CE5510 Advanced Structural

Concrete Design to EC2

11. Slender Columns

Professor Tan Kiang Hwee

Dept of Civil & Environmental Engrg
National University of Singapore

Contents
11.1 Braced and unbraced columns 3
11.2 Second-order effects 4
11.2.1 Slenderness ratio 7
11.2.2 Effective length 8
11.2.3 Conditions for ignoring 2nd-order 11
effects
11.2.4 Example 1 14
11.3 Methods to account for 2nd-order effects 16
11.3.1 Nominal curvature method 17
11.3.2 Example 2 21
11.3.3 Moment magnification method 26
11.4 Bi-axial bending 27
11.4.1 Example 3 29
© Tan K H, NUS 2
11.1 Braced and unbraced columns
 Braced structure contains bracing
elements that are stiff, vertical ele-
ments (usually walls) that attract, &
transmit to the foundations, at least
90% of all horizontal loads

Braced = Non-sway
(usually true!)
 Sway structure is one where side-
sway is likely to be significant;
depends basically on stiffness of
structure against lateral deformation

Unbraced = Sway
(conservative!)
© K H Tan, NUS 3

11.2 Second-order effects

M2 = N
© K H Tan, NUS 4
 2nd order
1st order moment
1 moment
1 M2
2 1. Material failure with
negligible lateral
deflection

2. Material failure
intensified by lateral
3 deflection & 2nd order
moment

3. Instability failure

© K H Tan, NUS 5

 First Order Moments

 result of applied loads, and sway in the structure
 only 1st order forces and moments need to be
considered in braced short columns

 Second Order Moments

 arises in slender columns as a result of lateral
deflection
 lateral deflection
e = (1/r) lo 2 / c 1/r = M/EI
c : depends on BMD = Ne/EI
= 2 10 (in general) = (2EI/lo2)e/EI
2 =  e/lo 
2

© K H Tan, NUS 6
11.2.1 Slenderness Ratio

 = lo / i = lo / ( I / A)
where
lo is the effective length
i is the radius of gyration about the axis considered
I is the second moment of area of section
A is the cross-sectional area of the column

 = 3.46 lo / h for rectangular sections

= 4.0 lo / d for circular sections
where
h = height in the direction under consideration
d = diameter

© K H Tan, NUS 7

11.2.2 Effective Length

 length of a pinned ended strut of the same cross-section
as the column and having the same buckling load

Buckling
Load

NB=2EI/lo2

© K H Tan, NUS 8
 Braced column:

Unbraced column:

Notes:
k1, k2 : relative flexibilities of rotational restraints at column ends, defined by
k = ( / M) (EI / l ) [Note: k = 0  fixed ; k =   pinned]
 : rotation of restraining members for bending moment M
EI : bending stiffness of compression member
l : clear height of compression member.

A minimum value of 0.1 is recommended for both k1 and k2 .

© K H Tan, NUS 9

Ignoring* adjacent column:

column stiffness ( EI / l ) column ( I / l ) column

k  
 beam stiffness  2( EI / l )beam  2( I / l )beam
Annex

To cater for cracking in beams

Symmetrical frame with spans of approx. equal length

ignore

(use greater
ignore of)

* i.e., adjacent column assumed non-failing &

having similar stiffness (within 15% difference)
© K H Tan, NUS 10
11.2.3 Conditions for Ignoring 2nd Order Effects

 If 2nd order moments are less than 10% of the

corresponding first order effects

 Simplified criterion for isolated members:

 if slenderness ratio of member () is less than a
prescribed value (lim)

© K H Tan, NUS 11

≤ 15.4C /n (Note 3)

(Note 1)
(Note 2)

(Note: - 1 ≤ rm ≤ 1)

Note 1: Note 2:
ef = (, to) M0Eqp / M0Ed fcd = cc fck / c
= 0.85 fck / 1.5 = 0.567 fck
(, to) : final creep coefficient
M0Eqp : 1st order bending moment in quasi-
permanent load combination (SLS) Note 3: for braced column (rm ≤ 0)
M0Ed : 1st order bending moment in design lim ≤ 26.2 /n
load combination (ULS)
© K H Tan, NUS 12
 C = 1.7 – rm

Bent in single Bent in double

curvature curvature
(rm > 0) (rm < 0)

© K H Tan, NUS Unbraced column: C = 0.7 in general 13

11.2.4 Example 1
Check whether second order effects must be accounted for in
the design of the column in the braced frame shown. Given: fck
= 25 MPa; NEd = 1280 kN. Assume A = 0.7, B = 1.1, C = 1.7.

