E702.

9
Designing Concrete Structures:
Reinforced Rectangular Concrete
Column Interaction Diagram Example

Photograph courtesy of Dan Mullins with Martin and Martin

Photo courtesy of Structural Technologies Inc.

 ACI E702.9-22

Designing Concrete Structures:

Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column
Interaction Diagram Example
Reported by ACI Committee E702

Katelyn Low, Chair

John Aidoo Kimberly Waggle Kramer* Luke Snell

Bryan Castles Carl Larosche Lawrence Taber
Om Dixit Lei Lou Jairo Uribe
Claude Goguen Karin O’Brien Hartanto Wibowo
Todd Hawkinson William Rushing Kari Yuers

*Primary author

It is the responsibility of the user of this document to estab-
lish health and safety practices appropriate to the specific
circumstances involved with its use. ACI does not make
any representations with regard to health and safety issues
and the use of this document. The user must determine the
applicability of all regulatory limitations before applying
the document and must comply with all applicable laws
and regulations, including but not limited to, United States
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
health and safety standards.
Structural Disclaimer
This document is intended as a voluntary field guide for the
Owner, design professional, and concrete repair contractor.
It is not intended to relieve the user of this guide of respon-
sibility for a proper condition assessment and structural
evaluation of existing conditions, and for the specification of
concrete repair methods, materials, or practices by an expe-
rienced engineer/designer.
ACI E702.9-22 Designing Concrete Structures:
Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction
Diagram Example.
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem
Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram K. W. Kramer, PE, SE
 
Problem Statement: Draw an interaction diagram for 16 x 12 in. nonslender tied column reinforced with six No. 8
vertical bars and No. 3 ties at 12 in. on center bending around its x-axis.

Notes    ACI 318-19

Reference
Calculate Because concrete structures placed monolithically are continuous, a minimum eccentricity 10.4, 22.4
Pnmax or minimum moment is assumed in this calculation. The Code reduces the maximum axial
22.4.2.1(a)
  load by 20% to account for this minimum moment.
22.4.2.1,
  max. Pn  0.80 P0 22.4.2.2

 
 Pn  0.8 0.85 f c  Ag  Ast   Ast f y  Eq. (1-1) Eq. (22.4.2.2)

  Appendix A
Ag  b  h  16 in.  12 in.
 

 
Ag  192 in.2 21.2.2

   Area of 1  #8 bar  0.79 in.  2

Ast   6  0.79   4.74 in.2

 

 
  0.65
 

Find  
 Pn  0.8  0.65 0.85  4 ksi  192 in.2  4.74 in.2   4.74 in.2  60 ksi  

   Pnmax  479.0 kip

  A concrete column interaction diagram consists of numerous points corresponding to
different strains in the reinforcement. To calculate each point, the designer must calculate
 
the axial load (Pn) and moment (Mn) corresponding to each specific strain.

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ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
Each steel strain is selected by multiplying an arbitrary “Z” factor and the yield strain of
your steel.

 s1  Z   y Eq. (1-2)

The Z factors can range from 1 to -1000 and increments between Z depend on the required
detail of diagram—the smaller the increment, the more detailed the diagram will be.

For this example, points will be calculated in the compression-controlled zone (one with
the column entirely in compression), the tension-controlled zone, and the transition zone.

With the wide range of possible Z factors, four major points are calculated to determine an
interaction diagram. These four-point Z factors are 0, -0.5, -1.0, and -2.5.

Z = 0(s1 = 0): Strain t = 0 in extreme layer in tension. This point may change from
compression lap slice being allowed on all longitudinal steel a tension lap splice.

Z = –0.5(fsi = –0.5fy, s1 = –0.5y): This strain distribution affects the length of the
tension lap slice in a column and is customarily plotted on an interaction diagram.

Z = –1.0(fsi = –fy, s1 = –y): This is the point of balanced failure. This strain distribution
marks the change from compression failures originating by crushing of the compression
surface of the section to tension failures initiated by the longitudinal reinforcement. ɛs1=
˗ɛy marks the beginning of transition zone for  for columns in which the strength
reduction factor increases from 0.65 or 0.70 for spirally tied columns up to 0.90.

Z = –2.5(fsi = –fy, s1 = –0.005 for 60 ksi steel: This point corresponds to the tension
strain limit of 0.005. 

