RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart

Generation of Column Interaction Chart

Assumptions
 The rectangular stress block is used and it is assumed that the concrete grade is ≤ C50/60.
Therefore, λ=0.8, η=1, εcu3 =3.5‰ and εc3 =1.75‰.
 The column is Rectangular or Square.
Equations
Consider the section shown below. To make an interaction diagram, the known (input)
parameters are; - Steel grade (fyd & εyd),
- d’/h and
- ω (the mechanical reinforcement ratio).
The goal is to express the internal force and moment in terms of dimensionless parameters.

Some of these dimensionless parameters are geometrical, like; d’/h, d/h and x/h.
d d
Note that  1
h h
 From the strain distribution, the steel strains are;
dx   d  h    1  d 'h  x h 
 s1   c ⇒  s1   c      1 or  s1   c   ------- (1)
x   h  x   
x
h 

x  d   d   h    d'
h  ------------- (2)
 s2  c ⇒  s 2   c 1      or  s 2   c 1  
x   h  x   
x
h 
 If (x/h) < d’/h then εs2 will be negative; which means As2 is in Tension.
 If (x/h) > d/h then εs1 will be negative, which means As1 is in Compression.
 Whenever the steel strain ε is negative, keep the sign as it is for stress calculation.
 E s1  E s 2
 The steel stresses are; f s1   ------- (3a) fs2   ------- (3b)
 f yd  f yd
When using the above equations, in case of –ve stress, compare the magnitudes not the values.
450
E.g. Let fs1= −450 and fyd = 347.83; so, f s1    f s1  347.83
347.83
120
E.g. Let fs1= −120 and fyd = 347.83; so, f s1    f s1  120
347.83

Unity University 1 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
 The forces in the concrete and the steel are;
Cc  0.8xfcd b Cs 2  As 2 f s 2 Ts1  As1 f s1
 From force equilibrium [ΣFH = 0], the total internal force, N, will be;
N  Cc  Cs 2  Ts1
 Taking moment about the center of the section, the total internal moment, M, will be;
M  Cc  0.5h  0.4 x   Cs 2 0.5h  d   Ts1  d  0.5h 
Naming the moment due to the concrete, Mc, the above equation can be written as;
M  M c  Cs 2  0.5h  d   Ts1  d  0.5h  where M c  Cc  0.5h  0.4 x 
 The force and moment due to concrete can be expressed in dimensionless terms as follows;
Cc  x
Cc  0.8xfcd b dividing both sides by f cd bh ;  0.8  
f cd bh h
M c  Cc  0.5h  0.4 x   M c   0.8 xf cd b   0.5h  0.4 x 

 x  x  x
 M c   0.8 xf cd b  (0.5h) 1  0.8   M c  0.4 f cd bh 2  1  0.8 
 h  h  h
Mc  x  x
dividing both sides by f cd bh2 ;  0.4  1  0.8 
 h  h
2
f cd bh
Note that the concrete compressive force, Cc, should never be greater than fcdbh. It reaches this
maximum value when the compression block covers the whole section, i.e. when 0.8x=h.
Therefore, if 0.8x ≥ h, take its value to be Cc = fcdbh. In this situation, Cc passes through the
center of the section and hence the moment Mc will be zero.
In dimensionless terms, (since 0.8x=h, ⇒ x/h=1.25) the above equations will become;
  x x   x  x x
 0.8   if  1.25  0.4  1  0.8  if  1.25
Cc  h h Mc   h  h h
 --- (4)  --- (5)
f cd bh  x f cd bh 2  x
1 if  1.25 0 if  1.25
 h  h
 The total force and moment can be expressed in dimensionless terms as follows;
N  Cc  Cs 2  Ts1  N  Cc  As 2 f s 2  As1 f s1
dividing both sides by f cd bh ;
N C A A
 c  s 2 f s 2  s1 f s1 ------------------------------------------ (a)
f cd bh f cd bh f cd bh f cd bh
M  M c  Cs 2  0.5h  d   Ts1  d  0.5h   M  M c  As 2 f s 2  0.5h  d    As1 f s1  d  0.5h 

dividing both sides by f cd bh2 and simplifying;

