Columns

A structure as a whole system is divided into number of different parts mainly comprising of
footing, column, beam and slab. Columns are basically vertical members which span from
substructure to superstructure and play a crucial role in transfer of load from top of structure to
bottom footing.

Columns are basically rigid vertical structural members designed primarily to support axial
compressive loads coming from beams and slabs and then transfer it to ground through footing.
In our human body bones give strength as well as transfer over body weight to bottom i.e. to over
legs, in the same way the different loads that are generated in a structure are transferred by
column to footings and footing to soil. So, column plays an important role in whole load transfer
mechanism and without it structure doesn’t exists.

However every vertical member cannot always be a column. A column is a member whose
length is more than 3 times its least cross sectional dimension. If this criterion is not followed
then that vertical member is called as strut.

The strength of a column depends on largely strength of material used, geometry, shape and size
of cross section, length and position of column with respect to support condition at both ends.
 Types of Columns in Building Construction
Columns are classified based on the several conditions which include:

1. Based on Types of Reinforcement

2. Based on Types of Loading
3. Based on Slenderness Ratio
4. Based on Shape
5. Based on Construction Material

Based on Types of Reinforcement

1. Tied Column
This type of column is commonly construction from reinforced concrete. Longitudinal
reinforcement are confined within closely spaced tie reinforcement. It is estimated that 95% of
all columns in buildings are tied.

Fig. 1: Tied column

2. Spiral Column
Spiral column is also construction from reinforced concrete. In this type of column, longitudinal
bars are confined within closely spaced and continuously wound spiral reinforcement.

Spiral reinforcement provide lateral restrains (Poisson’s effect) and delays axial load failure
(ductile).
3. Composite column
When the longitudinal reinforcement is in the form of structural steel section or pipe with or
without longitudinal bars, it is called as a composite column.

This type of column have high strength with fairly small cross section, in addition to exhibit
good fire performance.

Fig. 3: Composite column

Based on Types of Loading

4. Axially Loaded Column
If vertical axial loads act on the center of gravity of the cross-section of the column, then it is
termed as axially loaded column.

Axially loaded column is rare in construction since coinciding vertical loads on the center of
gravity of column cross section is not practical.

Interior column of multi-storey buildings with symmetrical loads from floor slabs from all sides
is an example of this type of column.
 Fig. 4: Axially loaded column

5. Column with Uniaxial Eccentric Loading

When vertical loads do not coincide with center of gravity of column cross section, but rather act
eccentrically either on X or Y axis of the column cross section, then it is called uniaxial eccentric
loading column.

Column with uniaxial loading are generally encountered in the case of columns rigidly connected
beam from one side only such as edge columns.

Fig. 5: Column with uniaxial eccentric loading

6. Column with Biaxial Eccentric Loading
When vertical on the column is not coincide with center of gravity of column cross section and
does not act on either axis (X and Y axis), then the column is called biaxially eccentric loaded
column.

Columns with biaxial loading is common in corner columns with beams rigidly connected at
right angles at the top of columns.

Fig. 6: Column with biaxial eccentric loading

Based on Slenderness Ratio

Based on slenderness ratio, (effective length/ least lateral dimension), columns are categorized as
follow:

6. Short Column
If the ratio effective length of the column to the least lateral dimension is less than 12, the
column is called as the short column. A short column fails by crushing (pure compression
failure).
 Fig. 7: Short column

7. Long Column
If the ratio effective length of the column to the least lateral dimension exceeds 12, it is called as
long column. A long column fails by bending or buckling.

Fig. 8: Long column

Based on Shape
Shape of Reinforced Concrete Column

8. Square or Rectangular Column

They are generally used in the construction of buildings. It is much easier to construct and cast
rectangular or square columns than circular ones because of ease of shuttering and to support it
from collapsing due to pressure while the concrete is still in flowable form.

Fig. 9: Square column

9. Circular column
They are specially designed columns, which are mostly used in piling and elevation of the
buildings.

Fig. 10: Circular column

10. L-Shape Column
Commonly, L-shaped column is utilized in the corners of the boundary wall and has similar
characteristics of a rectangular or square column.

Fig. 11: L-shaped column

11. T-Shape column

It is utilized based on design requirements of a structure. T-Shaped column is widely used in the
construction of bridges.

Fig. 12: T-shaped column

12. Shape of Steel Column

There are different standard and built up shape of steel columns which are shown in Fig. and Fig.
Common shapes of steel columns include I, channel, equal angle, and T-shape.
 Fig. 13: Steel column cross section shape (Standard)

Fig. 14: Steel column cross section shape (built up)

13. Shape of Composite Column

The usual shape of composite columns are shown in Fig.

Fig. 15: Composite column shape

Based on Construction Material
Types of columns based on construction materials include

14. Reinforced Concrete, Steel, timber, Brick, Block, and

Stone Column.

Fig. 16: Types of Column; A-reinforced concrete, B- steel, C-timber, D-brick, E-block, and F-stone
Positioning and orientation of columns:

Following are some of the building principles, which help in deciding the columns positions:

1. Columns should preferably be located at (or) near the corners of a building, and at the
intersection of beams/walls.
2. Select the position of columns so as to reduce bending moments in beams.
3. Avoid larger spans of beams.
4. Avoid larger center-to-center distance between columns.
5. Columns on property line.

Orientation of columns:

1. Avoid projection of columns:

The projection of columns outside the wall in the room should be avoided as they not only give
bad appearance but also obstruct the use of floor space, creating problems in placing furniture
flush with the wall. The width of the column is required to be kept not less than 200mm to
prevent the column from being slender. The spacing of the column should be considerably
reduced so that the load on column on each floor is less and the necessity of large sections for
columns does not arise.

2. Orient the column so that the depth of the column is contained in the major plane of
bending or is perpendicular to the major axis of bending.
This is provided to increase moment of inertia and hence greater moment resisting capacity. It
will also reduce Leff/d ratio resulting in increase in the load carrying capacity of the column.