MODULE 1: Concrete

1.1 Vertical Reinforced Concrete Framing Systems: Columns

Introduction9

Columns are compression members designed to support axial compressive loads.

They have less steel in them compared to a beam or floor slab, as concrete is good
in compression. The axial loads are those that come into the column from the
column above, while the beams and girders attached to the sides of a column bring
about loads that are eccentric to the axis of the column.

Behavior9

Symmetrical design and

loading of columns. (a)
Plan of foundations and
columns. (b) Elevation of
beam column and
foundations. (c) Plan of
column balanced by two
beams. (d) Plan of
column balanced by four
beams.

Due to the nature of concrete structures, design practices generally do not consider
the possibility of a concrete column with axial compression alone. The existence of
some bending moment is always considered together with the axial force.

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If the connection is a moment-

resistant one involving continuity
(seldom in wood, sometimes in steel, but
almost always in poured-in-place
concrete), then the columns act together
with the beams to share moments in the
frame and the magnitude of the moment
in a column is usually quite significant.
Columns must be able to accommodate
these changing moments and are
designed for “worse case conditions” (a) (b)

under several loading patterns. Interior Influence of loading patterns on column and
moments.
columns usually have smaller end
moments because the dead load would be present in all bays of a frame and tend to
temper the moments. Almost all exterior columns must be designed for the reverse
curvature effect which results from being loaded from only one side.

As mentioned before, eccentric

loads on the column are brought
about by the beams and girders
attached to the columns. The
figure shows how a column will be
treated as far as reinforcement is
concerned, as an eccentrically
loaded column. The columns on the Column loading.
façade of a building would be of a
different design compared to those in the center of a building, which are more evenly
loaded.

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If a column is loaded unevenly, different stresses are set up which will cause the
column to bend, twist and buckle. The steel reinforcement is used to withstand
these stresses and to keep the size of the column less than it would need to
be if unreinforced. By doing so this also reduces the actual cost of the structure.

In multi-story construction, lower-level columns have large axial forces compared to

upper-level columns. Both have about the same amount of moment from the girders,
so relatively speaking, the effect of the moment on column design gets greater as
one goes up in height. For simplicity of construction columns are often made with a
constant cross-section for the full height of the building, except in very tall structures.
The strength of the concrete and the amount of reinforcement varies as required by
the loads.9

Types9

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) Code classifies two basic types of
columns by way in which the longitudinal steel is tied to prevent it from buckling out
of the column. These are called laterally tied and spirally tied. Sometimes they are
simply referred to as tied and spiral columns respectively. Another type of column is
called the composite column.

(a) Tied columns

Tied columns can be square or polygonal. These are columns with longitudinal
reinforcements held in place by lateral ties. This type of reinforcing can readily
accommodate other geometries as well as the square. The minimum dimension of
the column is 8” and minimum steel reinforcement diameter is 4-5/8 “.

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Tied column.

(b) Spiral columns

Circular or octagonal columns in which longitudinal reinforcing is placed in a circle,

with the whole group of bars enclosed by a continuous cylindrical spiral made from
steel rod or large-diameter steel wire. This type of reinforcing system can also be
used with other shapes.

Min. 3/8 “
Max. 3”

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(c) Composite column - concrete columns constructed in combination with steel

sections.

longitudinal reinforcements
with spirals
iron pipe

H column
concrete cone
concrete

(a) Combined column. (b) Combined column. (c) Lally column.

Laterally tied columns are more frequent because they cost less, and there is little
difference in the maximum load capacity of the two columns. Given the same
amount of steel, the spiral column will be tougher or more ductile; meaning it will
deform more before it finally collapses. The spiral column will provide a slower
failure with the probability of providing some warning before it gives way, and the
ACI Code recognizes this by assigning a larger  factor to spirally tied columns,
meaning that slightly more load is allowed for the spiral column.

Spiral reinforcing tends to be expensive, however, and the round bar pattern does
not always mesh well with other construction details in buildings. Thus, tied columns
are often favored where restrictions on the outer dimensions of the sections are not
severe.

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General Requirements9

Size
For practical reasons, the following limits are recommended:
 Rectangular tied columns should be limited to a minimum area of 100 in.2 and a
side dimension of 10 in. if square and 8 in. if rectangular.
 Spiral columns should be limited to a minimum size of 12 in. diameter.