M Mc A  d  A d 
  s 2 f s 2  0.5    s1 f s1   0.5  ----------------- (b)
 h  f cd bh  h 
2 2
f cd bh f cd bh f cd bh

Unity University 2 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
Let As,tot is the total area of steel, As ,tot  As1  As 2
As ,tot
Since the rebar are symmetrical; As1  As 2  As1  As 2 
2
Therefore, equations (a) and (b) will become;
N C A
 c  s ,tot  f s 2  f s1  -------------------------------- (c)
f cd bh f cd bh 2 f cd bh
M Mc A  d  A d  d d
  s ,tot f s 2  0.5    s ,tot f s1   0.5  since  1
 h  2 f cd bh  h 
2 2
f cd bh f cd bh 2 f cd bh h h
M Mc A  d 
  s ,tot  0.5    f s 2  f s1  ----------------- (d)
f cd bh 2
f cd bh 2 f cd bh 
2
h
Even though equation (c) and (d) are dimensionless, they are dependent on fcd, which means
we have to generate a chart for every concrete grade, resulting in too many charts.
To avoid this, we should make these equations independent from fcd by introducing the
mechanical reinforcement ratio, ω, given by;
As ,tot f yd As ,tot  f cd As ,tot 
    
bhf cd bh f yd f cd bh f yd
Therefore, equation (c) and (d) will become;
N C 0.5 M Mc 0.5  d 
 c   f s 2  f s1     0.5    f s 2  f s1 
f cd bh f cd bh f yd f cd bh 2
f cd bh 2
f yd  h
Defining, the normal force ratio, ν, and the moment ratio, μ, as;
N M
 and 
f cd bh f cd bh 2
The equations for the coordinates of the interaction diagram can be written as;
Cc 0.5 Mc 0.5  d 
   f s 2  f s1  ----- (6)    0.5    f s 2  f s1  ----- (7)
f cd bh f yd f cd bh 2
f yd  h
0.5
Letting r  , these can be written in shorter form as;
f yd

Cc Mc  d 
  r  f s 2  f s1  ----- (6)   r  0.5    f s 2  f s1  ----- (7)
 h
2
f cd bh f cd bh

Unity University 3 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
Important points on the interaction diagram
There are 7 distinct and important points on an interaction diagram and each point is discussed
below. Recall that, to generate an interaction chart, the inputs or the known parameters are;
 Steel grade (which gives us fyd and εyd),
 d’/h and
 ω (the mechanical reinforcement ratio).
1) Pure Moment (ν = 0)
For this case; εs1>εyd, fs1=fyd and εc=εcu=3.5

 0
 s1   yd
f s1  f yd
 c   cu  3.5

 To get x/h, set ν = 0 and simplify as follows;

Cc 0.5 Cc
Setting ν = 0;   f s 2  f s1   0 or  r  f s 2  f s1   0
f cd bh f yd f cd bh
At this point, since x/h is very small (x/h < 1.25), the first term of eqn(4) should be used.
Substituting that and fs1=fyd;
 x   d   h  
 0.8    r  f s 2  f yd   0 Substituting f s 2  E s 2  E cu 1     
h   h  x  
 x   d   h  
 0.8    rE cu 1       rf yd  0
h   h  x  
Expressing in terms of (x/h) and simplifying;
d
2
x  x
 0.8     rE cu  rf yd     rE cu  0
h h h
Substituting E=200 and εcu=3.5;
d
2
 x  x
 0.8    r (700  f yd )    700r  0 ----------------------- (8a)
h h h
Solving this quadratic equation gives the value of (x/h).
 After getting x/h, calculate the following parameters.
Mc
fs2 
f cd bh2

