Lecture

1
Design of columns
Warning: This is not a comprehensive list of all the ACI Sections needed in the design process of a column. For this, please
refer to the ACI Code directly.

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 1



Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 2



Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 3



Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 4

 Problem statement
Design a square tied-column section for the following factored load combination:

𝑃! = 2000 kN, 𝑀! = 160 kN ⋅ m, 𝑉! = 50 kN.

This load combination is the result of applying gravitational forces only.

Assume that:
• The specified compressive strength of concrete is 𝑓"# = 28 MPa (4 ksi), and the concrete is normalweight.
• The specified yield strength for the reinforcement is 𝑓$ = 420 MPa (60 ksi).
• The transverse reinforcement is #3-ties (conforming to Section 22.4.2.4).
• The cover is 40 mm.
• The column is braced against sidesway (a nonsway column).
• The column ends are hinged (conservative assumption for a nonsway column).
• The unsupported length of the column is 𝑙! = 3.00 m.
• The center-to-center length of the column is 𝑙" = 3.20 m.
• The moment ratio, 𝑀% /𝑀& , is equal to −0.50.
• The nominal maximum size of coarse aggregate is 𝑑'(( = 3/4" = 0.0191 m.

Building code: ACI 318M-19.

Solution
Step 1: Select the trial reinforcement ratio, 𝜌) , for the longitudinal reinforcement.

For example, take:
𝐴*+
𝜌) = = 0.020 (= 2.0%).
𝐴)

This selection satisfies Section 10.6.1.1, which states that 0.01 ≤ 𝜌) ≤ 0.08 (ok!).

Step 2: Estimate the first trial size required for the column section.

For tied columns, (formula derived from Sections 22.4.2.1 and 22.4.2.2 and Table 21.2.1(a))

𝑃!
𝐴) ≥ #

0.52E0.85𝑓" E1 − 𝜌) F + 𝑓$ 𝜌) F
2000
= = 0.121 m& (i.e. a 0.35-m-square column).
0.52(0.85(28000)(1 − 0.02) + (420000)(0.02))

However, this value corresponds to the smallest cross-section area needed when there is no moment acting on the section.
Therefore, a larger cross-section area is needed for our case.

Choosing a 0.40-m-square column produces a cross-section area of:

𝐴) = 0.40 ⋅ 0.40 = 0.160 m& ≥ 0.121 m& (ok!).

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 5

Keep in mind that this is our first trial section. We may need to adjust it later.

Step 3: Check the slenderness of the column.

The radius of gyration for the selected cross section is (Section 6.2.5.2):

1
𝐼) U 12 𝑏ℎ,
𝑟=U = = 0.289ℎ ≈ 0.30ℎ = 0.30(0.40) = 0.120 m.
𝐴) 𝑏ℎ

Since the column ends are assumed to be hinged, 𝑘 = 1.0.

The slenderness ratio for this column is thereby:

𝑘𝑙! (1.0)(3.00)
= = 25.0.
𝑟 0.120

The critical slenderness ratio for a column braced against sidesway is (Section 6.2.5.1(b))

𝑘𝑙! 𝑀%
[ = min \34 + 12 ] ^ , 40_
𝑟 -. 𝑀&
= min{34 + 12(−0.50), 40} = 28.0.

Since
𝑘𝑙! 𝑘𝑙!
= 25.0 ≤ 28.0 = [ ,
𝑟 𝑟 -.

the slenderness effects can be neglected, and the column is indeed a short column.

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 6

 Step 4: Estimate the 𝛾-coefficient.

For this step, assume that eight #7-rebars will be used for the longitudinal reinforcement.

1
0.40 − 2 ⋅ 0.04 − 2 ⋅ 0.0095 − 2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 0.0222
𝛾= = 0.70.
0.40

Step 5: Use the parametric interaction diagrams (Figs. A-9a and A-9b of the textbook) to determine 𝜌) .

