Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E...

1 of 6

http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

I take the vision which comes from dreams and apply the magic of science and mathematics, adding
the heritage of my profession and my knowledge of nature's materials to create a design.

Civil Engineering Projects

SITEMAP

Civil Projects Archives

Building Construction

About Me

Green Building

Civil Projects

Lighting

Economics

Mega Projects

Electrical Engineering

Surveying and Levelling

SEARCH
Search

SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL

Causes of Foundation Damage | Moisture

Septic Tank Design Calculations | Building Construction and Design

Thumb rules for designing a Column layout |

Civil Engineering

Get Free Updates

Subscribe

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

Ads by Google

Building Construction

Are You a Fresher?

House Building Cost

Civil Engineering Degrees
LINKS

Architecture Student Blog

www.niiteducation.com/Register-
Take NIIT's IT Aptitude Test & Get
Chance to Work With Top
Companies!

Earthquake Engineering
Ads by Google

Building Retaining Walls

Building Designing
Interior Designing
Ads by Google

Building Home Plan

5
Like

Civil Road Construction

Building Materials
ALL ARTICLES

0
Tweet

[] Building Construction (114)

New Concept of Modern Bathrooms
6 step procedure for determining
stresses in steel and concrete | Doubly
reinforced sections
Alamillo Bridge by Calatrava | Suspended
Structures
Assumptions for Singly reinforced
Sections | RCC Structures
Bending Moment and Fixed Moment
Calculations
Bonds in Brickwork | Building
Construction
Building Materials | Use of Carbonnegative Cement in Building Construction
Calculation of loads for Foundation
Design | Structural Design
Calculations for Overhead Water tank |
Building Construction

Guidelines to be followed for making a column layout | Building

Construction
Today, we will discuss something very general. Inspite of knowing these general thumb rules, Civil
Engineers still end up making disastrous mistakes which would not only cost them but also cost the
people living in the building designed by these engineers.
Earlier, I wrote an article describing one of my projects where structural designing was executed on site
(which was extremely pathetic) even before Architectural design was done. (Check out: Consequences
of Wrong Structural Design | Live Project example)
In this article, we will go through the essential thumb rules to be followed for giving a column
layout. Ofcourse RCC columns have to be designed in accordance to the total load on the columns
but apart from that it is essential for every Civil engineer and Architect to remember a few thumb
rules so that they are prevented from making mistakes.

Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:

1. Size of the Columns

09-02-2013 20:16

Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E...

2 of 6

Capitalized Value and Year's Purchase |

Property Valuation System
Causes of Foundation Damage and
Retrofitting | Settlement in the ground
Causes of Foundation Damage | Moisture
Classification of Cracks | Treatment of
Cracks in a Building
Column Bases | Design of Steel Structures
Concept of Fire Zoning | National Building
Code
Conduits | Building Construction
Construction of Earth Tunnels | Building
Construction
Continuous Beams | Design of RCC
Structures
Deconstructivism | Walt Disney Concert
Hall
Defects in Construction | Building
Materials used in Construction
Design Methods for Singly reinforced
Sections
Design of Doubly reinforced sections |
Numerical example
Design of Singly reinforced sections |
Design Method 2
Design of Staircase | RCC Structures
Design procedure for designing doubly
reinforced section
Determining stresses in Steel and
Concrete | Doubly reinforced Sections
Development in Structural Systems in
Postmodernist Period
Development of Surface Active Structure
system
Development of Suspended Structures |
Structural Systems
Differences between Working stress
method and Limit state method
Dormer Window | Architectural
Construction
Drainage and Dewatering | Building
Construction
Example of the Design of Shear
reinforcement in a beam
Factors causing damage to the building |
Failures in Buildings
Failures in Buildings | Important
Construction Materials
Fly ash Bricks | Building Materials and
Construction
Foundation Damage and Retrofitting
Guide to Construction of Terrace Garden
| RCC Construction
Guide to design of Doubly reinforced
Sections | Civil Engineering
Guide to Design of RCC Columns
Guide to Design of Shear Reinforcement
in a beam
Guide to Design of Simple Beam | Design
of Steel Structures
Guide to Design of Simply Supported
Slabs | Design of RCC Structures
Guide to design of Singly reinforced
beams | Solved examples
Guide to designing a Rolled Steel Beam
Guide to Doubly Reinforced RCC Beam
Design
Guide to Foundation Design | Column
Footings
Guide to Repair and Maintenance of
Buildings
Guide to repair and waterproofing of Jack
Arch Concrete Roof

http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

2. Distance between Columns

3. Alignment of columns

Thumb rule no.1

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

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
Layout for a 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

Civil Engineering Projects Archives and Search

09-02-2013 20:16

Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E...

