Principles of

Reinforced Concrete Design

ENGR. ROLLS GRANT VASQUEZ
CIVIL/STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
 ULTIMATE STRENGTH DESIGN (USD)

Short Columns

RGBV
 Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
Floor

COLUMN CATEGORIES COLUMN AXIALLOADS

Columns directly support the
Pedestals. Pedestals are upright compression floor/s above it
members with height less than three times its
least lateral dimensions; may be designed with Columns
unreinforced or plain concrete with maximum Where:
𝐿1+𝐿2
deisgn compressive stress equal to ∅0.85f ’c L= 2
where ∅=0.65.
𝑆1+𝑆2
Short Columns. If columns fail due to initial S= 2
material failure (crushing of concrete with L
buckling of steel bars or yielding), it is classified
as short column. The load it can support is
controlled by the dimensions of the cross- S1
sections and the strength of the material of
which it is constructed. S

S2
Long Columns. Long columns are more slender
thus fails nby buckling of the member (bending
deformations increase with secondary moments, S3
P – Δeffect).

RGBV L1 L2
 Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns

Wu

Girder
Column

RGBV
 Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns

RD RD

L3 L3

L2 L2

L1 L1

Ground Ground

RGBV
 Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
REINFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS
LONGITUDINAL BARS– provided to sustain compressive due
to axial load and tensile forces due to bending moments

CONFINEMENT – individual hoop ties with cross ties or

continuous spiral bar to provide :
a) Lateral bracing of longitudinal bars to prevent buckling when
concrete cover spalls.
b) To prevent splitting of the column due to shear failure
c) To confine the concrete column core for increase strength and
stability S
S
CONFINEMENT COLUMN CONFINEMENT
REQUIREMENT Tied 16db

Smax ≤ 48dties
Min. dimension

Spiral
Note: Pitch, s for
spiral should be
25mm<sclear<75mm TIED COLUMN SPIRAL COLUMN

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS VERTICAL REINFORCEMENT REQUIREMETNS

Steel Ratio

𝑨𝒔𝒕
0.01 ≤ 𝝆 = ≤ 0.08
𝑨𝒈
1.5 db
cs ≥ 40mm
4
dagg
3
MINIMUM NUMBER OF BARS
TIED – 4 (one bar per corner)
1.5 db
SPIRAL –6
cs ≥ 40mm
4
dagg
3

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Axially Loaded Columns

Fails with crushing of concrete and 𝑃𝑢 ≤ ∅𝑃𝑛 where:
buckling of long bars in compression
(compression controlled) 0.65 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑇𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠
∅
0.75 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠

Combined Axial and Bending

Under combined axial and bending, it fails 𝑃𝑢 ≤ ∅𝑃𝑛 where:

either by crushing of concrete
(compression controlled) or yielding of 𝑀𝑢 ≤ ∅𝑀𝑛 0.65 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑇𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠
steel in tension (tension controlled).
∅𝑐𝑐
0.75 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑛𝑠

∅𝑡𝑐 =0.90
𝑐𝑐 − 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑
𝑡𝑐 − 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑
RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
∅𝑷𝒏 ≥ 𝑷𝒖
Axially Loaded Columns
Pure Axial Load Capacity Po=CC+CS1+CS2
where: CC=0.85f’cAc ; Ac=Ag-Ast
Po
Cs=Astfy

𝑃𝑜 = 0.85𝑓 ′ 𝑐 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝐴𝑠𝑡𝑓𝑦

NSCP PROVISION

PERMISSIBLE NOMINAL AXIALCAPACITY Pn Po

- consider minimum eccentricity,
 = 0.65
emin = 0.10h (tied) TIED
emin = 0.05h (spiral)
 = 0.80
Cs1 Cs2  = 0.75
Cc ∅𝑃𝑛 = ∅[0.85𝑓 ′ 𝑐 𝐴𝑔 − 𝐴𝑠𝑡 + 𝐴𝑠𝑡𝑓𝑦]  = 0.85
SPIRAL

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
Sample Problems: Analysis

1. Calculate the a) Nominal; and b) Ultimate Axial Load Capacity of a rectangular tied column having dimensions of
300mm x 400mm reinforced with 8-16mm bars having fy=276 MPa. Assume f’c=27.6 MPa
2. Calculate the a) Nominal; and b) Ultimate Axial Load Capacity of a round spiral column having a diameter of 400
mm reinforced with 10-16mm bars having fy=420 MPa. Assume f’c=27.6 MPa
3. Considering problem 1); what is the maximum ultimate moment (about X and Y axes) that could be applied so that
the column can be considered as purely axial? Consider the 400mm side to be horizontal.
4. Considering problem 2); what is the maximum ultimate moment (about X and Y axes) that could be applied so
that the column can be considered as purely axial?

