4.

0 INTRODUCTION
A vertical member whose effective length is greater than 3 times its least lateral
dimension carrying compressive loads is called as column. Columns transfer the loads
from the beams or slabs to the footings or foundations. The inclined member carrying
compressive loads as in case of frames and trusses is called as struts. Pedestal is a vertical
compression member whose effective length is less than 3 times its least lateral
dimension. Generally the column may be square, rectangular or circular in shape.
4.1 NECESSITY OF REINFORCEMENT IN COLUMNS
Even though concrete is strong in compression, longitudinal steel bars are placed in the
column to reduce the size of the column or to increase the load carrying capacity and to
resist any tension that might develop due to bending of column due to horizontal loads,
eccentric loads or moments.
To resist any tensile stresses likely to develop, the reinforcement should be placed as near
the surface as possible and should be evenly distributed ensuring the minimum cover.
Transverse reinforcement in the form of lateral ties or spiral reinforcement are provided
to resist longitudinal splitting of the column or splitting of concrete due to development
of transverse tension and to prevent buckling of longitudinal bars.

4.2 TYPES OF COLUMNS

1 Based on Type of Reinforcement : Depending up on the type of reinforcement

used, reinforced columns are classified in to
(a) Tied Column : When the main longitudinal bars of the column are confined
with in closely spaced lateral ties, it is called as tied column. [(Fig. 7.1 (a)]
(b) Spiral Column : When the main longitudinal bars of the column are enclosed
with in closely spaced and continuously wound spiral reinforcement, it is called as
spiral column. [(Fig. 7.1 (b)]
(c) Composite Column: When the longitudinal reinforcement is in the form of
structural steel section or pipe with or with out longitudinal bars, it is called as
composite column. [Fig. 7.1 (c)].

7.3
(a) Tied Column
(b) Spiral Column
(c) Composite Column
FIG 7.1: Types of Columns
2. Based on type of loading : Depending upon the type of loading, columns may be
classified into the following three types.
(a) Axially Loaded Column: When the line of action of the resultant compressive force
coincides with the center of gravity of the cross section of the column, it is called as
axially loaded column.
(b) Eccentrically Loaded Columns (Uniaxial or Biaxial) : When the line of action of the
resultant compressive force doesn't coincide with the center of gravity of the cross
section of the column, it is called as eccentrically loaded column. Eccentrically loaded
columns have to be designed for combined axial force and bending moments.
3. Based on Slenderness Ratio: Depending up on the Slenderness ratio (ratio of effective
length to least lateral dimension of the column), the columns are classified as
(a) Short Column : When the ratio of effective length of the column to the least lateral
dimension is less than 12, the column is called as short column. A short column fails by
crushing (pure compression failure).
(b) 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.
7.3 EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF THE COLUMN
Effective length of a column is the distance between the points of zero bending moments
(point of contra flexure) of a buckled column. The effective length of the column depends
up on the unsupported length (distance between the lateral connections) and the end
conditions (free, fixed or hinged).

The effective length of columns for various end conditions may be taken from the Table
28 of IS 456-2000, which is given below.
TABLE 7.1: Effective Length of Compression Members (Table 28 of IS 456)

Recommended
Theoretical
Degree of End Restraint of
Value
Compression Value of
Symbol
Effective
of Efiective
Members
Length
Length

Effectively held in position

and restrained
y 0.501 0.651
against rotation in both
ends.

Effectively held in position

at both ends,
0.701 0.801
restrained against rotation
at one end.
Effectively held in position
at both ends,
1.001 .1 .001
but not restrained against
rotation.

Effectively held in position

and restrained

against rotation at one

end, and at the other
1.00 l 1.201
restrained against rotation
but not held in

position.

Effectively held in position

and restrained

against rotation at one

end, and at the other
◻ - 1.50 l
partially restrained
against rotation but not

held in position.

Effectively held in position

at one end but not

restrained against
rotation, and at the other
2.001 2.001
end restrained against
rotation but not held in

position.
 Effectively held in position
and restrained

against rotation at one

end, but not held in
in 2.001 2.001
position nor restrained
against rotation at

the other end.

