of such members can be
greatly increased by providing lateral restraint in the form of closely spaced ties or spirals
wrap surrounding the longitudinal reinforcement. In this module, it will discuss the
classification of columns based on ties, length, load and frame bracing. Also explain more
about how to design tied and spiral column, determine if it is short or slender columns and
determine the plastic centroid.
CLASSIFICATION OF COLUMNS
1. BASED ON COLUMN TIES
a. Tied Columns. It contains steel ties to confine the main longitudinal bars
in the column which are spaced uniformly along the height of the column.
b. Spiral Columns. It contains spirals to hold the main longitudinal bars in the
column and to help increase the column ductility before failure.
2. BASED ON LENGTH
a. Short Columns, where the columns failure is due to the crushing of concrete or
the yielding of the steel bars under the full load capacity of the column.
b. Long Columns, where buckling effects and slenderness ratio must be taken into
consideration in the design, thus reducing the load capacity of the column relative
to that of the short column. It’s cross sectional dimensions are shall compared with
its length. Use moment magnification factors to account for its slenderness.
3. BASED ON LOAD
a. Axially Loaded Columns, where loads are assumed acting at the center of the
column section. Although a column subjected to pure axial loads does not exist in
concrete buildings, however it can be assumed that axially loaded columns are
those relatively small eccentricity ”e” of about 15 + 0.03h or less.
c. Bi-axially Loaded Columns, where the load is applied at any point on the
column section, causing moment about both the x and y-axes simultaneously.
b. Columns in a frame that is not braced against sideways (sway frames). The
𝑲𝑳
effects of slenderness maybe neglected when 𝒖 ≤ 𝟐𝟐
𝒓
i. r = 0.30 times the overall dimension in the direction stability for rectangular
compression members (tied column)
ii. r = 0.25 times the diameter of circular compression members (spiral
column)
UNSUPPORTED LENGTH 𝐋𝐮 :
a) 𝐋𝐮 shall be taken as the clear distance between floor slabs, beams or other members
capable of providing lateral supports in the direction being considered.
b) 𝐋𝐮 shall be measured where column capitals or haunches are present to the lower
extremity of the capital or haunch in the plane considered.
1. Capacity
𝐏𝐮
𝐀𝐠 = (𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂)
𝟎.𝟖𝟎 ∅ 𝟎.𝟖𝟓𝐟𝐜 𝟏 𝐏𝐠 𝐟𝐲 𝐏𝐠
𝐏𝐠 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏 𝐭𝐨 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖
𝐀𝐬
𝐏𝐠 = (𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨)
𝐀𝐠
Min. number of longitudinal bars in compression members shall be four (4) four bars
within rectangular or circular ties.
a. All non prestressed bars shall be enclosed by lateral ties at least 10 mm diameter
size for longitudinal bars 32 mm in diameter, or smaller.
b. 12 mm diam. in size for 36 mm, 42 mm and 58 mm bars and bundled longitudinal
bars.
c. Deformed wire or welded wire fabric of equivalent area shall be permitted.
7. Arrangement of Ties
a. Ties shall be arranged such that every corner and alternate longitudinal bar shall
not have lateral support provided by the corner of a tie with an included angle of
not more than 135 degrees and a bar shall not 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 tie perimeter of a circle, a complete circular tie shall
be permitted.
b. Ties shall be located vertically not more than one half a tie spacing above the top
of footing or slab in any story and shall be placed as provided herein to not more
than one half a tie spacing below the lowest horizontal reinforcement in slab or
drop panel above.
1. Capacity
𝐏𝐮
𝐀𝐠 = (𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒂)
𝟎.𝟖𝟓 ∅ 𝟎.𝟖𝟓𝐟𝐜 𝟏 𝐏𝐠 𝐟𝐲 𝐏𝐠
𝐏𝐠 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏 𝐭𝐨 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖
𝐀𝐬
𝐏𝐠 = (𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨)
𝐀𝐠
Min. number of longitudinal bars in compression members shall be six (6) for bars within
rectangular or circular ties.
4. Spiral Reinforcements:
a. For cast in place construction, size of spirals shall not be less than 10 mm
diameter.
b. Clear spacing between spirals shall not exceed 75 mm or be less than 25 mm.
c. Anchorage of spiral reinforcement shall be provided by one and one-half extra
turns of spiral bar or wire at each end of a spiral unit.
d. Spiral reinforcement shall be spliced, if needed by any one of the following
methods:
Lap slices not less than the larger of 300 mm and the length indicated in one
(1) through (5) below:
i. Deformed uncoated bar or wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝟒𝟖 𝐝𝐛
ii. Plain uncoated bar or wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝟕𝟐 𝐝𝐛
iii. Epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝟕𝟐 𝐝𝐛
iv. Plain uncoated bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook in accordance
at ends of lapped spiral reinforcement. The hooks shall be embedded
within the core confined by spiral reinforcement. .. . . . . . . . . 𝟒𝟖 𝐝𝐛
v. Epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook in
accordance at ends of lapped spiral reinforcement. The hooks shall be
embedded within the core confined by the spiral reinforcement. . . 𝟒𝟖 𝐝𝐛
e. Spiral shall extend from top of footing or slab in any story to level of lowest
horizontal reinforcement in members supported above.
f. Where beams or brackets do not frame into all sides of a column, ties shall extend
above termination of spiral to bottom of slab, drop panel, or shear up.
g. In columns with capitals, spirals shall extend to a level at which the diameter or
width of capital is two times of the column.
