Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig Campus

Km. 14, East Service Rd., Western, Bicutan, Taguig City

Module 4 – Torsion in Beams

(Strength Design Method)
Notations & Symbols:
𝑨𝒄 - net area of concrete, mm2
𝑨𝒈 - gross area of concrete, mm2
𝑨𝒔𝒔 - area of structural steel shape of strength Fy, mm2
𝑨𝒔𝒕 - total area of steel reinforcement, mm2
𝒃 - width of compression face of member, mm
𝒅 - distance from the extreme concrete fiber to the centroid of tension, mm2
𝒅𝒂𝒈𝒈 - nominal maximum size of coarse aggregate, mm
𝒆 - eccentricity, mm
𝒆𝒃 - balanced eccentricity, mm
𝑴𝒃𝒏 - nominal balanced moment capacity, kN-mm
𝑴𝒏 - nominal moment capacity, kN-m
𝑴𝒖 - ultimate moment capacity, kN-m
𝑷𝒃𝒏 - nominal balanced load, kN or N
𝑷𝒏 - nominal axial compressive strength of column, kN or N
𝑷𝒖 - ultimate axial capacity of column, kN or N
𝒔 - spacing of stirrups. ties, mm
∅ - strength reduction factor

Objectives. ➢ Eccentrically Loaded Columns – where loads are acting

at a distance e from the center of the column section along
• Discuss the concept of RC Columns the x or y axis, causing moments either about x or y axis.
• Introduce the notations provided by the code.
• Introduce the codes prescribed by NSCP 2015/ACI-318- BASED ON THE LENGTH OF THE COLUMN IN RELATION
14M. (For the notations, please refer to NSCP 2015 Sec. TO ITS LATERAL DIMENSIONS:
402, P. 4-9)
• Apply the design process in situational problems. ➢ Short Columns – Where the column’s failure is due to the
Introduction crushing of concrete or yielding of steel bars under the full
load capacity of the column.
• A column is a vertical structural element which is subjected
to axial compressive forces with or without moments. ➢ Long Columns – where buckling effect and slenderness
• Columns are generally referred to as compression ratio must be taken into consideration in the design, thus
members because the compression forces dominate their reducing the load capacity of the column relative to that of a
behavior. short column.
• Columns support vertical loads from the upper floors and
transmit these loads to the lower floors and then to the
foundation.

TYPES OF COLUMNS
RC columns can be classified on the basis of the form and types
of reinforcement, the position of the load on the cross-section, and
the length of the column in relation to its lateral dimensions.

BASED ON FORM AND TYPES OF REINFORCEMENT:

• Plain Concrete Pedestal – This may be used only if the

height does not exceed three times the least lateral
dimension.
• Tied Columns – A column in which the main longitudinal
bars are braced within closely spaced lateral ties.
• Spiral Columns – A column in which the main longitudinal
bars are enclosed within closely spaced helix or spiral.
• Composite Columns – These columns may contain
structural steel sections or pipes, with or without additional
longitudinal reinforcement.

BASED ON THE POSITION OF THE LOAD ON CROSS-

SECTION:

➢ Axially Loaded Columns – where loads are assumed to act

at the center of the column section.

Prepared By: RCD

 Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig Campus
Km. 14, East Service Rd., Western, Bicutan, Taguig City

Module 4 – Torsion in Beams

(Strength Design Method)
AXIALLY LOADED COLUMNS • [Link] Rectilinear ties shall be arranged to satisfy (a) and
(b):
Axial Load Capacity of Columns
a. Every corner and alternate longitudinal bar shall have
• Nominal Load Capacity of Columns lateral support provided by the corner of a tie with an
included angle of not more than 135 degrees;
𝑷𝒏 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 (𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ) + 𝒇𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒕
b. No unsupported bar shall be farther than 150 mm clear
• Ultimate Load Capacity, Pu of Tied Columns on each side along the tie from a laterally supported
bar.
∅𝑷𝒖 = ∅𝟎. 𝟖𝟎[𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 (𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ) + 𝒇𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ]
• [Link] Circular ties shall be permitted where longitudinal
• Ultimate Load Capacity, Pu of Spiral Column
bars are located around the perimeter of a circle.
∅𝑷𝒖 = ∅𝟎. 𝟖𝟓[𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 (𝑨𝒈 − 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ) + 𝒇𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ]

