COLUMN, BEAM & SLAB

KIGARA KAMWERU
BAR 201: BUILDING TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES 3
TOO DANIEL K.
COLUMNS
 DEFINITION

 A column or pillar is a structural

element that transmits, through
compression, the weight of the structure
above to other structural elements
below. In other words, a column is a
compression member.

 For the purpose of wind or earthquake

engineering, columns may be designed
to resist lateral forces.

 Columns are frequently used to

support beams or arches on which the
upper parts of walls or ceilings rest.
TYPES OF REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

 Members reinforced with longitudinal bars and lateral ties

 Members reinforced with longitudinal bars and continuous spirals
 Composite compression members reinforced longitudinally with
structural steel shapes, pipes or tubing, with or without additional
longitudinal bars and various types of lateral reinforcement.

Composite column section

 TYPES OF COLUMNS IN TERMS OF STRENGTHS

Short columns
 A column is said to be short when its
length is such that lateral buckling need
not be considered.
 Most of concrete columns falls in this
category.

Slender columns
 A column is said to be slender when the
length of the column is such that buckling
need to be considered.
 As the length increases, the usable
strength of a given cross section is
decreased because of buckling problem.
 BUCKLING

 It can be defined as the

sudden large deformation of
structure due to a slight
increase of an existing load
under which the structure has
exhibited little if any
deformation before the load
was increased.

 Buckling is a mode of failure

generally resulting from
structural instability due to
compressive action on the
structural member or element
involved.
FORCES ON COLUMNS
Axial Compression
 Columns are defined as members that carry loads in compression.
 Usually they carry bending moments as well, about one or both axes
of the cross section.
 The bending action may produce tensile forces over a part of the cross
section.
COLUMN LOAD TRANSFER FROM BEAMS AND SLABS

 Tributary area method

Half distance to adjacent columns

Load on column = area x floor load

Floor load = Dead Load + Live Load
DL = Slab thickness x concrete unit weight
 Beams reaction method
Collect loads from adjacent beam ends
LOAD SUMMATION ON COLUMN SECTION
LOADING OF REINFORCED CONCRETE

Centric loading
 If a compression member is
loaded parallel to its axis by
a load P without eccentricity,
the load P theoretically
induces a uniform
compressive stress over the
cross sectional area.
 When the line of action of
the axial load P passes
through the centroid of the
cross section, it can be
assumed that the distribution
of normal stress is uniform
throughout the section
Eccentric loading
 When the line of action of the
concentrated load P doesn’t pass
through the centroid of the cross
section, the distribution of the
normal stress is no longer
uniform.
 If the compressive load is
applied a small distance e away
from the longitudinal axis, there
is a tendency of the column to
bend.
REINFORCED CONCRETE LOADING PERFORMANCE
COLUMNS CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

 Clear distance between longitudinal bars must not be less than 1.5
times the nominal bar diameter or 40 mm.
 Cover to reinforcement shall be 40 mm minimum over primary
reinforcement, ties or spirals.
 The minimum number of longitudinal bars are:

 Four within rectangular or circular ties

 Three within triangular ties
 Six for bars enclosed by spirals.
BEAMS
 DEFINITION
 A beam is generally
considered to be any member
subjected principally to
transverse gravity or vertical
loading.

 There are many types of

beams that are classified
according to their sizes,
manner in which they are
supported , and their location
in any given structural system.
 CLASSIFICATION OF BEAMS
 The beams are generally classified
according to their geometry and the
manner in which they are supported, ,
whether the beam is:

