Design of columns

introduction
• The function of columns in a structure is to act
as vertical supports to suspended members
such as beams and roofs and to transmit the
loads from these members down to the
foundations. Columns are primarily members
subjected to axial compression loads and in
some cases will take up either uniaxial or
biaxial bending.
• The code classifies columns first as:
1. short columns when the ratios lex/h and ley/b
are both less than 15 for braced columns and less
than 10 for un braced columns and
2. slender columns when the ratios are larger
than the values given above
Most columns are termed short columns and fail
when the material reaches its ultimate capacity
under the applied loads and moments.
Slender columns buckle and the additional
moments caused by deflection must be taken into
account in design.
The column section is generally square or
rectangular, but circular and polygonal columns
are used in special cases.
 General code provisions
The provisions apply to columns where
the greater cross-sectional dimension does
not exceed four times the smaller
dimension (i.e. h ≤ 4b,).The minimum size
of a column must meet the fire resistance
requirements given in Fig. 3.2
 In the second classification the code defines
columns as braced or unbraced.
Code states that a column may be considered to
be braced in a given plane if lateral stability to
the structure as a whole is provided by walls or
bracing designed to resist all lateral forces in that
plane. Otherwise the column should be
considered as
Lateral stability in braced reinforced concrete
structures is provided by shear walls ,lift shafts
and stair wells. In un braced structures resistance
to lateral forces is provided by bending in the
columns and beams in that plane. Clause 3.8.1.4
of the code states that if a column has a
sufficiently large section to resist the ultimate
loads without reinforcement, it may be designed
similarly to a plane concrete wall (section 10.4).
• Practical design provisions
The points from the code are as follows.
Minimum percentage of reinforcement
Minimum percentage of reinforcement is given
in Table 3.27 of the code for both
grade 250 and grade 460 reinforcement as
100Asc/Acc=0.4
(b)The minimum number of longitudinal bars
in a column section is four.
(c)Maximum area of reinforcement
the maximum area of reinforcement should not
exceed 6% of the gross cross-sectional area of a
vertically cast column except at laps where
10%is permitted.
• (d) Requirements for links
Clause 3.12.7 covers containment of
compression reinforcement:
1. The diameter of links should not be less than 6
mm or one-quarter of the diameter
of the largest longitudinal bar;
2. The maximum spacing is to be 12 times the
diameter of the smallest longitudinal bar;
3. The links should be arranged so that every
corner bar and each alternate bar in an outer
layer is supported by a link passing round the bar
and having an included angle of not more than
135°. No bar is to be further than 150mm from a
restrained bar. These requirements are shown
(a) Arrangement of links; (b) column lap; (c)
column base.
(e)Compression laps and butt joints
Clause 3.12.8.15 of the code states that the length of
compression laps should be 25%greater than the
compression anchorage length. Compression lap
lengths are given in Table 3.29 of the code (section
5.2.1 here). Laps in columns are located above the
base and floor levels as shown in Fig. 9.3(b). Clause
3.12.8.16.1 of the code also states that the load in
compression bars may be transferred by end bearing
of square sawn cut ends held by couplers. Welded butt
joints can also be made (clause3.12.8.17).