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CHAPTER FOUR
ANALYSIS & DESIGN OF SHORT COLUMN [PART I: AXIAL]

4.1 Introduction
A column is a vertical structural member, which transmits axial compressive loads with or
without moment from the floor & roof to the foundation. The ratio of applied moment to
the applied axial load is its “eccentricity.” A small eccentricity “e” means small moment,
where a large eccentricity means large moment. A column will be axial or concentric if
following conditions are satisfied:
• Pure axial load and no bending moment; zero eccentricity, e = 0. OR
• Small eccentricity if e/h ≤ 0.10

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Maximum columns in buildings are short column satisfying the following conditions:
• Height of a short column is ≤ 12'.
• Size of the short column should be such that 12h ≥ L
Where, L = Unsupported length of column in ft
h = Larger dimension of column in ft
• Short columns are not considered to be susceptible to the effects of buckling as are
long columns. The ACI dictates that short columns satisfy the slenderness ratio as
shown below:

Where: K = end fixity factor given as below.

L = unbraced length in inches
rmin = least radius of gyration, inches
= 0.3h for rectangular or square columns
= 0.25dout for circular columns where dout = outer dia.

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4.2 Types of RCC Short Column

Generally, two types as shown in Figure 4.1:
• Tied Column: It is so called because the longitudinal bars are tied together with
smaller bars at intervals up the column. One set of ties is visible just above the
concrete. The longitudinal (vertical) bars protruding from the column will extend
through the floor into the next-higher column and will be lap spliced with the bars
in that column. The longitudinal bars are bent inward to fit inside the cage of bars
for the next-higher column. Tied columns may be square, rectangular, L-shaped,
circular, or any other required shape. There are two types of tied column-square &
rectangular.
• Spiral Column: Occasionally, when high strength and/or high ductility are
required, the bars are placed in a circle, and the ties are replaced by a bar bent into
a helix or spiral, with a pitch (distance between successive turns of the spiral).
Such columns, called a spiral column, are generally circular, although polygonal
shapes are sometimes used. The spiral acts to restrain the lateral expansion of the
column core under high axial loads and, in doing so, delays the failure of the core,
making the column more ductile. Spiral columns are used more extensively in
seismic regions.

Figure 4.1: Different types of RCC Column

4.3 Failure scenario of RCC Column

Spiral columns have greater ductility than a tied column. This means that a spiral column
is capable of sustaining larger strain before failure than a tied column. For this reason,

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spiral columns are used in areas with high seismicity to prevent brittle failures. The
stress-strain curve below shows the relative yield strength of a tied column and a spiral
column are similar, however the strain capacity of the spiral column is much greater than
that of a tied column.

Figure 4.2: Failure mechanism of a RCC Column

Two reasons for such different failure behavior:

• As shown in Figure 4.3, load distribution in a tied column is in two directions but
in spiral column, loads are distributed in radial direction. So, more loads can be
carried out by spiral column compared to tied under similar service period.

Figure 4.3: Load distribution of RCC Column

• As shown in Figure 4.4, in tied column, failure takes place by crushing of concrete
along two diagonals and due to buckling of longitudinal bars between the ties. But
in a spiral column, concrete cannot easily come out due to confinement by spirals
and failure occurs after few days compared to tied column.

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Figure 4.4: Failure mechanism of RCC Column

Based on these criteria, spiral column is stronger than tied.

4.4 Strength of an axially loaded RCC Column

Ag = Gross area of column
Ast = Total area of main steel

If pure axial unfactored load Po acts on column, it will be resisted by concrete and
longitudinal reinforcement.
As shown in figure, total axial load resisting capacity of a RCC column
= Resisting strength of conc. + resisting strength of steel

P0 = 0.85 f c'* (Ag − Ast ) + f y Ast

For different types of column, nominal axial strength will be,

Pn = rP0
Where,
r = Shape factor = 0.80 for tied column & 0.85 for spiral
Design strength will be Pu = φPn or , 1.2 DL + 1.6 LL = ϕPn
Where, φ = Strength reduction factor
= 0.65 for tied column & 0.75 for spiral column
Again,
Pu = φ Pn = φrPo Ast
ρ g = gross steel ratio =
[ c
'
]
= φ r 0.85 f ( Ag − Ast ) + Ast f y ........................(1) Ag

= φ r [0.85 f ( A − A ρ ) + A ρ f ]
' 0.01 ≤ ρ g ≤ 0.08
c g g g g g y

= φ rA [0.85 f (1 − ρ ) + ρ f ]........................(2)
' • ρg= 0.01~0.03 without lateral load
g c g g y
• ρg= 0.04~0.06 with lateral load

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4.5 Design considerations

Tied column

# Minimum no. & size of Main Bars

• Minimum of 4#5 bars at four corners. Generally, use fy = 60 ksi for main bars.
• The minimum clear distance between bars > 1.5db or 1.5" whichever is larger.

# Minimum Size of Column

• Square tied column is 10"x10" without lateral loads and 12"x12" with lateral loads.
• Rectangular tied column is 8"x12".

