Reinforced Concrete Design Module 10

Subject: Reinforced Concrete Design for Architecture Students

1. Title of the Module

Short Columns

2. Introduction
Columns are members used primarily to support axial compressive loads and have ratio
of height to least lateral dimension of not less than 3.
Classification of columns.
1. Based on Column Ties.

a. Tied columns = it contains steel ties to confine the main longitudinal bars in the
column which are spaced uniformly along the height of the column.

b. Spiral columns = it contains spirals to hold the main longitudinal bars in the column
and to help increase the column ductility before failure.

c. Composite columns = a compression member reinforced longitudinally with

structural steel shapes, pipe or tubing, with or without longitudinal bars and various
types of lateral reinforcement.

2. Base on Length.

a. Short columns, where the columns failure is due to the crushing of concrete or the
yielding of the steel bars under the full load capacity of the column.

b. Long columns, where the buckling effects and slenderness ratio must be taken into
consideration in the design, thus reducing the load capacity of the column relative to
than of the short column. Its cross sectional dimensions are shall compared with its
length.

3. Based on Loading

a. Axially loaded columns. Where loads are assumed acting on the center of the column.
Although a column subjected to pure axial loads does not exist in concrete buildings,
 however it can be assumed that axially loaded columns are those relatively small
eccentricity “e” of about 15 + 0.03h or less.

b. Eccentrically loaded columns. Vertical alignment of columns in a multi storey

building is not possible, causing load to be eccentric relative to the center of the
columns. The eccentric load will cause moments in the column. In actual practice,
there are no perfect axially loaded columns.

c. Bi-axially loaded columns. Where the load is applied at any point on the column
section, causing moment about both the x and y-axis simultaneously.

SHORT TIED COLUMN

1. Capacity
Pu = 0.80 Ø [ 0.85 fc’ (Ag-Ast) + fyAst]
Ø =0.65
⍴g = Ast / Ag

Pu = 0.80 [0.85fc’(Ag- ⍴g Ag) + fy ⍴g Ag]

Pu = 0.80 Ø Ag[0.85fc’(1- ⍴g ) + fy ⍴g ]
Pu
A g=
0.80 Ø [0.85 fc’ (1−⍴ g )+ fy ⍴ g ]

2. Limits of reinforcement for tied columns

⍴g = 0.01 to 0.08
⍴g = As/ Ag
NSCP Specs: The area of longitudinal reinforcement for non-composite compression members
shall not be less than 0.01 or more than 0.08 times gross area Ag of section.
As = ⍴g Ag
3. Minimum number of bars:
Minimum number of longitudinal bars in compression members shall be four (4) for bars within
rectangular or circular ties.
4. Tie reinforcement for compression members shall conform to the following:
a.) All non pre stressed bar shall be enclosed by lateral ties at least 10 mm diameter in size for
longitudinal bars 32 mm in diameter, or smaller.
b.) 12 mm diam. In size for 36 mm, 42 mm and 58 mm bars and bundled longitudinal bars.
c.) Deformed wire or welded wire fabric of equivalent area shall be permitted.
5.) Spacing of tie wire:
Vertical spacing of ties shall not have exceeded:
a) 16 longitudinal bar diameter
b) 48 tie bar or wire diameter
c) Least dimension of the compression member

6. TYPICAL TIE ARRANGEMENT

7. ARRANGEMENT OF TIES
a) Ties shall be arranged such that every corner and alternate longitudinal bar shall not have
lateral support provided by the corner of a tie with an included angle of not more than 135
degrees and a bar shall be no farther than 150 mm clear on each side along the tie from such
laterally supported bar. Where longitudinal bars are located around the perimeter of the circle, a
complete circular tie shall be permitted.
b) Ties shall be located vertically not more than one half a tie spacing above the top of footing or
slab in any story and shall be spaced as provided herein to not more than one half a tie spacing
below the lowest horizontal reinforcement in slab or drop panel above.

