Design of

Compression
members-Axially
by
S.PraveenKumar
Loaded
columns

Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
PSG College of Technology
Coimbatore
spk@civ.psgtech.ac.in,praveen9894861585@gmail.com

Introduction
A

column is an important components of R.C.

Structures.
A column, in general, may be defined as a member
carrying direct axial load which causes compressive
stresses of such magnitude that these stresses largely
control its design.
A column or strut is a compression member, the
effective length of which exceeds three times the least
lateral dimension.
When a member carrying mainly axial load is vertical,
it is termed as column ,while if it is inclined or
horizontal, it is termed as a strut.
Columns may be of various shape such as circular,
rectangular, square, hexagonal etc.
2

Classification of columns

Based
on Type of
Reinforcement
a) Tied Columns-where
the main longitudinal bars
are
enclosed
within
closely
spaced
lateral
ties( all cross sectional
shapes)
b) Spiral columns-where
the main longitudinal bars
are
enclosed
within
closely
spaced
and
continuously wound spiral
reinforcement
(Circular,

Based on Type of Loading

a) Columns with axial loading (applied concentrically)
b) Columns with uniaxial eccentric loading
c) Columns with biaxial eccentric loading

 The

occurrence of pure axial compression in a column

(due to concentric loads) is relatively rare.
Generally, flexure accompanies axial compression due
to rigid frame action, lateral loading and/or actual(or
even, unintended/accidental) eccentricities in loading.
The combination of axial compression (P) with bending
moment (M) at any column section is statically
equivalent to a system consisting of the load P applied
with an eccentricity e = M/P with respect to the
longitudinal centroidal axis of the column section.
In a more general loading situation, bending moments
(Mx and My) are applied simultaneously on the axially
loaded column in two perpendicular directions about
the major axis (XX) and minor axis (YY) of the column
section. This results in biaxial eccentricities e x= Mx /P
and ey = My /P, as shown in [Fig.(c)].
5

 Columns

in reinforced concrete framed buildings, in

general, fall into the third category, viz. columns with
biaxial eccentricities.
The biaxial eccentricities are particularly significant in
the case of the columns located in the building corners.
In the case of columns located in the interior of
symmetrical, simple buildings, these eccentricities
under gravity loads are generally of a low order (in
comparison with the lateral dimensions of the column),
and hence are sometimes neglected in design
calculations.
In such cases, the columns are assumed to fall in the
first category, viz. columns with axial loading.
The Code, however, ensures that the design of such
columns is sufficiently conservative to enable them to
be capable of resisting nominal eccentricities in loading
6

Based on Slenderness Ratio

Columns (i.e., compression members) may be classified
into the following two types, depending on whether
slenderness effects are considered insignificant or
significant:
1. Short columns
2. Slender (or long) columns.
Slenderness
is a geometrical property of a
compression member which is related to the ratio of
its effective length to its lateral dimension. This
ratio, called slenderness ratio, also provides a
measure of the vulnerability to failure of the column
by elastic instability (buckling) in the plane in
which the slenderness ratio is computed..
Columns with low slenderness ratios, i.e., relatively
short and stocky columns, invariably fail under
ultimate loads with the material (concrete, steel)7
reaching its ultimate strength, and not by buckling.

On the other hand, columns with very high slenderness

ratios are in danger of buckling (accompanied with large
lateral deflection) under relatively low compressive loads,
and thereby failing suddenly.
Braced columns & unbraced column
In most of the cases, columns are also subjected to horizontal
loads like wind, earthquake etc. If lateral supports are
provided at the ends of the column, the lateral loads are
borne entirely by the lateral supports. Such columns are
known as braced columns.(When relative transverse
displacement between the upper and lower ends of a
column is prevented, the frame is said to be braced (against
sideway)).
Other columns, where the lateral loads have to be resisted by
them, in addition to axial loads and end moments, are
considered as unbraced columns. (When relative
transverse displacement between the upper and lower ends
of a column is not prevented, the frame is said to be
unbraced (against sideway).

In such
cases,
the
effective
length
ratio k
varies
between
0.5 and
1.0

In such
cases,
the
effective
length
ratio k
varies
between
1.0 and
infinity

10

Reinforcement in column
Concrete

is strong in compression.
However, longitudinal steel rods are always provided
to assist in carrying the direct loads.
A minimum area of longitudinal steel is provided in
the column, whether it is required from load point of
view or not.
This is done to resist tensile stresses caused by
some eccentricity of the vertical loads.
There is also an upper limit of amount of
reinforcement in RC columns, because higher
percentage of steel may cause difficulties in placing
and compacting the concrete.
Longitudinal reinforcing bars are tied laterally by
ties or stirrups at suitable interval so that the
bars do not buckle
11

Codal Provisions(IS-4562000)

12

Page No:41 & 42

13

Page No:94IS 456-

Page No:42IS
456-2000

14

15

Clause26.53.1- Page No:48

16

Functions of longitudinal
reinforcement
To share the vertical compressive load,
thereby reducing the overall size of the
column.
To resist tensile stresses caused in the
column due to (i) eccentric load (ii) Moment
(iii) Transverse load.
To prevent sudden brittle failure of the
column.
To impart certain ductility to the column.
To reduce the effects of creep and shrinkage
due to sustained loading.
17

18

Clause 26.53.3.2Page

19

Clause 26.5.3.2 Page

20

Clause 26.5.3.2 Page

Functions of Transverse
reinforcement
To

prevent longitudinal buckling of longitudinal

reinforcement.
To resist diagonal tension caused due to
transverse shear due to moment/transverse load.
To hold the longitudinal reinforcement in position
at the time of concreting.
To confine the concrete, thereby preventing its
longitudinal splitting.
To impart ductility to the column.
To prevent sudden brittle failure of the columns.
21

Clause 26.5.3.2 Page

No:49IS 456-2000

Cover to reinforcement
For a longitudinal reinforcing bar in a column,
the nominal cover shall not be less than
40mm, nor less than the diameter of such bar.
In the case of columns of minimum dimension
of 200mm or under,
whose reinforcing bars
Clause 26.4.2.1 Page
does not exceed 12mm,
cover of 25mm may
No:49ISa456-2000

22

SP 34- 1987 Page No:88

23

Assumptions in Limit State of Collapse

-Compression

24

Clause 38.1 Page No:69

Clause 38.1 Page No:69

IS 456-2000

25

Clause 38.1 Page No:69

IS 456-2000

26

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28

29

Detailing of columns

30

a) Termination of column bars inside slab

b) Fixed end joint in a column

31

c) Typical detail of beam column

junction at external column

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