UNIT – 4

SUPERSTRUCTURE
Syllabus : RCC Columns – different shapes, different combinations and loading
conditions (axial, bending and non axial loading), Slenderness factor. RCC
beams, lintels and Brackets , RCC slabs – One way and Two way slabs
This is gonna be a bigger unit, where you are going to learn a lot many new
things about superstructure of a building.
What is Superstructure ?
The superstructure is the portion of a building which is constructed above the
ground level and it serves the purpose of structure’s intended use. It includes
columns, beams, slab upwards including all finishes, door and window
schedules, flooring, roofing, lintels, and parapets.

SUPERSTRUCTURE SUBSTRUCTURE

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Part of a building that constructed above
ground level
It serves the purpose of building’s intended
use.
Superstructure elements include walls,
columns, beams, doors and windows, etc.
Portion of a building that constructed
below ground level.
It transfers loads received from
superstructure to supporting soil.
Elements of substructure include
foundation and plinth.

What are the general elements in Superstructure ?

1. Columns
2. Beams
3. Slab
4. Partitions
5. Sill
6. Lintel
7. Doors and windows etc.
In this unit we are going to learn about the framed superstructure , it means the
frame which supports the building to stand, like Columns, Beams, slabs with
their types and classifications .
COLUMNS : A column is vertical structural element that transmits, through
compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements
below. In other words, a column is a compression member.
Classification of Columns based on
1) Shapes
2) Loading conditions
3) Slenderness ratio.
Columns based on Shapes: There are many types of RCC columns based on
Shapes, this classification justifies the types based on Shapes when we cut the
section of the column. For example Circular section, Square section,
Rectangular Section, I or H section, etc.

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 CIRCULAR SQUARE. RECTANGULAR

L – Shaped Section Columns with different Reinforcements placed in it.

T – Shaped Section Columns with different Reinforcements and sizes.
Columns Based on Types of Loading : To understand the types of loading on
Columns, let’s analyze this Structural plan 👇 below.

From this plan, why the blue ones are axially loaded columns, and why the
yellow ones are axial load with biaxial bending. When we look in to the above
plan, the middle ones are in blue, corner ones are in red, and edges are in
yellow. The middle ones are axially loaded, why means the load on the middle
ones comes from all four sides, the load transmitted equally from all four sides
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and the concentration of the load falls on center of the column. In case of Red
ones which are corner, the loads comes from other 3 sides so the load and for

the yellow ones the load comes only from 2 sides. For better understanding of
where the load falls on column, there is column drawings below :
Uniaxial Bending. Biaxial Bending
The red dot, is the point where the maximum load falls on the column, in
different conditions.
Columns Based on Slenderness Ratio : The slenderness ratio is calculated by
dividing the column length by its radius of gyration. The slenderness ratio
differentiates short column from long or slender column. The design of the
former is controlled by column dimension and material strength whereas the
design of the latter is governed by column slenderness.
The slenderness ratio of a reinforced concrete (RC) column is the ratio between
the length of the column, its lateral dimensions, and end fixity. It assesses the
ability of the reinforced concrete column to resist buckling pressure.
A column is said to be slender if its cross-sectional dimensions are small
compared to its length. If the slenderness ratio of a column is high, it will
collapse under a smaller compression load in contrast to a short column with the
same cross-sectional dimensions. So, the slenderness effect should be taken into
consideration during the design process.
How to calculate Slenderness ratio :
k∗l
Formula = r

Where K is constant , l is unsupported length of member, r is radius gyration of

its cross section.

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How to measure these values ?
Unsupported length of member (l) : is measured as the clear distance between
the underside of the beam, slab, or column capital above, and the top of the
beam or slab below, as shown below

Radius of Gyration of Column Cross-section ® : The radius of gyration

introduces the effects of cross-sectional size and shape on slenderness. For the
same cross-sectional area, a section with a higher moment of inertia produces a
more stable column with a lower slenderness ratio. The radius of gyration r is
calculated using the following formula:

Where Ig is moment of inertia of gross concrete section about centroidal axis,

neglecting reinforcement, mm4.
Ag is Gross area of column, mm2
It is possible to use the approximations of r = 0.3h for square and rectangular
sections, and r = 0.25h for circular sections.