We note that 𝑓"# = 28 MPa ≈ 4 ksi, and 𝑓$ = 420 MPa ≈ 60 ksi. Moreover,

𝜙𝑃/ 𝑃! 2000 1 ksi
= = = 12500 kPa ] ^ = 1.81 ksi
𝐴) 𝐴) 0.40 ⋅ 0.40 6890 kPa

𝜙𝑀/ 𝑀! 160 1 ksi
= = = 2500 kPa ] ^ = 0.36 ksi
𝐴) ℎ 𝐴) ℎ (0.40 ⋅ 0.40)(0.40) 6890 kPa

𝜌) = 0.025

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 7


𝜌) = 0.020

Thus, we have:
(0.60, 0.025), (0.75, 0.020), (0.70, 𝜌) )

By interpolating, we get:

0.020 − 0.025 𝜌) − 0.025
= ⇒ 𝜌) = 0.0217
0.75 − 0.60 0.70 − 0.60

Note that: 0.01 ≤ 𝜌) ≤ 0.08 (ok!).

Step 6: Select the longitudinal reinforcement.

𝐴*+ ≥ 𝜌) 𝐴) = (0.0217)(0.40 ⋅ 0.40) = 0.00347 m& .

1st option: Use (12)#6.

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 8
 For this rebar configuration,

𝐴*+ = 12 ⋅ 284 × 1001 = 0.00341 ≈ 0.00347 m& (ok!).

The clear spacing between longitudinal rebars must satisfy (Section 25.2.3):

𝑠 # ≥ maxi1.5𝑑2 , (4/3)𝑑'(( , 0.04j = max{1.5(0.0191), (4/3)(0.0191), 0.04} = 0.0400 m.

But the actual clear spacing is:

0.40 − 2 ⋅ 0.04 − 2 ⋅ 0.0095 − 4 ⋅ 0.0191
𝑠# = = 0.0749 ≥ 0.0400 m (ok!).
3

This value of 𝑠′ also satisfies Section 25.7.2.3(b). That is, 𝑠 # = 0.114 m ≤ 0.150 m (ok!).

2nd option: Use (4)#7 + (4)#8.

For this rebar configuration,

𝐴*+ = 4 ⋅ 387 × 1001 + 4 ⋅ 510 × 1001 = 0.00359 ≥ 0.00347 m& (ok!).

The clear spacing between longitudinal rebars must satisfy (Section 25.2.3):

𝑠 # ≥ maxi1.5𝑑2 , (4/3)𝑑'(( , 0.04j = max{1.5(0.0254), (4/3)(0.0191), 0.04} = 0.0400 m.

But the actual clear spacing is:

0.40 − 2 ⋅ 0.04 − 2 ⋅ 0.0095 − 1 ⋅ 0.0222 − 2 ⋅ 0.0254
𝑠# = = 0.114 ≥ 0.0400 m (ok!).
2

This value of 𝑠′ also satisfies Section 25.7.2.3(b). That is, 𝑠 # = 0.114 m ≤ 0.150 m (ok!).

Conclusion: Use the 2nd option for practical reasons. Since the number of rebars are fewer, they can be put in place faster.

Step 7: Design the lap splices for the longitudinal reinforcement.

From Figs. A-9a (R-4-60-0.6) and A-9b (R-4-60-0.75), we note that:

0 ≤ −𝑓* ≤ −0.5𝑓$ (tension).

Thus, Class A splices can be used if half or fewer of the longitudinal rebars are spliced at any section and alternate lap
splices are staggered at least by 𝑙3 (Table 10.7.5.2.2, Fig. R10.7.5.2 and Table 25.4.2.3). Otherwise, Class B splices are
required. For this design, we will ensure that the two conditions for Class A splices are met to save money.

As per Section 25.5.2, the lap splice lengths of rebars in tension is given by (Class A splices):

𝑓$ Ψ+ Ψ4 Ψ) (420)(1.0)(1.0)(1.0)
𝑙*+ = max{1.0𝑙3 , 0.300} = max mn r 𝑑2 , 0.300s = max mn r 𝑑2 , 0.300s = max{46.7𝑑2 , 0.300}.
1.7𝜆q𝑓"# 1.7(1.0)√28

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 9
 The expression for 𝑙3 is only valid for #7-rebars or larger (our case); for #6-rebars or smaller, see Table 25.4.2.3. The
modification factors Ψ+ , Ψ4 and Ψ) are obtained from Table 25.4.2.5, and because concrete is normalweight, 𝜆 = 1.0 (Table
25.4.2.5 and Section 19.2.4.3).