SHORT SPIRAL COLUMN

1.) CAPACITY
Pu = 0.85 Ø[ 0.85 fc’ ( Ag-Ast ) + fyAst ]
Ø = 0.75
Pu = Ast / Ag
Pu = 0.85 Ø [ 0.85 fc’ (Ag-Ast) + fyPgAst]
Pu = 0.85 Ø Ag [ 0.85 fc’ 91- ⍴g ) + fy ⍴g ]
Pu
A g=
0.85 Ø [ 0.85 fc ’ (1−⍴ g )+ fy . ⍴g ]

2. LIMIT OF REINFORCEMENT FOR SPIRAL COLOUMN

 ⍴g = 0.01 to 0.08
⍴g = Ast/Ag
3.) MINIMUM NO. OF BARS
Min. no. of longitudinal bars in compression shall be six (6) for bars enclosed by spirals.
4.) SPIRAL REINFORCEMENT
a) For cast in place construction, size of spiral shall not be less than 10 mm diameter.
b) Clear spacing between spiral shall not exceed 75 mm or be less than 25 mm.
c) Anchorage of spiral reinforcement shall be provided by one and one half extra turns of spiral
bar or wire at each end of a spiral unit.
d) Spiral reinforcement shall be spliced, if needed by anyone of the following methods.
Lap splices not less than the larger of 300 mm and the length indicated in one of (1) through (5)
below:
1) deformed uncoated bar or wire ……………………………………. 48db
2) Plain uncoated bar or wire …………………………………………… 72 db
3) epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire………………………………….72db
4) Plain uncoated bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook in accordance at ends of lapped
spiral reinforcement. The hooks shall be embedded within………….48db
5) Epoxy-coated deformed bar or wire with a standard stirrup or tie hook in accordance at ends
of lapped spiral reinforcement. The hook shall be embedded within the core confined by the
spiral reinforcement…………………………………………………………………….48db
E. Spiral shall extend from top of footing or slab in any story to level of lowest horizontal
reinforcement in members supported above.
F. Were beams or brackets do not frame into all sides of a column, ties shall be extending above
termination of spiral to bottom of slab, drop panel, or shear up.
G. In, columns with capitals, spiral shall extend to a level at which the diameter or width of
capital is two times that of the column.

SPACING OF SPIRAL REINFORCEMENT

Ratio of spiral reinforcement ⍴s shall not be less than the value given by:
⍴s = 0.45 [ Ag/Ac -1] fc’ / fy
Where:
fy = Specified yield strength of spiral reinforcement but not more than 415 MPa.
f’c = Specified compressive strength of concrete shall not be less than 17 MPa.
Ag = Gross area of column
Ac = Area of core of spirally reinforced compression member measured to outside diameter of
spiral.
D = Diameter of column
Dc = thickness of concrete covered measure from extreme tension fiber to center of bar or wire
closest thereto.
⍴s = 0.45 [ Ag/Ac -1] fc’ / fy

5) SPACING OF SPIRAL REINFORCEMENT

a) Spiral shall extend from the top of footing or slab in any story to level of lowest horizontal
reinforcement in members supported above.
b) Were beams or brackets do not frame into all sides of a column ties shall extend above the
termination of spiral to bottom of slab or drop panel.
c) In columns with capitals, spiral shall extend to a level at which the diameter or width of
capital is two times that of column.
6. ARRANGEMENT OF SPIRALS.
a) Spirals shall extend top of the footing or slab in any story to level of lowest horizontal
reinforcement in members supported above.
b) Where beams or brackets do not frame into all sides of a column ties shall extend above the
termination of spiral to bottom of slab or drop panel.
c) In columns with the capitals, spirals shall extend to a level at which the diameter or width of
capital is two times that of the column.

3. Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
a. differentiate short column from long column
b. design and investigate short columns (tied and spiral) while applying correctly the NSCP
2015 specifications.
c. classify columns

4. Learning Content
These are the application of the latest NSCP 2015 provisions on short columns.

EXAMPLE 1.
A short column is subjected to a factored axial load Pu = 3790Kn, f’c = 27.6MPa,
fy = 414.6MPa
1. Assume moments are negligible, what is the minimum gross cross sectional are required
if it is a tied column.

2. If the column is 450mm X 450mm square tied column, compute the maximum moment
that can act without affecting the design (for pure axial loading).

3. If the column is 450mm X 450mm square tied column, determine the required area of
steel is needed.

Solution:
1. Min. gross cross sectional area for a tied column.

Min. ⍴g =0.01
Pu
A g=
0.80 ꬾ[0.85 fc ’(1−⍴g )+fy . ⍴ g ]

3790000
A g=
0.80(0.65)[ 0.85(27.6)(1−0.01)+0.01(414.6)]
A g = 266280mm2

2. Maximum moment that can act without affecting the design.

e
=0 .1 (for tied column)
h
e
=0 .05 (for spiral column)
h
e = 0.1(450)
e = 45mm
Mu = Pue
Mu = 3790(0.045)
Mu = 170.55 kN.m
3. Steel area required for a 450mm X 450mm tied column.