Unity University 4 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
2) Balanced
For this case; εs1=εyd, fs1=fyd and εc=εcu=3.5

 s1   yd
f s1  f yd
 c   cu  3.5

 To get x/h, substitute εs1=εyd and εc=3.5 into the equation of εs1 and simplify as follows;
  d  h    x  d  3.5 
 yd  3.5      1     --------- (8b)
  h  x    h  h  3.5   yd 
 After getting x/h, calculate the following parameters.
Cc Mc
fs2  
f cd bh f cd bh 2
3) Points Between Pure Moment and Balanced
Now we know the values of x/h for pure moment and balanced, we can choose (pick) a value
of x/h between them & calculate the remaining unknown parameters…. fs2, ν, μ.
Note that, for this case; εs1>εyd, fs1=fyd and εc=εcu=3.5 as shown in the figure below.

 s1   yd
f s1  f yd
 c   cu  3.5

For computer calculation, you can divide the gap between the x/h of pure moment and balanced
into n equal intervals and calculate the parameters…. fs2, ν, μ, at each of these points.
4) Cracking
For this case; εc= εcu=3.5, x/h=1

x 1
h
 c   cu  3.5

Unity University 5 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart

d  d 
The equations for the steel strain will simplify to;  s1  3.5  s 2  3.5 1  
h  h
Note that εs1 (and hence fs1) is compressive (-ve).
 Calculate the following parameters
Cc Mc
f s1 fs2  
f cd bh f cd bh 2
5) Points Between Balanced and Cracking
Now we know the values of x/h for balanced and cracking, we can choose (pick) a value of x/h
between them and calculate the parameters…. fs1, fs2, ν, μ.
Note that, for this case; εs1<εyd, fs1<fyd and εc=εcu=3.5.

 s1   yd
f s1  f yd
 c   cu  3.5

For computer calculation, similar technique mentioned previously can be used.

6) Points Between Cracking and Pure Compression
Between cracking (x/h=1) and pure compression (x/h=∞ see discussion below), the strain
diagram pivots about the mid height with a concrete strain value of εc3=1.75. At the extreme
compression fiber, 1.75 ≤ εc ≤ 3.5 as shown below.
We can choose (pick) a value of x/h between 1 and ∞ (practically 2 or around >2) and calculate
the concrete strain, εc, and the parameters…. fs1, fs2, ν, μ.

 x   xh 
Note that  c  1.75   in terms of x/h   c  1.75  
 x  0.5h   h  0.5 
x

1.75   c  3.5

For computer calculation, similar technique mentioned previously can be used.

Unity University 6 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
7) Pure compression (μ=0)
For this case; εc= εc3=1.75, εs1=-1.75, εc2=1.75, x/h=∞, μ=0

 0
 c   c 3  1.75
 s1  1.75
 s 2  1.75

 The only unknown parameters are fs1, fs2 and ν; which are calculated as follows;
Cc
Since x/h ≥ 1.25; 1
f cd bh
350 350
The steel stress are; f s1   fs2   that is fs1 = −fs2
 f yd  f yd
0.5
Substituting in eqn(6),   1  2 fs2  or   1  r  2 fs2 
f yd
The example below demonstrates how to generate an interaction diagram for a rectangular
section with rebars on two faces. This is similar to the Uniaxial Chart No.-2 of ES EN-2-2.
Note that in the code, d’ and d’/h are written as h’ and h’/h respectively.
EXAMPLE-1
Generate an interaction diagram for a rectangular section with rebars on two faces arranged as
shown below for a rebar grade of S-460 and d’/h=0.1 and ω=0.8.

SOLUTION
Material properties; S-460, ⇒ fyk =460 fyd =400 εyd= 2‰
Since d’/h=0.1 ⇒ d/h =1−d’/h = 1−0.1= 0.9
For easier calculation, let’s evaluate the term; (0.5−d’/h) that is found in the μ equation as;
 d 
 0.5    0.5  0.1  0.4
 h
and the r term that is found in the ν & μ equation as;
0.5 0.5  0.8
r   0.001
f yd 400