Note: l is the unsupported length of compression member.

1.4
SLENDERNESS LIMITS FOR COLUMNS
The column dimensions shall be such that it fails by material failure only (crushing due
to compression) and not by buckling. To avoid the failure of column by buckling, Clause
25.3 of IS 456 recommends the following slenderness limits for the column.
(a) The unsupported length (distance between the lateral connections) shall not exceed
60 times the least lateral dimension of the column.

L<60 b

(b) If one end of the column is untestrained (unsupported)

2
L<100 b / D

Where b=¿ width of the cross section

D=¿ depth of the cross section
7.5 MINIMUM ECCENTRICITY
No column can have perfectly axial load. There may be some moments acting due to
imperfection of construction or due to actual conditions of loading. Hence IS 456 2000
clause 25.4 recommends that all columns shall be designed for minimum of eccentricity
as given below.

1 Lateral dimension
e min = +
500 30

Subjected to a minimum of 20 mm
7.6 LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF AXIALLY LOADED SHORT COLUMNS

1 Short Column with Lateral Ties: The ultimate load on the shoft column with
lateral ties, when the minimum eccentricity does not exceed 0.05- times the
lateral dimensions, is given by the following equation.
Pu=0.4 f ck A c + 0.67 f y A sc
 u
Where Pu=¿ factored axial load on the column
AC =¿ area of concrete ¿ gross area - area of steel ¿ A g− A sc
A sc=¿ area of longitudinal reinforcement
f ck =¿ characteristic compressive strength of concrete
f y =¿ characteristic strength of compressive steel
2. Short Column with Helical Reinforcement: The strength of column with helical
reinforcement shall be 1.05 times the strength of similar column with lateral ties,
provided the ratio of the volume of helical reinforcement to the volume of the core shall
not be less than

0.36
( Ag
Ak
−1
)
f ck
fy

Where A g=¿ gross area of the section

A k =¿ area of the core of helically reinforced column measured to the outside diameter of
the helix.
7.7 LONG COLUMNS OR SLENDER COLUMNS
If the ratio of effective length of the column to its least lateral dimension is more than
12 , the columns are called as long columns. A long column under the action of axial
loads deflects laterally causing maximum lateral deflection at the centre (Δ) as shown in
the Fig. 7.2. This makes the load eccentric at the central section of the column by a
distance Δ , subjecting a bending moment P × Δ in addition to the axial load P . Hence, in
long columns, the moment produced by the lateral deflection should be considered in the
design.
(a) Long Column
(b) Short Column
FIG 7.2 : Behaviour of Long and Short Columns
According to IS : 456−2000 , the additional moments M ax and M ay due to the lateral
deflection shall be calculated by the following equations.

( )
2
l ex
Pu D
D
M ax =
2000

( )
2
l ey
Pu b
b
M ay =
2000

Where

Pu ¿ axial load on the member

l ex ¿ effective length in respect of the major axis
l ex ¿ effective length in respect of the minor axis
D ¿ depth of the cross section at right angles to the major axis
b ¿ width of the cross section
The above values may be multiplied by the following reduction factor

k=
( Pux −Pb)
P us−P u
≤1

Where PU =¿ axial load on the member

Puz=0.45 f ck A c +0.75 f y A sc

Pb=¿ axial load corresponding to the condition of maximum compressive strain of

0.0035 in concrete and tensile strain of 0.002 in outer most layer of tension steel.
7.8 DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR COLUMNS (CLAUSE 26.5.3 OF IS 456)

