Reinforced

Concrete
Design
Chapter Nine
Columns
9-1 Introduction 9-7 The Load–Moment Relationship

9-2 Strength of Reinforced Concrete Columns: 9-8 Columns Subjected to Axial Load at Large
Small Eccentricity Eccentricity

9-3 Code Requirements Concerning Column 9-9 f Factor Considerations

Details
9-10 Analysis of Short Columns: Large Eccentricity
9-4 Analysis of Short Columns: Small Eccentricity
9-11 The Slender Column
9-5 Design of Short Columns: Small Eccentricity

9-6 Summary of Procedure for Analysis and

Design of Short Columns with Small Eccentricities
9-1 Introduction
•The main vertical load-carrying members in buildings are
called columns.

•The ACI Code defines a column as a member used

primarily to support axial compressive loads and with a
height at least three times its least lateral dimension.

•The three basic types of reinforced concrete columns are

shown in Figure 9-1.

•Our discussion is limited to the first two types: tied and

spiral columns.
•We initially discuss the analysis and design of
columns that are short.

•A column is said to be short when its length is such

that lateral buckling need not be considered.
9-2 Strength of Reinforced Concrete
Columns: Small Eccentricity
•If a compressive load P is applied coincident with the longitudinal axis of a symmetrical column, it
theoretically induces a uniform compressive stress over the cross-sectional area.

If the compressive load is applied a small distance e away from the longitudinal axis, however,
there is a tendency for the column to bend due to the moment M = Pe.

•Earlier codes have defined small eccentricity as follows:

• For spirally reinforced columns: e/h ≤ 0.05
• For tied columns: e/h ≤ 0.10

•where h is the column dimension perpendicular to the axis of bending.

The fundamental assumptions for the calculation of column axial load strength (small
eccentricities) are that at nominal strength the concrete is stressed to 0.85 f′c and the steel is
stressed to fy.

The following ACI notation will be used:

•For convenience, we will use the following longitudinal steel
reinforcement ratio:

•The nominal, or theoretical, axial load strength for the special

case of zero eccentricity may be written as

•Extensive testing has shown that spiral columns are tougher

than tied columns, as depicted in Figure 9-3.
•The code directs that the basic load–strength relationship be
9-3 Code Requirements Concerning
Column Details
Main (longitudinal) reinforcing should have a cross-sectional
area so that ρg will be between 0.01 and 0.08.
The minimum number of longitudinal bars is four within
rectangular or circular ties, three within triangular ties, and six
for bars enclosed by spirals.
The clear distance between longitudinal bars must not be less
𝟏
than 1.5 times the nominal bar diameter nor 1 in.
𝟐
𝟏
Cover shall be 1𝟐 in. minimum over primary reinforcement,
ties, or spirals (ACI Code, Section 7.7.1).
Tie requirements are discussed in detail in the ACI Code,
Section 7.10.5.
The minimum size is No. 3 for longitudinal
bars No. 10 and smaller; otherwise,
minimum tie size is No. 4 (see Table A-14 for
a suggested tie size).

Usually, No. 5 is a maximum. See Figure 9-4

for typical rectilinear tie arrangements.
• Individual circular ties are permitted per ACI Code 7.10.5.4 where longitudinal column
reinforcements are located around the perimeter of a circle.

• Spiral requirements are discussed in the ACI Code, Sections 7.10.4. and 10.9.3.

• The spiral steel ratio ρs must not be less than the value given by
An approximate formula for the calculated spiral steel ratio in terms of physical
properties of the column cross section may be derived from the preceding
definition of ρs.

From the definition of ρs:

9-4 Analysis of Short Columns:
Small Eccentricity
•The analysis of short columns carrying axial loads that have
small eccentricities involves checking the maximum design axial
load strength and the various details of the reinforcing.

•The procedure is summarized in Section 9-6.

9-6 Summary of Procedure for Analysis
and Design of Short Columns with
Small Eccentricities
Problems

a)
b)
c)
9-5 Design of Short Columns:
Small Eccentricity
The design of reinforced concrete columns involves
the proportioning of the steel and concrete areas
and the selection of properly sized and spaced ties
or spirals.
9-6 Summary of Procedure for Analysis and
Design of Short Columns with Small
Eccentricities
Problems
9-7 The Load–Moment Relationship
•The equivalency between an eccentrically applied load
and an axial load–moment combination is shown in
Figure 9-10.

•If we define Mu as the factored moment to be applied

on a compression member along with a factored axial
load of Pu at the centroid, the relationship between the
two is
9-8 Columns Subjected to Axial
Load at Large Eccentricity
At one time the ACI Code stipulated that compression members be
designed for an eccentricity e of not less than 0.05h for spirally
reinforced columns or 0.10h for tied columns, but at least 1 in. in
any case. Here h is defined as the overall dimension of the column.

The occurrence of columns subjected to eccentricities sufficiently

large so that moment must be a design consideration is common.

These unequal loads could mean that the column must carry both
load and moment, as shown in Figure 9-11a, and the resulting
eccentricity of the loads could be appreciably in excess of our
definition of small eccentricity.

Another example of a column carrying both load and moment is

shown in Figure 9-11b and c.
9-9 ø Factor Considerations
•Columns discussed so far have had strength-reduction factors applied in a straightforward manner.

For values of εt larger than 0.002, the ø equations from ACI Code, Section 9.3.2, discussed in Chapter 2
will give higher values than indicated above.

•The ø equations are repeated here as follows:

9-10 Analysis of Short Columns:
Large Eccentricity
The first step in our investigation of short columns
carrying loads at large eccentricity is to determine
the strength of a given column cross section that
carries loads at various eccentricities.

The diagrams take on the general form of Figure

9-19 but are generalized to be applicable to more
situations.
Referring to Diagram A-15, which corresponds to our
Figure 9-19, the following definitions will be useful:
Problems
Example 9-6
9-11 The Slender Column
Thus far, our design and analysis have been limited to short columns that require no consideration of
necessary strength reduction due to the possibility of buckling.

The degree of slenderness may be expressed in terms of the slenderness ratio

A simple example is a column fixed at one end and
entirely free at the other (cantilever column or flagpole).

Such a column will buckle, as shown in Figure 9-25.

In reinforced concrete structures, it is common to deal

with indeterminate rigid frames, such as illustrated by
the simple portal frame in Figure 9-26.
•As an example of how the effective length of a column is
influenced by sidesway, consider the simple case of a
single member, as shown in Figure 9-27.

•If we consider the column shown in Figure 9-27b to be part

of a frame and give the sidesway the notation Δ as shown
in Figure 9-28, it is seen that the axial load now acts
eccentrically and creates end moments of PuΔ.
•For braced columns, slenderness effects may be neglected when

•In cases where slenderness must be considered, the ACI Code gives the
methods that can be used.

•The design of slender reinforced concrete columns is one of the more

complex aspects of reinforced concrete design and is not within the
intended scope of this class.