Unity University 7 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
1) Pure moment (ν=0)
d
2
 x  x
 Calculate x/h using eqn(8a); 0.8    r (700  f yd )    700r  0
h h h
2
 x  x
 0.8    0.001(700  400)    700  0.001  0.1  0
h h
2
 x  x  x
 0.8    0.3    0.07  0 solving this equation;     0.1627
h h h
Cc  x Mc  x  x
 Since x/h=0.1627<1.25,  0.8   and  0.4  1  0.8 
h  h  h
2
f cd bh f cd bh
Cc Mc
  0.8  0.1627  0.1302   0.4  0.1627 1  0.8  0.1627   0.0566
f cd bh f cd bh2
 Steel strains and stresses; f s1  f yd  400

 d'
h  0.1   E s 2  200 1.349  269.8
 s 2   cu 1  
x 
 3.5  1    1.349 fs2    269.8
 h  0.1627   f yd  400
Cc
ν&μ   r  f s 2  f s1    0.1302  0.001 269.8  400   0
f cd bh
Mc  d 
  r  0.5    f s 2  f s1    0.0566  0.001 0.4  269.8  400   0.3245
 h
2
f cd bh
Therefore (μ, ν) = (0.3245, 0)
2) Balanced

 x  d  3.5   x  3.5 
 Calculate x/h using eqn(8b);          0.9    0.5727
 h  h  3.5   yd  h  3.5  2 
Cc  x Mc  x  x
 Since x/h=0.5727<1.25,  0.8   and  0.4  1  0.8 
h  h  h
2
f cd bh f cd bh
Cc Mc
  0.8  0.5727  0.4582   0.4  0.5727 1  0.8  0.5727   0.1241
f cd bh f cd bh2
 Steel strains and stresses; f s1  f yd  400

 d'
h  0.1   E s 2  200  2.889  577.8
 s 2   cu 1  x 
 3.5 1    2.889 fs2    400
 h  0.5727   f yd  400
Cc
ν&μ   r  f s 2  f s1    0.4582  0.001 400  400   0.4582
f cd bh
Mc  d 
  r  0.5    f s 2  f s1    0.1241  0.001 0.4  400  400   0.4441
 h
2
f cd bh
Therefore (μ, ν) = (0.4441, 0.4582)

Unity University 8 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
3) Points Between Pure Moment and Balanced
For pure moment and balanced, we got; x/h=0.1627 and x/h=0.5727 respectively. Let us take
x/h = 0.25.
Cc  x Mc  x  x
 Since x/h=0.25<1.25,  0.8   and  0.4  1  0.8 
h  h  h
2
f cd bh f cd bh
Cc Mc
  0.8  0.25  0.2   0.4  0.25 1  0.8  0.25   0.08
f cd bh f cd bh2
 Steel strains and stresses;
f s1  f yd  400

 d'
h  0.1   E s 2  200  2.1  420
 s 2   cu 1  x 
 3.5 1    2.1 fs2    400
 h  0.25   f yd  400
Cc
ν&μ   r  f s 2  f s1    0.2  0.001 400  400   0.2
f cd bh
Mc  d 
  r  0.5    f s 2  f s1    0.08  0.001 0.4  400  400   0.4
 h
2
f cd bh
Therefore (μ, ν) = (0.4, 0.2)
4) Cracking
At cracking, x/h = 1
Cc  x Mc  x  x
 Since x/h=1<1.25,  0.8   and  0.4  1  0.8 
h  h  h
2
f cd bh f cd bh
Cc Mc
  0.8 1  0.8   0.4 11  0.8 1  0.08
f cd bh f cd bh2
 Steel strains and stresses;
 1  d 'h  x h   1  0.1  1   E s1  200  0.35  70
 s1   cu    3.5    0.35 f s1    70

x
h   1   f yd  400

 d'
h  0.1   E s 2  200  3.15  630
 s 2   cu 1  x 
 3.5 1    3.15 fs2    400
 h  1   f yd  400
Cc
ν&μ   r  f s 2  f s1    0.8  0.001 400  70   1.27
f cd bh
Mc  d 
  r  0.5    f s 2  f s1    0.08  0.001 0.4  400  70   0.212
 h
2
f cd bh
Therefore (μ, ν) = (0.212, 1.27)

