In general, short columns are designed for RCC columns in practice.

With the
advancement of structural engineering concepts and the availability of high-
strength materials, the application of slender columns is increasingly being
considered in some situations. The design procedure for slender columns, unlike
short columns, necessitates the consideration of numerous criteria to achieve a
final design. In this study, an effort has been made to investigate the behavior of
slender columns. Various factors related to slender column performance were
explored. The behavior of slender columns under different situations can be
predicted by this study, aiding designers. The columns were subjected to eccentric
loading, varying percentages of steel ratios, and different boundary conditions.
Bending moment, displacement, and other necessary parameters were studied under
these conditions. Important comparisons were also conducted at the end of the
study.

Loads, mainly in compression, are carried by a vertical structural member known as

a column. Transferring loads from a ceiling, floor slab, roof slab, or beam to a
floor or foundations is one of its primary functions. Bending moments about one or
both cross-section axes are commonly borne by columns. A short column, governed by
the strength of materials and cross-sectional dimensions, has its ultimate load
determined at a given eccentricity. Due to their location, cross-section, or the
forces they bear, reinforced concrete columns typically undergo eccentric
compression. Slender concrete columns, economically advantageous in tall building
design, allow for increased rentable space across multiple floors by reducing
column sections. The slenderness may, however, lead to a reduction in the ultimate
load due to lateral deflections caused by bending. A parametric study was conducted
to analyze differences in failure modes concerning concrete strengths, steel
ratios, and loading eccentricities.

Slender columns are characterized by small cross sections relative to their

lengths. A compression member is considered slender or long when the slenderness
ratios Lex/D and Ley/b exceed 12. If Lex/D > 12, the column is slender for bending
about the x-x axis; if Ley/b > 12, it is slender for bending about the y-y axis.
The deformation behavior of slender columns differs significantly from short
columns.

In slender columns, the ultimate load is influenced not only by material strength
and cross-sectional dimensions but also by slenderness, introducing additional
bending moments due to lateral deformations. Even under axial load, a slender
column exhibits appreciable lateral deflection (∆) along its length.

Comparatively, slender columns generally have lower strength than short columns
with a constant cross-section; increasing the length results in reduced strength.
The slenderness of a column may lead to a reduction in ultimate load due to lateral
deflections caused by buckling.

Columns are gaining importance and popularity for several reasons:

• High Strength Materials: The advancement of high-strength materials, both in

concrete and steel, has contributed to the increased significance of columns. This
allows for more efficient and robust structural designs.

• Improved Dimensioning and Design Methods: The evolution of improved methods for
dimensioning and designing, coupled with rational and reliable design procedures,
enhances the overall effectiveness and safety of columns in structural systems.

• Innovative Structural Concepts: Innovative structural concepts, driven by

architects' expectations for creative structures, play a pivotal role in elevating
the prominence of columns. These concepts allow for unique and aesthetically
appealing architectural designs.
Analyzing slender reinforced concrete columns is complex due to the combination of
material non-linearities and the geometric non-linearity characterizing their
behavior. The design of such columns fundamentally relies on a rational second-
order analysis, accounting for secondary moments generated by vertical loads on the
laterally deformed structure. Neglecting these moments overestimates both stiffness
and strength.

The calculation involves intricate procedures, making the method inconvenient.

Therefore, provisions for slenderness effects in codes of practice (such as AS
3600-1988, ACI318-89, BS8110:198, European Standard Eurocode No.2:1984, American
Building Code ACI318-89, ACI Code 10.12.2, and 10.13.2) are based on simplified
approaches. These approaches aim to reduce time and expenses.

In approximate design methods within various codes, forces and moments obtained
from first-order elastic analysis are empirically adjusted to reflect the reduction
in column strength caused by stability effects.

In the comparison of maximum deflection for a 3M hinged–hinged slender column

subjected to eccentric loadings at different percentages of steel, a consistent
trend emerges.

As the percentage of steel increases for all cases of eccentricity, a notable

observation is that the deflection decreases. This suggests a correlation between
the increase in steel content and a reduction in deflection, highlighting the
impact of material composition on the structural behavior of the slender column
under eccentric loads.

In the comparison of maximum bending moment for a hinged–hinged 3m slender column

subjected to eccentric loadings at different percentages of steel, a clear pattern
emerges. Across all cases of eccentricity, as the percentage of steel increases,
there is a consistent observation that the bending moment increases. This suggests
a direct relationship between the percentage of steel and the bending moment in the
slender column under eccentric loads, indicating the influence of material
composition on the structural response.

RCC columns in general are designed as short columns in practice. With the
advancement of structural engineering concept and availability of high strength
materials now it is increasing to apply slender column in some situations. Unlike
short column, slender column design procedure requires so many criteria to reach a
final design. In this study an effort is made to study the behaviour of slender
column. Different factors related to slender column performances were explored.
This study will help the designer to predict the Slender Column performances under
different situations. The columns were subjected to Eccentric Loading, for
different Percentages of Steel Ratios, for different boundary conditions. Studied
bending moment, displacement, and some other necessary parameters from the above
conditions. Some important comparisons also studied at the end.