1.

Tied Column
This type of column is commonly construction from reinforced concrete. Longitudinal
reinforcement are confined within closely spaced tie reinforcement. It is estimated that 95% of
all columns in buildings are tied.

Fig. 1: Tied column

2. Spiral Column
Spiral column is also construction from reinforced concrete. In this type of column, longitudinal
bars are confined within closely spaced and continuously wound spiral reinforcement. Spiral
reinforcement provide lateral restrains (Poisson’s effect) and delays axial load failure (ductile).

Fig. 2: Spiral Column

3. Composite column When the longitudinal reinforcement is in the form of structural steel
section or pipe with or without longitudinal bars, it is called as a composite column. This type of
column have high strength with fairly small cross section, in addition to exhibit good fire
performance.

Fig. 3: Composite column

4. Axially Loaded Column
If vertical axial loads act on the center of gravity of the cross-section of the column, then it is
termed as axially loaded column. Axially loaded column is rare in construction since coinciding
vertical loads on the center of gravity of column cross section is not practical.

Fig. 4: Axially loaded column

5. Column with Uniaxial Eccentric Loading

When vertical loads do not coincide with center of gravity of column cross section, but rather act
eccentrically either on X or Y axis of the column cross section, then it is called uniaxially eccentric
loading column. Column with uniaxial loading are generally encountered in the case of columns
rigidly connected beam from one side only such as edge columns.

Fig. 5: Column with uniaxial eccentric loading

6. Column with Biaxial Eccentric Loading

When vertical on the column is not coincide with center of gravity of column cross section and
does not act on either axis (X and Y axis), then the column is called biaxially eccentric loaded
column. Columns with biaxial loading is common in corner columns with beams rigidly connected
at right angles at the top of columns.

Fig. 6: Column with biaxial eccentric loading

Based on Slenderness Ratio Based on slenderness ratio, (effective length/ least lateral
dimension), columns are categorized as follow:

6. Short Column
If the ratio effective length of the column to the least lateral dimension is less than 12, the
column is called as the short column. A short column fails by crushing (pure compression failure).

Fig. 7: Short column

7. Long Column
If the ratio effective length of the column to the least lateral dimension exceeds 12, it is called as
long column. A long column fails by bending or buckling.

Fig. 8: Long column

Based on Shape Shape of Reinforced Concrete Column
8. Square or Rectangular Column
They are generally used in the construction of buildings. It is much easier to construct and cast
rectangular or square columns than circular ones because of ease of shuttering and to support it
from collapsing due to pressure while the concrete is still in flowable form.

Fig. 9: Square column

9. Circular column
They are specially designed columns, which are mostly used in piling and elevation of the
buildings.

Fig. 10: Circular column

10. L-Shape Column

Commonly, L-shaped column is utilized in the corners of the boundary wall and has similar
characteristics of a rectangular or square column.

Fig. 11: L-shaped column

11. T-Shape column

It is utilized based on design requirements of a structure. T-Shaped column is widely used in the
construction of bridges.

Fig. 12: T-shaped column

12. Shape of Steel Column
There are different standard and built up shape of steel columns which are shown in Fig. and Fig.
Common shapes of steel columns include I, channel, equal angle, and T-shape.

Fig. 13: Steel column cross section shape (Standard)

Fig. 14: Steel column cross section shape (built up)

13. Shape of Composite Column
The usual shape of composite columns are shown in Fig.

Fig. 15: Composite column shape

Based on Construction Material Types of columns based on construction materials include
14. Reinforced Concrete, Steel, timber, Brick, Block, and Stone Column.

Fig. 16: Types of Column; A-reinforced concrete, B- steel, C-timber, D-brick, E-block, and F-stone
NSCP 2015 Criteria and Classification for Reinforced Concrete
Tied Columns

I. NSCP 2015 Section 422.4.2 Maximum Axial Compressive Strength

NSCP 2015 Section 422.4.2.1

Nominal axial compressive strength,𝑷𝒏, shall not exceed 𝑷𝒏,𝒎𝒂𝒙, in accordance with
Table 422.4.2.1, where 𝑷𝒐 is calculated by Eq. 422.4.2.2 for non-prestressed members and
composite steel and concrete members, and by Eq. 422.4.2.3 for prestressed members.

Table 422.4.2.1
Maximum Axial Strength
Transverse
Member 𝑷𝒏,𝒎𝒂𝒙
Reinforcement
Ties conforming to
Section 0.80𝑷𝒐 (a)
Non-Prestressed 422.4.2.4
Spirals conforming to
Section 422.4.2.5 0.85𝑷𝒐 (b)

Ties 0.80𝑷𝒐 (c)

Prestressed
Spirals 0.85𝑷𝒐 (d)
Composite steel and concrete
columns in All 0.85𝑷𝒐 (e)
accordance with Section 410

NSCP 2015 Section 422.4.2.2

For non-prestressed members and composite steel and concrete members, 𝑷𝒐 shall be
calculated by
𝑷𝒐 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄(𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒕) + 𝒇𝒚𝑨𝒔𝒕
Where 𝑨𝒔𝒕 is the total area of non-prestressed longitudinal reinforcement.
 II. Table 421.2.1 and Table 421.2.2

TABLE 421.2.1
Action or Structural Element ∅ Exceptions
Moment, axial force, or combined 0.65 to 0.90 in near ends of
a moment and accordance with pretensioned
axial force section 421.2.2 members where
strands are not fully
developed, ∅ shall be
in accordance with
section 421.2.3
b Shear 0.75 Additional
requirements are
given in section
421.2.4 for structures
design to resist
earthquake effects
c Torsion 0.75
d Bearing 0.65
e Post-tensioned anchorage zones 0.85

f Brackets and corbels 0.75

g Struts, ties, nodal zones, and 0.75

bearing areas designed in
accordance with strut-and-tie
method in section 423.

h Components of connections of 0.90

precast members controlled by
yielding of steel elements in tension

i Plain concrete elements 0.60

j Anchors in concrete elements 0.45 to 0.75 in
accordance with
Section 417
 Table 421.2.2
Strength Reduction Factor, ∅, for Moment, Axial Force, or Combined Moment and Axial Force
[1]
For sections classified as transition, it shall be permitted to use ∅ corresponding to compression-controlled sections.

