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COLUMN

! Definition
! American Concrete Institute (ACI 318) defines
columns as "member with a ratio of height-to-least
lateral dimension exceeding 3 used primarily to
support axial compression load.
Column = Height
!

smallest thickness
>"3
Therefore a column:
! is a vertical members (in compression) of a
framework
! that transfers loading (live & dead load) of upper
floors & beams to the substructure

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How$to$decide$whether$the$column$is$short$or$slender?
• Height$of$column > 12$=$SLENDER$COLUMN$
least$thickness$of$column$$
• Height$of$column <$12$=$SHORT$COLUMN$
least$thickness$of$column$$

equal or greater than 12

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! Depends upon:
" Shape
" Size
" Cross section of#the#columns
" Length

! When a column is subjected to loads; it may:

1) Buckle

2) Bend

3) Crush

! These are the effects of loadings on columns.

! Long, slender columns are subjected to failure

by buckling or bending rather than by crushing.
! While short columns are subjected to failure by
crushing.

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! buckling is the sudden lateral

(sideways) instability
(deflection) of a slender
structural member.
! In engineering, buckling is
failure type that is
characterized by a sudden
failure of a structural member
subjected to high compressive
stresses (axial load).

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! A column may buckle when:

1. A column is under an axial load.

2. Occurs suddenly with large changes in deformation

but little change in loading

3. It depends on the length of the column

(slenderness) and the way column is fixed to
adjacent structural members (ie beams)

! An Axial load is a force administered along

the lines of an axis.
! If the load on a column is applied through
the center of gravity of its cross section, it is
called an axial load

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! Eccentric loading on column. When

the load acting on the column is offset from
the centroid of the column, then it
establishes the bending of column along with
the axial stress. This offset loading of
the column is referred as eccentric loading.

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A. Tendency of buckling is:

1. related to the height & thickness of the column.
! A short concrete column is one having a ratio of
unsupported length to least dimension of the
cross section not greater than 12. If the ratio is
equal or greater than 12, it is a long column (i.e.
a slender column).
effective height < 12 = Short column
least thickness of column
effective height > 12 = Slender/long column
least thickness of column

2. Depends on the ‘Slenderness ratio’ of the

column – the higher the ratio, the slender
the column. i.e the greater the tendency
to buckle. (if slenderness ratio is more
than 45, the column becomes slender and
higher chances to buckle).

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B. The length of buckling (Effective height)

Depends on whether:
1. the column is attached to adjacent
structure either using;
I. Hinged/pinned end (eg. precast conc.
element)
II. Fixed end (in situ conc. element)

2. The greater the fixity (restraint) at the

column ends such as fixed end; the less
the column will buckle under load.

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C. Direction of buckling (which

way will it buckle?)
A column may buckle in any
direction under vertical load

! Rectangular column buckling

occurs in direction of the least
resistance.

! That is in the direction of the

least thickness.

Bending
May occur to a column due to one or more of
the following conditions :
1. Eccentric loading
2. Slenderness ratio is more than 45
3. Reaction of beam upon the column (due to
bending of the beam).
4. The reaction of the frame (column & beam) to
wind loading.

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Reaction of beam upon the column

! As the beam deflects, it tends to pull the column towards itself
! Thus inducing tension in the opposite surface.
LOADS

BENDING

COMPRESSIVE8STRESSES

tension
TENSION8STRESSES
stresses compressive
stresses compressive tension
stresses stresses

Eccentric loading
! Application of eccentrically loading
on column – induce bending.
! Compression on the side next to the
load & tension on the opposite site.
! Eccentricity of load is often much
greater in column than in case of
walls – because beams are
commonly fixed to the side of
column.

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The$reaction$of$the$frame$(column$&$beam)$to$
wind$loading$and$earthquake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XSF37B0
cmE&frags=pl%2Cwn
https://youtu.be/ebx5Y5qOmTM

! Crushing or compression failure occurs when

short columns experience super heavy loads that
exceed the material limits.

! Occur in short column- height of the column is

small relative to its thickness ie less than 12.

! When under load – short column will remain stable

under increasing compressive axial load until the
material finally crush.

! The stronger the material the greater the load it

will carry before crushing due to compression.

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REINFORCEMENT ( Chudley, pg 475, Const. tech)

General information on concrete:
! Concrete is strong in compression but weak in
tension
! If compressive strength is not exceeded – no
reinforcement is required.
! In order for the above statement to be true, the
following conditions must exist:
1) Loading must be axial

2) Column must be short

3) Cross-section of column must be large.

! But, above conditions DO NOT occur in framed

building- results in bending (tension stress) and
thus needs for reinforcement.

Reinforcement types;
1) Tied
2) Spiral

3) Composite
4) Combination
5) Steel pipe

READ%PAGE%474%OF%CONSTRUCTION%TECHNOLOGY%
HANDBOOK,%CHUDLEY

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Main bar:
! Min 4 nos of reinf bar
! Min.diameter of main bars is
12mm
Link / binders
! Min. diameter of link – 6mm
! to prevent buckling – keep
main bars more toward the
centre of column.

In-situ RC Framed Structures -- Columns

Columns ~ these are the vertical load bearing members of the

structural frame which transmits the beam loads down to the
foundations. They are usually constructed in storey heights and
therefore the reinforcement must be lapped to provide structural
continuity.

Identify:
1. Main)bars
2. Links
3. Kicker
4. Starter)bars
5. Crank
6. Lap

Chudley,)Handbook)
pg 468

468

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Main bar:
! Not less than 6 nos.
! Min.diameter of main
bars is 12mm
Link/binders
! Used to prevent buckling
– keep main bars more
toward the centre of
column.
! At least 6mm dia.
Helical bar
! the pitch or spacing not
greater than 12 x
diameter of main bars.

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CT_C10_02.qxd 4/17/07 1:20 PM Page 477

Reinforced concrete frames 477

page%477%Chudley,
Const.%Tech.

Figure 10.2.8 Reinforced concrete column and beam junctions.

C10_02.qxd 4/17/07 1:20 PM Page 477

Reinforced concrete frames 477

Figure 10.2.8 Reinforced concrete column and beam junctions.

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Please&read:
• page&465&of&Building&Construction&Handbook,&
Chudley FOR&REINFORCEMENT
• page&484&– 491&for&FORMWORK

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