For this example, points will be calculated in the compression-controlled zone, (one with
the column entirely in compression) (Z = 0.9, –0.5), the tension-controlled zone (Z = –5.0)
and the transition zone (Z = –1.1).
21.2.2
Compression    s1   y
controlled
zone
fy
  y  Eq. (1-3)
Es

Strain in reinforcement and concrete shall be assumed directly proportional to the distance 22.2.1.2
from the neutral axis C.

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram

Given:
Calculate Pn
and Mn for   d1  9.50 in . Es  29, 000 ksi
point in
compression-
controlled   d 2  2.50 in.  
As1   3  0.79 in.2  2.37 in.2
zone and

 
column
entirely in   As 2   3  0.79 in.2  2.37 in.2
compression.
  Z  0.9
22.2.2.1
   c  0.003

Calculate y and s1, using Eq. (1-2) and (1-3).

Calculate s1
strain in first fy 60 ksi 20.2.2.1
  f y  Es  y   y  
row of steel. Es 29,000 ksi

   y  0.00207 20.2.2.2

   s1  0.9  0.00207 

   s1  0.00186

As shown in Fig. 1.1: c (distance from extreme compression fiber to neutral axis) can be
calculated using similar triangles.

 d1   9.5 in. 
Calculate c   c  0.003    0.003   Eq. (1-4)
 0.003   s1   0.003  0.00186  22.2.2.1

  c  25.05 in.

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
Calculate a a  1c Eq. (1-5) Eq. (22.2.2.4.1)
(equivalent  
stress block) a  h a must be less than depth of column
Table 22.2.2.4.3
  For f c  4000 psi 1  0.85

0.05  f c  4000 
  For f c  4000 psi 1  0.85  Eq. (1-6)
1000

  1  0.65

  1  0.85 a  0.85  25.05 in.  21.29 in.  12 in.

  a  12.00 in.

Calculate s2 As shown in Fig. 1.1: s2 can be calculated using similar triangles.
strain in
second row  c  d2   25.05 in.  2.5 in. 
of steel.
   s 2  0.003    0.003   Eq. (1-7)
 c   25.05 in. 

   s 2  0.00270

Calculate   f sx   sx Es Eq. (1-8) f sx  f y

stress in each
row of steel
  f s1  0.001862  29, 000 ksi 
(fs1 and fs2)

  f s 2  0.002701 29, 000 ksi   78.33 ksi  60 ksi

  f s1  54 ksi f s 2  60 ksi

Calculate Tension Steel: Fx  f sx Asx Eq. (1-9)

force in each

Fx  Asx  f sx  0.85 f c

row of steel
Compression Steel: Eq. (1-10)

(Must subtract concrete stress when in compression because concrete will be replaced by
steel)

  F1  2.37 in.2  54 ksi  0.85  4 ksi  

  F2  2.37 in.2  60 ksi  0.85  4 ksi  

  F1  119.9 kip F2  134.1kip

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram

An average stress of 0.85fc′ is assumed uniformly distributed over an equivalent

22.2.3.2,
compression zone. Calculated using the equivalent rectangular. 20.2.2.1
Calculate Cc
concrete   Cc  0.85 f cab  0.85  4 ksi 12 in.)(16 in. Eq. (1-11)
compression
force
  Cc  652.8 kip

Calculate Pn
and Mn by
applying
forces to free
body diagram

Using Fig. 1.3 from previous page, calculate Pn by summing vertical forces:

   Fy  0  119.9 kip  652.8 kip  134.1 kip  Pn

  Pn  906.9 kip

Using Fig. 1.3 from previous page, calculate Mn by summing moments about the centerline
of the column (counterclockwise being positive moment):

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
 
 3.5 in. 
   M n   119.92 kip  134.14 kip     Mn  0
 12 in. 
 ft 

Moment arms will be in inches, must convert to feet for desired units.

  M n  4.1kip-ft
21.2.2

    0.65

   Pn  0.65  906.86 kip   589.5 kip  479.0 kip

   M n  0.65  4.1kip-ft 

 Pn  479.0 kip  M n  2.7 kip-ft Point on curve for Z = 0.9

Calculate Pn
and Mn

Fig. R21.2.2a

Given:
Calculate Pn
and Mn for   d1  9.50 in. Es  29, 000 ksi
point in
compression
  d 2  2.50 in. As1  2.37 in.2

  As 2  2.37 in.2

  Z  0.5

 c  0.003 22.2.2.1
Calculate s1
strain in first Calculate y and s1 using Eq. (1-2) and (1-3).
row of steel

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
60 ksi
  y   s1  0.5  0.00207 
29,000 ksi

   y  0.00207  s1  0.00103

As shown in Fig. 1.4: c (distance from extreme compression fiber to neutral axis) can be
calculated using similar triangles.

 d1   9.5 in. 
c  0.003   0.003  Eq. (1-4)
  0.003   0.00103 
Calculate c,  
neutral axis  0.003   s1   
location
  c  7.06 in.

