Gravity column as per IS 13920 and ACI 318:
The structures can be designed that consist of Lateral load-resis ng frames and Gravity load-resis ng frames.
It’s an engineering judgment to decide on lateral and gravity frames in the structure. The lateral loads due to
earthquakes and wind should only be transferred to lateral frames. Gravity columns and gravity beams shall be
designed only for Gravity loads. To reflect this correctly in analysis, ideally, these columns should not par cipate
in lateral load resistance in carrying shear and bending moments.
IS 13920-2016 and ACI 318 codes provide the guidelines for the design of the Gravity column. Gravity frames
shall be evaluated for gravity load combina ons whichever is cri cal with the design displacement ‘δu’ due to
lateral loads. Addi onal moment and shear due to displacement compa bility shall be calculated to design the
gravity column. The column flexural and shear capacity should be more than the forces calculated for
displacement compa bility and gravity load combina ons. Fig-1 shows the illustra on of the calcula on of
addi onal moments due to lateral load displacement.
The gravity column shall be designed for a gravity load combina on defined for the structure. The effect of
minimum eccentricity and slenderness shall be considered for gravity load combina ons specified as per the
relevant design codes. Addi onal load combina ons shall be created for displacement compa bility. The effect
of minimum eccentricity and slenderness need not be considered for these addi onal load combina ons.
Sample example showing the calcula on of addi onal moment and shear due to displacement compa bility.
Fig-2 Fig-3
Refer Fig-2
Axis System:
Local X axis = Axis parallel to the length of the column
Local Z axis = Minor axis of the column
Local Z axis = Major axis of the column
Fx = Force along the local X-axis
Fy = Force along the local Y-axis
Fz = Force along the local Z-axis
Mz = Moment about the local Z axis
My = Moment about the local Y axis
Mx = Moment about the local X axis
Column Data:
Depth of the column (D) = 600 mm (Dimension perpendicular to local Z axis)
Width of the column (B) = 400 mm (Dimension perpendicular to local Y axis)
Height of the column (H) = 4200 mm
Refer Fig-3
F1 (Gravity load) = 1500 kN (Along the Local X axis of the column)
R = 3 (Response Reduc on factor/ Modifica on factor)
Δy = 6.96 mm (Deflec on due to lateral loads along local Y axis)
Δz = 12.43 mm (Deflec on due to lateral loads along local Z axis)
Note:
Story dri is the displacement difference between the bo om and top node of the column.
Story dri along Y and Z direc ons shall be calculated for lateral load cases. The value of story dri is
assumed for this example.
Load combina on:
1. 1.0*DL (Gravity Load combina on)
Self-Weight of the column* = 0.6 x 0.4 x 4.2 x 25
= 25.2 kN
*The self-weight of the column is added to the axial load.