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
Sample Problems: Design

Design a square tied column using the following loads:

DL =1800 kN
LL= 2100 kN
Use f’c= 21 MPa and fy = 420 MPa. Initially, assume gross steel ratio of 2 % . Use 28mm diameter main bars
and 10mm diameter ties. Assume 50mm multiples for dimensions and 10mm multiples for spacing..

a. Determine the required size of the column

b. Determine the number of longitudinal bars required
c. Determine the spacing of tied reinforcement

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
Sample Problems: Design

Design a square tied column F at the 1st floor

8m 8m
of an 8-storey with roof deck light storage facility building.
B C
The total floor dead load is 10.4 kPa. Assume that all floors A
L
has the same loadings. Use f’c= 21 MPa and fy = 420 MPa. 5m
Initially, assume gross steel ratio of 2 %. Use a 32mm E F G
S
diameter main bars and 10mm diameter ties. Calculate the
7m
following: J
I K

a. Design axial force, kN 5m

M N O
b. Required dimension of square tied column
c. Required number of main bars

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
Sample Problems: Design

Design a round spiral column to support a factored dead load of 2000 kN and a factored live
load of 3500 kN. Assume that 2.5% longitudinal steel is used. f’c=27.6 MPa and fy=420 MPa.
Use 25 mm main reinforcements and 10mm spiral. Column dimensions to be multiples of
25mm and pitch to multiples of 10mm
Determine
1. Required size of the column, mm
2. Number of 25mm longitudinal bars
3. Pitch of the spiral, mm

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
𝑃𝑢 xs1
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS xs2

Eccentrically Loaded Columns

As1 Plastic
As2
Centroid
Geometric
Centroi d

𝑥𝑐
𝑥𝑝𝑐

𝑃𝑢 𝑃𝑢 𝑃𝑢
𝑒

RGBV 𝐶𝑠1 𝐶𝑐 𝐶𝑠2

Reinforced Concrete Columns
Plastic Centroid
Plastic centroid is the point of application of the resultant force for the
column cross section of the column is compressed uniformly to the
failure strain over its entire cross section. Eccentricity of the applied
load must be measured with respect to the plastic centroid, because only
when e=0 correspond to the axial thrust with no moment.

Clearly, in a symmetrical section, plastic centroid and geometric

centroid coincide.

In locating the plastic centroid, all concrete is assumed to be stressed in

compression to 0.85f’c and all steel to fy in compression

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Plastic Centroid

𝑪𝒔𝒏 = Asn(fy-0.85f’c) *if displaced area of concrete is considered

𝑪𝒔𝒏 = Asn(fy) *if displaced area of concrete is not considered

𝑪𝒄𝒏 = 0.85f’cAg
R = σ𝒏𝟎 𝑪𝒔𝒏 + 𝑪𝒄𝒏

Rxbar = σ𝒏𝟎 𝑷𝒊 𝒙𝒊

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Sample Problems: Plastic Centroid
The 250x400mm rectangular column is unsymmetrically reinforced with 2-16mm bar near the
left face and 4-16mm bar near the right face as shown in the figure. Assume f’c=27.6 MPa and
fy = 276 MPa, locate its plastic centroid from the left face. Consider displaced area of
concrete. Use 60mm steel covering on all sides

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Sample Problems: Plastic Centroid
A T-Column shown has 10-25mm bars. Assume f’c=27.6 MPa and fy = 414 Mpa. Use 75mm steel cover on all
sides, locate it’s
a) Geometric Centroid from the left face
b) Plastic Centroid from the left face
c) Calculate the moment in the column if an axial force of 3200 kN is applied 455mm from the left face

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Balanced Condition

At Balanced Condition, the tensile stress of the extreme tension steel is exactly equal to fy

𝒆 = 𝒆𝒃
𝒇𝒔 = 𝒇𝒚
𝑷 = 𝑷𝒃𝒏
(𝒅 − 𝒄𝒃 )
𝒇𝒚 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝑴 = 𝑴𝒃𝒏
𝒄𝒃