 Straight beams
 Curved beams

 Geometry classification includes

features as the shape of the cross
section

 Tapered , or
 Has a constant cross section
 Beams can also be classified according to the manner in which they are
supported.
 BEAMS USED IN BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES
Girders
 Usually the most important beams, which are frequently at wide spacing.
Joists
 Usually less important beams, which are closely spaced, frequently with truss-
type webs.
Stringers
 Longitudinal bridge beams spanning between floor beams
Purlins
 Roof beams spanning between trusses
Girts
 Horizontal wall beams serving principally to resist bending due to wind on
the side of an industrial building
Lintels
 Members supporting a wall over window or door openings.
LOADING ON BEAMS
 BENDING STRESSES ON BEAMS
 Bending moment produces bending strains on a beam, and consequently
compressive and tensile stresses.
 Under positive moment (as normally the case), compressive stresses are
produced in the top of the beam and tensile stresses are produced in the
bottom.
 Bending members must resist both compressive and tensile stresses.
 BEAM CONSTRUCTION
 These are structural systems in the
which the separate structural
characteristics and advantages of
structural steel sections and
reinforced concrete are combined.
 For example, a steel frame, cased in
concrete and designed to allow for
the strength of the concrete in
addition to that of the steel.
 By reinforcing the concrete casing
and allowing for its composite effect
with the steel frame, saving in steel
and a reduction in the overall size of
members can be effected.
 1. Shear studs and connectors
 A concrete floor slab bearing on a steel beam may be considered to act
with the beam and serve as the beam’s compressive flange.
 There must be a strong bond between the concrete and the steel, to make
them act together in resisting shear stresses developed under load.
 The adhesion bond between the concrete and the top flange of the beam is
not generally sufficient and it is usually necessary to fix shear studs or
connectors, to the top flange of the beam which are then cast in the floor
slab. These studs provide positive resistance to shear
 2. Inverted ‘T’ beam composite
construction
 Composite beam and floor construction
using ‘I’ beam section, is a waste since
compressive stress can always be carried
by concrete.
 By using an inverted ‘T’ section member,
steel is placed in the tension area and
concrete in the compression area.
 A cage of mild steel binders, cast into
the beam casing and linked to the
reinforcement in the floor slab, serves to
make the slab and beam act as a form
of composite construction by the
adhesion bond of the concrete to the
whole of the ‘T’ section.
 In so doing, the beams induce a
compressive stress in the concrete around
a tension flange which prevents the beams
wholly regaining their original shape.
 The beams now have a slight upward
camber.
 Under loads the deflection of these beams
will be resisted by the compressive stress
in the concrete around the bottom flange
which will also prevent cracking of
concrete.
 Preflex beams are more expensive than
standard mild steel beams and are
designed for use in long span heavily
loaded floors.
SLABS
 SLAB

 This is a set of structural

elements which form the
horizontal or inclined
plane between beams or
structural walls.

 It allows flow of traffic

over them and provides
the support of finishes and
enclosures of a building.
 Support requirements
 Resistance (STRENGTH):
In order to maintain its properties while it’s
subjected to certain actions.

 Stability:
In order to avoid tipping caused by
horizontal actions (wind, seismic…).

 Compatibility:
Deformations, dimensional and chemical
variation of building elements and materials
must be compatible, for the expected use
and during the expected working life of the
building.
 Durability:
To withstand maintaining its shape
and strength, for the duration of its
designed service life, the action of
the environment, the physical,
chemical and biological conditions to
which it is exposed, and which could
cause it to deteriorate.
 Fire Resistance:
The structure must maintain its fire
resistance and properties for the time
laid down. If necessary, it can also
act as a barrier to the heat transfer.
 Comfort requirements

 Thermal control
 Moisture protection
 Hydro-thermal control
 Lighting control
 Acoustic control
 Others: cultural, social, psychological...
Basic slab structure
 Installation process and execution controls

1. Arrangement of materials at work (joists,

hollow bricks, plates, reinforcements.
2. Reception control and tolerances at
reception.
3. Formwork and bracing.
4. Preparation of the perimeter for the support
of structural floors.
5. Re-planing of joists, plates – holes - etc…
6. Reinforcement’s control.
7. Watering.
8. Concrete’s pouring.
9. Concrete curing.
10. Protection for structural floors of any force
not foreseen on its calculation
11. Final work documents
 SLAB LOADING FORMS

One Way slab

 A system in which loads are distributed

in one direction.