Reinforcing
 Minimum bar size is No.5 or 5/8” diameter vertical bars.
 The minimum number of bars is four for tied columns, six for spiral columns.
 The minimum amount of area of steel is 1% of the gross column area.
 A maximum area of steel of 8% of the gross area is permitted, but bar spacing
limitations makes this difficult to achieve; 4% is a more practical limit.

Ties
 Ties shall be at least no. 3 for bars No. 10 and smaller.
 No. 4 ties should be used for bars that are No.11 and larger.
 Vertical spacing of ties shall be not more than 16 times the vertical bar
diameter, 48 times the tie diameter, or the least dimension of the column.
 Ties shall be arranged so that every corner and alternate longitudinal bar is held
by the corner of a tie with an included angle of not greater than 135 degrees , and
no bar shall be farther than 6 in. clear from such a supported bar.
 Complete circular ties may be used for bars placed in a circular pattern.

Concrete cover
 A minimum of 1.5” or 40mm is needed when the column surface is not

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exposed to weather or in contact with the ground.

 3” or 75mm should be used for formed surfaces exposed to the weather or in
contact with ground
 3” or 75mm is required if the concrete is cast against earth.

Spacing of bars

Clear distance between bars shall not be less than 1.5 times the bar diameter,
1.33 times the maximum specified size for the coarse aggregate, or 1.5 in.

Bar Layouts for Rectangular Tied Columns 9

Usually a number of possible combinations of reinforcing bars may be assembled to

satisfy the steel area requirement for a given column. Aside from providing for the
area, the number of bars must also work reasonably in the layout of the column.

 When a column is small, the preferred choice is usually that of the simple four-
bar layout, with one bar in each corner and a single peripheral tie.
 As the column gets larger, the distance between the corner bars get larger, and it
is best to use more bars so that the reinforcing is spread out around the column
periphery.
 For a symmetrical layout and the simplest of tie layouts, the best choice is for
numbers that are multiples of four.

Bar layout.
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Standard Arrangement of Ties

5
Tie arrangements.

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Round Columns9

Round columns may be developed as tied columns with the bars placed in a
circle and held by a series of round circumferential ties. Because of the cost of
spirals, it is often more economical to use the tied columns, so they are often used
unless the additional strength or other behavioral characteristics of the spiral column
are required. In such cases, the column is usually designed as a square column
using the square shape that can be included within the round form. It is thus possible
to use a four-bar column for small-diameter, round column forms.

Slenderness Effects in Compression Members 9

Most concrete columns in building construction are relatively stout. Although the
code provides reduction of axial compression on the basis of slenderness, the
reductions do not become significant until the ratio of the column height to its least
lateral dimension exceeds about 12. For slenderness beyond this ratio, the code
reductions should be considered.

Design Considerations6

Dimensions

 Clear distances between main bars should be at least 1.5 bar diameter or 1 ½
inches.
 Concrete cover should be at least 1 ½ inches for bar ties, 2 inches for main bars,
and 3 inches for bar subgrade.
 Total cross-sectional area of main bars should be from 2% to 8 % of gross cross-
sectional area of column.
 Minimum number of bars is 4 bars for tied columns and 6 bars for spiral columns.

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 Maximum number of main bars shall be dependent on bar clearances, splices,

and bundling (2-4 bars maximum).

Irregular Columns

 Main bars and bar ties should follow closely outline of column

Bar ties (used to retain main bars against buckling due to lateral stresses)

 For 30 mm diameter columns or less, use minimum of 10 mm bar ties or 3/8”

diameter
 For more than 30 mm diameter columns and columns with bundled bars, use
minimum of 12mm bar ties
 Spacing of bar ties shall not exceed 48 tie bars diameter, or 16-main bar
diameter, or least dimension of column
 Each main bar must be enclosed by the tie bar
 Bar tie ends should be hooked with extra length of 6 bar diameter

Spirals

 Spiral bars must be at least 10mm diameter (3/8”)

 Pitch (clear spacing between spirals) should be between 1 inch and 3 inches
spaced evenly throughout
 Should be anchored by an extra 1 ½ turn at each end
 Should be spliced by an extra length of 48 spiral bar diameter lapping tied or
weld

Selection

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 Spirals increase maximum load by 0.138

 Spirals cost more (1 ½ to 2 times more)
 Used for large columns, concrete strength is low, round columns, main bar is
very heavy.

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