Calculated using the equivalent rectangular stress block:

Calculate a 22.2.2.4.1
(equivalent a  1C Eq. (1-5)
  Table 22.2.2.4.3
stress block)
ah a must be less than depth of column

  1  0.85 Eq. (1-6)

  a  0.85  7.06 in.  6.00 in.  12 in.

  a  6.00 in.

As shown in Fig. 1.4: s2 can be calculated using similar triangles.

Calculate s2
strain in
 c  d2   7.06 in.  2.5 in. 
second row    s 2  0.003    0.003   Eq. (1-7)
of steel  c   7.06 in. 

   s 2  0.00194
Calculate 21.2.2.1
stress in each   f s1  0.001034  29, 000 ksi  f s 2  0.001938  29, 000 ksi 
row of steel
(fs1 and fs2)
  f s1  30.00 ksi f s 2  56.21kip

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
Calculate Tension Steel: Fx  f sx Asx Eq. (1-9)
force in each
row of steel
Compression Steel: Fx  Asx  f sx  0.85 f c Eq. (1-10)

(must subtract concrete stress when in compression since concrete will be replaced by
steel)

  F1  2.37 in.2  30 ksi  F2  2.37 in.2  56.21 ksi  0.85  4 ksi  

21.2.2.1
  F1  71.1 kip F2  125.2 kip
Calculate Cc
concrete Calculated using an equivalent rectangular stress block:
compression
force   Cc  0.85 f cab  0.85  4 ksi  6.00 in.)(16 in. Eq. (1-11)

  Cc  326.6 kip

Calculate Pn
and Mn by
applying
forces to free
body diagram

22.2.3
Using Fig. 1.6, calcualte Pn by summing vertical forces:

   Fy  0  71.1 kip  326.6 kip  125.2 kip  Pn

  Pn  380.7 kip

Using Fig. 1.6, calculate Mn by summing moments about the centerline of the column
(counterclockwise being positive moment):

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
   
 3.5 in.   3.0 in. 
   M n   71.1 kip  125.5 kip     326.6 kip  in.   M n  0
 12 in.   12 
 ft   ft 

  M n  138.9 kip- ft
21.2.2

Calculate Pn Because ε1 = –0.00103 and is between 0 and –0.00207, this is a compression controlled
and Mn member.
    0.65

   Pn  0.65  380.7 kip 

   M n  0.65 138.9 kip-ft 

 Pn  247.5 kip  M n  90.3 kip-ft Point on curve for Z = -0.5

Calculate Pn  y   s1  0.005

and Mn for
point in
Given:
transition
zone and
column in d1  9.50 in. Es  29, 000 ksi
compression
and tension d 2  2.50 in. As1  2.37 in.2

As 2  2.37 in.2

Z  1.1

 c  0.003

 y  0.00207

Calculate s1  s1  Z  y  1.1 0.00207  22.2.2.1

strain in first
row of steel
calculate C
 s1  0.00228

 d1   9.5 in. 
c  0.003    0.003   Eq. (1-4)
 0.003   s1   0.003  0.00228 

c  5.40 in.

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
Calculate a
1  0.85 a  0.85  5.4 in.  4.59 in.  12 in.

a  4.59 in.

 c  d2   5.40 in.  2.5 in. 

