Summary of design checks for concrete columns with seismic loads:

Longitudinal reinforcement:

1) Check that section qualifies as a column per AASHTO 5.10.11.4.1. page 5-160 Sections with clear
height/max plan dimension ratio greater than or equal to 2.5 are to be designed as columns.
2) Determine if column is slender using AASHTO 5.7.4-3 page 5-52. If Klu/r < 22 slenderness effects
may be neglected. For a column with rotational AND translational fixity, K may be taken as 0.65.
For columns with only rotational fixity at top (fixed cantilever), K may be taken as 1.2. See
AASHTO page 4-48 for other cases.
3) Check the P-∆ requirements of AASHTO section 4.7.4.5 on page 4-87 which limits the maximum
column displacements.
4) Use an interaction diagram or other suitable method to design the longitudinal reinforcement
for combined flexure and axial effects. Interaction diagrams are the preferred method.
Alternatively, and approximate method is provided in AASHTO section 5.7.4.5 page 5-54.
Remember that if a generic interaction diagram is provided with NOMINAL (i.e. not reduced by
φ) capacities, you will need to divide the controlling axial force and moment by φ. For the
extreme event limit state, φ = 0.90 for both axial and flexure capacities, per page 5-161.
5) Check the limits of vertical reinforcement. For seismic zones 2, 3, and 4, 0.01≤ ρ ≤0.06.

Spiral Reinforcement:

1) Calculate the effective section depth, dv using AASHTO commentary equation C5.8.2.9-2 on page
5-67. Calculate the shear stress on the concrete using equation 5.8.2.9-1 vu = |Vu-φVp|/(φbvdv)
Note that for circular sections, bv = the diameter of the section.
2) Calculate the concrete shear strength. Note that if there IS axial tension, the simplified
procedure where β = 2.0 and θ= 45 degrees cannot be used. Use the general procedure on
page 5-72. Also note that per the seismic shear design requirements on page 5-162, in the END
REGIONS, if the axial compressive force is less than 0.10fc’Ag then you must linearly interpolate
the shear capacity from section 5.8.3 (shear design) value to zero when there is axial tension.
Note that it is typical and conservative to neglect the concrete’s shear capacity when tension
may be present.
3) Calculate the shear capacity of the spiral reinforcement. The required shear capacity is Vsrequired
= (Vu – φVc)/φ. The spiral spacing required to provide this capacity is srequired = Avfydv/Vsrequired
where Av = 2X the area of the spiral bar. The spiral bars apparently can be pretty big. The NCEES
example was using a #7 spiral which seems pretty huge, but AASHTO doesn’t specify a maximum
size in section 5.10.6.2 “spirals” on page 5-130. Minimum size is a #3 bar.
4) Check confinement requirements.
a) The entire column must satisfy ρs ≥0.45(Ag/Ac-1)(fc’/fyh) where the Ac is computed
to the OUTSIDE of the spiral reinforcement.
 b) Additionally, the “expected plastic hinge regions” which are the “END REGIONS”
defined on page 5-162 plus an embedment past the column into the adjacent
member of max(15”, ½ the maximum column dimension), need to satisfy
ρs ≥0.12fc’/fyh

See the equation and diagram taped onto page 5-161 for how to compute ρs.

5) Check spiral pitch spacing requirements.

a) In the “expected plastic hinge regions” the spacing shall not exceed the
min( ¼ of the member dimension, 4”). AASHTO 5.10.11.4.1e page 5-165.
b) The entire column shall satisfy the requirements of AASHTO 5.10.6.2 page 5-131.
The minimum clear spacing between bars is max(1.0”, 1.33X max aggregate size)
The maximum center to center pitch is max(6X diameter of the longitudinal bars,
6in)
c) You must satisfy all spacing required by the general shear design section of 5.8.3.
This would the maximum of either that required for shear strength

OR the max spacing requirements of 5.8.2.7 page 5-65.