By inspection, the
column will have the
highest slenderness
ratio for bending
about axes YY.
© K H Tan, NUS 14
 Clear ht., l = 3 – 0.5 = 2.5 m
300
Icol = 400x3003/12 = 900 x 106 mm4
500
Ibeam =300x5003/12 = 3125 x 106 mm4

3m 4m k1 = k2 = (900/3) / [2 x (2 x 3125/4)]
= 0.096 < 0.1

Effective length,
lo = 0.59 x 2.5 = 1.477 m

Radius of gyration, i = h/3.46 = 86.6 mm

  = lo / i = 1477/86.6 = 17.1
300
Y
 lim = (20x0.7x1.1x1.7)/
400
[1280x103/(400x300x0.85x25/1.5)]
Y = 30.2 > 

© K H Tan, NUS 15

11.3 Methods to account for

2nd Order Effects
 General method
 based on non-linear 2nd order analysis
 allow for non-elastic behaviour, i.e., cracking and creep

For design of isolated columns:

 Moment magnification method

 design moments obtained by factoring 1st order moment

 Nominal curvature method

 2nd order moment determined from estimated column
curvature and added to 1st order moment

© K H Tan, NUS 16
11.3.1 Nominal Curvature Method
Applicable to isolated members with constant normal force and a
defined effective length

Design moment:

MEd = M0Ed + M2

where
M0Ed : 1st order moment, including the effect of
imperfections* (taken as NEd l0 / 400).
M2 : nominal 2nd order moment (next slide)

* It is also possible to account for imperfections by ensuring that

M0Ed  NEd (h/30) where h/30  20 mm.

© K H Tan, NUS 17

Nominal 2nd order moment (additional moment):

M2 = NEde2

where NEd : design value of axial load

e2 : 2nd order eccentricity = (1/r) lo2 / c
1/r : curvature (next slide)
l0 : effective length
c : factor depending on the curvature distribution*

* for constant cross section, c = 10 ( 2). Also, if the first order
moment is constant throughout the length, then c = 8.

© K H Tan, NUS 18
Curvature 1/r
Notes:
Members with constant
Ed / (Acfcd) ; nu = 1 + 
1 n = N
symmetrical cross section and
nbal : value of n at max. moment
reinforcement:
resistance (balanced failure);
the value 0.4 may be used.
1/r = Kr K (1/r0)  = Asfyd / (Acfcd)
As : total area of reinforcemnt
Ac : area of concrete cross section
where

Kr = (nu – n) / (nu – nbal) ≤ 1

(correction factor1 )
K = 1 +  ef  1
(accounts for creep2 )
1/r0 =yd/(0.45d) = (fyd/Es)/(0.45d)
d : effective depth3
© K H Tan, NUS
2 ef : effective creep ratio (slide 12)
 = 0.35 + fck / 200 -  / 150
3 where reinft. is not concentrated
on opposite sides, but part of it is
distributed parallel to the plane
of bending, d = h/2 + is (is : radius
of gyration of total reinft.)
19

Design MEd

Braced column
MEd = maximum of
{M0e + M2 ;
M02 ;
M01 + 0.5M2 }

M0e = 0.6M02 + 0.4M01  0.4M02

Unbraced column
MEd = M02 + M2
M01 and M02 have the same sign if they give
tension on the same side, and M02  M01.
© K H Tan, NUS 20
11.3.2 Example 2 –
Column in non-sway structure

ley = 6.75 m;
lez = 8.0 m;
fck = 25 MPa;
fyk = 500 MPa;
Effective creep
ratio, ef = 0.87

(abt yy axis)

© K H Tan, NUS 21

Limiting :
A = 1 / (1 + 0.2 ef ) = 1 / (1 + 0.2 x 0.87) = 0.85
B = 1.1 (default value)
C = 1.7 – rm = 1.7 – (-10)/70 = 1.84
n = NEd / (Ac fcd)
= 1700 x 103 / (300 x 450 x 0.567 x 25) = 0.89
 lim = 20 x 0.85 x 1.1 x 1.84 / 0.89 = 36.47 (abt yy axis)
Also, lim = 20 x 0.85 x 1.1 x 0.7(default) / 0.89 = 13.9 (abt zz axis)

Actual slenderness ratios

y = loy / iy = 6.75 x 3.46 / 0.3 = 77.85 > lim
z = loz / iz = 8.0 x 3.46 / 0.45 = 61.55 > lim
 column is slender and y is more critical

© K H Tan, NUS 22
Bending about y-y axis:
M0e = 0.6M02 + 0.4M01
= 0.6 x 70 + 0.4 x (-10) = 38 kNm
> 0.4M02 = 0.4 x 70 = 28 kNm

Moment due to imperfectons,

M1 = NEd ley/ 400 = 1700 x 6.75 / 400 = 28.7 kNm

Second-order moment:
Kr = 1 (assumed, since reinft. detail not known)
K = 1 + (0.35 + 25/200 – 77.85/150) x 0.87 = 0.96 < 1
M2 = NEd [Kr K yd/(0.45d)] lo2 /10
= 1700 x1x1x(500/1.15)/(200,000x0.45x240) x (67502
/10)x10-3
= 156 kNm

