DESIGN OF COLUMNS

INTRODUCTION
• Columns are generally compression members supporting
beams and slabs in a structural system and having an effective
length exceeding three times the least lateral dimension.
• Columns could either be braced or unbraced. Braced columns
are defined as those where the stability of the whole structure
in the plane considered is provided by bracing or walls
designed to resist all lateral forces.
Otherwise, it is unbraced.
• A column may be considered as short when both the ratios
of the effective height to the width or depth of the cross
section in respect of the axis under consideration are less
than 15 (for braced) and 10 (for unbraced). Otherwise, it
should be considered as slender (BS 8110: Part 1, 1997).
• The effective height of a column , le, in a given plane is
given by 𝑙𝑒 = 𝛽𝑙𝑜. Where 𝛽 are values given in Tables
3.19 and 3.20 of BS 8110: Part 1 (1997) for braced and
unbraced columns respectively as a function of the end
conditions of the column.
It is noteworthy that the effective height of a column in the two
plan directions may be different. lo is the clear height between
end restraints. For any unbraced column where one end is
unrestrained , as in the case of cantilever column, the clear height
lo :
100𝑏2
𝑙𝑜 = ≤ 60𝑏
ℎ
b = width of a column (dimension of cross-section perpendicular
to h).
h = depth of cross section measured in the plane under
consideration.
• Columns act as vertical support to suspended members e.g.
beams and slabs , and transmit the loading from these
members to the foundation .
• They are primarily compression members , though they
sometimes have to resist bending moments from beams.
• Columns may be of square, circular or rectangular cross-
section, the minimum numbers of longitudinal bars required
been 4,6 and 6 respectively. For columns , the ratio h/b ≤ 4.
where h > 4b, the member should be designed as a wall.
Columns may fail due to:
• Compression failure of the concrete/steel
reinforcements. This mode of failure is
common with short stocky columns
• Buckling: This is common with long and
slender columns
• Combination of buckling and compression
failure.
WHEN IS A COLUMN SHORT?
Section 3.8.1.3 of BS 8110 classifies a column as being
short when:
𝐿𝑒𝑥 𝐿𝑒𝑦
≤ 15 and ≤ 15 for braced columns
ℎ 𝑏

𝐿𝑒𝑥 𝐿𝑒𝑦
≤ 10 and ≤
10 for unbraced columns
ℎ 𝑏
otherwise, it should be considered as a slender column.
Where:
Lex = Effective height of column along major axis i.e. x-
axis.
Ley = Effective height of column along minor axis i.e. y-
axis
b = width of column cross section
h = depth of column cross section.
 EFFECTIVE HEIGHT OF A COLUMN (Le)
This is given as le = 𝛽𝑙𝑜 for a given plane.
Where:
Lo = clear height between end restraints
𝛽 = a constant which is a function of end condition. Table 3.19
gives values of 𝛽 for braced columns and Table 3.20 for unbraced
columns.
Clause 3.8.1.6.2 defines the end conditions.
 BRACED AND UNBRACED COLUMNS
A column is considered braced if the lateral loads due to wind for
example, are resisted by shear walls or bracing or buttressing rather
than by the column itself. Otherwise, it should be considered unbraced.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN OF COLUMN

Design of columns is governed by the ultimate limit state, deflections
and cracking during service conditions and are handled by correct
provision and detailing of the reinforcement and adequate cover.
The column in a structure carry loads from the beams and slabs down
to the foundation, making them primary compression members ,
although they may also have to resist bending forces due to the
continuity of the structure.
The axial forces due to the vertical loading may be calculated
as though the beams and slabs are simply supported.
Section 3.8 of BS 8110: Part 1 (1997) deals extensively with
design of all types of columns.
a) Short columns subjected to axial forces and nominal
moments.
Where the structure precludes any possibility of the columns
being subjected to significant moments, the ultimate axial
load is given by:
N = 0.4f𝑐𝑢Ac + 0.8fyAsc
The expression is derived from the strength of a section
under pure axial load, reduced slightly to cater for an
eccentricity to allow for constructional tolerance.
The design ultimate capacity of a section when subjected
to pure axial load only Nau is given by:

𝑁𝑎𝑢 = 0.45𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝐴𝑐 + 0.9𝑓𝑦𝐴𝑠𝑐

It should be understood that the partial safety factor for
materials are taken into account in the numerical factors
provided.
b) Short braced columns supporting an approximately symmetrical
arrangement of beams
Where a column supports an approximately symmetrical arrangement of
beam, the design ultimate axial load for a short column of this type is:
𝑵 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟓𝒇𝒄𝒖 𝑨𝒄 + 𝟎. 𝟕𝒇𝒚𝑨𝒔𝒄
Under the arrangement, two criteria must be met under clause 3.8.4.4 of
BS8110: Part 1 (1997).
• The supported beams are designed for uniformly distributed imposed
loads: and
• The beam spans do not differ by more than 15 percent of the longer.
Unbraced short columns supporting a symmetrical arrangement of loading
should be designed
to withstand the given ultimate axial loading acting at a nominal
eccentricity of h/20, although BS8110 also specifies that this
eccentricity need not exceed a maximum of 20 mm.
c) Short columns under bending and direct forces:
Limit-State Method
For cases where a short column is subjected to a direct ultimate
load (N) and ultimate bending moments(s) (Mx) and/or (My),
acting about the major and minor principal axes respectively,
BS 8110 provides expressions that convert the biaxial moment
into a single equivalent increased moment acting about one axis
only and thus enabling the aids already described to be used to
design the section with the aid of design charts given in BS 8110:
Part 3.
• If Mx/h’ ≥ My/b’ :M’x = Mx + 𝛽h’/b’My
• If Mx/h’ < My/b’ :M’y = My + 𝛽h’/b’Mx
h’ and b’ represent the distances from the compressed face to the
centre line of the “tension” steel (i.e. equivalent to the effective
depth of a beam section) measured about the major and minor axes
respectively. h’ and b’ are shown in figure 3.22 of BS8110: Part 1:
1997.
7𝑁
𝛽 = {1 − } < 0.3
6𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑢
𝑁
For all values of ,0.3 ≤ 𝛽 ≤ 1.0
𝑏ℎ𝑓𝑐𝑢
When the expression for M’x controls, the section must then be
designed to resist axial load N with Mx, acting about the major axis.
When M’y dominates, design for N plus My acting about the minor
axis.
d) Slender Columns
• A column is said to be slender or long if the ratio of the effective
length to its least radius of gyration exceeds about 50. The safe load
that such column will support is less than that carried by a similar
short column.
• According to BS 8110, column of normal weight concrete where the
ratio of the effective height to the corresponding overall depth of
section about either principal axis exceeds 15 or 10 for braced and
unbraced columns respectively are said to be slender.
• The same design methods for short columns subjected to axial load
and uniaxial or biaxial bending are employed but the moment in
slender column is increased to take account of any possible
deflection of the column.
For columns bending about a principal axis where the greater cross sectional
dimension is less than three times the lesser and for columns bending about the
major axis where the ratio of le/h does not exceed 20, the total moment to be
resisted at the point of maximum additional moment is:
Mt = Mi + Madd
Madd is the additional design ultimate moment induced by deflection of column.
Madd = Nau = N𝛽𝑎 𝑘ℎ
1
𝛽𝑎 = (𝑙𝑒/𝑏′)2
2000
k = reduction factor conservatively taken as unity
b’ = smaller dimension of column section
N = ultimate axial force
𝑁𝑢𝑧 −𝑁
𝑘= ≤ 1.0
𝑁𝑢𝑧 − 𝑁𝑏𝑎𝑙
Mi = initial moment due to normal ultimate load calculated by simple elastic
analysis.
h = overall depth of the cross section in the plane of bending.
For braced columns, BS 8110 states that :
Mi = 0.4𝑀1 + 0.6 𝑀2 ≥ 0.4𝑀2
Where:
𝑀1 and 𝑀2 are the lesser and greater initial end moments acting on the
column. The point of maximum additional moment is near the mid-height of
the column, and at the ends only one-half of this additional moment need to be
considered.
Thus, the maximum uniaxial moment that need be taken
into consideration when designing a slender column is the greatest of the
following:
• 𝑀2
• 𝑀𝑖 + 𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑
• 𝑀𝑖 + 𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑 2
• 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 N
Where:
N = ultimate axial load for which the load is being designed.
𝑁𝑢𝑧 = the resistance for the trial section designed initial to resist N and Mt
under pure axial load only.
𝑁𝑏𝑎𝑙 = the axial load at which for the section being considered, a maximum
compressive strain of 0.0035 in the concrete and a tensile strain of 0.0020 in
the outermost layer of tension reinforcement are attained simultaneously.
For simplicity, BS 8110 Part 1 (1997) permits
𝑁𝑏𝑎𝑙 = 0.25𝑓𝑐𝑢 bd
𝑁𝑢𝑧 = 0.45 𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝐴𝑐 + 0.95𝑓𝑦 Asc
Table 3.25 of BS 8110 gives the rules for the minimum and maximum
percentages of reinforcement in a load bearing column as:
A) Longitudinal Steel
• A minimum of 4 bars is required in a rectangular column and 6 bars in a
circular column.
• Minimum area of steel reinforcement in column is 𝐴𝑠𝑐 = 0.4%Ac
• Maximum areas of steel reinforcement in column are:
– For vertically cast columns, 𝐴𝑠𝑐 = 6.0% Ac
– For horizontally cast column, 𝐴𝑠𝑐 = 8.0% Ac
– At laps (and beam-column, or beam-slab joint), 𝐴𝑠𝑐 = 10.0% Ac
Where:
𝐴𝑠𝑐 = total area of longitudinal steel
Ac = cross sectional area of the column without removing area of steel.