3 of 6

Guide to the Construction of Sunken

Slabs | RCC Construction
Hollow Block Partitions | Terracotta
Partitions
Hollow Cement Block Partitions
Importance of Home Insurance Policies |
Prevention from Future Damages
Interview with Architect Javed Kachchhi |
Construction Site Inspection
Introduction to Design of RCC Structures
Introduction to the calculation of the
loads | Building Construction
Is it possible to construct an
Earthquake-proof building?
Lantern Light | Architectural element of
Roof lighting
Major causes of Cracks in Buildings |
Building Construction
Market Value, Book Value, Capital Cost |
Property Valuation System
Metal Lath Partitions | Metal Partitions
Methods of Structural Design | Design of
Steel Structures
Methods to calculate Property
Depreciation | Building Costing and
Estimation
Moment Distribution Method | Civil
Engineering
Moment of Resistance | Design of Singly
reinforced Sections
Moment of Resistance | Doubly
reinforced Sections
Neutral Axis Solved Example | Doubly
reinforced Sections
New material trends, Aesthetics and
Lighting Techniques
New trends in the Color schemes and
Materials of Design
Numerical example 2 | Singly reinforced
Sections
Numerical Examples | Moment of
Resistance Calculations
Plate Girders | Structural Steel
Components
Practical Problems related to
Construction on Site | Building
Construction
Prefabricated Construction and
Lightweight building systems
Recession cannot stop the boom in
Construction Industry
Relationship between Structural and
Architectural Design
Remedial Measures to prevent failure of
Concrete
Repair of cracks in the RCC Staircase |
Building Construction
Repair of Sinking Foundation | Civil
Engineering
Retrofitting old Foundations | Civil
Engineering
Septic Tank Design Calculations |
Building Construction and Design
Septic Tank Design for an Office Complex
Sinking Foundation and Repair |
Identifying Foundation problems
Six important Purposes of Property
Valuation | Building Estimation and
Costing
Solved numerical examples | Design of
Singly reinforced sections
Solved numericals for Singly reinforced
Sections | Design Method 1

http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

Related posts:
1. Building Design and Construction | Structural Design Building Design Guide | Design of RCC Structures
Step by step procedure to building design A building is composed of various structural components such as
Foundations, Plinth beams, Columns, Beams,...

2. Column Bases | Design of Steel Structures Column bases are structural elements used in the design of
steel structures to transfer the column load to the footings. Types of Column bases Slab base Gusseted base
Slab Base...

3. Guide to Foundation Design | Column Footings Foundation Design Foundation is the base of any
structure. Without a firm foundation, the structure cannot stand. That is the reason why we have to be very
cautious with the...

4. Guide to Design of RCC Columns RCC Column A column forms a very important component of a structure.
Columns support beams which in turn support walls and slabs. It should be realized that the failure of...

5. Types of Measurements in Surveying | Civil Engineering Types of Measurements in Surveying Surveying

is the art of making suitable measurements in horizontal or vertical planes. This is one of the important
subjects of civil engineering. Without taking...

This entry was posted 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. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

COMMENTS (13)

TRACKBACKS (1)

RELATED POSTS

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

thanks

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

thanks for this good welfare

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

worth stuff. thanks a lot

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

Igts really worth article..
Thnx..

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

Really helpful article
Thanks for sharing

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

09-02-2013 20:16

Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E...

4 of 6

Solved Numericals for Singly reinforced

Sections | Design Method 2
Specifications for Brick masonry in
Cement Mortar
Specifications for Coursed Rubble Stone
(CRS) Masonry
Specifications for Plain Cement Concrete
(PCC) | Building Estimation and Costing
Specifications for RCC Construction |
Building Estimating and Costing
Steel and Aluminium Partitions
Stitching Cracks in the Walls | Design of
RCC Structures
Stress, Strain, Modulus of elasticity and
Elastic Materials
Structures and Classification of Structures
| Design of Steel Structures
Testing for Hardened Concrete | Building
Construction
Tests for Fresh Concrete | Building
Construction
Theory of Built-up Sections
Thumb rules for designing a Column
layout | Civil Engineering
Tips of Building Construction | Civil
Engineering
Tips to Building Construction | Repairing
an Antique door and a Cracked brick wall
Tubular Steel Monitor Roof truss | Large
Span Constructions
Tubular Steel Roof Truss | Trussed large
span Constructions
Types of Construction | Building
Construction and Design
Types of Dormers | Architectural Details
Types of Foundations | Design of RCC
Structures
Types of Problems | Design of Doubly
Reinforced Sections
Types of Underground Conduits | Civil
Engineering
Understanding Load Calculations |
Structural Design
Understanding Stresses and Modular ratio
| RCC Structures
Use of Concrete Barriers
Use of Porcelain and Ceramic tiles in
Modern Architecture
Various types of RCC Slabs | Design of
RCC Structures
Various types of Roof trusses for various
spans
[] Civil Projects (47)
Application of Green Building Technology
in India | Thiagaraj Convention Center
Building Design and Construction |
Structural Design
Case study of Osmania Arts College,
Hyderabad, India | Heritage Structure
Causes of Foundation Damage | Fungus
Rot and Insects
Column Layout for a Residence | Civil
Engineering
Concept of an Underground City and
Skyway Systems
Consequences of Wrong Structural
Design | RCC Structures
Cracks in Buildings | Building
Construction
Design of different types of Parking
Methods
Design of India Habitat Centre, New
Delhi, India

http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

A BIG HELP 4 ME,,THANKS

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

Thanks

#10 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.

#11 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

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

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

#13 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.

Name (required)
E-Mail (required) (will not be published)
Website

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Submit Comment

09-02-2013 20:16

Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E...

5 of 6

http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

09-02-2013 20:16

Thumb rules for designing a Column layout | Civil Engineering | Civil E...

6 of 6

http://www.civilprojectsonline.com/building-construction/thumb-rules-fo...

Privacy Policy | Fusion theme by digitalnature | Author Profile

Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS) ^

09-02-2013 20:16