Lecture

1
Design of columns
1. A column is a vertical structural element that is primarily designed to resist axial compressive loads with or without
moments. Of course, columns must also be designed to resist tensile, shear or even torsion loads when needed.
2. Columns can be classified as short columns or slender columns.
3. Columns can be further sub-classified as tied columns or spiral columns.
4. Columns can also be classified according to their cross-section shape. For instance, we can have square columns,
rectangular columns, circular columns, triangular columns, L-shaped columns, T-shaped columns, I-shaped columns, etc.
5. A structural element is a column if the axial compressive load is greater than or equal to 0.10𝑓!" 𝐴# , a beam otherwise
(that is, if the axial compressive load is less than 0.10𝑓!" 𝐴# ). Further, if the structural element only resists axial
compressive loads, the element is called a strut. If the structural element only resists axial tensile loads, the element is
called a tie.

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Interaction diagrams

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil – Copyright © 2022 2

 Problem statement
Construct the interaction diagram for the column section shown below if the following properties are known:
• The specified compressive strength of concrete is 𝑓!" = 34 MPa.
• The specified yield strength for the reinforcement is 𝑓$ = 420 MPa.
• The section is square and its dimensions are 𝑏 = 0.40 m and ℎ = 0.40 m.
• The longitudinal reinforcement is (8)#9.
• The transverse reinforcement is #3-ties (conforming to Section 22.4.2.4 of ACI 318M-19).
• The cover is 40 mm.

The design assumptions for moment and axial strength can be found in Section 22.2 of ACI 318M-19.

These are the stress-strain curves considered for each material (left: steel/reinforcement; right: concrete).

Notes (See Appendix B of ACI 318M-19):
• For a #9-rebar, the nominal diameter is 28.7 mm and the nominal area is 645 mm2.
• For a #3-rebar, the nominal diameter is 9.5 mm.

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil – Copyright © 2022 3

 Solution
Point 𝑨: 𝜀!% = 0.003 and 𝜀& = 0.003.

The definition of 𝜀!% = 0.003 is in Section 22.2.2.1 of ACI 318M-19.

Summing forces in the horizontal direction (sign convention: positive if force points to the left):

(𝑃' =: ) 𝑃( = 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏ℎ + (𝑓)* − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)* + (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+
= 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏ℎ + ;𝑓$ − 0.85𝑓!" <𝐴)* + ;𝑓$ − 0.85𝑓!" <𝐴)+
= 0.85𝑓!" ;𝐴# − 𝐴)& < + 𝑓$ 𝐴)&
= 0.85(34000)(0.40 ⋅ 0.40 − 8 ⋅ 645 × 10,- ) + (420000)(8 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )
= 6640 kN (compression)

Notice that: 𝐴# = 𝑏ℎ and 𝐴)& = 𝐴)* + 𝐴)+ .

Summing moments about point 𝑇:
𝑀( = 0 kN ⋅ m (prove it!)

Then, point 𝐴 for the unreduced interaction diagram is:

𝐴(𝑀( , 𝑃( ) = 𝐴(0, 6640)

Since −𝜀& = −0.003 ≤ 𝜀&$ = 0.0021, then the section is compression-controlled (Table 21.2.2 of ACI 318M-19), and the
strength reduction factor for point 𝐴 is 𝜙 = 0.65.

Therefore, point 𝐴′ for the reduced interaction diagram is:

𝐴′;𝜙𝑀( , 𝜙𝑃(,/01 < = 𝐴′((0.65)(0), (0.65)(0.80 ⋅ 6640)) = 𝐴′(0, 3450)

Here: 𝑃(,/01 = 0.80𝑃' (= 0.80𝑃( ) because of Table 22.4.2.1 of ACI 318M-19.

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 Point 𝑭: 𝜀!% = −0.0051 and 𝜀& = −0.0051.

Both values are derived from: 𝜀&$ + 0.003 = 𝑓$ /𝐸) + 0.003 = 0.0051.

The definition of 𝜀&$ is in Section 21.2.2.1 of ACI 318M-19.

First, note that: 𝜀)* = 𝜀)+ = 𝜀& = −0.0051 (tension), which implies that 𝑓)* = 𝑓)+ = 𝑓$ = −420 MPa (tension).

Summing forces in the horizontal direction (sign convention: positive if force points to the left):

𝑃( = −(−𝑓)* 𝐴)* ) − (−𝑓)+ 𝐴)+ )
= 𝑓)* 𝐴)* + 𝑓)+ 𝐴)+
= ;−𝑓$ <𝐴)* + (−𝑓$ )𝐴)+
= −𝑓$ 𝐴)&
= −(420000)(8 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )
= −2170 kN (tension)

Notice once again that: 𝐴)& = 𝐴)* + 𝐴)+ .