If vu < 0.125fc’ then smax = 8dv ≤24”
If vu ≥0.125fc’ then smax = 4dv ≤12”
Summary of design checks for concrete columns with seismic loads:
Longitudinal reinforcement:

1) Check that section qualifies as a column per AASHTO 5.10.11.4.1. page 5-160 Sections with clear
height/max plan dimension ratio greater than or equal to 2.5 are to be designed as columns.
2) Determine if column is slender using AASHTO 5.7.4-3 page 5-52. If Klu/r < 22 slenderness effects
may be neglected. For a column with rotational AND translational fixity, K may be taken as 0.65.
For columns with only rotational fixity at top (fixed cantilever), K may be taken as 1.2. See
AASHTO page 4-48 for other cases.
3) Check the P-∆ requirements of AASHTO section 4.7.4.5 on page 4-87 which limits the maximum
column displacements.
4) Use an interaction diagram or other suitable method to design the longitudinal reinforcement
for combined flexure and axial effects. Interaction diagrams are the preferred method.
Alternatively, and approximate method is provided in AASHTO section 5.7.4.5 page 5-54.
Remember that if a generic interaction diagram is provided with NOMINAL (i.e. not reduced by
φ) capacities, you will need to divide the controlling axial force and moment by φ. For the
extreme event limit state, φ = 0.90 for both axial and flexure capacities, per page 5-161.
5) Check the limits of vertical reinforcement. For seismic zones 2, 3, and 4, 0.01≤ ρ ≤0.06.

Spiral Reinforcement:

1) Calculate the effective section depth, dv using AASHTO commentary equation C5.8.2.9-2 on page
5-67. Calculate the shear stress on the concrete using equation 5.8.2.9-1 vu = |Vu-φVp|/(φbvdv)
Note that for circular sections, bv = the diameter of the section.
2) Calculate the concrete shear strength. Note that if there IS axial tension, the simplified
procedure where β = 2.0 and θ= 45 degrees cannot be used. Use the general procedure on
page 5-72. Also note that per the seismic shear design requirements on page 5-162, in the END
REGIONS, if the axial compressive force is less than 0.10fc’Ag then you must linearly interpolate
the shear capacity from section 5.8.3 (shear design) value to zero when there is axial tension.
Note that it is typical and conservative to neglect the concrete’s shear capacity when tension
may be present.
3) Calculate the shear capacity of the spiral reinforcement. The required shear capacity is Vsrequired
= (Vu – φVc)/φ. The spiral spacing required to provide this capacity is srequired = Avfydv/Vsrequired
where Av = 2X the area of the spiral bar. The spiral bars apparently can be pretty big. The NCEES
example was using a #7 spiral which seems pretty huge, but AASHTO doesn’t specify a maximum
size in section 5.10.6.2 “spirals” on page 5-130. Minimum size is a #3 bar.
4) Check confinement requirements.
a) The entire column must satisfy ρs ≥0.45(Ag/Ac-1)(fc’/fyh) where the Ac is computed
to the OUTSIDE of the spiral reinforcement.
 b) Additionally, the “expected plastic hinge regions” which are the “END REGIONS”
defined on page 5-162 plus an embedment past the column into the adjacent
member of max(15”, ½ the maximum column dimension), need to satisfy
ρs ≥0.12fc’/fyh

See the equation and diagram taped onto page 5-161 for how to compute ρs.

5) Check spiral pitch spacing requirements.

a) In the “expected plastic hinge regions” the spacing shall not exceed the
min( ¼ of the member dimension, 4”). AASHTO 5.10.11.4.1e page 5-165.
b) The entire column shall satisfy the requirements of AASHTO 5.10.6.2 page 5-131.
The minimum clear spacing between bars is max(1.0”, 1.33X max aggregate size)
The maximum center to center pitch is max(6X diameter of the longitudinal bars,
6in)
c) You must satisfy all spacing required by the general shear design section of 5.8.3.
This would the maximum of either that required for shear strength

OR the max spacing requirements of 5.8.2.7 page 5-65.