Unity University 9 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
5) Points Between Balanced and Cracking
For balanced and cracking, we got; x/h=0.5727 and x/h=1 respectively. Let us take x/h = 0.79.
Cc  x Mc  x  x
 Since x/h=0.79<1.25,  0.8   and  0.4  1  0.8 
h  h  h
2
f cd bh f cd bh
Cc Mc
  0.8  0.79  0.632   0.4  0.79 1  0.8  0.79   0.1163
f cd bh f cd bh2
 Steel strains and stresses;
 1  d 'h  x h   1  0.1  0.79   E s1  200  0.487  97.47
 s1  cu   3.5  0.487 f s1    97.47

x
h   0.79   f yd  400

 d'
h  0.1   E s 2  200  3.057  611.4
 s 2   cu 1  
x 
 3.5  1    3.057 fs2    400
 h  0.79   f yd  400
Cc
ν&μ   r  f s 2  f s1    0.632  0.001 400  97.47   0.9345
f cd bh
Mc  d 
  r  0.5    f s 2  f s1    0.1163  0.001 0.4  400  97.47   0.3153
 h
2
f cd bh
Therefore (μ, ν) = (0.3153, 0.9345)
6) Points Between Cracking and Pure Compression
Pick a value of x/h between x/h=1 and x/h=2. Let us take x/h = 1.5.
Cc Mc
 Since x/h=1.5 ≥ 1.25, 1 and 0
f cd bh f cd bh2

 xh   1.5 
 Concrete strain;  c  1.75     c  1.75    2.625
 h  0.5 
x  1.5  0.5 
 Steel strains and stresses;
 1  d 'h  x h   1  0.1  1.5   E s1  200 1.05  210
 s1   c  
  2.625    1.05 f s1    210

x
h   1.5   f yd  400

 d'
h  0.1   E s 2  200  2.45  490
 s 2   c 1  
x 
 2.625 1    2.45 fs2    400
 h  1.5   f yd  400
Cc
ν&μ   r  f s 2  f s1    1  0.001 400  210   1.61
f cd bh
Mc  d 
  r  0.5    f s 2  f s1    0  0.001 0.4  400  210   0.076
 h
2
f cd bh
Therefore (μ, ν) = (0.076, 1.61)

Unity University 10 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart
7) Pure Compression (μ=0)
Here, x/h = ∞
Cc Mc
 Since x/h=∞ ≥ 1.25 1 0
f cd bh f cd bh2
350 350
 The steel stress are; f s1    350 fs2    350
 f yd  400  f yd  400
Cc
ν&μ   r  f s 2  f s1    1  0.001 350  350   1.7
f cd bh
Mc  d 
  r  0.5    f s 2  f s1    0  0.001 0.4  350  350   0
 h
2
f cd bh
Therefore (μ, ν) = (0, 1.7)
The results are summarized in the table below.

Case x/h εc εs1 εs2 fs1 fs2 μ ν

Pure Moment 0.1627 3.5 >2 1.349 400 269.8 0.3245 0

0.25 3.5 >2 2.1 400 400 0.4 0.2
Balanced 0.5727 3.5 2 2.889 400 400 0.4441 0.4582
0.79 3.5 0.487 3.057 97.47 400 0.3153 0.9345
Cracking 1 3.5 -0.35 3.15 -70 400 0.212 1.27
1.5 2.625 -1.05 2.45 -210 400 0.076 1.61
Pure Compr ∞ 1.75 -1.75 1.75 -350 350 0 1.7
A smoothed plot of the interaction chart using only the 7 points is shown below.

By adding more points between these, an accurate chart can be plotted. The chart shown below
is made using a total of 53 points.

Unity University 11 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering
 RC-II Generation of Column Interaction Chart

The chart generated in this example was only for ω=0.8 as shown in the chart above. To
complete the chart, a family of curves for other ω values are added. Such a chart is shown
below.
Interaction diagram for S-460, d’/h=0.1

Similar family of charts can be generated by varying d’/h (E.g. 0.05, 0.15 and 0.2).

Unity University 12 of 12 Prepared by: Feysel N.

Department of Civil Engineering