1 Longitudinal Reinforcement :
+0.8 /⋅ bD

6 % ⋅bD (a) The cross sectional area of longitudinal reinforcement shall not be less than
0.8 % and not more than 6 % of gross cross sectional area of the column.
(b) In any column that has larger cross sectional area than that required to support the
load, the minimum percentage of steel shall be 0.8 % of required area and not the area
actually provided.
(c) Minimum number of longitudinal bars to be provided is 4 for rectangular columns
and 6 for circular columns.
(d) Minimum diameter of the longitudinal bars s 12 mm )
(e) Spacing of longitudinal bars measured along the periphery of the column shall not
exceed 300 mm .
2. Transverse Reinforcement : A reinforced concrete compression member shall have
transverse or helical reinforcement so disposed that every longitudinal bar nearest to the
compression face has effective lateral support against buckling. The effective lateral
support is given by transverse reinforcement either in the form of circular rings capable
taking up circumferential tension or by polygonal links (laterla ties) with internal angles
not exceeding 135∘. The ends of the transverse reinforcement shall be properly anchored.

(i) Lateral Ties:

(a) The diameter of lateral ties shall not less than 1 % of the diameter of largest
longitudinal bar and in no case less than 6 mm.
(b) The pitch of the ties shall not be more than the least of the following

 Least lateral dimension of the column.

 Sixteen times the smallest longitudinal bar
 300 mm
(ii) Helical Reinforcement :
(a) The diameter is same as that of lateral ties
(b) The pitch of the helical reinforcement shall not be more than the least of the
following
  75 mm
 1/6 of core diameter of the column
(c) And the pitch of helical reinforcement shall not be less than the greatest of the
following
 25 mm
 Three times the diameter of helical bar.
7.9 COVER
For longitudinal reinforcing bars in a column nominal cover shall in any case not
be less than 40 mm, or less than the diameter of such bar. In case of columns of
minimum dimension of 200 mm or under, whose reinforcing bars do not exceed
12 mm , a nominal cover of 25 mm may be used. (Clause 26.4.2.1 of IS :
456−2000 )
7.10 DESIGN OF COLUMNS USING SP 16
SP 16 design charts 24 to 26 shall be used for designing of axially loaded short
columns. These charts cover different grades of steel ( f y =250,415 and 500¿ and
concrete grades,
f ck =15 , 20 , 25 ,30 ,35 and 40.

In the lower section of these charts, Pu / A g has been plotted against percentage of steel
(p) for different grades of concrete. If the cross section of the column is known, Pu / A g
can be calculated and reinforcement percentage can be read from the chart.
In the upper section of the charts, Pu / A g is plotted against Pu for various values of A g
The combined use of the upper and lower sections would eliminate the need for any
calculations.

Problems

Design a short column square in section to carry an axial load of 800 hN using M −20
grade concrete and Fe-415 steel.

Solution:
Factored load
3
Pu=1.5 × 800=1200 KN =1200 ×10 N

Assuming 1 % of steel,

A sc=1 % A g=0.01 A g

Area of concrete,

Ac = A g −A sc = A g−0.01 A g=0.99 A g
For axially loaded short columns

Pu ¿ 0.4 f ck A c + 0.67 f y A sc
3
1200 ×10 ¿ 0.4 ×20 × 0.99 A g+ 0.67 × 415× 0.01 A g
3
1200 ×10 ¿ 7.92 A g +2.78 A g=10.7 A g
Ag ¿ 112149.5 mm2

Size of the square column ¿ √ 112149.5=334.9 mm

Adopt 350 mm × 350 mm square column.

A sc ¿ 0.01× A g , required
¿ ¿
Provide 6 bars of 16 mm diameter,
2
A sc provided =1206.4 mm

Lateral ties
Diameter of lateral ties should not be less than
ϕ1 1
(a) = × 6=4 mm
4 4
(b) 6 mm
Hence, adopt 6 mm diameter bars
Pitch of the ties shall be minimum of
FIG 7.4 :
(a) Least lateral dimension of column ¿ 350 mm
(b) 16 times the dia of longitudinal bar ¿ 16 ×16=256 mm
(c) 300 mm
Provide 6 mm lateral ties at 250 mmc /c as shown in the Fig. 7.4