© K H Tan, NUS 23

Design moment MEd :

M0e + M2 = 38 + 28.7 + 155.9 = 222.6 kNm (governs)
M02 = 70 + 28.7 = 98.7 kNm
M01 + 0.5 M2 = 10 + 28.7 + 0.5x155.9 = 176.7 kNm

Design for (NEd , MEd ):

NEd / bhfck = 1700 x 103 / (450x300x25) = 0.504
MEd / bh2fck = 222.6 x 106 / (450x3002x25) = 0.220
d/h = 240/300 = 0.8
From design chart.
Asfyk/ bhfck = 0.80 and Kr = 0.78

Re-calculate using new Kr ; repeat till Kr converges

Asfyk/ bhfck = 0.60 and Kr = 0.74

© K H Tan, NUS 24

© K H Tan, NUS
11.3.3 Moment Magnification Method
Total Design Moment
where
M0Ed : first order moment;
NEd : design value of axial load;
 : a factor which depends on
distribution of 1st and 2nd
order moments
and NB is the buckling load
based on nominal stiffness
© K H Tan, NUS
Kr
25
Notes:
c0 : coefficient (= 8 ~ 12 for isolated
members with constant cross section
& axial load)
NB = 2EI/lo2
where
EI = KcEcdIc + KsEsIs
Ecd : design value of modulus of elasticity
of concrete = Ecm/1.2;
Es : design value of modulus of elasticity of
steel
Ic, Is : moment of inertia of concrete cross
section, & of area of reinforcement,
about centre of area of concrete, resply.
Kc, Ks : factors for effects of cracking,
creep, etc., and for contribution of
reinforcement , respectively.
26
11.4 Biaxial bending
Design separately in each principal dir. as a 1st step.

No further check needed if:

and

b, h : width & depth of section MEdy, MEdz : design moments abt. y- & z-
axis, incl. 2nd-order moment, resply.
beq,heq : width & depth of equiv.
rectangular section NEd : design value of axial load

© K H Tan, NUS 27

If the conditions are not fulfilled, Values of exponent a :

biaxial bending should be - circular & elliptical cross
taken into account including sections: a = 2
the 2nd order effects in each
- rectangular cross sections:
direction (unless they may
be ignored).

Simplified criterion:

MEdz/y : design moment about the

respective axis, including 2nd order
moment
MRdz/y : moment resistance in the
respective direction
NEd : design value of axial force
NRd : design axial resistance of
section = Acfcd + Asfyd

© K H Tan, NUS 28
11.4.1 Example 3 –
Column subject to biaxial bending
Column sways in bending about z-z axis but
shear walls prevent sway about y-y axis
© K H Tan, NUS
Bending about z-z axis:
z = loz/iz
= 1.5x4500/(800 / 3.46) = 29.2
Kr = (nu – n)/(nu – nbal)
= (1.188 – 0.220)/(1.188-0.4)
= 1.23 > 1, use 1
K = 1 + ef = 1.35 > 1, ok
(1/r) = Kr K (fyd/Es)/(0.45d)
= 8.88 x 10-6 /mm
M2z = NEd (1/r)loz2/10 = 81 kNm
M02z = 150 kNm > 53.4 kNm
MEdz = 150 + 81 = 231 kNm
MRdz = 426 kNm (determined
separately)
© K H Tan, NUS
Section: 400x800 mm
C50/60, fyk=500 MPa
NEd = 2000 kN
As = 3927 mm2 (8H25)
(section with 3 bars on
each side)
Ignore imperfections.
Assume l0z = 1.5l ;
l0y = 0.75l ;
(, to) = 1.3 ; and
M0Eqp / M0Ed = 2/3 .
29
n = NEd /(Acfcd)
=2000x103/(400x800x0.567x50)
= 0.220
nu = 1 + 3927x(500/1.15)/
(400x800x0.567x50) = 1.188
 = 0.35+50/200-29.2/150
= 0.405
ef = 1.3 x 2/3 = 0.867
d/h = 0.85 assumed
h = 800 mm
NEd(h/30) =2000x(0.8/30) =53.4kNm
NEd(20 mm) =2000x0.02 = 40 kNm
30
Bending about y-y axis:

y = loy/iy n = same as before

= 0.75x4500/(400 / 3.46) = 29.2 nu = same as before

Kr = (nu – n)/(nu – nbal)  = 0.35+50/200-29.2/150

= 1.23 > 1, use 1 = 0.405
K = 1 + ef = 1.35 > 1, ok ef = 1.3 x 2/3 = 0.867
(1/r) = Kr K (fyd/Es)/(0.45d)
= 17.8 x 10-6 /mm d/h = 0.85 assumed
h = 400 mm
M2y = NEd (1/r)loz2/10 = 40.6 kNm
M02y = 15 kNm < 40 kNm NEd(h/30) =2000x(0.4/30)
MEdy = 40 + 40.6 = 80.6 kNm =26.7kNm
NEd(20 mm) =2000x0.02
MRdy = 213 kNm(determined = 40 kNm
separately)
© K H Tan, NUS 31

