IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATED TO

THE DESIGN OF COLUMNS

Columns play an important role in a building structure.
Their main function is to carry the loads from the
superstructure and finally transmit the load to the
foundation. In this article I’m going to discuss some
important concepts related to the design of RCC columns
in which I will discuss the
definition of a column as per the
code, what are long columns and
short columns, the Detailing of
reinforcement for columns, and
finally I will discuss the terms
Nominal Cover, Clear Cover, and
Effective cover.
Definition of Column:
As per IS 456 2000, Column is a
compression member, the effective
length of which exceeds three
times the least lateral dimension.
By the term “Least lateral
dimension” we mean the smaller
side of the column cross-section.
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For illustration, if we have a column of size 230mm x
450mm its least lateral dimension would be 230mm.
Similarly for a column of size 200mm x 300mm, the least
lateral dimension would be 200mm. As per the definition
of a column, the minimum effective length of a 230mm x
450mm column should be 3 x 230 i.e. 690mm and for the
column of size 200 x 300 mm, the effective length shall be
at least 3 x 200 i.e., 600mm. However, if the effective
length is less than the least lateral dimension, such a
member is called a “Pedestal”

What are long columns and short columns?

To define such columns, we must know the concept of
slenderness ratio. Slenderness ratio is the geometrical
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parameter defined for a compression member (column),
to determine whether it’s a long column or a short
column. It is the ratio of the effective length of a column to
its least lateral dimension (Lateral dimension
perpendicular to the axis of bending).
If the slenderness ratio of a column is greater than 12,
such a column is termed as ‘Long Column’, and if this ratio
is less than 12, then it would be called a ‘’Short Column’’.

Detailing of reinforcement for a column:

Columns are provided with 2 types of reinforcement bars
i.e., Longitudinal reinforcement and Transverse
reinforcement. Longitudinal reinforcement is the vertical
main bars and the transverse reinforcement is nothing but
the lateral ties which are also known by the term stirrups
when it comes to beams.
As per IS 456 2000, the area of cross-section of
longitudinal reinforcement shall not be less than 0.8% of
the gross cross-sectional area of the column. Also, the
maximum area of longitudinal reinforcement should not
exceed 6% of the gross cross-sectional area of the column.
However, from the practical point of view, the maximum
percentage of steel shall be limited to 3% to avoid the

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congestion of bars while concreting and especially when
there is a need to overlap the bars.

For illustration, if we have a column of size 230mm x

300mm provided with 6 No 12 mm steel bars, the area of
steel for this column will be equal to 6 times the area of
the cross-section of each bar. or simply 6(π/4)D2
Where D is the diameter of the longitudinal bars. The
Gross cross-sectional area is the total area of this section
including the area of steel.
Area of steel = 6 x 3.14/4 x 122 = 678mm2
Gross cross-sectional Area = 230 x 300 = 69000mm2

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Let’s check if the calculated area of steel satisfies the
criteria.
Percentage of steel = Area of steel/Gross Cross-Sectional
Area x 100 = 678/69000 x 100 = 0.98% > 0.8% (OK)
It should be noted that the minimum diameter of the bars
inside a column shall be 12mm. Also, a minimum of 4 No
of bars shall be provided in rectangular cross-sections and
6 No of bars to be provided in circular columns.
IS 456 2000 also suggests that the spacing of longitudinal
bars shall be limited to 300 mm.
Talking about the lateral ties. Is 456 2000 suggest that the
diameter of the lateral ties shall not be less than 1/4th of
the diameter of the largest longitudinal bar and in no case
less than 6mm whichever is greater?
For illustration, if we have a column provided with 8 No of
longitudinal bars out of which 4 No of 16mm bars are
provided at the corners and 4 No of 12mm bars at the
intermediate positions. The diameter of the largest
longitudinal bar would be 16mm.
Diameter of ties = ¼ x 16 = 4mm < 6mm
Therefore, we can provide 6mm ties in such a column.

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However, it’s practically recommended to provide a
minimum of 8mm ties.
Now let’s discuss what should be the maximum and
minimum spacing of lateral ties….
Spacing/Pitch of lateral ties;
The spacing of the lateral ties shall not be more than the
least value from the following 3 criteria;
I. Least lateral dimension of the member
II. 16 times the diameter of the smallest longitudinal bar
III. 300m
For illustration, if we assume a column of size 230mm x
450mm with 4 No of 16mm bars and two No of 12mm
bars. The diameter of the smallest longitudinal bar would
be 12 mm.
I. Least lateral dimension = 230mm
II. 16 x d = 16 x 12 = 192mm
III. 300
If we compare all the 3 criteria, 192mm is the least among
all. Hence, we can provide a spacing of 192 mm.

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Nominal Cover and Effective cover:
While doing the reinforcement detailing, we come across
the terms, Nominal cover, Clear Cover, and effective cover.
The steel in RCC members is provided with sufficient
concrete cover to protect it from the surrounding
atmosphere. To understand all the 3 terms let’s consider
the cross-section of a column.

Clear Cover/Nominal Cover:

The clear cover is the distance between the exposed

concrete surface to the surface of the nearest reinforcing
bar. It should be noted that the concrete surface doesn’t
include the finishing layer like plaster or any other
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finishes. However, as per IS 456 2000, the term Clear
Cover is replaced by the term Nominal Cover.
For columns provided with a minimum diameter of 12mm
bars. The minimum nominal cover provided is 40mm.

Effective Cover:
The term Effective Cover is usually used in design
calculations. Effective cover means the distance between
the exposed concrete surface to the centroid of the main
reinforcement. To understand this, let’s consider the
cross-section of a member. Let D be the diameter of the
main bar and d be the diameter of the stirrup.
Centroid of main bar = D/2
Effective Cover = Nominal cover + Diameter of stirrup (d)
+ Centroid of main bar (D/2)

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