∅
Net
Type of transverse reinforcement
tensile Classification
strain,𝜺𝒕 Spiral conforming
Other
to Section 425.7.3
Compression
𝜺𝒕 ≤ 𝜺𝒕𝒚 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 (a) 𝟎. 𝟔𝟓 (a)
controlled
𝜺𝒕𝒚 < 𝜺𝒕 < ( 𝜺𝒕 ( 𝜺𝒕 − 𝜺𝒕𝒚
Transition[1] 𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 + 𝟎. 𝟏𝟓 (b) 𝟎. 𝟔𝟓 + 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 (b)
𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓 ( 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓 ( 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟓 − 𝜺
𝜺𝒕 ≥ 𝟎. Tension
𝟎. 𝟗𝟎 (c) 𝟎. 𝟗𝟎 (c)
𝟎𝟎𝟓 Controlled

III. NSCP 2015 Section 410.6

Reinforcement Limits

NSCP 2015 Section 410.6.1 Minimum and Maximum Longitudinal Reinforcement

NSCP 2015 Section 410.6.1.1

For non-prestressed columns and for prestressed columns with average 𝒇𝒑𝒆 < 𝟏. 𝟔𝑴𝑷𝒂, area of
longitudinal reinforcement shall be at least 0.01𝑨𝒈 but shall not exceed 0.08𝑨𝒈.

NSCP 2015 Section 410.6.1.2

For composite columns with a structural steel core, area of longitudinal bars located within the
transverse reinforcement shall be at least 𝟎.𝟎𝟏(𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒙), but shall not exceed 𝟎. 𝟎𝟖(𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒙).

NSCP 2015 Section 410.6.2 Minimum Shear Reinforcement

NSCP 2015 Section 410.6.2.1

A minimum area of shear reinforcement,𝐴𝑣,𝑚𝑖𝑛, shall be provided in all regions where 𝑽𝒖 > 𝟎.
𝟓∅𝑽𝒄.

NSCP 2015 Section 410.6.2.2 If shear reinforcement is required, 𝐴𝑣,𝑚𝑖𝑛 shall be the greater of (a)
and (b):

a. b.
IV. MINIMUM SPACING OF REINFORCEMENT (NSCP 2015 SECTION 425)

● 425.2.1 For parallel non-prestressed reinforcement in horizontal layers, clear space shall be at
least the greatest of 25mm, db and (4/3)dagg.
● 425.2.2 For parallel non-prestressed reinforcement placed in two or more horizontal layers shall
be placed directly above reinforcement in the bottom layer with a clear spacing between layers
of at least 25mm.
● 425.2.3 For longitudinal reinforcement in column, pedestals, struts and boundary elements in
walls clear spacing between bars shall be at least the greatest of 40mm, 1.5db and (4/3)dagg.

V. NSCP 2015 Section 425.7.2

Ties
NSCP 2015 Section 425.7.2.1

Ties shall consist of a closed loop of deformed bar or deformed wire with spacing in accordance with (a)
and (b):
a. Clear spacing of at least (𝟒⁄𝟑)𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒈;
b. Center-to-center spacing shall not exceed the least of 𝟏𝟔𝒅𝒃 of longitudinal bar, 𝟒𝟖𝒅𝒃 of
tie bar, and smallest dimension of member.
NSCP 2015 Section 425.7.2.2

Diameter of tie bar or wire shall be at least (a) or (b):

a. 10mm∅ enclosing 32mm∅ or smaller longitudinal bars;
b. 12mm∅ enclosing 36mm∅ or larger longitudinal bars or bundled longitudinal bars.

VI. 422.5.6 𝑽𝒄 for Non-Prestressed Members with Axial Compression

422.5.6.1 For non-prestressed members with axial compression, 𝑽𝒄 shall be calculated by;

Unless a more detailed calculation is made in accordance with Table 422.5.6.1, where Nu is
positive for compression
VII. NSCP 2015 Section 422.5.1.1
Nominal one-way shear strength at a section, 𝑉𝑛 shall be calculated by:
𝑽𝒏 = 𝑽𝒄 + 𝑽𝒔
VIII.
IX. 422.5.10.5.3 Vs
for shear reinforcement in Section 422.5.10.5.1 shall be calculated by:

Where s is the spiral pitch or the longitudinal spacing of the shear reinforcement and AV is given
in Section 422.5.10.5.5 or 422.5.10.5.6
IX. NSCP 2015 Section 410.7.6.5

Shear

NSCP 2015 Section 410.7.6.5.1

If required, shear reinforcement shall be provided using ties, hoops, or spirals.

X. NSCP 2015 Section 410.7.6.5.2

Maximum spacing of shear reinforcement shall be in accordance with Table 410.7.6.5.2.

Table 410.7.6.5.2
Maximum Spacing of Shear Reinforcement
Maximum s, mm
𝑽𝒔
Non-prestressed column Prestressed column

𝑑/2 3ℎ/4
Lesser of:
600

𝑑/4 3ℎ/8
Lesser of:
300