Design a circular column to carry an axial load of 1000 kN using lateral ties. Use M 20
grade concrete and Fe415 steel.
MARCHIAPRIL. 2015, 2011, 2005, OCT/NOV. 2016 [TS]; 2000

Solution :
Factored load Pu=1.5 × 1000=1500 kN =1500 ×103 N
Assuming 1 % of steel,

A sc=1 % A g=0.01 A g

Area of concrete,
 Ac ¿ A g− A sc= A g−0.01 A g=0.99 A g
Pu ¿ 0.4 f ck A c +0.67 f y A sc
corete , 1500 ×103 ¿ 0.4 ×20 ×0.99 A g +0.67 × 415 ×0.01 A g
3
1500 ×10 ¿ 7.92 A g +2.78 A g=10.7 A g
2
Ag ¿ 140186.9 mm

Diameter of the circular column

2
D
π ¿ 140186.9
4
D ¿ 422.5 mm

Adopt circular column of diameter 430 mm.

A sc ¿ 0.01× A g , required
¿ ¿
Provide 8 bars of 16 mm diameter,
A sc provided ¿ 1608.5 mm 2
Lateral Ties : Diameter of lateral ties should not be less than
ϕ1 1
(a) = × 16=4 mm
4 4
(b) 6 mm

Hence, adopt 6 mm diameter bars

Pitch of the ties shall be minimum of
(a) least lateral dimension of column ¿ 430 mm
(b) 16 times the dia of longitudinal bar ¿ 16 ×16=256 mm
(c) 300 mm
FIG 7.5 :

Provide 6 mm lateral ties at 250 mmc /c as shown in the Fig. 7.5

Design a square column 400 mm × 400 mm , 3.3 meters long subjected to a working load
of 1000 kN . Use M20 grade concrete and Fe 415 steel. The column is effectively held in
position and direction at both the ends.
(MARCHIAPRIL. 2018, 2013 ; OCTINOV. 2016[AP]; 2008)

Solution:
Unsupported length L=3.3 m
Ends are effectively held in position and direction at both the ends (fixed ends)
Effective length

l=0.65 L=0.65× 3.3=2.145 m

Slenderness ratio
 l 2145
= =5.36<12
b 400

Hence, it may be designed as short column.

Minimum eccentricity
24.93
Hence,

1 D
e min ¿ + , subjected to a mi
500 30
¿ ¿
e min ¿ 20 mm
emin 20
¿ =0.05 ≤ 0.05
D 400

Hence, it may be treated as axially loaded column.

(Codal formula Pu=0.4 f ck A c + 0.67 f y A sc is applicable only for short axially loaded
column ie. slenderness ratio l/b ≤ 12 and e min ≤ 0.05 D. If e min > 0.05 D , the column should
be designed as a eccentrically loaded column)
Main Reinforcement :
Factored load

Pu=1.5 × 1000=1500 kN

Size of the column

¿ 400 mm × 400 mm

Gross area
2
A g=400× 400=160000 mm

Area of concrete

Ac =160000− A sc

Since the column is axially loaded short column, its load carrying capacity is given by

Pu ¿ 0.4 f ck A c + 0.67 f y A sc P4=0.4 t ck × ( 1 Agg−A sc ) +0.67 × f y × A sc

3
1500 ×10 ¿ 0.4 ×20 × ( 160000− A sc ) +0.67 × 415 × A sc
3
1500 ×10 ¿ 1280000−8 A sc +278.1 A sc
220000 ¿ 270.1 A sc
A sc ¿ 814.5 mm2
2
Minimum reinforcement ¿ 0.8 % of gross area ¿ 0.008 ×350 × 400=1120 mm > A sc
Hence, provide minimum reinforcement ¿ 1120 mm2
Provide 4 bars of 20 mm diameter, A sc provided ¿ 1256.6 mm2
Lateral Ties :
Diameter of lateral ties should not be less than
ρ1 1
(a) = × 20=5 mm
4 4
(b) 6 mm

Hence, adopt 6 mm diameter bars

Pitch of the ties shall be minimum of
(a) least lateral dimension of column ¿ 350 mm
FIG 7.8 :
(b) 16 times the da of longitudinal bar ¿ 16 ×20=320 mm
(c) 300 mm
Provide 6 mm lateral ties at 300 mmc /c as shown in the Fig 7.8.

