CONCRETE COLUMNS

INTRODUCTION
 The ability of concrete to resist compressive stress
and its weakness in tension makes it logical for use on
structural members whose primary task is the
resistance of compression.
 Major use is made of concrete for columns, piers,
pedestals, posts, and bearing walls - all basically
compression members.
 Concrete columns often exist in combination with
concrete beam systems, forming rigid frames with
vertical planar bents.
EFFECTS OF COMPRESSION FORCE

When concrete is subjected to a direct compressive force, the

most obvious stress response in the material is one of
compressive stress.
EFFECTS OF COMPRESSION FORCE

 In multi-story structures, the magnitude of compression in

lower stories requires columns with very high resistance.
 There is often some architectural design limits to column
sizes, so that efforts are made to obtain strength
increases by means other than simply increasing the
mass of concrete.
 Three basic means of achieving this are:
1. Increase the amount of reinforcement, packing
columns with the maximum amount that is feasible
and allowable by codes.
2. Increase the yield strength of the steel, using as
much as twice the strength used for ordinary bars.
3. Increase the strength of the concrete.
Analysis and Design of “Short” Columns

General Information

Column: Vertical Structural members

Transmits axial compressive loads with
or without moment
transmit loads from the floor & roof to
the foundation
 Analysis and Design of Columns
General Information

Column Types:
1. Tied
2. Spiral
3. Composite
4. Combination
5. Steel pipe
Tied Columns
 95% of all columns in buildings are
tied
 tie support long bars (reduce
buckling)
 ties provide negligible restraint to
lateral expose of core
Spiral Columns
 Pitch = 1.375 in. to 3.375 in.
 spiral restrains lateral (Poisson’s
effect)
 axial load delays failure (ductile)
Reinforcement for Columns
 To assist the basic
compression function,
steel bars are added,
with their linear
orientation in the
direction of the
compression force.
This is the fundamental
purpose of the vertical
reinforcing bars in a
column.
 Although the steel bars
displace some concrete,
their superior strength
and stiffness make
them a significant
improvement.
Reinforcement Requirements (Longitudinal
Steel)
Minimum # of Bars ACI Code 10.9.2
min. of 6 bars in circular
arrangement w/min. spiral
reinforcement.
min. of 4 bars in rectangular
arrangement
min. of 3 bars in triangular ties
Minimum size of Bars 16mm dia.
Reinforcement Requirements (Lateral Ties)
ACI Code 7.10.5.1
size
 8mm bar if longitudinal bar  32mm bar 12mm
 bar if longitudinal bar 36mm bar 12mm bar if
 longitudinal bars are bundled
Reinforcement Requirements (Lateral Ties)

Vertical spacing: (ACI) 7.10.5.2)

s  16 db ( db for longitudinal bars) 48
s  db ( db for tie bar )
s  least lateral dimension of column
Reinforcement Requirements (Lateral Ties)

Arrangement Vertical spacing: (ACI 7.10.5.3)

1.) At least every other longitudinal bar shall have

lateral support from the corner of a tie with an
included angle  135o.
2.) No longitudinal bar shall be more than 6 in.
clear on either side from “support” bar.
Examples of lateral ties.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COLUMNS
Column Size
 Rectangular tied columns should be limited to a minimum area of
645 cm2 (100 sq.in.)
 Minimum side dimension of 250mm.
 Spiral columns should be limited to a minimum size of 300mm.

Reinforcement
 Minimum bar size is 16mm dia.
 Minimum amount of area of steel is 1% of the gross column area.
 Maximum area of steel of 4% of the gross area is a more practical
limit.
− The ACI Code stipulates that for a compression member with a larger
cross section than required by considerations of loading, a reduced
effective area not less than one-half the total area may be used to
determine minimum reinforcement and design strength.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR COLUMNS
Concrete Cover
 A minimum of 38mm concrete cover is needed when the column
surface is not exposed to weather and is not in contact with the
ground.
 Cover of 50mm should be used for formed surfaces exposed to the
weather or in contact with the ground.
 Cover of 75mm should be used if the concrete is cast directly against
earth without constructed forming such as occurs on the bottoms of
footings.

Spacing of Bars
 Clear distance between bars should not be less than 1.5 times the
bar diameter, 1.33 times the maximum specified size for the coarse
aggregate, or 38mm.