STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS

425.7.3 SPIRALS
425.7.3.1 Spirals shall consist of evenly spaced continuous bar or wire with
PROVISIONS FROM 2015 NSCP clear spacing conforming to (a) and (b):
a. At least the greater of 25mm and (4/3)𝑑𝑎𝑔𝑔
𝑹𝑬𝑸𝑼𝑰𝑹𝑬𝑫 𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑬𝑮𝑵𝑻𝑯 ≤ 𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑰𝑮𝑵 𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑮𝑻𝑯 b. Not greater than 75mm.
425.7.3.2 For cast in place construction, spiral bar or wire diameter shall be at
410.5 DESIGN STRENGTH least 9.5mm.
410.5.2 AXIAL FORCE AND MOMENT 425.7.3.3 Volumetric spiral reinforcement ratio 𝜌𝑠 shall satisfy the equation:
410.5.2.1 𝑃𝑛 and 𝑀𝑛 shall be calculated in accordance with Section 422.4 𝑨𝒈 𝒇′𝒄
𝝆𝒔 ≥ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟓 ( − 𝟏)
𝑨𝒄𝒉 𝒇𝒚𝒕
422.4.2 Nominal axial compressive strength, 𝑃𝑛 , shall not exceed 𝑃𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 , in Where the value of 𝑓𝑦𝑡 shall not be taken greater than 700MPa
accordance with table 422.4.2.1., where 𝑃𝑜 is calculated by Eq. 422.4.2.2 for 425.7.3.4 Spirals shall be anchored by 1-1/2 extra turns of spiral bar or wire at
non-prestressed members and composite steel and concrete members, and by each end.
Eq 422.4.2.3 for prestressed members.
REDUCTION FACTOR:
𝑻𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝟒𝟐𝟐. 𝟒. 𝟐. 𝟏 𝑴𝑨𝑿𝑰𝑴𝑼𝑴𝑵 𝑨𝑿𝑰𝑨𝑳 𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑮𝑻𝑯 Design strength provided by a member, its connections to other members,
Transverse and its cross sections, in terms of flexure, axial load, shear, and torsion, shall
MEMBER 𝑃𝑛,𝑚𝑎𝑥
Reinforcement be taken as the nominal strength calculated in accordance with requirements
Ties Conforming and assumptions of this Section, multiplied by the strength reduction factor
to Section 0.80𝑃𝑜 (𝑎)
𝝓.
422.4.2.4
Non - Values of 𝝓 :
Spirals
prestressed 2001 2010/2015
Conforming to
0.85𝑃𝑜 (𝑏) NSCP NSCP
Section
422.4.2.4 Flexure (tension-controlled) 0.9 0.9
Ties 0.80𝑃𝑜 (𝑐) Compression-controlled Section with 0.75 0.75
Prestressed
Spirals 0.85𝑃𝑜 (𝑑) spirals
Composite steel Other compression-controlled Section 0.70 0.65
and concrete
columns in Shear and torsion 0.85 0.75
ALL 0.85𝑃𝑜 (𝑒)
accordance Bearing on concrete (except for 0.70 0.65
with Section post-tensioned anchorage)
410
post-tensioned anchorage zones 0.85 0.85

422.4.2.2 For non-prestressed member and composite steel and concrete

𝜙 = 0.75 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑠)
members, 𝑃𝑜 shall be calculated by
𝜙 = 0.65 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑑)
𝑷𝒐 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 (𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ) + 𝒇𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒕
𝐴𝑠
410.6 REINFORCEMENT LIMITS 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠: 𝜌 =
𝐴𝑔
410.6.1 MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM LONGITUDINAL REINFORCEMENT
410.6.1.1 For non-prestressed columns and for prestressed column with VOLUMETRIC RATIO is defined as the ratio of the volume of the spiral steel to
average 𝑓𝑝𝑒 < 1.60𝑀𝑃𝑎, the area of longitudinal reinforcement shall be at the volume of core concrete.
least 0.01𝐴𝑔 but shall not exceed 0.08𝐴𝑔 𝐴𝑠𝑝 × 𝜋𝐷𝑐
𝜌𝑠 = 𝜋 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐷𝑐 = 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑒
(𝐷 )2 𝑠
410.7 REINFORCEMENT DETAILINGS 4 𝑐
410.7.1.3 Minimum spacing 𝑠 shall be in accordance with 425.2
410.7.3.1 For non-prestressed columns and for prestressed column with
average 𝑓𝑝𝑒 < 1.60𝑀𝑃𝑎, the minimum number of longitudinal bars shall be:
a. Three within triangular ties.
b. Four withing rectangular or circular ties.
c. Six enclosed by spirals or for columns of special moment frames
enclosed by circular hoops.