Hence,
𝑙*+ = max{46.7(0.0222), 0.300} = 1.04 m for a #7-rebar
= max{46.7(0.0254), 0.300} = 1.19 m for a #8-rebar.

Step 8: Select the transverse reinforcement.

First, observe that #3-ties satisfies Section 25.7.2.2(a) (ok!).

The nominal shear strength provided by concrete is (Section 22.5.5)

𝑁!
𝑉" = min m0.17𝜆q𝑓"# + min m , 0.05𝑓"# s , 0.42𝜆q𝑓"# s 𝑏5 𝑑.
6𝐴)

Since 𝑁! = 𝑃! = 2000 kN = 2.00 MN, and 𝑑 = 0.40 − 0.04 − 0.0095 − 0.00254/2 = 0.338 m, then:

2.00
𝑉" = min \0.17(1.0)√28 + min \ , 0.05(28)_ , 0.42(1.0)√28_ (0.40)(0.338)
6(0.160)
= 0.157 MN = 157 kN.

Note that:
• If 𝑉! ≤ 0.5𝜙𝑉" , the ties must satisfy Section 25.7.2.
• If 0.5𝜙𝑉" < 𝑉! ≤ 𝜙𝑉" , the ties must satisfy Sections 10.6.2 and 25.7.2.
• If 𝑉! > 𝜙𝑉" , the ties must satisfy Sections 10.6.2, 10.7.6.5 and 25.7.2.

The strength reduction factor for shear is 𝜙 = 0.75 (Table 21.2.1, row b).

0.5𝜙𝑉" = 0.5(0.75)(157) = 58.9 kN
𝜙𝑉" = (0.75)(157) = 118 kN.

Since 𝑉! = 50 kN ≤ 0.5𝜙𝑉" , then the #3-ties must satisfy Section 25.7.2 only.

The lower and upper bounds for the center-to-center-spacing between ties are (Section 25.7.2.1):

〈𝑠〉678 = (4/3)𝑑'(( + 𝑑2+ = (4/3)(0.0191) + 0.0095 = 0.0349 m
〈𝑠〉9:; = min }16𝑑2< , 48𝑑2+ , min{𝑏, ℎ}~ = min }16(0.0254), 48(0.0095), min{0.40, 0.40}~ = 0.400 m.

Hence, for economy, choose: 𝑠 = 〈𝑠〉9:; = 0.40 m.

We also need to satisfy Section 10.6.2.2 because the 𝑉" expression shown above assumes that 𝐴= ≥ 𝐴=,?67 .

𝑏5 𝑠 (0.40)(0.40)
𝐴= ≥ maxi0.062q𝑓"# , 0.35j = maxi0.062√28, 0.35j = 133 × 1001 m& .
𝑓$+ 420

But, (2)#3-legs were provided in Step 6 (2nd option) for the transverse reinforcement. Thus,

𝐴= = 2 ⋅ 71 × 1001 = 142 × 1001 m& ≥ 133 × 1001 m& (ok!).

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil 10

 Step 9: Draw the structural drawings of the column.

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 Homework – to practice for the 1st-term examinations
Design a rectangular tied-column section for the following factored load combination:

𝑃! = 4500 kN, 𝑀! = 300 kN ⋅ m, 𝑉! = 100 kN.

This load combination is the result of applying gravitational forces only.

Assume that:
1. The specified compressive strength of concrete is 𝑓"# = 34 MPa (5 ksi), and the concrete is normalweight.
2. The specified yield strength for the reinforcement is 𝑓$ = 420 MPa (60 ksi).
3. The transverse reinforcement is #3-ties (conforming to Section 22.4.2.4).
4. The cover is 50 mm.
5. The section width is about 70 percent of the section height (i.e., 𝑏 ≈ 0.7ℎ).
6. The column is braced against sidesway (a nonsway column).
7. The column ends are hinged (conservative assumption for a nonsway column).
8. The unsupported length of the column is 𝑙! = 3.00 m.
9. The center-to-center length of the column is 𝑙" = 3.20 m.
10. The moment ratio, 𝑀% /𝑀& , is equal to −0.45.
11. The nominal maximum size of coarse aggregate is 𝑑'(( = 3/4" = 0.0191 m.

Building code: ACI 318M-19.

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