 Floor consisting of a series of linear

elements, joists, precast slabs or
composites steel sheets-concrete.
Two Way slab

 A system in which loads are

distributed in two or more
directions.
 Floor consisting of slabs
(concrete slab) of linear
elements (ribbed or waffle slab)
or of spherical elements (bubble
deck)
 TYPES OF SLABS

 The principal types of reinforced in situ cast concrete floor construction

are:
 Beam and slab
 Waffle grid slab
 Drop beam and slab
 Flat slab
 1. Beam and slab floor

 A beam and slab floor is generally

the most economic and therefore
most usual form of floor
construction for reinforced concrete
frames.
 The floor slab is designed to span
in both directions so that all the
beams around a floor slab can
bear part of the load.
 Two-way span of floor slab
reduces overall floor depth of
floors as compared to one-way
spanning floor slab construction.
 The most economical shape for a two-way
spanning slab is square , thus the best column
grid for reinforced concrete frame with
monolithically cast floors is a square.
 Combining main and secondary beams as a
grid allows for least thickness of slab hence
economy in the mass of concrete used in
construction.
 This square grid results in the minimum
thickness of floor slab and minimum depth of
beams and therefore minimum dead weight in
construction.
 Departure from the square column grid ,
because of user requirements and circulation
needs in the building increases the overall
depth, weight and therefore cost of
construction of a reinforced concrete frame.
 2. Waffle grid slab floor
 This is used for long spans where intermediate
cross beams are supporting thin floor slabs.
 The intermediate cross beams are cast on a
regular square grid that gives the underside
of the floor the appearance of a waffle.
 The intermediate beams supports a thin floor
slab and so reduce the dead weight of the
floor.
 This floor is used where a widely spaced
square column grid is necessary and floors
support comparatively heavy loads.
 The waffle grid may be cast around plastic or
metal formers laid on timber centering, so
that the smooth finish of the soffit may be left
exposed
 3. Drop slab floor

 This floor construction consists of a

floor slab which is thickened
between columns in the form in the
form of a shallow but wide beam.
 It is of about the same dead
weight and cost as a comparable
slab and beam floor and will have
up to half the depth of floor
construction from top of slab to
soffit of beams.
 This saves on overall height of
construction of a multi-storey
building with appreciable saving in
cost.
 4. Flat slab (plate) floor

 The slab is of uniform thickness

throughout, without down-stand
beams and with the reinforcement
more closely spaced between the
points of support from columns.
 To provide sufficient resistance to
shear at the junction of columns
and floor, square headed
columns are often formed.
 The dead weight of this floor and
its overall cost are greater
compared to the other three
systems. Its depth however is least
hence lowers height of multi-
storey buildings.
 PRECAST REINFORCED SLABS

 These are precast reinforced

concrete floor beams, planks, tee
beams or beam and infill blocks
that require little or no
temporary support and on which
a screed or structural concrete
topping is spread.
 They are commonly used with
structural steel frames and may
be used for in situ cast concrete
frames instead of in situ cast
floors.
 This system saves on site labour
since there is no construction of
false work.
 1. Precast hollow slabs

 The purpose of the voids or hollows

in the floor units is to reduce dead
weight without affecting strength.

 The reinforcement is cast into the

webs between hollows.

 The hollow floor units can be used by

themselves as floor slab with a floor
screed or they may be used with a
structural reinforced concrete
topping with bars over beams for
composite action with the beams.
 2. Precast concrete plank slabs

 These comparatively thin, pre-

stressed solid plank, concrete floor
units are designed as permanent
shuttering and for composite action
with structural reinforced concrete
topping.

 It may be necessary to provide some

temporary propping to the
underside of these planks until
concrete topping has gained
sufficient strength.
 3. Precast beam and filler slabs
 This floor system consists of precast reinforced concrete planks or beams that
support precast hollow concrete filler blocks.
 The planks or beams are laid between supports with the filler blocks between
them and a concrete topping is spread over the planks and filler blocks.
 The reinforcement
protruding from the
top of the planks acts
with the concrete
topping to form a
reinforced concrete
beam.
 They are lightweight
compared to much
larger hollow
concrete floor units.
 4. Hollow clay block and concrete floor
 A floor system of hollow clay blocks and in situ cast reinforced concrete
beams between the blocks and concrete toppings, cast on centering and
false work.
 It was extensively used due to the fire resisting properties of the blocks.
 It is much less used because of the very considerable labor in laying the
floor.