B) Links
– Minimum size is one-quarter the largest compression bars but not less than 6mm
– Maximum spacing is 12 times the size of the smallest compression bar.
– In circular columns, a circular link passing around a circular arrangement of longitudinal
bars is adequate.
Summary of Design Procedure for Slender Columns
– Choose a column section: b, h and b’, h’
– Determine 𝛽 𝑓𝑜𝑟 appropriate ratio of le/b’
1
𝛽= (le/b’)
2000
• Calculate 𝑀𝑡 = 𝑀𝑖 + K𝛽Nh, where
𝑀𝑖 = actual ultimate moment acting on the section.
• Design trial section to resist 𝑀𝑡 (for which K is set to 1.0) and N and determine
𝑁𝑢𝑧 and 𝑁𝑏𝑎𝑙
Where: 𝑁𝑢𝑧 = 0.45𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝐴𝑐 + 0.95𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑐
𝑁𝑏𝑎𝑙 = 0.25𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝑏𝑑
Determine the new value of K from
𝑁𝑢𝑧 −𝑁
𝑘= or read off from column charts no. 21-50 in
𝑁𝑢𝑧 − 𝑁𝑏𝑑

BS 8110: Part 3 (1985)

• Recalculate 𝑀𝑡 = 𝑀𝑖 + K𝛽Nh
• Repeat steps 4 and 5 until adjustment becomes negligible.
 EXAMPLES IN COLUMN DESIGN
Example 1
Design the longitudinal reinforcement for a 300mm square column, which
supports an axial load of 1700kN, 𝑓𝑐𝑢 = 30N/𝑚𝑚2 and 𝑓𝑦 = 460N/𝑚𝑚2 .