• Ultimate Load Capacity, Pu of Composite Columns

∅𝑷𝒖 = ∅𝟎. 𝟖𝟎[𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 𝑨𝒄 + 𝒇𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒕 + 𝑭𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒔 ] Tied

∅𝑷𝒖 = ∅𝟎. 𝟖𝟓[𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 𝑨𝒄 + 𝒇𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒕 + 𝑭𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒔 ] Spiral

Where:

Ø = 0.65 for Tied Columns

Ø = 0.75 for Tied Columns

LIMIT OF REINFORCEMENT (SEC 410.6)

• [Link] For non-prestressed columns and for prestressed
columns with average 𝑓𝑝𝑒 < 1.6 𝑀𝑃𝑎 area of longitudinal
reinforcement shall be at least 0. 01Ag but shall not exceed
0. 08Ag.
• [Link] For non-prestressed columns and for prestressed
columns with average 𝑓𝑝𝑒 < 1.6 𝑀𝑃𝑎 , the minimum number
of longitudinal bars shall be (a), (b), or (c):
a. Three within triangular ties;
b. Four within rectangular or circular ties;
c. Six enclosed by spirals or for columns of special
moment frames enclosed by circular hoops.
➢ Minimum Spacing of Main Reinforcement (NSCP 2015
425.2)
• 425.2.3 For longitudinal reinforcement in columns, SHORT COLUMNS SUBJECTED TO AXIAL LOAD AND
pedestals, struts, and boundary elements in walls, clear BENDING
spacing between bars shall be at least the greatest of 40
• All columns are subjected to some bending as well as axial
mm, 1.5db, and (4/3)dagg·
forces, and are needed to be proportioned to resist both. The
axial load capacity given are only applicable to an
SIZES AND SPACING OF TIES (425.7.2)
eccentricity e = 0.10h for tied column and e = 0.05h for spiral
• [Link] Ties shall consist of a closed loop of deformed bar
column.
or deformed wire with spacing in accordance with (a) and
(b): • Columns will bend under the action of moments, and those
moments will tend to produce compression on one side of
a. Clear spacing of at least (4 /3)dagg;
the columns and tension on the other side. Depending on
b. Center-to-center spacing shall not exceed the least of
the relative magnitudes of the moments and axial loads,
- 16db of the longitudinal bar;
there are several ways in which the sections might fail.
- 48db of tie bar, and;
- smallest dimension of the member. 1. Large axial load with negligible moment – For this
• [Link] Diameter of tie bar or wire shall be at least (a) or situation, failure will occur by crushing of concrete, with all
(b): reinforcing bars in the column having reached their yield
stress in compression.
a. Ø10 mm enclosing Ø32 mm, or smaller longitudinal
bars; 2. Large axial load and small moment – Column is still in
compression, but will be higher than one side
b. Ø12 mm enclosing Ø36 mm, or larger longitudinal bars
or bundled longitudinal bars. 3. Eccentricity larger than in case – Tension begins to
develop on one side of the column

Prepared By: RCD

 Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig Campus
Km. 14, East Service Rd., Western, Bicutan, Taguig City

Module 4 – Torsion in Beams

(Strength Design Method)

4. A Balanced Loading Condition – For this situation, failure • The plastic centroid is the location of the resultant force
will occur by crushing of concrete, with all reinforcing bars in produced by the steel and concrete. When the load is
the column having reached their yield stress in compression. applied through this point, the entire section is subjected
under uniform strain.
5. Large Moment with Small Axial Load – Failure will be
initiated by the yielding of bars in the tension side • For locating the centroid, all concrete is assumed to be
stressed in compression to 0.85𝑓′𝑐 and all steel to 𝒇𝒚 in
6. Large Moment with no appreciable axial load –Failure will
compression.
occur as it does in a beam
• For symmetrical sections, the plastic centroid coincides
with the centroid of the column cross section.

