REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

STRENGTH DESIGN METHOD

Reinforced Concrete Columns

Prepared by:
ENGR. RANDY G. POLICARPIO
INTRODUCTION

In reinforced concrete structure, there are two primary types of elements:

1. Flexural Members (i.e. beams)

2. Compression Members (i.e. columns)

Columns may be subjected to:

1. Axial Load without moments (pure compression)

2. Axial Load + Bending Moment/s
INTRODUCTION
Three types of reinforced concrete compression members. Types 1 and 2 are by far the most
common.

1. Tied Column
2. Spiral Column
3. Composite Colum
INTRODUCTION

1 . Tied Column

• Ties hold longitudinal bars in place

• Ties prevent longitudinal bars to buckle outward
under load
INTRODUCTION
1 . Tied Column

• Ties hold longitudinal

bars in place
• Ties prevent longitudinal
bars to buckle outward
under load
INTRODUCTION
2. Spiral Column

• Spirals are more effective than tied columns in

increasing the column strength
• Spiral columns are better for seismic applications
• Spiral columns are more expensive than tied columns

the Figure,
INTRODUCTION

2. Spiral Column

• Spirals are more effective than tied columns in

increasing the column strength
• Spiral columns are better for seismic applications
• Spiral columns are more expensive than tied columns
INTRODUCTION

Behavior of spirally and tied columns

INTRODUCTION
Columns may be divided into two broad categories:

1. Short Columns – for which the strength is governed by the

strength of the materials and the geometry of the cross section.

2. Slender Columns – for which the strength may be significantly

reduced by lateral deflections.

the Figure.
AXIALLY LOADED COLUMN
(Compression–controlled sections)
The nominal strength 𝑷𝒏 of a axially loaded column is
𝑃𝑛 = 𝑃𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 + 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒
𝑃𝑛 = 0.85𝑓𝑐′ 𝐴𝑐 + 𝐴𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑦

𝑷𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 (𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ) + 𝑨𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒚

The design axial load capacity 𝝓𝑷𝒏,𝒎𝒂𝒙 of a column is

𝝓𝑷𝒏,𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝜶𝝓 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 (𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ) + 𝑨𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒚

where:
𝜶 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟎 for Tied Column
𝜶 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓 for Spiral Column
𝝓 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟓 for Tied column
𝝓 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 for Spiral column
𝛼 − 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡/𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝜙 − 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
ACI STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTOR
TENSION-CONTROLLED SECTIONS, TRANSITION REGION & COMPRESSION-CONTROLLED SECTIONS
 CODE REQUIREMENT FOR COLUMN
a. Reinforcement Ratio
𝐴𝑠𝑡
𝜌𝑔 =
𝐴𝑔
1% ≤ 𝜌𝑔 ≤ 8%

b. Minimum Number of Longitudinal Reinforcement

3 for Triangular Ties
4 for Rectangular Ties
6 for Spirals/Circular Ties
c. Minimum Diameter of Transverse Reinforcement
• min. of 10mmΦ for ≤32mmΦ longitudinal bars
• min. of 12mmΦ for ≥ 36mmΦ longitudinal bars
• min. of 12mmΦ for bundled longitudinal bars
CODE REQUIREMENT FOR COLUMN

c. Tie Spacing

The center to center tie spacing shall in accordance with:

16𝑑𝑏 (𝑑𝑏 for longitudinal bars)

𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑥 ≤ 48𝑑𝑏 (𝑑𝑏 for tie bars)
least dimension of column

4
𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑛 ≥ 𝑑
3 𝑎𝑔𝑔
CODE REQUIREMENT FOR COLUMN

d. Rectilinear Ties

• Every corner and alternate longitudinal bar shall have

lateral support provided by the corner of a tie with an
include angle of not more than 135 degrees

• No unsupported bar shall be farther than 150mm clear on

each side along the tie from a laterally supported bar.
CODE REQUIREMENT FOR COLUMN
e. Spiral Reinforcement

The spiral reinforcement ratio is

𝟒𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒈 𝒇′𝒄
𝝆𝒔 = ≥ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟓 −𝟏
𝒔𝑫𝒄 𝑨𝒄𝒉 𝒇𝒚𝒕

𝜌𝑠 = ratio of volume of spiral reinforcement to the total volume of the core confined by
spiral, measured out-to-out spirals
𝐷𝑐 = diameter of the core measured to the outside edges of transverse reinforcement
𝑎𝑠 = cross-sectional area of the spiral bar
𝐴𝑔 = gross cross-sectional area of the spiral column

𝐴𝑐ℎ = core area of the spiral column, cross sectional area measured to the outside
edges of transverse reinforcement
𝑠 = pitch (spacing) of spiral steel
𝑓𝑦𝑡 = yield strength of spiral steel (shall not be taken greater than 700MPa)
CODE REQUIREMENT FOR COLUMN

Spirals shall consist of evenly spaced continuous bar or wire with clear spacing
conforming to:

4
a. At least the greater of 25mm and 𝑑𝑎𝑔𝑔
3
b. Not greater than 75mm

Spirals shall be anchored by 1-1/2 extra turns of spiral bar or wire at each end.
PLASTIC CENTROID
• PLASTIC CENTROID is the point in the column cross
section through which the resultant column load
must pass to produce uniform strain at failure. The
plastic centroid represents the location of the
resultant force produced by the steel and the
concrete.
• In locating the PLASTIC CENTROID, all concrete is
assume to be stresses in compression to 0.85fc’
and all steel to fy in compression.