410.7.6 TRANSVERSE REINFORCEMENT

410.7.6.1.1 Transverse reinforcement shall satisfy the most
restrictive requirements for reinforcement spacing.
410.7.6.1.2 Details of transverse reinforcement shall be in
accordance with 425.7.2 for ties, 425.7.3 for spirals, or 425.7.4 for hoops.

425.2 MINIMUM SPACING OF REINFORCEMENT

425.4.2.4 For longitudinal reinforcement in columns, pedestals, struts and
boundary elements in walls, clear spacing between bars shall be the greatest
of 40mm, 1.5𝑑𝑏 , and (4/3)𝑑𝑎𝑔𝑔

425.7.2 TIES
425.7.2.1 Ties shall consist of a closed loop of deformed bar 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 the
longitudinal bar, 48𝑑𝑏 of tie bar, and the smallest dimension of the
member.
425.7.2.2 Diameter of tie bar shall be at least (a) or (b):
a. 10mm for enclosing 32mm or smaller longitudinal bars
b. 12mm for enclosing 36mm or larger longitudinal bars or bundled
longitudinal bars.

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

SITUATION: An axially loaded rectangular tied column is to be designed for the following service loads:
Dead Load, D=1500kN
Live Load, L=835kN
Required Strength, U=1.20D+1.60L
Capacity Reduction Factor, 𝜙=0.65
Effective cover to Centroid of Steel Reinforcement = 70mm
Concrete,𝑓𝑐′ =27.5MPa
Steel, 𝑓𝑦 =415MPa
1. Using 3% vertical steel ratio, what is the required column width(mm) if architectural considerations limit the width of the
column in one direction to 350mm?
2. If the column has a circular section, determine the required minimum diameter if it is reinforced with 8-D25mm𝜙 bars.
3. If column section = 450mm x 450mm. Vertical reinforcement consists of 16 bars. Determine the diameter of vertical bars
(mm) if the required minimum steel ratio is 3%.

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

 SITUATION: A 400mm square tied RC column is to carry axial service loads of 1400kN dead load and 790kN live load. Assume
column to be short and that any moment caused by the loads can be neglected. Use 2015 NSCP. If 𝑓𝑐′ =28MPa and 𝑓𝑦 =415MPa.
4. Determine the factored axial load.
5. Determine the required number of 28mm𝜙 longitudinal bars.
6. Determine the maximum allowable spacing 10mm𝜙 lateral ties.

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

SITUATION: A 400mm diameter concrete column is to be reinforced with 8-25mm𝜙 vertical bars and 10mm𝜙 spiral. If 𝑓𝑐′ =21MPa
and 𝑓𝑦 =415MPa
7. Determine the maximum nominal axial strength of the RC column.
8. Determine the design axial strength of the column.
9. Determine the minimum spiral ratio required for the column section.
10. Determine the recommended pitch of the spiral reinforcement.

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

 PLASTIC CENTROID

SITUATION: The section of a column is shown in the figure. For this problem, 𝑏1 =300mm, 𝑏2 =180mm, 𝑑1=250mm, 𝑑2 =350mm,
𝑓𝑐′ =28MPa, 𝑓𝑦 =415MPa.

11. Determine the location of the centroid of the gross concrete area measured from 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
12. Determine the location of the plastic section of the column measured from the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.
13. Determine the factored moment 𝑀𝑢 due to a factored load 𝑃𝑢 =3200kN applied 400mm from the 𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠.

55𝑚𝑚 55𝑚𝑚

84𝑚𝑚

𝑏1 6𝑝𝑐𝑠 𝐷20𝑚𝑚
𝑏2
4𝑝𝑐𝑠 𝐷28𝑚𝑚

𝑦𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
𝑑1 𝑑2

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

 SITUATION: The corner column shown in the figure is reinforced with twelve 20mm diameter bars. 𝑓𝑦 = 415𝑀𝑃𝑎 and
𝑓𝑐′ =21MPa. Neglect displaced concrete.
14. Determine the location of the plastic centroid of the column measured from the 𝑥 and 𝑦 axes.
15. If the factored axial load on the column is 3500kN and is applied 300mm from y-axis and 180mm from the x-axis, what is the
factored moment on the column and the plastic centroid.