# Size of the Tie Bars

Generally, use fy = 40 ksi for tie bars.
• Tie bar will be #3 if longitudinal bar ≤ #10
• Tie bar will be #4 if longitudinal bar > #10
• Tie bar will be #4 if longitudinal bars are bundled.

# Spacing of the Tie bars

Minimum of the followings,
• S= 16x Main bar dia.= 16db
• S= 48x Tie bar dia = 48dtie
• S= least lateral dimension of column

First Tie must be placed S/2 from the joint. Specify spacing to ½ inch if S < 5", to the inch
if S > 5".

# Check for Lateral Tie

No longitudinal bar shall be more than 6" clear on either side from “support” bar.
Otherwise volume of concrete between two bars may displace the bars during casting.
For any layer in any direction, the face-to-face bar spacing is

b − 2(cov er + d tie ) − no. of bars X d b

S= ≤ 6"
no of spaces

• Lateral tie will not be required if S ≤ 6"

• Lateral tie will be required if S > 6"
The size of the lateral tie will be same as main tie.

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An example of lateral tie is shown in Figure 4.5.

Figure 6.6: Lateral tie arrangement of RCC Columns

Spiral column

# Minimum no. & size of Main Bars

• Minimum of 6#5 bars at equally spaced. Generally, use fy = 60 ksi for main bars.

# Minimum Size of Column

• Column dia is 10" without lateral loads and 12" with lateral loads.

# Size and pitch of the Spiral

Generally, use fy = 60 ksi for spiral.
• Size of the spiral is #3.
• Pitch should be s ≤ 3.0" and s ≥1.0"

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# Minimum Spiral ratio ρs

 Ag   f ′
ρ s = 0.45 *  − 1 *  c 
 
 Ac   fy 
As = Gross concrete area
π Dc2 Where,
Ac = core area =
4
Dc = core diameter (outside edge to outside edge of spiral)
= Dia of spiral column - 2x concrete cover
f y = yield strength of spiral steel (≤ 60,000 psi )
s = spacing (pitch) of spiral steel (center to center)
4 Asp
s=
Dc ρ s

Here, Asp = Spiral Reinforcement area.

# Check for minimum bar spacing

Circumference of the main steel - no. of bars x d b

S=
[Link] spaces

=
[ ]
π Dia. of Column − 2(cov er + d spiral ) − d b − no. of bars x d b
no. of spaces
If S ≥ 1.5db, then ok otherwise bar size should be changed.

4.6 Design Problem

A RCC column is to be designed for a service live load = 300 k and service dead load
including self weight of column = 200 k. Use f’c = 4 ksi and fy = 60 ksi. Gross steel ratio,
ρg = 2%.

Based on above data, design

a) Square tied column
b) Rectangular tied column
c) Spiral column

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Square tied column

Total factored load on column, Pu = 1.2DL +1.6LL = 1.2x200+1.6x300 = 720 kip.

Step-1: Determination of column size

[
pu = φrAg 0.85 f 'c (1 − ρ g ) + ρ g f y ]
720 = 0.65*0.80* Ag [0.85*4(1-0.02) +0.02*60]

Ag = 305.5 in2

Select size = 17.5″x17.5″ and provided Ag = 306.25 in2 ≥ Required Ag = 305.5 in2, OK.

Step-2: Calculation of Ast

Check Minimum steel areas:

1. Based on minimum 4#5 bars, steel areas = 4 x 0.31 = 1.24 in2

2. Based on ρg, minimum steel areas = 1% of Ag = 0.01 x 306.25 = 3.06 in2 (govern)

[
Pu = φr 0.85 f ' c (Ag − Ast ) + Ast f y ]
720 = 0.65*0.80 [0.85 * 4(306.25 − Ast ) + Ast * 60]

Ast = 6.0 in2 > 3.06 in2, OK

Use 10#7 bars and provided steel AS = 10*0.60 = 6.0 in2 ≥ Required AS = 6.0 in2, ok.

Step-3: Tie bar design

Use # 3 as main tie as main bar size is #7 < #10.

Spacing of the tie bar:

7
S = 16 main bar dia = 16 * = 14″
8
3
S = 48 tie bar dia = 48 * = 18″
8
S = least column dimension = 17.5″
So, use #3 @ 14″c/c.

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Step-4: Check for lateral ties

17.5″

b − 2(cov er + d tie ) − no. of bars x d b

s= ≤ 6' ' S1
no of spaces S2
 3 7
17.5 − 21.5 +  − 4 x 17.5″
S1 =  8 8
= 3.42" < 6" ok
3

 3 7
17.5 − 21.5 +  − 3 x
S2 =  8 8
= 5.6" < 6" ok
2

So, no lateral tie is required.

#3 main ties @ 14″ c/c

10#7 main bars

17.5″

Rectangular tied column

Total factored load on column, Pu = 1.2DL +1.6LL = 1.2x200+1.6x300 = 720 kip.

