Example:

Q#1. Determine the ultimate axial load carrying capacity of the reinforced concrete column
cross-section shown below. Assume the grade of materials to be C-25/30 for concrete and
S-300 for reinforcement steel, the column is given to be short and braced.

Step1. Given
Square column dimension=400mm
Longitudinal bars =6Ø16
Materials C-25/30& S-300
Type -short and braced
Step2. Design constants
Concrete: C25/30, fck = 25 MPa, fcu = 30 MPa
α cc f ck 0.85∗25
f cd = = =¿ 14.17 MPa
γc 1.25
Reinforcement steel: S300
f yk 300
f yd = = = 260.87 MPa
γ s 1.15
Step3. Compute cross-section area of concrete and reinforcement steel
A g=b∗h=400 mm∗400 mm = 120000 mm2 (gross area)

π∗Ø 2 π∗16 2
A st =8 ( 4 ) (
=8
4 )
= 1608 mm2

Ac = A g −A s= (16 0000−1608 ) mm2=15 8392 mm2

Step4. Compute ultimate axial load carrying capacity ( Pdu)
Pdu=f cd A c + f yd A st
N N
= 14.17 2
∗15 8392mm 2+260.87 2
∗1608 mm2
mm mm
Pdu=2663.89 kN
 Q#2. Design a column subjected to sustain a design axial load of 1000 kN transferred
from the slab. Use C-25/30 concrete and S-300 reinforcement steel under class I works,
and assume the column is given to be short and braced.
Step1. Given
Pdu=1000 kN
Materials C-25/30 and S-300 class I works
Column is - short and braced.
Step2. Design constants
Concrete: C25/30, fck = 25 MPa, fcu = 30 MPa
α cc f ck 0.85∗25
f cd = = =¿ 14.17 MPa
γc 1.25
Reinforcement steel: S300
f yk 300
f yd = = = 260.87 MPa
γ s 1.15
Step3. Determination of Factored Load
Pdu=1000 kN Given
Step4. Steel Ratio Assumption
Assumption of steel ratio depends on designer’s experience.
According to EBCS ENI Code 2013
0.002 < ρ g < 0.04 or 0.08
Late take ρ g= 0.02
Step5. Determination of Concrete Gross Area
The design strength for axially loaded column
Pdu= Ag[fcd (1 – ρ)+ ρ fyd]
1000∗1000 N 2
Ag= ¿=52345.059 mm
14.17∗ (1 – 0.02 )+ 0.02∗260.87 ¿
Step6. Selection of Column Size
Let us choose a square column of size. So Ag=b 2

b=√ Ag=√ 52345.059mm 2=228.78 ≈ 250mm

Ag=b 2=250 mm∗250 mm=¿ 62500mm2

Step7. Check for Steel Ratio

Pdu− Ag fcd 106−6.25∗104∗14.17

ρ g= = =0.007418
Ag( fyd−fcd) 6.25∗104 (260.87−14.17)

0.1 N Ed
ρ g= =0.00613 ≥ 0.002
f cd bh

Limits are ok
 Step8. Calculation of Reinforcement
A st =ρ g Ag=0.007418∗62500=463.62 mm2
Let us choose Ø14 bar (a s=153.94 m m2)
As
Number of reinforcement steel (N) =
as
2
463.62 mm
For❑14 N = =¿3.01≅4 b/c it is rectangular column
153.94 mm 2
Step9. Selection of Ties
Use Ø6 bar for ties
Step10. Determination of Vertical Spacing of Ties
a. 20 times the minimum diameter of the longitudinal bars=20*14=280
b. The lesser dimension of the column=250mm
c. 400 mm
Choose vertical spacing of ties = 250mm
Step11. Arrangement of Ties
Clear spacing between longitudinal bars in each direction
= [Column dimension – (2 x clear cover) – (2 x die of ties) – (2x dia of bar)]
= [250– (2x 25) – (2* 6) – (2* 14)] =160 mm
Check if additional ties are required
Step12. Detailing