Calculate s2    s 2  0.003    0.003   Eq. (1-7)
strain in  c   5.40 in. 
second row
of steel
   s 2  0.00161
Calculate
stress in each   f s1  0.002276  29, 000 ksi   66 ksi  60 ksi
row of steel
(fs1 an fs2)
  f s 2  0.001612  29, 000 ksi 

Calculate   f s1  60.00 ksi f s 2  46.75 kip

force in each

F2  2.37 in.2  46.75 ksi  0.85  4 ksi  

row of steel
  F1  2.37 in.2  60 ksi 

  F1  142.2 kip F2  102.7 kip

Calculate Cc
  Cc  0.85 f cab  0.85  4 ksi  4.59 in.)(16 in. Eq. (1-11)

  Cc  249.7 kip

Calculate Pn
and Mn by
applying
forces to free
body diagram

   Fy  0  142.2 kip 102.7 kip  249.7 kip  Pn

  Pn  210.2 kip

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
Using Fig. 1.7, calculate Mn by summing moments about the centerline of the column
(counterclockwise being positive moment):

   
 3.5 in.   3.7 in. 
   M n  142.2 kip  102.7 kip     249.7 kip  in.   M n  0
 12 in.   12 
 ft   ft 

  Mn 148.5kip-ft
Because ε1= –0.0028 and is between –0.00207 and –0.005, this member is in the transition
Calculate Pn 21.2.2(d)
zone between compression and tension controlled member.
and Mn

  0.65  0.25
 s1  0.00207  0.67
 
0.003

   Pn  0.67  210.2 kip

   M n  0.67 148.5 kip 

Pn 108.3 kip Mn 100.0 kip-ft Point on curve for Z = -1.1

Calculate Pn Given:

and Mn for
point in d1  9.50 in. Es  29,000ksi
Tension
controlled
zone and d2  2.50 in. As1  2.37 in.2
column in
compression
and tension As2  2.37 in.2

Z  5

Calculate s1
c  0.003
22.2.2.1
 y  0.00207

 s1  5  0.00207 

s1 0.01034
Calculate c

   
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 ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
 d1   9.5 in. 
c  0.003    0.003   Eq. (1-4)
 0.003   s1   0.003  0.01034  22.2.2.4.1

Table 22.2.2.4.3
c  2.14 in.

1  0.85 a  0.85  2.14 in.  1.819 in.  12 in.

Calculate a

Calculate s2 a  1.82 in.

Steel (fs1 and
fs2) s2 0.000505

fs1  0.010345  29,000 ksi   300  60 ksi

f s 2  0.000505  29,000 ksi 

Calculate
force in each fs1  60.00ksi fs2  14.84kip
row of steel

F1  2.37 in.2  60 ksi   142.2 kips F2  2.37 in.2  14.84  35.2 kip
Calculate Cc
F1  142.2 kip F2  35.2kip

Cc  0.85 fcab  0.85  4 ksi 1.819 in.)(12 in. Eq. (1-11)

Calculate Pn
and Mn by Cc  74.2 kip
applying
forces to free
body diagram

74.2 kips

   
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ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram
   Fy  0  142.2 kip  35.2 kip  74.2 kip  Pn

  Pn  103.2kip

   
 3.5 in.   5.1 in. 
   M n   7142.2 kip  35.2 kip     74.2 kip  in.   M n  0
 12 in.   12 
 ft   ft 
Calculate Pn Table 21.2.2(f)
and Mn
  Mn  62.7kip-ft
Because ε1 = –0.01034 is greater than –0.005, this member is tension-controlled.

    0.9

   Pn  0.9  103.2 kip  92.9 kip

   M n  0.9  62.7 kip-ft 

Pn 92.9 kip Mn  56.5kip-ft Point on curve for Z = -5

Calculate When column is entirely in tension, the designer shall assume the concrete in the column
Pnt will not contribute to tension strength, only reinforcement shall resist tension.

Pnt  Ast f y

Ast   6  0.79   4.74 in.2  Area of 1  No. 8 bar  0.79 in.  2

Pnt  4.74 in.2  60 ksi 

Pnt  284.4 kip

Find 
  0.9 Table 21.2.2(f)

 Pnt  0.9  284.4 kip 

Pnt  256.0 kip

   
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ACI E702.9 Example Problem Reinforced Rectangular Concrete Column Interaction Diagram

s1 Pn, kip Mn, kip-ft

0.00207 479.0 0.0

0.00186 9.0 2.7

-0.00103 247.5 90.3

Draw
interaction -0.00228 140.3 100.0
diagram
using points -0.01034 -92.9 56.5
calculated
-256.0 0.0

Column Interaction Diagram

600.0

500.0

400.0

300.0
ΦPn (Kips)

200.0

100.0

0.0
0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0

-100.0

-200.0

-300.0
ΦMn (k-ft)

Additional Reading:

Wight, J. K., 2016, “Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design,” seventh edition,
Pearson Education, Inc., pp. 495-558.

   
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