• For symmetrical sections, the PLASTIC CENTROID

COINCIDES with the centroid of the column cross
section.

• For unsymmetrical sections, it can be locating by

taking moments.

• The eccentricity of a column load is the distance Symmetrical Sections Unsymmetrical Sections
from the load to the PLASTIC CENTROID of the
column.
AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING (UNIAXIAL BENDING)

Stresses and Forces Strain Distribution

Equivalent eccentricity of column load.
at Nominal Strength

𝒉 𝒂 𝒉 𝒉
𝑷𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 𝒂𝒃 + 𝑨′𝒔 𝒇′𝒔 − 𝑨𝒔 𝒇𝒔 𝑴𝒏 = 𝑷𝒏 𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 𝒂𝒃 − + 𝑨′𝒔 𝒇′𝒔 − 𝒅′ + 𝑨𝒔 𝒇𝒔 𝒅 −
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐
AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING (UNIXIAL BENDING)

For Tension Steel

𝑑−𝑐
𝜖𝑠 = 𝜖𝑐𝑢
𝑐
𝑑−𝑐
𝑓𝑠 = 𝐸𝑠 𝜖𝑐𝑢 ≤ 𝑓𝑦
𝑐
For Compression Steel
𝑐 − 𝑑′
𝜖𝑠′ = 𝜖𝑐𝑢
𝑐
′
𝑐 − 𝑑′
𝑓𝑠 = 𝐸𝑠 𝜖𝑐𝑢 ≤ 𝑓𝑦
𝑐
Concrete Stress Block

𝑎 = 𝛽𝑐 ≤ ℎ

Concrete Compressive Resultant

𝐶 = 0.85𝑓𝑐′ 𝑎𝑏
AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING (UNIAXIAL BENDING)
AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING (UNIAXIAL BENDING)
INTERACTION DIAGRAM

SIGNIFICANT POINTS
1. Point A – Pure Axial Load

2. Point B – Zero Tension, Onset of Cracking

3. Region A to C – Compression Controlled Failures

4. Point C – Balance Failure

5. Point D – Tensile Controlled Limit

6. Region C to D – Transition Region

7. Point E – Strain Limits for Beam

Strain distribution corresponding to points on the interaction diagram

INTERACTION DIAGRAM

Column Interaction Diagram

DERIVATION OF COMPUTATION METHOD FOR INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

I. Pure-Axial-Compression Case

𝑃𝑛
𝑃𝑛 = 0.85𝑓𝑐′ (𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 ) + 𝐴𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑦

𝑀𝑛

Rectangular Column Interaction Diagram

DERIVATION OF COMPUTATION METHOD FOR INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
II. General Case

Iteration can be controlled by setting value of 𝑐 (greater than 0), positive value of 𝜀𝑠𝑖 corresponds to
compressive strain.

𝑎 = 𝛽𝑐 ≤ ℎ
DERIVATION OF COMPUTATION METHOD FOR INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
II. General Case
DERIVATION OF COMPUTATION METHOD FOR INTERACTION DIAGRAMS
II. General Case
𝑃𝑛

𝑀𝑛

Rectangular Column Interaction Diagram

DERIVATION OF COMPUTATION METHOD FOR INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

III. Pure-Axial-Tension Case

𝑃𝑛

𝑀𝑛

Rectangular Column Interaction Diagram

ACI CODE PROVISION FOR COLUMN DESIGN

Cut off because of max 𝝓 ∗ Pn

Nominal Curve

Design Curve = 𝝓 ∗ Nominal Curve

Rectangular Column Interaction Diagram

BALANCE FAILURE

The interaction curve is divided into a compression failure

range and a tension failure range. It is useful to define what
is termed a balanced failure mode and corresponding
eccentricity 𝑒𝑏 with load 𝑃𝑏 and moment 𝑀𝑏 acting in
combination to produce failure, with the concrete reaching
its limit strain at precisely the same instant that the tensile
steel on the far side of the column reaches yield strain. This
point on the diagram is the dividing point between
compression failure (small eccentricities) and tension failure
(large eccentricities).