• For non-symmetrical sections, it can be located by taking

moments

➢ Balanced Loading Condition

• Columns normally fail by either tension or compression. In

between the two lies the balanced load condition where
failure may be of either type.
• Balanced loading occurs when the tension steel just
reached its yield strain 𝒇𝒚 /𝑬𝒔 and the concrete is strained
to 0.003.
• For every column there is always a balanced loading
situation where an ultimate load Pbn is placed at an
eccentricity eb will produce a moment Mbn
• If e < eb the column fails in compression (Compression
Controls 𝒇𝒔𝟏 < 𝒇𝒚 )
ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED COLUMNS
• If e > eb the column fails in tension (Tension Controls 𝒇𝒔𝟏 =
The following procedure and formulas may be applied on 𝒇𝒚 )
determining the value of Pn for columns with four rows of • For any column, the balanced “c” is
reinforcement perpendicular to the axis of bending (along side h) 600𝑑
𝑐𝑏 =
600 + 𝑓𝑦
Steel Stress:

𝒅−𝒄 ➢ Column Interaction Diagram

𝒇𝒔𝟏 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎
𝒄 • The interaction diagram is a plot of the axial load Pn that
𝒄 − 𝒛𝟐
𝒇𝒔𝟐 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎 the column can carry versus its moment capacity Mn.
𝒄
𝒄 − 𝒛𝟑 • This diagram is very useful for studying the strengths of
𝒇𝒔𝟑 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎 columns with varying proportions of loads and moments.
𝒄
𝒄 − 𝒛𝟒 • Any combination of loading that falls inside the curve is
𝒇𝒔𝟒 = 𝟔𝟎𝟎
𝒄 satisfactory, whereas any combination that falls outside
𝑻 = 𝑨𝒔𝟏 𝒇𝒔𝟏 represents failure.
𝑪𝟐 = 𝑨𝒔𝟐 𝒇𝒔𝟐
𝑪𝟑 = 𝑨𝒔𝟑 𝒇𝒔𝟑
𝑪𝟒 = 𝑨𝒔𝟒 𝒇𝒔𝟒
𝑪𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟓𝒇′𝒄 𝒂𝒃
𝜮𝑭𝒗 = 𝟎 𝑷𝒏 = 𝑪𝟐 + 𝑪𝟑 + 𝑪𝟒 − 𝑻
𝜮𝑴𝑻 = 𝟎 𝑪𝟐 𝒙𝟐 + 𝑪𝟑 𝒙𝟑 + 𝑪𝟒 𝒙𝟒 + 𝑪𝒄 𝒙𝒄 − 𝑷𝒏 𝒙 = 𝟎

Prepared By: RCD

 Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig Campus
Km. 14, East Service Rd., Western, Bicutan, Taguig City

Module 4 – Torsion in Beams

(Strength Design Method)

ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS

1. A square tied columns 400 mm on each side is reinforced

with 8 - Ø25 mm bars with 𝑓𝑦 = 275 𝑀𝑃𝑎. Assuming 𝑓′𝑐 =
22 𝑀𝑃𝑎, determine the ultimate axial load capacity of the
column. 6 – Ø20 mm bars in compression
2. Design a square tied column to support an axial dead load of 4 – Ø28 mm bars in tension
500 kN and an axial live load of 700 kN. Assume 𝑓′𝑐 = Ø10 mm lateral ties
27.6 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 𝑓𝑦 = 414 𝑀𝑃𝑎. Use Ø28 mm main bars and
Ø10 mm ties
3. Design a square tied column of smallest cross-section to
support an axial dead load of 600 kN and an axial live load of
400 kN. Assume 𝑓′𝑐 = 20.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 𝑓𝑦 = 276 𝑀𝑃𝑎, Use Ø20 Situation II:
mm main bars and Ø10 mm ties.
4. Calculate the ultimate axial load of a round spiral column The corner column shown is reinforced with 12 – Ø20
having a diameter of 400 mm reinforced with 6 – Ø20 mm mm bars. 𝑓𝑦 = 415 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 𝑓′𝑐 = 21 𝑀𝑃𝑎
bars having 𝑓′𝑐 = 24 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 𝑓𝑦 = 276 𝑀𝑃𝑎.
9. Determine the location of the geometric centroid of the
5. Calculate the ultimate axial load capacity of the composite section measured from the x and y-axes.
column shown. Use 𝑓′𝑐 = 20.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 𝑓𝑦 = 276 𝑀𝑃𝑎 for 10. Determine the location of the plastic centroid of the
steel reinforcement and 𝐹𝑦 = 250 𝑀𝑃𝑎 for the structural section measured from the x and y-axes. For all bars use
steel section. 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦
Ast = 8 – Ø20mm 11. If the factored axial load on the column is 3,000 kN and
Properties of 14x53: is applied 350 mm from the y-axis and 180 mm x-axis,
Area = 10,064 mm2 determine the factored moment on the column about the
Depth = 353 mm plastic centroid
Ix = 226 x 106 mm4

Situation I:

To comply with architectural requirements, a column in a

non-sway frame is of T-section as shown. Neglect the
concrete area displaced by the steel. 𝑓′𝑐 = 27.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 𝑓𝑦 =
415 𝑀𝑃𝑎. Clear concrete cover is 40 mm.
Situation III:
6. Determine the location of the geometric centroid of the
The reinforced concrete column is reinforced with 6 –
section measured from the x and y-axes.
Ø28mm bars as shown. Steel yield strength 𝑓𝑦 = 414 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and
7. Determine the location of the plastic centroid of the section
measured from the x and y-axes. For all bars use 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦 concrete strength 𝑓′𝑐 = 21 𝑀𝑃𝑎
8. Determine the bending moment Mu induced by a factored 12. Determine the nominal balanced load, Pbn
load Pu = 3,000 kN acting along the x-axis at 400 mm from 13. Determine the nominal balanced eccentricity, eb
y-axis 14. Determine the nominal balanced moment, Mbn

Prepared By: RCD

 Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig Campus
Km. 14, East Service Rd., Western, Bicutan, Taguig City

Module 4 – Torsion in Beams

(Strength Design Method)
Sample Problems for Column Interaction Diagram and Spiral Situation I:
Columns The spiral column is to be designed to carry a safe load of
2,900 kN.
1. Determine the design axial strength of a column with e = 312 f’c = 28 MPa
mm and section properties as follows: fy = 415 MPa
fyt = 275MPa
f’c = 27.58 MPa
Clear Conc. Cover = 40 mm
fy = 413.7 MPa
5. Calculate the required minimum column diameter. Use
b = 400 mm
a steel ratio 𝜌𝑔 = 0.025 relative to the gross concrete
h = 650 mm
As = 12 – Ø28 mm area.
distance from the concrete to the centroid of longitudinal bars 6. Determine the required minimum diameter of the main
= 65 mm reinforcement. The column diameter is 600 mm and the
ratio of steel reinforcement to the gross concrete area
Use the appropriate interaction diagram for this column. 𝜌𝑔 = 0.02
7. Determine the design axial strength (kN) of the column
given the following data

Situation ll:
A column carries a dead load of 1100 kN and a live load
of 850 kN. Use f’c = 28 MPa, fy = 415 MPa, and ρ = 0.04
8. Determine the diameter of the column.
9. Determine the required diameter of main bars.
10. Determine the spacing of Ø10 mm shear
reinforcements

Situation II: The initial design of a rectangular tied column resulted

to the following:

Column Section:

b = 400 mm
h = 600 mm
f’c = 27.5 MPa
fy = 413 Mpa
Rn = 0.205, and Kn = 0.80, ρg = 0.05
2. For the given steel ratio, how many 28 mm bars are required?
3. How much is the nominal axial load capacity of the column?
4. To limit the steel ratio to 3% where Kn = 0.8 and the eccentricity
of Pn is 150 mm. what should be the column depth, h

Prepared By: RCD