Pu
A g=
0.80 Ø [0.85 fc’ (1−⍴ g )+ fy . ⍴g ]

3790000
450( 450)=
0.80(0.65)[0.85(27.6)(1−⍴g )+⍴g (414.6)]
 0.85 ( 27.6 ) ( 1−⍴ g ) +⍴g ( 414.6 )=35.99
23.46−23.46⍴ g +⍴ g ( 414.6 )=35.99
391.14 ⍴g =12.53
⍴g =0.032

As = ⍴g Ag
As = 0.032(450) (450)
As = 6487mm2

EXAMPLE 2.
A short column is subjected to a factored axial load of 3800KN f’C 27.6 MPa, fY = 424.6
MPa.
1. If the column is a circular spiral column with outside diameter of 500mm, determine the
maximum moment that can act without affecting the design for pure axial loading.

2. If the column is a circular spiral with an outside diameter of 500mm and the diameter of
the spiral wire is 10mm ꬾ , determine the maximum spiral pitch if the diameter of the
longitudinal bar is 25mm ꬾ .

3. If the column is a circular spiral column with an outside diameter of 500mm, determine
the required area of steel.

Solution:
e
1. =0 .05 (for spiral column)
h

e = 500(0.05)
e = 25mm = 0.025m
Mu= Pue
Mu= 3800(0.025)
Mu= 95 KN.m

2. Maximum spiral pitch using 10mm Ø spiral wire.

Ag f 'c
⍴s = 0.45 [ -1 ]
Ac fy
π
Ag = (500)2
4
 Dc = 500 – 80 = 420mm
π
Ac = (420)2
4

(500)2 27.6
⍴s = 0.45 [ -1 ]
(420)2 414.6

⍴s = 0.0125
4 A s ( Dc −d b )
S=
⍴ s D2c

π
As = (10)2 = 78.54mm2
4
4(78.54)(420−10)
S=
0.0125(420)2
S = 58.4 mm Use S = 50 mm o.c.
3. Required area of steel bars:

Pu
A g=
0.85 Ø [ 0.85 fc ’ (1−Pg)+fy .⍴ g ]
π 3800000
(500)2=
4 0.85(0.75)[0.85(27.6)(1−⍴ g)+ 414,6 ⍴g ]

23.46 (1−⍴ g) + 414.6 ⍴g = 30.358

23.46 + 391.14 ⍴g = 30.358

⍴g = 0.0176

As = ⍴g Ag
π
As = 0.0176( (500)2)
4
As = 3455.75 mm2

Eccentrically Loaded Columns

Columns in a building frame is subjected to combined axial loads and bending moments.
These forces developed due to external loads such as reaction of beams subjected to dead load,
live loads and lateral loads caused by wind loads or earthquake forces. The ratio of the moments
to the axial load is termed eccentricity, which represents the distance from the plastic centroid of
the section to the point of application of the load.
There are so many failures which occurs due to crushing and the yielding of steel bars.
1. Pure Flexure.

The section in this case is subjected to a bending moment Mu, where the axial load Pu = 0.
2. Balanced Condition.

A balanced condition is reached when the compression strain in the concrete reaches
0.003, the strain in the tensile reinforcement reaches the yield strain
εy = fy/Es, simultaneously. Failure of concrete occurs at the same time as the steel yields,
the moment that accompanies this load is called the balanced moment that M b = Pbeb
where Pb is called the balanced load and eb as the balanced eccentricity.
3. Compression controls.

These occurs when there is a large axial load, acting at a small eccentricity. Failures
occurs by crushing of the concrete on the compression side with a strain 0.003 whereas
the yield strain on the tension side is less than the yield strain, that is Ꜫs < Ꜫy, therefore fs
≠ fy.
4. Tension controls

This occurs when the axial load is small and the eccentricity is large causing the tension
steel bars to yield before actual crushing of concrete. At the point of failure, the strain in
the tension side εs > εy whereas the strain in the concrete reaches 0.003, therefore fs = fy.