Solution
For a rectangular/ square column with axial load only.
Ultimate load 𝑁𝑢𝑧 = 0.45𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝐴𝑐 + 0.95𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑐
Note: This formula includes allowance for area of concrete displaced by the
reinforcement.
Therefore 1700 x 103 = 0.45 x 30 x 3002 + 0.95 x 460 𝐴𝑠𝑐
1700,000 - 1215,000 = 437 𝐴𝑠𝑐
485,000
Therefore, 𝐴𝑠𝑐 = = 1110 𝑚𝑚2
437
From steel table, provide 4T20 (As = 1260 𝑚𝑚2 )
i.e. four high tensile steel each of diameter 20 mm.
For links, the diameter required is the greater of
• ¼ of diameter of largest bar or
• 6 mm
¼ of 20 = 5mm. Use 8mm links.
For spacing of link, use the smaller of
• 12 times diameter of smaller bar (12 x 20) =
240mm or
• The smallest cross-section dimension of
column i.e. 300. Thus, use 225mm spacing i.e.
provide R8 – 225mm centres.
Example 2
Design a suitable reinforced concrete column of section 400mm x 400mm
to support a purely ultimate axial load of 2600kN.
Take fcu = 25 N/𝑚𝑚2 and fy = 460 N/𝑚𝑚2

Solution
For perfectly axial load:
N = 𝑁𝑢𝑧 = 0.45𝑓𝑐𝑢 𝐴𝑐 + 0.95𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑐
2600 x 103 = 0.45 x 25 x 4002 + 0.95 x 460 x 𝐴𝑠𝑐
𝐴𝑠𝑐 = 1830.7𝑚𝑚2
Provide 4 bars of 25mm diameter (𝐴𝑠𝑐𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣 = 1960 𝑚𝑚2 ).
Minimum area of steel, 𝐴𝑠𝑐 = 0.4% x 4002 = 640𝑚𝑚2 <
1960𝑚𝑚2 . O.k
• Links:
The greater of the diameter of:
• One-quarter of 25mm = 25/4 = 6.25 = 8mm
• 6mm
Maximum spacing of links = 12 x min. main bars dia = 12 x 25 = 300mm.
Adopt 8mm diameter links at 300mm centers i.e. R8 – 300.

Example 3
Design a short column section 250 x 500mm to resist an ultimate moment of
400kNm and an axial load of 2250kN using grade 25 concrete and steel of
characteristic strength 460N/𝑚𝑚2 . Assume maximum main bars of 32mm
diameter and links not greater than 10mm diameter.

Solution
From table 3.3 and 3.4 of BS 8110: Part 1: 1997, the nominal cover to all
reinforcement is 25mm.
b = 250mm and h = 500mm
d = 500 – 25 – 10 – 32/2 = 449mm
d/h = 449/500 = 0.898 = 0.90
From chart no. 24 of BS 8110: Part 3 (1985)
fcu = 25N/𝑚𝑚2 , fy = 460N/𝑚𝑚2 , d/h = 0.90
𝑁 2250 𝑥 103
= = 18
𝑏ℎ 250 𝑥 500
𝑀 2250 𝑥 106
= = 6.4
𝑏ℎ2 250 𝑥 5002
100𝐴𝑠𝑐
Then = 6.0
𝑏ℎ
6.0𝑏ℎ 6.0 𝑥 250 𝑥 500
Asc = = = 7500𝑚𝑚2
100 100
Provide 10 bars of 32mm diameter (𝐴𝑠𝑐𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣 = 8040 𝑚𝑚2 ). From table
3.25, minimum area of compression reinforcement
0.4
𝐴𝑠𝑐𝑚𝑖𝑛 = bh = 500𝑚𝑚2 .
100
 b = 250mm

d= 10 bars of 32mm
449mm diameter

h = 500mm
Example 4
Design a column section to resist a direct force of 2200kN
together with moments of 300kNm and 100kNm about the
major and minor principal axes respectively with characteristic
strengths of 30N/𝑚𝑚2 and 460 N/𝑚𝑚2 for concrete and steel
respectively. Adopting a section size 300mm x 600mm, 10mm
diameter links and main bars not exceeding 32mm diameter
for a nominal cover of 25mm. The column is short.