50𝑚𝑚 150𝑚𝑚 200𝑚𝑚 200𝑚𝑚 50𝑚𝑚

𝑥
50𝑚𝑚
350𝑚𝑚

50𝑚𝑚

150𝑚𝑚

250𝑚𝑚
𝑦

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING
• All columns are subject to axial forces as well as bending and they need to
be proportioned to resist both forces. The load capacity given by equation
422.4.2 are only applicable of an eccentricity of 0.10h for tied column and
0.05h for spiral columns.
• Columns tend to bend under the action of the moment, which produces
compression on one side of the column and tension of the other side. The
following failures are possible under the combined axial and bending
loads.
1. Large axial load with negligible moment.
• Failure under this condition occur by crushing of concrete with
all reinforcing bars in the column having reached their yield
stress in compression.

2. Large axial load and small moment with the entire cross-section in
compression
• Failure occurs by crushing of concrete with all bars in
compression.

3. Large axial load with moment larger than in (2)

• Bars in far side in tension but have not yielded. Failure occurs
by crushing of concrete.

4. Balanced loading condition

• Bars on tensile side yield at the same time concrete on
compression side crushes at 0.85𝑓𝑐′.

5. Large moment, relatively small axial load

• Failure initiated by yielding of tensile bars.

6. Large bending moment

• Failure occurs like a beam.

BALANCED LOADING CONDITION:

• Columns normally fail by tension or compression. In between the two lies
the so-called balanced load condition where failure may be of either type.
• Balanced loading occurs when the tension steel just reached its yield
strain 𝑓𝑦 /𝐸𝑠 and the concrete is strained to 0.003. For every column there
is always a balanced loading situation where an ultimate load 𝑃𝑏𝑛 placed
at an eccentricity 𝑒𝑏 will produce a moment 𝑀𝑏𝑛 .
1. If the eccentricity of a column is less than its balance eccentricity
(𝑒 < 𝑒𝑏 ), the column fails in compression (compression controls,
𝑓𝑠1 < 𝑓𝑦 )
2. If the eccentricity of a column, (𝑒 ≥ 𝑒𝑏 ), the column fails in tension
(𝑓𝑠1 = 𝑓𝑦 )

STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTORS (NSCP 2015 or ACI 318-14)

• The purposes of strength reduction factors 𝜙 are:
a. To account for the probability of under-strength members
due to variations in material strengths and dimensions
b. To account for inaccuracies in the design equations
c. To reflect the available ductility and required reliability of the
member under the load effects being considered
d. To reflect the importance of the member in the structure.

TABLE 421.2.2 (NSCP 2015) or TABLE 21.2.2

STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTOR 𝝓 FOR MOMENT, AXIAL FORCE, OR
COMBINED MOMENT AND AXIAL FORCE
𝝓
Net tensile Strain,
Classification Type of transverse reinforcement
𝝐𝒕
SPIRALS OTHERS
Compression
𝜖𝑡 ≤ 𝜖𝑡𝑦 0.75 0.65
Controlled
𝜖𝑡 − 𝜖𝑡𝑦 𝜖𝑡 − 𝜖𝑡𝑦
𝜖𝑡𝑦 < 𝜖𝑡 < 0.005 Transition 0.75 + 0.15 0.65 + 0.25
0.005 − 𝜖𝑡𝑦 0.005 − 𝜖𝑡𝑦
Tension
𝜖𝑡 ≥ 0.005 0.90 0.90
Controlled

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

 SITUATION: The section of a reinforced concrete column is shown in the figure. The column is reinforced with eight 28mm
diameter bars. Concrete strength 𝑓𝑐′ =21MPa and steel yield strength 𝑓𝑦 =420MPa. Neglect displaced concrete.
16. Determine the balanced load and the balanced eccentricity.
17. Find the design strength when 𝑒=220mm.
18. Determine the design strength when 𝑒 =550mm.

650𝑚𝑚
550𝑚𝑚

𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 = 40𝑚𝑚

𝑑𝑣 = 10𝑚𝑚

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO

 SITUATION: The reinforced concrete column shown in the figure is reinforced with ten 25mm bars with 𝑓𝑦 =420MPa. The ties are
12mm in diameter with 𝑓𝑦𝑡 =275MPa. Concrete strength is 𝑓𝑐′ =21MPa. Concrete cover is 40mm. Neglect displaced concrete.
19. Determine the balanced eccentricity.
20. Determine the balance moment.
21. Determine the balance load.
22. Determine the design strength when e=330mm.

800𝑚𝑚

600𝑚𝑚

PREPARED BY: ENGR. JAEUS M. SEGUNDO