For ultimate condition, multiply M and P with the reduction factor at

𝟔𝟎𝟎𝒅 Compression Controlled (0.65 for tied and 0.75 for spiral)
𝒄𝒃 =
𝟔𝟎𝟎 + 𝒇𝒚
Note that plastic centroid must be known when solving Balanced Condition

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Balanced Condition
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Balanced Condition
Assume fy =414 MPa and f’c = 27.6 MPa. Calculate the nominal balanced loading Pbn,
Mbn and eb for bending about the y-axis of the T-Shaped Column shown below. Assume
positive bending. Calculate also the ultimate balanced loading Pbu and Mbu. Use 75mm
steel covering to 25 mm bars
Reinforced Concrete Columns
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
𝑃𝑢
Capacity of Columns with Eccentricity

As eccentricity increases
• area of concrete decreases (c, C c and Cs
DECREASE)
PC
• Tensile stress in bars increases (T
INCREASES)
• P n decreases, M n increases

At balanced condition, e =eb

• Extreme tension bars yield (fs =fy)

Beyond balanced condition, extreme T force

becomes limited (T =Asfy) (Mn decreases)
For very large eccentricities, column behaves like
a beam (C =T) (Pn =0)

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
𝑃𝑢
Capacity of Columns with Eccentricity

As eccentricity increases
• area of concrete decreases (c, C c and Cs
DECREASE)
PC
• Tensile stress in bars increases (T
INCREASES)
• P n decreases, M n increases

At balanced condition, e =eb

• Extreme tension bars yield (fs =fy)
c
εt
Beyond balanced condition, extreme T force
becomes limited (T =Asfy) (Mn decreases)
0.003
For very large eccentricities, column behaves like
a beam (C =T) (Pn =0)

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
𝑃𝑢
Capacity of Columns with Eccentricity

As eccentricity increases
• area of concrete decreases (c, C c and Cs
DECREASE)
PC
• Tensile stress in bars increases (T
INCREASES)
• P n decreases, M n increases

At balanced condition, e =eb

• Extreme tension bars yield (fs =fy)
c
εs
Beyond balanced condition, extreme T force
becomes limited (T =Asfy) (Mn decreases)
0.003
For very large eccentricities, column behaves like
a beam (C =T) (Pn =0)

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS 𝑃𝑢
Capacity of Columns with Eccentricity

As eccentricity increases
• area of concrete decreases (c, C c and Cs
DECREASE)
PC
• Tensile stress in bars increases (T
INCREASES)
• P n decreases, M n increases

At balanced condition, e =eb

• Extreme tension bars yield (fs =fy)
c
εs
Beyond balanced condition, extreme T force
becomes limited (T =Asfy) (Mn decreases)
0.003
For very large eccentricities, column behaves like
a beam (C =T) (Pn =0)

RGBV
Ultimate Strength Design: Reinforced Concrete Columns
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
Analysis of Column Strength under Combined Axial andBending

RGBV
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Large Eccentricity
Assume fy =414 MPa and f’c = 20.7 MPa. Calculate the Nominal Axial Capacity (Pn)
and Nominal Moment Capacity (Mn) of the column that can be applied at an
eccentricity of 450 mm. Calculate also the value at ultimate conditions Pu and Mu
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Small Eccentricity
Assume fy =414 MPa and f’c = 20.7 MPa. Calculate the Nominal Axial Capacity (Pn)
and Nominal Moment Capacity (Mn) of the column that can be applied at an
eccentricity of 250 mm. Calculate also the value at ultimate conditions Pu and Mu
Reinforced Concrete Columns
Seatwork
A square column with S=900mm has fy =414 MPa and f’c = 35 MPa. Use a steel cover of 70mm to 36mm
main bars. Calculate the following:

a. Nominal Moment Capacity at Balanced Condition

b. Ultimate Axial Capacity at an eccentricity of 320 mm
c. Ultimate Moment Capacity at an eccentricity of 320mm
Reinforced Concrete Columns
P
Column Interaction Diagrams
Po

Interaction diagrams are useful for

studying the strengths of columns
with varying proportions of loads
∅⍺Po
and moments. Any combination of
loading that falls inside the curve is
Design strength with
satisfactory, whereas any ∅=0.65

combination falling outside the ∅ linearly increases from

0.65 to 0.90
curve represents failure.

∅=0.90

M
Min ∅M n
RGBV