Member forces (Local)
Load Node Fx Fy Fz Mz My Mx
Combina on (kN) (kN) (kN) (kNm) (kNm) (kNm)
1 Top 1500 0 0 0 0 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 0 0 0
Following addi onal load combina on for displacement compa bility:
2. 1.0 DL + R x Dri (Eq-X)
3. 1.0 DL - R x Dri (Eq-X)
4. 1.0 DL + R x Dri (Eq-Z)
5. 1.0 DL - R x Dri (Eq-Z)
Gravity Load combina ons:
Bending Moment:
Load Node Fx Analysis Story Dri Addi onal Design
Combi Moments Moment Moments
na on Mz My Δy Δz Mz My Mz My
add add final final
(kN) (kNm) (kNm) (mm) (mm) (kNm) (kNm) (kNm) (kNm)
2 Top 1500 0 0 6.96 - 31.32 0 31.32 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 6.96 - 31.84 0 31.84 0
3 Top 1500 0 0 -6.96 - -31.32 0 -31.32 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 -6.96 - -31.84 0 -31.84 0
4 Top 1500 0 0 - 12.43 0 55.94 0 55.94
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 - 12.43 0 56.87 0 56.87
5 Top 1500 0 0 - -12.43 0 -55.94 0 -55.94
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 - -12.43 0 -56.87 0 -56.87
Bending Moment Calcula on (Displacement Compa bility)
Load Combina on = [5] : 1.0 DL - R x Dri - (Eq-Z)
Loca on = Bo om Joint
Fx = 1525.25 kN
Mz = 0 kNm
My = 0 kNm
Dri Along Y (Δy) = 0 mm
Dri Along Z (Δz) = 12.43 mm
Addi onal Moment about Z (Mz add) = 1525.25*3*0/1000
= 0 kNm
Addi onal Moment about Y (My add) = 1525.25*3*(-12.43)/1000
= -56.87 kNm
Mz final = 0 kNm
My final = 0 - 56.87
= -56.87 kNm
Shear Force:
Load Node Fx Analysis Shear Addi onal Shear Design Shear
Combi
na on Fy Fz Fy add Fz add Fy final Fz final
(kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN)
2 Top 1500 0 0 7.46 0 7.46 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 7.58 0 7.58 0
3 Top 1500 0 0 -7.46 0 -7.46 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 -7.58 0 -7.58 0
4 Top 1500 0 0 0 13.31 0 13.31
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 0 13.54 0 13.54
5 Top 1500 0 0 0 -13.31 0 -13.31
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 0 -13.54 0 -13.54
Shear Force Calcula on (Displacement Compa bility)
Load Combina on = [5] : 1.0 DL - R x Dri - (Eq-Z)
Loca on = Bo om Joint
Fx = 1525.25 kN
Fy = 0 kN
Fz = 0 kN
Dri Along X (Δy) = 0 mm
Dri Along Y (Δz) = 12.43 mm
Addi onal Moment about Z (Mz add) = 1525.25*3*0/1000
= 0 kNm
Addi onal Moment about Y (My add) = 1525.25*3*12.43/1000
= 56.87 kNm
Addi onal Shear along Y (Fy add) = 0/ 4.2
= 0 kN
Fy final = 0 kN
Addi onal Shear along Z (Fz add) = -56.87/ 4.2
= -13.54 kN
Fz final = -13.54 kN
Final design forces:
Load Node Fx Design Shear Design Moments
Combi
Na on Fy final Fz final Mz final My final Mx final
(kN) (kN) (kN) (kNm) (kNm) (kNm)
1 Top 1500 0 0 0 0 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 0 0 0 0
2 Top 1500 7.46 0 31.32 0 0
Bo om 1525.2 7.58 0 31.84 0 0
3 Top 1500 -7.46 0 -31.32 0 0
Bo om 1525.2 -7.58 0 -31.84 0 0
4 Top 1500 0 13.31 0 55.94 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 13.54 0 56.87 0
5 Top 1500 0 -13.31 0 -55.94 0
Bo om 1525.2 0 -13.54 0 -56.87 0
Link Design and Detailing Criteria:
IS 13920-2016
The spacing of links shall not exceed 6 mes the smallest longitudinal reinforcement. (Clause11.1.1)
If the factored axial stress exceeds 0.4 fck, the transverse reinforcement should be half of the special
confining reinforcement. (Clause11.1.2)
ACI 318-2014
The spacing of links shall not exceed 6 mes the smallest longitudinal reinforcement and 150mm.
(Clause18.14.3.2(b)).
If the factored axial force exceeds 0.35 Po, the transverse reinforcement should be half of the special
confining reinforcement. (Clause18.14.3.2(c)).
ACI 318-2019
The spacing of links shall not exceed 6 mes the smallest longitudinal reinforcement and 150mm.
(Clause18.14.3.2(b)).
If the factored axial force exceeds 0.35 Po, the transverse reinforcement should be half of the special
confining reinforcement. (Clause18.14.3.2(c)).
Joint shear check applicable as per chapter 15