Summing moments about point 𝑇:
𝑀( = 0 kN ⋅ m (prove it!)

Then, point 𝐹 for the unreduced interaction diagram is:

𝐹(𝑀( , 𝑃( ) = 𝐹(0, −2170)

Since −𝜀& = 0.0051 ≥ 𝜀&$ + 0.003 = 0.0051, then the section is tension-controlled (Table 21.2.2 of ACI 318M-19), and the
strength reduction factor for point 𝐹 is 𝜙 = 0.90.

Therefore, point 𝐹′ for the reduced interaction diagram is:

𝐹′(𝜙𝑀( , 𝜙𝑃( ) = 𝐹′((0.90)(0), (0.90)(−2170)) = 𝐹′(0, −1950)

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil – Copyright © 2022 5

 Point 𝑪: 𝜀!% = 0.003 and 𝜀& = −0.0021.

The second value is derived from: 𝜀&$ = 𝑓$ /𝐸) = 420/200000 = 0.0021.

From the figure, we note that the following distances can be determined as follows:

𝑑* = 0.40 − 0.040 − 0.0095 − 0.0287/2 = 0.336 m
𝑑+ = 0.040 + 0.0095 + 0.0287/2 = 0.0639 m

Also, we note that: 𝜀)* = 𝜀& = −0.0021 (tension), which implies that 𝑓)* = 𝑓$ = −420 MPa (tension).

By trigonometry (or similar triangles),

𝜀!% 𝜀!% + (−𝜀& )
tan 𝜃 = =
𝑐 𝑑*

Solving for 𝑐, we get
𝜀!%
𝑐=^ _𝑑
𝜀!% − 𝜀& *
0.003
=^ _ (0.336) = 0.198 m
0.003 − (−0.0021)

Also, by trigonometry (or similar triangles),

𝜀)+ −𝜀&
tan 𝜃 = =
𝑐 − 𝑑+ 𝑑* − 𝑐

Solving for 𝜀)+ , we obtain

𝑑+ − 𝑐
𝜀)+ = ^ _𝜀
𝑑* − 𝑐 &
0.0639 − 0.198
=^ _ (−0.0021) = 0.00203 (compression)
0.336 − 0.198

which means that the second layer of rebars is not quite yielding in compression. Hence,

𝑓)+ = 𝐸) 𝜀)+ = (200000)(0.00203) = 406 MPa (compression)





Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil – Copyright © 2022 6
 Moreover, since 𝑓!" = 34 MPa, then (from Table 22.2.2.4.3 of ACI 318M-19)

𝑓!" − 28 34 − 28
𝛽* = 0.85 − 0.05 a b = 0.85 − 0.05 ^ _ = 0.807
7 7

The depth of the rectangular stress block is

𝑎 = 𝛽* 𝑐 = (0.807)(0.198) = 0.160 m

Since the distance 𝑑+ = 0.0639 m is less than 𝑎, we conclude that the second layer of rebars still lies inside the rectangular
stress block, and thus, the first two diagrams drawn above are correct.

Summing forces in the horizontal direction (sign convention: positive if force points to the left):

𝑃( = 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏𝑎 − (−𝑓)* 𝐴)* ) + (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+
= 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏𝑎 + 𝑓)* 𝐴)* + (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+
= 0.85(34000)(0.40)(0.160) + (−420000)(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- ) + (408000 − 0.85(34000))(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )
= 1730 kN (compression)

Summing moments about point 𝑇 (sign convention: positive if moment is counterclockwise):

ℎ 𝑎
𝑀( − 𝑃( = −0.85𝑓!" 𝑏𝑎 + (−𝑓)* 𝐴)* )𝑑* − (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+ 𝑑+
2 2
Solving for 𝑀( yields:

ℎ 𝑎+
𝑀( = 𝑃( − 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏 − 𝑓)* 𝐴)* 𝑑* − (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+ 𝑑+
2 2
(0.40) (0.160)+
= (1730) − 0.85(34000)(0.40) − (−420000)(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )(0.336)
2 2
− ;408000 − 0.85(34000)<(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )(0.0639)
= 502 kN ⋅ m

Then, point 𝐶 for the unreduced interaction diagram is:

𝐶(𝑀( , 𝑃( ) = 𝐶(502, 1730)

Since −𝜀& = 0.0021 ≤ 𝜀&$ = 0.0021, then the section is compression-controlled (Table 21.2.2 of ACI 318M-19), and the
strength reduction factor for point 𝐶 is 𝜙 = 0.65.