A fc
p = 0.45 −1
A f
Lap slices not less than the larger of 300 mm and the length indicated
i. Deformed uncoated bar or wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝟒𝟖 𝐝𝐛
ii. Plain uncoated bar or wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝟕𝟐 𝐝𝐛
iii. Epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 𝟕𝟐 𝐝𝐛
iv. Plain uncoated bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook in accordance
at ends of lapped spiral reinforcement. The hooks shall be embedded
within the core confined by spiral reinforcement. .. . . . . . . . . 𝟒𝟖 𝐝𝐛
v. Epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook in
accordance at ends of lapped spiral reinforcement. The hooks shall be
embedded within the core confined by the spiral reinforcement. . . 𝟒𝟖 𝐝𝐛
6. Arrangement of Spirals:
a. Spirals shall extend from top of footing or slab in any story to level of lowest
horizontal reinforcement in members supported above.
b. Where beams or brackets do not frame into all sides of a column ties shall extend
above the termination of spiral to bottom of slab or drop panel.
c. In columns with capitals, spirals shall extend to a level at which the diameter or
width of capital is two times that of column.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
A reinforced concrete tied column carries an axial dead load of 650 kN and an axial live
load of 800 kN. fc’ = 28 MPa, fy = 4000 MPa.
a) Compute the smallest dimension of the tied column if the steel ratio is 2%
b) Compute the number of 20 mm dimension bars.
c) Compute the clear spacing between the longitudinal bars if the tie diameter of tire wire is
10 mm ∅ with a clear cover of 40 mm.
d) Compute the spacing of 10 mm ∅ tire wires.
Solution
a) Smallest dimension of the tied column if the steel ratio is 2%
P = 0.80 ∅ 0.85fc A − A + fy A
A
ρ =
A
P = 0.80 ∅ 0.85fc A − ρ A + f ρ A
P = 0.80 ∅ A 0.85fc 1 − ρ + f ρ
Trial Area:
P
A =
0.80 ∅ 0.85fc 1 − ρ +f ρ
P = 1.2DL + 1.6LL
P = 1.2(650) + 1.6(800)
P = 2060 kN
2060000
A = = 126470 mm
0.80 (0.65)[0.85(28)(1 − 0.02) + (400)(0.02)]
t = 126470
t = 356 mm
Use: 360 mm x 360 mm
Using 20 mm bars
𝜋
(20) N = 2271
4
N = 7.23 say 𝟖 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐬
c) Clear spacing between the longitudinal bars if the tie diameter of tire wire is 10 mm ∅ with
a clear cover of 40 mm.
d) Clear spacing between the longitudinal bars if the tie diameter of tire wire is 10 mm ∅ with
a clear cover of 40 mm.
1) S = 48 tie diameter
S = 48 (10)
S = 480 mm
2) S = 16 bar diameter
S = 16 (20)
S = 320 mm
3) S = least dimension
S = 360 mm
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
A spiral column carries a dead load of 1070 kN and a live load of 980 kN, fc’ =27.50 Mpa
fy=413.50 MPa. Using steel ratio of 0.03.
1) Which of the following gives the value of the diameter of spiral column
2) Which of the following gives the number of 28 mm ∅ main reinforcements
3) Which of the following gives the possible spacing of the 10 mm ∅ spirals.
Solution:
1) Value of the diameter of spiral column
P = 1.2DL + 1.6LL
P = 1.2(1070) + 1.6(980)
P = 2852 kN
P
A =
0.85 ∅ 0.85fc 1 − ρ + f ρ
2852000
A = = 125280 mm
0.85(0.75)[0.85(27.50)(1 − 0.03) + 413.5(0.3)]
πD
= 125280
4
D = 399 say 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝐦𝐦
πD π(400)
A = = = 125664 mm
4 4
( )
27.50
P = 0.45 ( )
−1 = 0.0168
413.50
4A (D − d )
S=
r D
( )
4 (320 − 10)
S= = 56.61 𝑠𝑎𝑦 50 mm
0.0168(320)
S > 25 mm ok
S < 75 mm ok
Use S = 50 mm o.c.
ASSIGNMENT PROBLEMS
1) A short column is subjected to a factored axial load P = 3970 kN, fc = 27.6 MPa, fy =
414.6 MPa.
a. Assume moments are negligible, what is the minimum gross sectional area
required if it is a tie column.
b. If the column is 450 mm x 450 mm square tied column, compute the maximum
moment that can act without affecting the design (for pure axial loading)
c. If the column is 450 mm x 450 mm square tied column, determine the required
area of steel is needed.