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This drawing shows, how to calculate approximate radius of gyration value.

Columns Based on Reinforcement : The Reinforcement provided in columns

say what type of column it is :

Tied Column Spiral Column

The reinforcing of the column differs, here in tied column, the vertical bars are
tied with stirrups, and in spiral columns the vertical bars are aligned and one
stirrup goes around the bars.

RCC BEAMS : Beam can be defined as a horizontal structural member which

carries all vertical loads and resists it from bending. Types of beams based on
classifications :
1) Based on shape
2) Based on supports
3) Based on Reinforcements
Beams Based on Shape : Depending upon criteria of shape beams can be T-
Beams, Rectangular Beams, L- Beams. Same as columns, the cross section of

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the beams determines the it’s shape, and the reinforcing differs from shape to
shape of the beam.
The below drawings shows the classification on shapes of beams with
Reinforcement in it.

Rectangle section. T- Section. L – Section

Beams Based on Supports : Depending upon the support system, the beams
are classified in to 4 types
1) Simply supported Beam : This beam has only single span which is
supported by two supports at the ends as shown in figure below :

2) Continuous Beam : The beam which supported on more than two

supports and extends its part overhanging, is called continuous Beam

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 3) Fixed Beam: The beam which the two support ends are fixed to it as
shown below is fixed Beam
4) Cantilever Beam : This beam is supported only on one fixed end as
shown in figure below is known as cantilever beam, the span can be up to
7m maximum.

Cantilever Beam
Beams Based on Reinforcement :
1) Singly Reinforced Beam : The beam that is longitudinally reinforced only
in tension zone, it is known as singly reinforced beam. In Such beams, the
ultimate bending moment and the tension due to bending are carried by
the reinforcement, while the compression is carried by the concrete.
2) Doubly Reinforced Beam : The beam that is reinforced with steel in both
tension and compression zones is known as doubly Reinforced beams.
This type of beam is mainly provided when the depth of the beam is
restricted. If a beam with limited depth is reinforced on the tension side
only it might not have sufficient resistance to
oppose the bending movement Compression zone

Tension Zone Tension Zone

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 Singly Reinforced Beam Doubly Reinforced Beam

RCC SLAB : A concrete slab is a common structural element of modern

buildings, consisting of a flat, horizontal surface made of cast concrete. Steel-
reinforced slabs, typically between 100 and 500 mm thick, are most often used
to construct floors
There are two types of Slabs
1) One way slab
2) Two way slab
Simply, The ratio of longer span (l) to shorter span (b) is equal or greater than 2,
considered as One way slab and if that ratio is less than 2 , then it is two way
slab.
In case of One way slab, Due to the huge difference in lengths, the load is not
transferred to the shorter beams. Main reinforcement is provided in shorter span
and distribution reinforcement in a longer span. Example: Generally all the
Cantilever slabs are one Way slab. Chajjas and verandahs are a practical
example of one way slab.
In case of Two way slab, the load will be carried in both the directions. So, the
main reinforcement is provided in both directions for two way slabs. Example:
These types of slabs are used in constructing floors of a multistoried building.
For better understanding follow this difference below :
ONE WAY SLAB TWO WAY SLAB
Slabs are supported by the beams on Slabs are supported by beams on all
the two opposite sides the four sides.
Main reinforcement is provided on Main reinforcement is provided in
shorter span due to bending both sides due to bending occurs on
both sides
Main Reinforcement is provided in Main Reinforcement is provided along
only direction for one way slabs both the directions in two way slabs.
Loads are carried along one direction Loads are carried along both the
in one way slab. directions in two way slabs.

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 This is the Superstructure unit.

Based on shapes Based on Shape One way slab

Based on Reinforcements Based on Reinforcement Two way slab

Based on Slenderness Ratio Based on supports

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