EXAMPLE - 9
Calculate the ultimate strength in axial compression of a column 400 mm in diameter
and reinforced with 6 Nos. 25 mm 0 and of grade Fe 415 , when the column is helically
reinforced by 8 mm o bars at 30 mm pitch. Assume clear cover 40 mm and M 20 grade
concrete.
(MARCH/APRIL. 2007)

Design a circular column of diameter 400 mm, with lateral ties subjected to a working
load of 1200 kN . Use M20 grade concrete and Fe 415 steel. The column is 3 m long
effectively held in position and direction at both the ends.
Solution:
Unsupported length L=3.0 m
Ends are effectively held in position and direction at both the ends (fixed ends)
Effective length

l=0.65 L=0.65× 3.0=1.95 m

l 1950
Slenderness ratio = =4.88< 12
b 400
Hence, it may be designed as short column.
Minimum Eccentricity :

L D 3000 400
e min = + = + =19.33 mm
500 30 500 30

Subjected to a minimum of 20 mm
Hence, e min =20 mm

e min 20
= =0.05 ≤ 0.05
D 400
Hence, it may be treated as axially loaded column.
(Codal formula Pu=0.4 f ck A c + 0.67 f y A sc is applicable only for short axially loaded
column i.e. slenderness ratio l/b ≤ 12 and e min ≤ 0.05 D. If e min > 0.05 D , the column should
be designed as a eccentrically loaded column).
Main Reinforcement :
Factored load Pu=1.5 × 1200=1800 kN
Gross area

π 2 2
A g= × 400 =125663.7 mm
4

Area of concrete

Ac =125663.7− A sc

Since the column is axially loaded short column, its load carrying capacity is given by

Pu=0.4 f ck A c + 0.67 f y A sc

3
1800 ×10 ¿ 0.4 ×20 × ( 125663.7− A s ) +0.67 × 415 × A sc
3
1800 ×10 ¿ 1005309.6−8 A sc + 278.1 A sc
794690.4 ¿ 270.1 A sc
2
A sc ¿ 2942.2 mm

π 2 2
Minimum reinforcement ¿ 0.8 % of gross area ¿ 0.008 × × 400 =1005 mm < A sc
4
π 2 2
Maximum reinforcement ¿ 6 % of gross area ¿ 0.06 × × 400 =7539.8 mm > A sc
4
Provide 6 bars of 25 mm diameter, A sc provided ¿ 2945 mm 2
Lateral Ties :
Diameter of lateral ties should not be less than
ϕ1 1
(a) = × 25=6.25 mm
4 4
(b) 6 mm

Hence, adopt 8 mm diameter bars

FIG 7.8 :

Pitch of the ties shall be minimum of

(b) least lateral dimension of column ¿ 400 mm
(b) 16 times the dia of longitudinal bar ¿ 16 ×25=400 mm
(c) 300 mm

Provide 8 mm lateral ties at 300 mmc /c as shown in the Fig 7.9.

TABLE 4.1: Effective Length of Compression Members (Table 28 of IS 456:2000)

Degree of End Restraint of

Compression Members Theoretical Value
Recommended Value of
of Effective Length Effective Length

Effectively held in position and

restrained against rotation in both ends.

Effectively held in position at both

ends,restrained against rotation at one

Effectively held in position at both

ends,but not restrained against rotation.

Effectively held in position and

restrained against rotation at one end,
and at the other restrained against
rotation but not held in position.

Effectively held in position and

restrained against rotation at one end,
and at the other partially restrained
against rotation but not held in position.

Effectively held in position at one end

but not restrained against rotation, and at
the other end restrained against rotation
but not held in position.

Effectively held in position and

restrained against rotation at one end,
but not held in position nor restrained
against rotation at the other end.