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Reinforced Circular Water Tank | Design of Today, we will discuss something very general. Inspite of knowing these general thumb rules, Civil
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Earlier, I wrote an article describing one of my projects where structural designing was executed on site
Use of Porcelain and Ceramic tiles in
(which was extremely pathetic) even before Architectural design was done. (Check out: Consequences of
Modern Architecture
Wrong Structural Design | Live Project example)
Development of Surface Active Structure
system In this article, we will go through the essential thumb rules to be followed for giving a column
Types of Dormers | Architectural Details layout. Ofcourse RCC columns have to be designed in accordance to the total load on the columns
Moment of Resistance | Doubly reinforced but apart from that it is essential for every Civil engineer and Architect to remember a few thumb
Sections rules so that they are prevented from making mistakes.

Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:

Civil Projects Archives 1. Size of the Columns
2. Distance between Columns
About Civil Projects Online 3. Alignment of columns

Thumb rule no.1

Architecture Student Blog
Size of the columns
The size of the columns depends on the total load on the columns.
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Minimum size of the column should not be less than 9x9.

Subscribe via Email 9x9 columns are to be used for a single storey structure with M15 grade of concrete.

In case, 9x9 column size is to be used for 1 and half storey structure, then it is advised to use M20

Subscribe grade concrete.

A safe and structurally sound column size for a 1 and half storey structure should not be less than
12x9 using M15 grade concrete. This should be in your most preferred and practical options list.

Thumb rule no.2

Distance between the columns

Try to maintain equal distance between the centres of two columns. Always plan a column layout on a
grid.

The distance between two columns of size 9x9 should not be more than 4m centre to centre of
column.

If larger barrier free distances are required then going for larger column size is to be used.

The size of the columns increase because of two factors:

1. Increase in the distance between two columns (This increases the dimensions of the columns as well
the depth of the beam.)
2. Height of the building (Increase in the number of floors is directly proportional to the dimensions of
the columns.

Thumb rule no.3

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Alignment of Columns
A rectangular grid is to be made for placing the columns. This helps in avoiding mistakes and placing in
columns can be done in the right way.

The columns can preferably be arranged in two different fashions:

1. In a straight line with the help of a grid
2. In a circular fashion for circular buildings.

Zigzag arrangement of columns is an absolutely wrong way of working out Structural design. It should
be remembered that when columns are erected, beams are laid connecting the columns.

The Zigzag column placement causes three major issues:

1. Unbalanced load transfer
2. Problems in wall construction
3. Problems in laying beams

If these three thumb rules are followed by Civil Engineering and Architecture students,
implementation of wrong Structural design can be prevented.

In the next article, I will explain these three thumb rules with the help of an example Column
Column Layout
for a Residence.
Residence.

Also read:
Introduction to design of RCC Structures

Building Design Guide which includes design of:

1. RCC columns
2. RCC beams
3. Foundations
4. Staircase

Share this Post:

Related posts:
1. Consequences of Wrong Structural Design | RCC Structures
2. Column Layout for a Residence | Civil Engineering
3. Relationship between Structural and Architectural Design
4. RCC Building Design and Construction | Structural Design
5. Fly ash Bricks | Building Materials and Construction

This entry was posted by Benzu JK on September 9, 2011, 9:27 am and is filed under Building Construction, Civil

Projects. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0.

Alignment of columns, Building Construction, Design of columns, Distance between columns, Guide to making a
column layout, How to make a column layout?, Size of the columns, structural design, Thumb rules for making a
column layout, Wrong Structural Design

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COMMENTS (44) RELATED POSTS

2 of 7 10/21/2015 4:22 PM
Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E... http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

#1 by Ghulam Mustafa Vira on September 9, 2011 - 10:58 am

wow gr8 stuff thanx

#2 by BenzuJK on September 9, 2011 - 11:53 am

Hello Mustafa,
I am glad our article has been of help to you. Do keep visiting.
Cheers

#3 by Ringwang on December 22, 2011 - 1:36 am

Dear Sir/madam.
My site plan total area is 45X40. I required longest distant b/w two coulmn is 20ft and 10ft. can you
suggest me what size of column i have to take and also beam depth. and types.