EXAMPLE.
A tied column 450 mm square is reinforced with 8 – 28 mm Ø equally distributed on its
sides. The unsupported length of column is 2.6 m and is prevented sidesway due to shear walls.
K = 1.0, f’c = 20.7 MPa and fy = 415 MPa. Use 40 mm covering measured from the center of
reinforcement with tie diameter is 12 mm. Es = 200 GPa. Neglect the concrete area displaced by
the compression steel bars.
1. Determine the nominal load that the column could carry.

2. Determine the balanced load using concrete strain value of εc = 0.003 and yield strain of
steel εy = fy / Es.

3. Determine the balance moment.

Solution:
1. Nominal load:

π
As = (28)2(8) = 4926 mm2
4
Ag = 450(450) = 202500 mm2

Pn = 0.80[0.85f’c(Ag – As) + ASfy]

Pn = 0.80[0.85(20.7)(202500 – 4926) +
4926(415)]
Pn = 4416484 N
Pn = 4416.484 KN

2. Balanced load that the column could carry:

d = 450 – 40 = 410mm

For balanced condition:

600 d
Cb =
f y +600
600(410)
Cb =
415+600
Cb = 242.36

a = βCb
a = 0.85(242.36)
a = 206 mm
 Ꜫs 0.003
=
17.36 242.36
ε s = 0.0002149
fs = ε s Es
fs = 0.0002149(200000)
fs = 42.98 MPa

C1 = 0.85f’c ab
C1 = 0.85(20.7) (206) (450)
C1 = 1631057

C2 = Asfy
π
C2 = (28)2(3)(415)
4
C2 = 766611

C3 = fsAs
π
C3 = 42.98( (28)2(2))
4
C3 = 52930
T = Asfy
π
T= (28)2(3)(415)
4
T = 766611

∑Fv = 0
T + P b = C1 + C 2 + C3
766611 + Pb = 1631057 + 766611 + 52930
Pb = 1683987 N
Pb = 1683.987 KN

3. Balanced moment:

Mb = C1(122) + C2(185) + T (185)

Mb = 1631057(122) + 766611(185) + 766611(185)
Mb = 482635024 N.mm
Mb = 482.64 KN.m

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

Solve the following problems for mastery of the procedures and specifications:

Problem 1. A short column is subjected to a factored axial load of 4000KN f’c =27.6 MPa, f Y =
415MPa.
1. If the column is a circular spiral column with outside diameter of 500mm, determine
the maximum moment that can act without affecting the design for pure axial loading.

2. If the column is a circular spiral with an outside diameter of 450mm and the diameter
of the spiral wire is 10mm ꬾ , determine the maximum spiral pitch if the diameter of
the longitudinal bar is 25mm ꬾ .

3. If the column is a circular spiral column with an outside diameter of 500mm,

determine the required area of steel.

Problem 2. A short column is subjected to a factored axial load Pu = 4500Kn, f’c = 21MPa,
fy = 276MPa
1. Assume moments are negligible, what is the minimum gross cross sectional are
required if it is a tied column.

2. If the column is 500mm x 500mm square tied column, compute the maximum
moment that can act without affecting the design (for pure axial loading).

3. If the column is 400mm x 400mm square tied column, determine the required area of
steel is needed.

Problem 3. A square tied column 450 mm on each side is reinforced with 8-25mm bas with f y =
415 MPa. Determined the safe service axial live load if the axial dead load on the column is820
KN. Use f’c = 21 MPa.

Problem 4. A round spiral column having a diameter of 450 mm is reinforced with 6 – 25mm
bars having fy = 345 MPa. If the service axial dead load is 900KN, determine the safe axial live
load of the column. Use f’c = 34MPa.

Project: Design now the columns and pass your ouputs at the end of the next module. You may
just use f’c=20.7MPa and fy=276MPa. Make a compilation of your design outputs and pass this
in hardbound copy and in CD.
6. Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading.
Reinforced Concrete Design by Gillesania, Chapter 4, Short Columns
Design of Concrete Structures by Nilson et. al.

7. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Remote
Asynchronous (modules, exercises, problem sets, etc…)

8. Assessment Task
In this part, students are given Self-assessment Questions (SAQs) and asked to consider
broader aspects of the different topics taken up. Quizzes have been prepared for this part and
can be found in the original module of the author.

9. References
Besavilla, V., Reinforced Concrete Design, 2016
Esplana, Dindo Civil Engineering Review Manual, 2015
Gillesania, DIT Reinforced Concrete Design, 3rd Edition, 2015
National Structural Code of the Philippines 2015
Nilson, W. Reinforced Concrete Design, 2010