Therefore, point 𝐶′ for the reduced interaction diagram is:

𝐶′(𝜙𝑀( , 𝜙𝑃( ) = 𝐶′((0.65)(502), (0.65)(1730)) = 𝐶′(326, 1130)

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil – Copyright © 2022 7

 Point 𝑫: 𝜀!% = 0.003 and 𝜀& = −0.0051.

The second value is derived from: 𝜀&$ + 0.003 = 𝑓$ /𝐸) + 0.003 = 420/200000 + 0.003 = 0.0051.

Note that: 𝜀)* = 𝜀& = −0.0051 (tension), which implies that 𝑓)* = 𝑓$ = −420 MPa (tension).

By trigonometry (or similar triangles),

𝜀!% 𝜀!% + (−𝜀& )
tan 𝜃 = =
𝑐 𝑑*

Solving for 𝑐, we get
𝜀!%
𝑐=^ _𝑑
𝜀!% − 𝜀& *
0.003
=^ _ (0.336) = 0.125 m
0.003 − (−0.0051)

Also, by trigonometry (or similar triangles),

𝜀)+ −𝜀&
tan 𝜃 = =
𝑐 − 𝑑+ 𝑑* − 𝑐

Solving for 𝜀)+ , we obtain
𝑑+ − 𝑐
𝜀)+ = ^ _𝜀
𝑑* − 𝑐 &
0.0639 − 0.125
=^ _ (−0.0051) = 0.00146 (compression),
0.336 − 0.125

which means that the second layer of rebars is not yielding in compression. Hence,

𝑓)+ = 𝐸) 𝜀)+ = (200000)(0.00146) = 292 MPa (compression)

Moreover, we know from a previous calculation that 𝛽* = 0.807.

The depth of the rectangular stress block is

𝑎 = 𝛽* 𝑐 = (0.807)(0.124) = 0.100 m

Since the distance 𝑑+ = 0.0639 m is less than 𝑎, we conclude that the second layer of rebars still lies inside the rectangular
stress block, and thus, the first two diagrams drawn above are correct.


Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil – Copyright © 2022 8
 Summing forces in the horizontal direction (sign convention: positive if force points to the left):

𝑃( = 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏𝑎 − (−𝑓)* 𝐴)* ) + (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+
= 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏𝑎 + 𝑓)* 𝐴)* + (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+
= 0.85(34000)(0.40)(0.100) + (−420000)(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- ) + (292000 − 0.85(34000))(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )
= 758 kN (compression)

Summing moments about point 𝑇 (sign convention: positive if moment is counterclockwise):

ℎ 𝑎
𝑀( − 𝑃( = −0.85𝑓!" 𝑏𝑎 + (−𝑓)* 𝐴)* )𝑑* − (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+ 𝑑+
2 2
Solving for 𝑀( yields:

ℎ 𝑎+
𝑀( = 𝑃( − 0.85𝑓!" 𝑏 − 𝑓)* 𝐴)* 𝑑* − (𝑓)+ − 0.85𝑓!" )𝐴)+ 𝑑+
2 2
(0.40) (0.100)+
= (758) − 0.85(34000)(0.40) − (−420000)(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )(0.336)
2 2
− ;292000 − 0.85(34000)<(4 ⋅ 645 × 10,- )(0.0639)
= 414 kN ⋅ m

Then, point 𝐷 for the unreduced interaction diagram is:

𝐷(𝑀( , 𝑃( ) = 𝐷(414, 758)

Since −𝜀& = 0.0051 ≥ 𝜀&$ + 0.003 = 0.0051, then the section is tension-controlled (Table 21.2.2 of ACI 318M-19), and the
strength reduction factor for point 𝐷 is 𝜙 = 0.90.

Therefore, point 𝐷′ for the reduced interaction diagram is:

𝐷′(𝜙𝑀( , 𝜙𝑃( ) = 𝐷′((0.90)(414), (0.90)(758)) = 𝐷′(373, 682)

A similar procedure can be performed for points 𝑩 and 𝑬.

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 Homework – to practice for the 1st-term examinations
Construct the interaction diagram for the column section shown below if the following properties are known:
• The specified compressive strength of concrete is 𝑓!" = 28 MPa.
• The specified yield strength for the reinforcement is 𝑓$ = 420 MPa.
• The section is rectangular and its dimensions are 𝑏 = 0.45 m and ℎ = 0.55 m.
• The longitudinal reinforcement is (14)#7.
• The transverse reinforcement is #3-ties (conforming to Section 22.4.2.4 of ACI 318M-19).
• The cover is 50 mm.

What to do exactly?
1. Do the calculations for Points 𝐴 to 𝐸 using MATLAB or any other numeric computing software such as Excel or Julia.
2. Show your work for Points 𝐵 and 𝐸 using calculations by hand.

Hugo Esquivel, Ph.D., M.Sc., Ing. Civil – Copyright © 2022 10