If vu < 0.125fc’ then smax = 8dv ≤24”
If vu ≥0.125fc’ then smax = 4dv ≤12”
Summary of design checks for concrete columns with seismic loads:
Longitudinal reinforcement:

1) Check that section qualifies as a column per AASHTO 5.10.11.4.1. page 5-160 Sections with clear
height/max plan dimension ratio greater than or equal to 2.5 are to be designed as columns.
2) Determine if column is slender using AASHTO 5.7.4-3 page 5-52. If Klu/r < 22 slenderness effects
may be neglected. For a column with rotational AND translational fixity, K may be taken as 0.65.
For columns with only rotational fixity at top (fixed cantilever), K may be taken as 1.2. See
AASHTO page 4-48 for other cases.
3) Check the P-∆ requirements of AASHTO section 4.7.4.5 on page 4-87 which limits the maximum
column displacements.
4) Use an interaction diagram or other suitable method to design the longitudinal reinforcement
for combined flexure and axial effects. Interaction diagrams are the preferred method.
Alternatively, and approximate method is provided in AASHTO section 5.7.4.5 page 5-54.
Remember that if a generic interaction diagram is provided with NOMINAL (i.e. not reduced by
φ) capacities, you will need to divide the controlling axial force and moment by φ. For the
extreme event limit state, φ = 0.90 for both axial and flexure capacities, per page 5-161.
5) Check the limits of vertical reinforcement. For seismic zones 2, 3, and 4, 0.01≤ ρ ≤0.06.

Spiral Reinforcement:

1) Calculate the effective section depth, dv using AASHTO commentary equation C5.8.2.9-2 on page
5-67. Calculate the shear stress on the concrete using equation 5.8.2.9-1 vu = |Vu-φVp|/(φbvdv)
Note that for circular sections, bv = the diameter of the section.
2) Calculate the concrete shear strength. Note that if there IS axial tension, the simplified
procedure where β = 2.0 and θ= 45 degrees cannot be used. Use the general procedure on
page 5-72. Also note that per the seismic shear design requirements on page 5-162, in the END
REGIONS, if the axial compressive force is less than 0.10fc’Ag then you must linearly interpolate
the shear capacity from section 5.8.3 (shear design) value to zero when there is axial tension.
Note that it is typical and conservative to neglect the concrete’s shear capacity when tension
may be present.
3) Calculate the shear capacity of the spiral reinforcement. The required shear capacity is Vsrequired
= (Vu – φVc)/φ. The spiral spacing required to provide this capacity is srequired = Avfydv/Vsrequired
where Av = 2X the area of the spiral bar. The spiral bars apparently can be pretty big. The NCEES
example was using a #7 spiral which seems pretty huge, but AASHTO doesn’t specify a maximum
size in section 5.10.6.2 “spirals” on page 5-130. Minimum size is a #3 bar.
4) Check confinement requirements.
a) The entire column must satisfy ρs ≥0.45(Ag/Ac-1)(fc’/fyh) where the Ac is computed
to the OUTSIDE of the spiral reinforcement.
 b) Additionally, the “expected plastic hinge regions” which are the “END REGIONS”
defined on page 5-162 plus an embedment past the column into the adjacent
member of max(15”, ½ the maximum column dimension), need to satisfy
ρs ≥0.12fc’/fyh

See the equation and diagram taped onto page 5-161 for how to compute ρs.

5) Check spiral pitch spacing requirements.

a) In the “expected plastic hinge regions” the spacing shall not exceed the
min( ¼ of the member dimension, 4”). AASHTO 5.10.11.4.1e page 5-165.
b) The entire column shall satisfy the requirements of AASHTO 5.10.6.2 page 5-131.
The minimum clear spacing between bars is max(1.0”, 1.33X max aggregate size)
The maximum center to center pitch is max(6X diameter of the longitudinal bars,
6in)
c) You must satisfy all spacing required by the general shear design section of 5.8.3.
This would the maximum of either that required for shear strength

OR the max spacing requirements of 5.8.2.7 page 5-65.

If vu < 0.125fc’ then smax = 8dv ≤24”
If vu ≥0.125fc’ then smax = 4dv ≤12”