#4 by Ringwang on December 22, 2011 - 3:01 am

i need one office room for the five empolyer and one for the cheif person. also two toilet. and verandha
of 7ft. please how i have to make the column layout

#5 by BenzuJK on July 26, 2013 - 5:33 pm

Hello Ringwang,

You can now approach our experts at Civil Projects Online for advise and also for getting the structural
design done.

Design Services by Civil Projects Online

#6 by awais on April 2, 2012 - 9:27 pm

thanks

#7 by ADIL YOUSAF ADIL on August 13, 2012 - 5:05 pm

thanks for this good welfare

#8 by Abdul on September 22, 2012 - 7:54 pm

Hi Benz!!
I really find this site educative..I am a new bee in this field..I am now planning to construct a 2-storey
residential house with rooftop..is my 25cmX25cm column with 4-20mm rebars is safe? Average distance
between column is 3.5m..waiting for your valuable comment..thanks a lot.
Sincerely..
Abdul

#9 by venkatesh on November 21, 2014 - 11:06 am

Hi..

It is really very informative.

Thanks a lot!

#10 by Poonguzhale.V on September 27, 2011 - 2:53 am

worth stuff. thanks a lot

#11 by sharif on November 13, 2012 - 3:39 am

Hello dear
I have some question in column and beam
about column please tell me the minimum and maximum
steel bars in column and beam
numbers and dia of steels

#12 by Vaibhav kashyap on December 3, 2011 - 4:42 am

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Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E... http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

Igts really worth article..

Thnx..

#13 by sunita on January 31, 2012 - 3:02 am

Really helpful article

Thanks for sharing

#14 by rhon ammang on February 15, 2012 - 11:14 pm

A BIG HELP 4 ME,,THANKS

#15 by YTSRAO on March 11, 2012 - 11:50 pm

I am new to RCC & Structural design. Can i know suitable books for Slab, beam, Staircase designs etc.

#16 by BenzuJK on December 7, 2013 - 5:15 am

There are a lot of books, most of them have the same technical information. My personal favourite was a
book by Shah-Kale. Very easy to understand and learn structural design.

#17 by Raju on March 20, 2012 - 6:46 pm

Im building a 2 storied residential building (800) sq.ft. There are 12 columns. height of each column from
base to floor level is 9 ft. I want to make singletie beam of 1012 at pl level. My engineer suggests me for 2
tie bems, one at 5 & another at 9 height. Is it required? pl. mail me

#18 by khan on April 14, 2012 - 2:51 am

how i calculate steel of roof if we have 20 meter short bore and 40 meter is long bore steel type is 6# and how
we will convert in weight, thanks

#19 by loi on April 20, 2012 - 12:08 am

it helps me a lotthanks for sharing.

#20 by KANNAN on May 1, 2012 - 2:35 am

Thanks

#21 by Gerard on May 2, 2012 - 4:51 pm

Sorry, if I may sound dumb as I am a new bee.

What does 1 and half storey structure mean? A house will be either 1 or 2 storey.

Also, would it be ok if the column size is 12x12 using M15 grade concrete?

Thanks in advance.

#22 by BenzuJK on May 15, 2012 - 10:17 am

Hello Gerard,
1 and half storey is calculated by adding the length of the plinth beam and the parapet wall. When their
lengths are added, they sum up to 5 which is equivalent to half storey. This is assumed so since they have
to be considered in the structural design calculations.
As far as column size is concerned, the column size for any building is derived from its structural
calculations.

Go through the following article. It will be of help to you.

Building design Guide | Structural Design

#23 by mahantesh on July 13, 2012 - 4:56 am

hi..its very nice article if possible mail me thumbrules for brick masonry.

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#24 by Gourav tiwari on July 30, 2012 - 4:49 am

Very nice articles. Thanks for such a wonderful job.

GhPlease mention some more thumb rule practised in civil eng.

#25 by Nishi on August 22, 2012 - 9:18 am

hey.. that was really helpful but can u tell me what should be the size of the columns and c-c distance if we
are working on a large area and have to give a barrier free movement like in a hospital?
also if we plan to give some parts double height.. will that change the dimensions of the column?

#26 by Dongapar Nyikango on October 8, 2012 - 12:28 am

Could you kindly provide with an article on how to design flat slabs. You are articles are helpful to civil
engineers.
with best wishes,
Donga.

#27 by Shweta on November 5, 2012 - 8:32 pm

Really its very easy to understand.