Solution
b = 300mm h = 600mm
𝑏 ′ = 300 – 25 – 10 – 32/2 = 249
d = ℎ′ = 600 – 25 – 10 – 32/2 = 549
The short column is biaxially loaded: from table 3.22
N/fcubh = 2200 x 103 /300 x 600 x 30 = 0.41
Then 𝛽 = 0.52
From the applied moments:
Mx = 300kNm My = 100kNm
𝑀𝑥 300
= = 546.45kN
ℎ′ 0.549
𝑀𝑦 100
= = 401.61kN
𝑏′ 0.249
𝑀𝑥 𝑀𝑦
Therefore, ′ > ′
ℎ 𝑏
′=
In order to determine the equivalent uniaxial moment, 𝑀𝑥
ℎ′
Mx + 𝛽 ′ My
𝑏
′ 0.549
𝑀𝑥 = 300 + 0.52 x x 100 = 414.65kNm
0.249
The effective uniaxial design moment about the x-axis 𝑀𝑥 ′ =
414.65kNm
M = 𝑀𝑥 ′ = 414.65kNm
𝑑 549
= = 0.915 ≈ 0.90
ℎ 600
Adopting chart no.29 of BS 8110: Part 3 (1985), fcu = 30 N/
𝑚𝑚2 , fy = 460N/ 𝑚𝑚2 , d/h = 0.90
𝑁 2200 𝑥 103
= = 12.22
𝑏ℎ 300 𝑥 600
𝑀 414.65 𝑥 106
2 = 2 = 3.84
𝑏ℎ 300 𝑥 600
100𝐴𝑠𝑐
Then = 2.0
𝑏ℎ
2.0𝑏ℎ 2.0 𝑥 300 𝑥 600
Asc = = = 3600𝑚𝑚2
100 100
Provide 6 bars of 32mm diameter (𝐴𝑠𝑐𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣 = 4830
𝑚𝑚2 ).
From table3.25, minimum area of compression
0.4
reinforcement, 𝐴𝑠𝑐𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.4%bh = x 300 x 600 =
100
720𝑚𝑚2
Hence, 6 bars of 32mm diameter is adequate.
 b = 300mm

