COLUMNS

Dr. Prashanth J.
CET, JAIN UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION
Compression

members
are
most
commonly encountered in reinforced
concrete buildings as columns forming
part of the vertical framing system.

The

Code [Cl. 25.1.1 of the Code] defines

the column as a compression member, the
effective length of which exceeds three
times the least lateral dimension.

CLASSIFICATION OF COLUMNS

Spiral column

Based

on Type of
Reinforcement

CLASSIFICATION OF COLUMNS

Based

on Type of loading

CLASSIFICATION OF COLUMNS
Slenderness is a geometrical property of a compression member
which is related to the ratio of its effective length to its lateral
dimension.
1. Short columns.

(lex/D) as well as the minor principal axis (ley/b) are both

less than 12;
2. Slender (or long) columns.

(lex/D) as well as the minor principal axis (ley/b) are both

more than 12;
Based

on Slenderness ratio

EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF COLUMN

Both

ends fixed
rotationally: 0.65

One

end fixed
and the other
pinned: 0.80

Both

ends free
rotationally
(pinned): 1.00

BRACED AND UNBRACED COLUMNS

Fig: Bracing of columns

MINIMUM ECCENTRICITY

Longitudinal Reinforcement (refer

Cl. 26.5.3.1 of the Code)
Asc

= Area of compression steel

A = gross area of column
Minimum
Maximum

Asc= 0.8%A
Asc = 6%A

Reinforcement

(reduced maximum limit of 4%

is recommended in general)

dia = 12 mm minimum to
32 mm maximum

The

bars should not be spaced more than 300

mm apart (centre-to-centre) along the
periphery of the column.

At

least 4 bars (one at each corner) should be

provided in a column with rectangular crosssection, and at least 6 bars (equally spaced
near the periphery) in a circular column.

minimum clear cover of 40 mm or bar

diameter (whichever is greater), to the
column ties is recommended by the Code.
Lateral ties:
Greater of two

Least of three

DESIGN OF SHORT COLUMNS

UNDER AXIAL COMPRESSION

Where,

Pu = axial ultimate load on the member

fck= characteristic compressive strength of concrete
Ac = area of concrete
fy = characteristic compressive strength of steel
Asc = Area of longitudinal reinforcement

Finding Asc
given axial

Same as previous method