Relative :
y/z = z/y = 29.2/29.2 = 1 < 2 

Relative e:
(ey /h)/ (ez /b) = [(231/2000)/0.8] /[(80.6/2000)/0.4] = 1.43 > 0.2
(ez /b)/ (ey /h) = 1/1.43 = 0.70 > 0.2 

Consider combined bending actions:

NRd = (0.567x50x400x800+3927x500/1.15)x10-3 = 10779 kN
NEd / NRd = 2000/10779 = 0.186
From table, a = 1 + 0.5(0.186 – 0.1)/0.6 = 1.07
(MEdz / MRdz )a + (MEdy / MRdy )a = (231/426)1.07 + (80.6/213)1.07
= 0.872 < 1 

© K H Tan, NUS 32
Exercise 1

Figure E-1 shows a column AB in a multi-storey building, which is constructed with

flat plate floors and is braced against sidesway. The column measures 350
mm by 300 mm in cross-section. It carries an ultimate axial load of 1500 kN
and is bent in double curvature with ultimate bending moments of 120 kNm
and 60 kNm about the major axis at ends A and B, respectively. Clear height
between floors is 7.2 m.

(a) Check whether the column is slender.

(b) Calculate the design bending moments about the major and minor axes.
(c) Check whether it is necessary to consider biaxial bending.

Use fck = 30 MPa and fyk = 500 MPa, and assume d/h = 0.85. The appropriate
design chart is as given. You may use BS8110 factors for effective length of
braced columns. If necessary, other data* may be appropriately assumed.

* Columns may be assumed to be on 6 m x 6 m grid.

©Tan K H, NUS 33

200 mm

A 350 mm x
350 mm 300 mm
column
7.2 m
X X

B
Section X-X
200 mm

Fig. E-1

©Tan K H, NUS 34
Exercise 2

A bridge column carries design loads at ULS as shown in the Fig. E-2.

(a)Assume the articulation of the deck is such that sidesway is

prevented:
i. Design the reinforcement for the column if fck = 30 MPa and fyk =
500 MPa.
ii. Re-design the column if the characteristic strength of the concrete
fck is increased to 60 MPa by reducing the size of the column. Check
whether a design approach based on slender columns is needed
and adopt it if necessary.

(b)Assuming that the articulation of the deck is such that sidesway can
occur, design the reinforcement for the column if fck = 30 MPa and fyk
= 500 MPa.

©Tan K H, NUS 35

Cross-section
of column
Bridge column
Fig. E-2
©Tan K H, NUS 36
Further Exercises
1. Fig. Q-1 shows a bridge column that is fixed at the base. The top of
the column is connected to the bridge deck by a hinge and is free to
deflect horizontally in the y-direction. The column has a hexagonal
cross-section with twelve identical bars evenly distributed around the
periphery with a cover to centre of bars of 40 mm. It is to carry an axial
load NEd of 2500 kN and horizontal load HEd of 250 kN in the y-direction,
applied at the top of the column. Given that fck = 40 MPa and fyk = 500
MPa.
(a) Determine whether the column is short or slender based on
slenderness ratio. Consider bending in the y-direction only. (Hint: The
moment of inertia of a triangle with height h and base b about an axis
through its centroid and parallel to its base is bh3/36.)
(b) Determine the design bending moment for the column. Assume Kr =
1 and K = 1.

©Tan K H, NUS 47

Fig. Q‐1
©Tan K H, NUS 48
Test Your Understanding –
Slender Columns
1. Unbraced columns may not be subjected to significant sway. T or
F?
Ans:

2. A braced column has an effective length less than its actual length.
T or F?
Ans:

3. What are the main factors affecting the magnitude of 2nd order
moments?
Ans:

4. What forms the main basis for the design of bi-axial bending in
columns?
Ans:
© Tan K H, NUS 39

Further reading:

 Darwin, D., Dolan, C.W. & Nilson, A.H., “Design of Concrete

Structures”, 15e (Int’l. Ed.), 2016, Ch 10.
 Wight, J.K., “Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics & Design”, 7e
(Global Ed.), 2016, Ch 12.
 Moss, R. and Brooker, O., “How to design concrete structures
using Eurocode 2 : Columns”, The Concrete Centre, 2006,

© Tan
©KH
H,Tan,
NUS NUS 40
Annex – Effective Length (BS8110 )
 For columns where the stiffness of any vertically adjacent
column does not vary significantly.

© K H Tan, NUS 41