d= 6 bars of 32mm
549mm diameter
= ℎ′

h = 600mm
Example 5
Design a braced column section 250mm x 500mm with effective length
5.0m to resist an ultimate design moment of 120kNm about the major
principal axis and an axial load of 2000kN. The characteristic strengths of
concrete and steel reinforcements are 30 N/ 𝑚𝑚2 and 460 N/ 𝑚𝑚2
respectively. Assume 30 mm cover to 32 mm diameter bars and links of
10mm diameter.
Solution
Check for slenderness:
𝑙𝑒𝑥 = 𝑙𝑒𝑦 = 5.0m = 5000 mm
𝑙𝑒𝑥 5000
= = 10 < 15
ℎ 500
𝑙𝑒𝑦 5000
= = 20 > 15
𝑏 250
The section is slender
1 𝑙𝑒 2
𝛽𝑎 = ( ′)
2000 𝑏
𝑏 ′ = smaller dimension of the column section.
1 5000 2
𝛽𝑎 = ( ) = 0.2
2000 250
Applying initial reduction factor K = 1.0
The additional design ultimate moment induced by deflection of
column
𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑 = N 𝛽𝑎 Kh
1) First Trial: Initializing K=1.0
𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 2000 x 103 x 0.2 x 1.0 x 500
= 200 x 106 Nmm
200 kNm
𝑀𝑡 = 𝑀𝑖 + 𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑
𝑀𝑖 = initial moment due to normal ultimate load = 120kNm.
𝑀𝑡 = 120 + 200 = 320kNm
ℎ′ = d = 500 – 30 – 10 – 32/2 = 444mm
𝑑 444
= = 0.89 ≡ 0.9
ℎ 500
From chart no. 29 of BS 8110: Part 3 (1985):
𝑓𝑐𝑢 = 30 N/𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑓𝑦= 460 N/𝑚𝑚2
𝑀 320 𝑥 106
= = 5.12
𝑏ℎ2 250 𝑥 5002
𝑁 2000 𝑥 103
= = 16
𝑏ℎ 250 𝑥 500
100 𝐴𝑠𝑐
From chart no. 29: = 3.92
𝑏ℎ
3.92 3.92
𝐴𝑠𝑐 = bh = x 250 x 500 = 4900𝑚𝑚2
100 100
K = 0.6 from the chart no. 29.
2) Second Trial K = 0.6
𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑 = N 𝛽𝑎 Kh
𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 2000 x 103 x 0.2 x 0.6 x 500
= 120 x 106 Nmm
120 kNm
𝑀𝑡 = 𝑀𝑖 + 𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑
𝑀𝑖 = initial moment due to normal ultimate load = 120kNm.
𝑀𝑡 = 120 + 120 = 240kNm
ℎ′ = d = 500 – 30 – 10 – 32/2 = 444mm
𝑑 444
= = 0.89 ≡ 0.9
ℎ 500
From chart no. 29 of BS 8110: Part 3 (1985):
𝑓𝑐𝑢 = 30 N/𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑓𝑦= 460 N/𝑚𝑚2
𝑀 240 𝑥 106
= = 3.84
𝑏ℎ2 250 𝑥 5002
𝑁 2000 𝑥 103
= = 16
𝑏ℎ 250 𝑥 500
100 𝐴𝑠𝑐
From chart no. 29: = 3.0
𝑏ℎ
3.0 3.0
𝐴𝑠𝑐 = bh = x 250 x 500 = 3750𝑚𝑚2
100 100
K = 0.53 from the chart no. 29.
3) Third Trial K = 0.53
𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑 = N 𝛽𝑎 Kh
𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑 = 2000 x 103 x 0.2 x 0.53 x 500
= 106 x 106 Nmm
106 kNm
𝑀𝑡 = 𝑀𝑖 + 𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑑
𝑀𝑖 = initial moment due to normal ultimate load = 120kNm.
𝑀𝑡 = 120 + 106 = 226kNm
ℎ′ = d = 500 – 30 – 10 – 32/2 = 444mm
𝑑 444
= = 0.89 ≡ 0.9
ℎ 500
From chart no. 29 of BS 8110: Part 3 (1985):
𝑓𝑐𝑢 = 30 N/𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑓𝑦= 460 N/𝑚𝑚2
𝑀 226 𝑥 106
= = 3.62
𝑏ℎ2 250 𝑥 5002
𝑁 2000 𝑥 103
= = 16
𝑏ℎ 250 𝑥 500
100 𝐴𝑠𝑐
From chart no. 29: = 2.95
𝑏ℎ
2.95 2.95
𝐴𝑠𝑐 = bh = x 250 x 500 = 3688𝑚𝑚2
100 100
K = 0.52 from the chart no. 29.
𝐴𝑠𝑐𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.4%bh from table 3.25 of BS 8110: Part 1 (1997)
0.4
𝐴𝑠𝑐𝑚𝑖𝑛 = x 250 x 500 = 500 𝑚𝑚2
100
Provide 6 bars of 32mm diameter.
The trials or iterations stop when the difference in immediate
values of K becomes insignificant.
 b = 250mm

d= 6 bars of 32mm
444mm diameter
= ℎ′

h = 500mm
THANKS
FOR
LISTENING