The values of 𝑃𝑏 and 𝑀𝑏 are easily computed using,

𝜺𝒄𝒖
𝒄 = 𝒄𝒃 = 𝒅
𝜺𝒄𝒖 + 𝜺𝒚

𝒂 = 𝒂𝒃 = 𝜷𝒄𝒃

These are then used to obtain the steel stresses and the
compressive resultant, after which 𝑃𝑏 and 𝑀𝑏 are found.
INTERACTION DIAGRAM FOR CIRCULAR COLUMN

Analysis for Circular Column Interaction Diagram for Spiral Column

COLUMN DESIGN USING INTERACTION DIAGRAM

Rectangular Column Interaction Diagram with bars on ends faces only Rectangular Column Interaction Diagram with bars on all four faces

Note: Be sure that the column picture at the upper right of the interaction curve being used agrees with the column being considered. In
other words, are there bars on two faces of the column or on all four faces? If the wrong curves are selected, the answers may be
quite incorrect.
COLUMN DESIGN USING INTERACTION DIAGRAM

Procedure:

a) Determine the factored load 𝑃𝑢 and factored moment 𝑀𝑢 .

b) Determine the required 𝑃𝑛 and 𝑀𝑛

• Assume 𝜙 = 0.65 (tied) or 0.75 (spiral)

c) Determine the 𝑒 = 𝑀𝑛 /𝑃𝑛 and “γ”.

d) Calculate dimensionless parameter 𝐾𝑛 and 𝑅𝑛 .

e) Using appropriate design charts, determine the required

reinforcement ratio, 𝜌𝑔 .
• Interpolate if necessary

f) Calculate the required area of steel.

g) Check the code requirement for column.

Circular Column Interaction Diagram
INTERACTION DIAGRAM FOR SYMETRICAL COLUMN

Symmetrical Column Interaction Diagram

INTERACTION DIAGRAM FOR UNSYMETRICAL COLUMN

Unsymmetrical Column Interaction Diagram

BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)

If there is bending about both x and y axes,

biaxial moment can be computed by combining
the two moments or their eccentricities as
follows:

𝟐 𝟐
𝑴𝒖 = 𝑴𝒖𝒙 + 𝑴𝒖𝒚

𝟐 𝟐
𝒆= 𝒆𝒙 + 𝒆𝒚

The orientation of the resultant

eccentricity is defined by the angle:

(a) Uniaxial Bending about Y axis

𝒆𝒙 𝑴𝒏𝒙 (b) Uniaxial Bending about X axis
λ= tan−1 = tan−1 (c) Biaxial Bending about diagonal axis
𝒆𝒚 𝑴𝒏𝒚
Interaction Diagram for Compression plus Biaxial Bending
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)

Biaxial Bending about diagonal axis

BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)

Procedures used to design rectangular columns subjected to biaxial loads:

1. Strain-Compability Method

2. Equivalent Eccentricity Method

3. Bresler Reciprocal Load Method

4. Bresler Load Contour Method

BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)

1. Strain-Compability Method

This method uses an iterative strain-compability analysis for biaxially loaded column. This is most nearly
theoretically correct method of solving biaxially loaded column.

Interaction Diagram using spColumn Interaction Diagram using CSiCol

BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
2. Equivalent Eccentricity Method

An approximate procedure which the biaxial eccentricities, 𝑒𝑥

and 𝑒𝑦 , can be replaced by an equivalent uniaxial eccentricity,
𝑒𝑜𝑥 , and the column design for uniaxial bending and axial load.

We shall define 𝑒𝑥 as he component of the eccentric parallel to

the side 𝑙𝑥 and the x-axis, as shown in the figure, such that the
moments, 𝑀𝑢𝑦 and 𝑀𝑢𝑥 , are,

If

Then the column can be design for 𝑃𝑢 and a factored moment 𝑀𝑜𝑦 = 𝑃𝑢 𝑒𝑜𝑥 , where,
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
2. Equivalent Eccentricity Method

where for 𝑃𝑢 /𝑓𝑐′ 𝐴𝑔 ≤ 0.4

and for 𝑃𝑢 /𝑓𝑐′ 𝐴𝑔 > 0.4

in these α equations, 𝑓𝑐′ is in ksi and 𝑓𝑦 is in psi.

Note: This procedure is limited in application to columns that are symmetrical about two axes with a ratio of side length, 𝑙𝑥 /𝑙𝑦 ,
between 0.5 and 2.0. Reinforcement should be provided in all four faces of the rectangular column
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
2. Equivalent Eccentricity Method

Plot point of the uniaxial load about y-axis (𝑀𝑢𝑦 , 𝑃𝑢 )

Plot point of the uniaxial load about x-axis (𝑀𝑢𝑥 , 𝑃𝑢 )
Plot point of the equivalent uniaxial load - about x-axis (𝑀𝑜𝑦 , 𝑃𝑢 )

Blue Design Curve: Interaction Diagram about x-axis

Green Design Curve: Interaction Diagram about y-axis
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
3. Bresler Reciprocal Load Method
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
3. Bresler Reciprocal Load Method
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
3. Bresler Reciprocal Load Method
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
4. Bresler Load Contour Method
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
4. Bresler Load Contour Method
BIAXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS (BIAXIAL BENDING)
4. Bresler Load Contour Method
END