2) A short column is subjected to a factored axial load P = 3800 Kn, fc = 27.6 MPa,
fy = 414.6 MPa.
a. If the column is a circular spiral column with an outside diameter of 500 mm,
determine the maximum moment that can act without affecting the design for pure
axial loading.
b. If the column is a circular spiral with an outside diameter of 500 mm and the
diameter of the spiral wire is 10 mm ∅, determine the maximum spiral pitch if the
dam, of the longitudinal bar is 25 mm ∅.
c. If the column is a circular spiral with an outside diameter of 500, determine the
required area of steel.
3) The following is a cross section of a tied column reinforced with 16-32 mm ∅. Using
fc’ =28 MPa and fy=415 MPa. Size of aggregates used is 25 mm.
a. Compute the safe ultimate load that column could carry
b. Compute the spacing of the 10 mm wires
c. Compute the minimum clear cover over the tire wire
d. Compute the clear spacing between the longitudinal bars.
4) A 600 mm diameter column contains 20-28 mm ∅ bars arranged in a circle. It has a spiral
bar diameter of 10 mm which has a clear cover of 40 mm. Maximum size of aggregate is
25 mm. fc’ =21 MPa, fy=345 MPa.
a. Which of the following gives us the spiral steel ratio
b. Which of the following gives us the required spacing of the spirals
c. Which of the following gives us the clear spacing between longitudinal bars
Radius of Gyration:
r = 0.3 times overall direction of the direction stability
r = 0.25 times diameter for circular compression members
It shall be permitted to use the following properties for both non sway and sway frames.
a) Modulus of Elasticity
b) Modulus of Inertia
For non-sway frames, slenderness effects may be ignored if the following expression
is satisfied.
Figure shows an unbraced frame. Properties of each beams and columns are tabulated.
Considering only bending in the plane of the frame.
SOLUTION:
300(500)
I = = 3 125 x 10 𝑚𝑚4 for column AB and BC
12
300(450)
I = = 2 278 x 10 𝑚𝑚4 for girder AD and AE
12
300(600)
I = = 5 400 x 10 𝑚𝑚4 for girder BF and BG
12
𝜓 =
+
PLASTIC CENTROID
The plastic centroid of a concrete column is the point through which the resultant axial force on a
cross section must act to produce uniform strain at failure. It is obtained by determining the
location of the resultant force produced by the concrete and steel, assuming that both are stressed
in compression to 0.85 fc’ and (fy – 0.85fc’) respectively.
For symmetrical, cross sections, the plastic centroid coincides with the centroid of the section. If
the applied axial load does not pass through the plastic centroid, it will create bending moment
which will be equal to the product of the axial load multiplied by the distance between the force and
plastic centroid.
Analyze the compressive force of steel considering the area displaced by compression bars.
C = A f − 0.85fc′A
C = A (f − 0.85fc )
1. A short rectangular reinforced concrete column shown is to be part of a long-span rigid frame and
will be subjected to high bending moments combined with relatively low axial loads, causing
bending about the strong axis. Steel bars are placed unsymmetrically as indicated in the figure,
Consider the area displaced by compression bars. Fc’=27.6 MPa, fy =414.7 MPa.
a) Determine the capacity of the column section considering the forces in the steel adjusted for
concrete stress.
b) Determine the plastic centroid of the section measured from the center of 36 mm bars.
c) Determine the capacity of the column load assuming the column load is applied at a distance of
300 mm from the center of the section towards the right side.
Solution
C = A (f − 0.85fc )
𝜋
C = (44) (3)[414.7 − 0.85(27.6)] = 1784678 N
4
C = A (f − 0.85fc )
𝜋
C = (36) (2)[414.7 − 0.85(27.6)] = 796468 N
4
C = 0.85fc (550)(350)
C = 0.85(27.6)(550)(350) = 4516050 N
R=C +C +C
R = 1784678 + 796468 + 4516050
R = 7097196 N (capacity of concrete column)
b) Plastic Centroid
c) Eccentricity
c = 302.85 − 275 = 27.85
e = 300 + 27.85 = 𝟑𝟐𝟕. 𝟖𝟓 𝐦𝐦
PRACTICE PROBLEM
5) The frame shown is supported by column which has a dimension of 300 mm deep normal to the
plane of the frame fc’ =20.7 MPa, fy =415 MPa.
a) Classify column AB where short or long column considering that the frame is braced.
b) Classify column CD where short or long column considering that the frame is braced.
c) Classify column CD where short or long column considering that the frame is unbraced.
6) A tied column 350 mm x 600 mm is reinforced with 2-28 mm at the side and 2-34 mm in the right
side. fc’ = 27.6 MPa, fy =415 MPa
a) Compute the total axial capacity of the column, considering the area of displaced concrete
by compression bars
b) Compute the plastic centroid measured from the center of column.
c) Compute the spacing of the 10 mm ties.