Step-1: Determination of column size

[
pu = φrAg 0.85 f 'c (1 − ρ g ) + ρ g f y ]
720 = 0.65*0.80* Ag [0.85*4(1-0.02) +0.02*60]

Ag = 305.5 in2
Select size = 14″x22″ and provided Ag = 308 in2 > Required Ag = 305.5 in2, Ok

Step-2: Calculation of Ast

Check Minimum steel areas:

1. Based on minimum 4#5 bars, steel areas = 4 x 0.31 = 1.24 in2

2. Based on ρg, minimum steel areas = 1% of Ag = 0.01 x 308 = 3.08 in2 (govern)

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[
Pu = φr 0.85 f ' c (Ag − Ast ) + Ast f y ]
720 = 0.65*0.80 [0.85 * 4(308 − Ast ) + Ast * 60]

Ast = 5.96 in2 > 3.08 in2, OK

Use 10#7 bars and provided steel AS = 10*0.60 = 6.0 in2 > Required AS = 5.96 in2, ok.

Step-3: Tie bar design

Use # 3 as main tie as main bar size is #7 < #10
Spacing of the tie bar:
7
S = 16 main bar dia = 16 * = 14″
8
3
S = 48 tie bar dia = 48 * = 18″
8
S = least column dimension = 14″
S,o use #3 @ 14″c/c.

Step-4: Check for lateral ties 22″

S1

b − 2(cov er + d tie ) − no. of bars x d b S2

s= ≤ 6' '
no of spaces 14″
 3 7
22 − 21.5 +  − 4 x
S1 =  8 8
= 4.91" < 6" ok
3

 3 7
14 − 21.5 +  − 3 x
S2 =  8 8
= 3.81" < 6" ok
2

So, no lateral tie is required.

#3 main ties @ 14″

10#7 main bars

22″

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Spiral column
Total factored load on column, Pu = 1.2DL +1.6LL = 1.2x200+1.6x300 = 720 kip.

Step-1: Determination of column size

[
pu = φrAg 0.85 f 'c (1 − ρ g ) + ρ g f y ]
720 = 0.75*0.85* Ag [0.85*4(1-0.02) +0.02*60]

Ag = 249.21 in2

π
D 2 = 249.21in 2
4
∴= D 17.81′′ ≡18.0′′
Provided Ag = 254.5 in2> Required Ag = 249.21 in2, Ok.

Step-2: Calculation of Ast

Check Minimum steel areas:

1. Based on minimum 6#5 bars, steel areas = 6 x 0.31 = 1.86 in2

2. Based on ρg, minimum steel areas = 1% of Ag = 0.01 x 254.5 = 2.55 in2 (govern)

[
Pu = φr 0.85 f ' c (Ag − Ast ) + Ast f y ]
=> 720 = 0.75*0.85 0.85 x 4 ( 254.5 − Ast ) + Ast x60 

=> 720 = 544.75-1.73 Ast +30.60 Ast

∴ Ast = 4.67 in2 > 2.55 in2, Ok.

Use 11#6 and provided area = 11x0.44 = 4.84 in2 > required 4.67 in2, ok.

Step-3: Design of Spiral

Use #3 as spiral
 D = 18.0′′ 
D = 15′′
 c D − 2 xCover =− 18 2 x1.5 =
 Ag = 254.5 in 2 
 
 π 2 π 2 
=
 Ac 4= Dc =
15 176.7 in 2

4

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Minimum spiral ratio:

 Αg  f'
ρ s = 0.45 *  − 1 * c
 Αc  fy

 Ag  f c'  254.5  4
= 0.45 x  − 1 x= 0.45  − 1 x
 Ac  fy  176.7  60
= 0.0132
4 Asp 4 x0.11
c/c pitch = = = 2.20 ≡ 2′′ < 3′′, ok .
ρ s Dc 0.0132
So, use #3 spiral @ 2.0" c/c.

Step-4: Check for minimum bar spacing

Circumference of the main steel - no. of bars x d b

s=
[Link] spaces

=
[ ]
π Dia. of Column − 2(cov er + d spiral ) − d b − no. of bars x d b
no. of spaces
Acceptable s ≥ 1.5d b

  3  6 6
π 18.5"−2 x1.5 +  −  − 12 x
 8 8 8   6
s= ≥ 1.5d b = 1.5 x = 1.13' '
12 8
s = 2.91" > 1.13" ok

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18.5″

#3 spiral at 2.0″ pitch

Pitch = 2.0″

12#6 main bars

4.7 Theoretical questions

1. Define ‘short RCC column’. Mention different types of RCC columns.
2. ‘RCC spiral column is stronger than tied column’—justify this comment.
3. Write short notes on ‘lateral tie’.

4.8 Exercise Problems

Exercise problem-01: Design a rectangular tied column for a service live load = 700 k and
computed dead load including self-weight of column = 550 k. Use f’c = 4 ksi and fy = 60
ksi. Assume standard values if not given.

Exercise problem-02: A circular spirally-reinforced column is to be designed to carry a

factored load of Pu= 1100 kips. Use f′c = 4 ksi and fy = 60 ksi. Design the column.

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Design of Concrete Structures II, Md. Mahbub-ul- Alam, Associate Prof, CEN, SUB