#28 by Rollson Lasrado on December 2, 2012 - 7:17 am

Hey,

tons of useful info on the site. Awesome work. Kudos! Would like to clarify a few things about though when
you say zigzag arrangment of column is wrong what exactly do you mean. ive come across projects where
there is a basic grid but all the columns may not be alligned to form perfect rectangles. but the beams
connecting four columns do form a rectangles. when you say zig zag what exactly do you mean? clarification
much appreciated!

regards,

Rollson lasrado

#29 by BenzuJK on July 26, 2013 - 7:07 pm

In this case, it means the columns should preferably in a straight line and not placed randomly.

#30 by shankhpal shivdas D. on May 19, 2013 - 12:07 am

sir,i am planned to construct g+1 storey bldg.in my village.foundation depth is 6on hard strata i.e on hard
murum strata.length of house is 50*10.5 .pl.advice me about r.c.c. footing, no.of columns placing of
columns,reinforced bar details in column, same details about beams and slab

#31 by BenzuJK on July 26, 2013 - 5:11 pm

Hello Shankpal,

There is some good news I would like to share with you. Civil projects Online has officially launched its
Architectural and Structural Design Services. You can immediately get in touch with them and get the
answers to your questions. It is important for you to understand that we cannot generalize the structural
design of columns and footings. It needs expertise without which it cannot be constructed safe and sound.
We spend lacs of rupees on the construction of our houses because we build them once in our lifetime.
Hence, it is important to go the right way and not take chances by deciding the number of columns and
footings on our own.
The entire aim of offering design services at such low costs is so that people belonging to all levels are able
to afford it. We want the best for you.

Take a look and you should definitely get in touch.

Architectural and Structural Design Services by Civil Projects Online

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
BenzuJK

#32 by Ram on July 20, 2013 - 6:13 pm

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Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E... http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

KANNAN :
Thanks

#33 by Ram on July 20, 2013 - 6:18 pm

hi . i need some another web sites for our civil related

#34 by Ritesh kumar singh on July 20, 2013 - 10:44 pm

nice guidance

#35 by gokul on October 29, 2013 - 3:45 am

its very nice

#36 by victor on December 5, 2013 - 3:55 am

Dear sir, room size 36feet /13 feet. please let me know reinforcement details of coulmns and slab. soil is
gravel in loose
condition

#37 by hemanth on July 24, 2014 - 11:21 pm

Is 12 mm iron 8 numbers enough for column size of 6*18 for site measuring 250 sq feet for 4 floors

#38 by lakhwinder singh on September 27, 2014 - 10:34 am

Sir.i want to construct two stories house problem is that we want to live on first floor leaving ground floor on
columns for parking a car tractor area is 800sqft

#39 by BenzuJK on October 26, 2014 - 5:01 pm

Dear Mr Singh,

It would be wise to employ a Civil Engineer to guide you.

#40 by ASHISH SAHU on January 10, 2015 - 11:02 am

Hello Sir,

Thanks for all the posts & your suggestions, it is very helpful for all peoples. Here after reading the post
thumb rules for designing column, I have some problem. Last year I have constructed my home of G floor &
made all column & beam of 9x9 with 4 nos. 12mm bars & used M15 concrete. Distance of all column are
12.

I want to construct this year one floor more (so G+1), pls suggest whether my home will be at risk or OK to
survive. And another thing, Suppose in future I want to construct one more floor, How the same can be
achieved???

.Ashish Sahu

#41 by BenzuJK on July 16, 2015 - 6:23 pm

If you do that your house will collapse. Thumb rules are minimum standards and not meant to be used by
layman like you. They are to be used under the supervision of a Civil engineer who is an expert in this field.
If you need experts working on your project, you should be willing to pay them as well unless you want your
house to collapse and your family killed under the debris.

#42 by virender on January 26, 2015 - 10:47 pm

Dear Sir\mam
I want to know that if we are constructing a 3 storey house than what should be the distance between 2
columns. please tell the minimum distance which can be between the two coloums.

#43 by BenzuJK on February 18, 2015 - 12:41 pm

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Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E... http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

There is no minimum or maximum distance. It all depends on the design. You should hire a structural
designer. You are building a house for 60 years lifespan. You can get a good structural designer for Rs 7 per
square feet builtup area. That is a small investment for complete peace of mind.

#44 by bidul boruah on May 29, 2015 - 9:47 am

thanks for your article

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