CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

24
b. The modified axial strength in compression is reduced to account for accidental
eccentricity. The magnitude of axial force evaluated in step (a) is multiplied by 0.80 in
case of tied columns, and by 0.85 for spirally reinforced columns.
c. ACI Code 9.3.2.2 specifies that for sections in which the net tensile strain in the extreme
tension steel at nominal strength,
t
is between the limits for compression-controlled
and tension-controlled sections, shall be permitted to be linearly increased from that
for compression-controlled sections to 0.90 as
t
increases from the compression-
controlled strain limit to 0.005.

Figure 9.15: Adjusted interaction diagram

9.1.1 Non-dimensional Design Interaction Diagrams
Non-dimensional design interaction diagrams are independent of column dimensions. In
this text, ACI 340 prepared diagrams are used in design of rectangular and circular columns
( a sample of which is shown in Figure 9.16). The vertical coordinate ( )
g c n n
A ' f / P K
represents the non-dimensional form of the nominal axial load capacity of the section. The
horizontal coordinate ( ) h A ' f / M R
g c n n
represents the non-dimensional nominal
bending moment capacity of the section. These diagrams could be used with any system of
units. The strength reduction factor () was considered to be 1.0 so that the nominal values
contained in the interaction diagrams could be used with any set of factors. In order to use
these diagrams, it is necessary to compute the value of , which is equal to the distance from
the center of the bars on one side of the column to the center of the bars on the other side of
the column divided by the depth of the column, both taken in the direction of bending.
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

25

Figure 9.16: Nominal load-moment strength interaction diagram
Example (9.7):
Design reinforcement for a 40 cm 50 cm tied column. The column, which is part of a
nonsway frame (bent into single curvature), has an unsupported length of 3.0 m. It is
subjected to a factored axial load of 240 tons in addition to a factored bending moment of
50 t.m at both column ends.
Use
2
c
cm / kg 280 ' f and
2
y
cm / kg 4200 f .
Solution:
For the column to be short,
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

26
( ) 0 . 40 / 12 34
2 1
M M
r
l k
u

( )
( )
0 . 20
50 3 . 0
300 1
/ r l k
u

( ) ( ) 0 . 20 0 . 22 50 / 50 12 34 / 12 34
2 1
> M M
i.e., the column is classified as being short.
h
d d er h
b stirrup

) ( 2 ) (cov 2

Assuming mm 25 for bars,
( ) ( )
75 . 0
50
5 . 2 1 2 4 2 50

( )
( )( )
659 . 0
50 40 280
65 . 0 / 1000 240
A ' f
P
K
g c
n
n

( )
( )( )( )
275 . 0
50 50 40 280
65 . 0 / 100000 50
h A ' f
e P
R
g c
n
n

Using strength interaction diagram L4-60.7, %. 67 . 4
g
, while using interaction diagram
L4-60.8, %. 25 . 4
g
.
Interpolating between the two values of , one gets %. 46 . 4
g

( )( )
2
s
cm 2 . 89 50 40 0446 . 0 A , use mm 25 20
Clear distance between bars in the short direction
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) cm 0 . 4 cm 5 . 2 5 . 1 cm 0 . 4
3
5 . 2 6 1 5 4 2 40
>

(O.K)
Spacing of 10 mm ties is the smallest of:
48 (1) = 48 cm
16 (2.5) = 40 cm
40 cm
Use 10 mm ties @ 40 cm as shown in Figure 9.17.
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

27

Figure 9.17: Designed cross section
Example (9.8):
Design a short, square tied column to carry the following service loads: tons P
D
75 ,
tons P
L
53 , m t M
D
. 5 . 6 , and m t M
L
. 5 . 3 .
Use
2
c
cm / kg 280 ' f ,
2
/ 4200 cm kg f
y
, and % 1 .
Solution:
( ) ( ) tons 8 . 174 53 6 . 1 75 2 . 1 P
u
+
( ) ( ) tons 4 . 13 5 . 3 6 . 1 5 . 6 2 . 1 M
u
+
In the next table, different cross sections are assumed and corresponding reinforcement
ratios are then evaluated using strength interaction diagrams L4-60.6, L4-60.7 and L4-60.8.
40 cm x 40 cm 50 cm x 50 cm 60 cm x 60 cm
g c
n
n
A ' f
P
K

( )
( )( )
60 . 0
40 40 280
65 . 0 / 1000 8 . 174

( )
( )( )
384 . 0
50 50 280
65 . 0 / 1000 8 . 174

( )
( )( )
267 . 0
60 60 280
65 . 0 / 1000 8 . 174

h A ' f
e P
R
g c
n
n


( )
( )( )( )
115 . 0
40 40 40 280
65 . 0 / 100000 4 . 13

( )
( )( )( )
059 . 0
50 50 50 280
65 . 0 / 100000 4 . 13

( )
( )( )( )
034 . 0
60 60 60 280
65 . 0 / 100000 4 . 13

( ) ( )
687 . 0
40
5 . 2 1 2 4 2 40

( ) ( )
750 . 0
50
5 . 2 1 2 4 2 50

( ) ( )
792 . 0
60
5 . 2 1 2 4 2 60

g

0.01 0.01 0.01
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

28
Choosing 40 cm 40 cm cross section.
( )( )
2
s
cm 0 . 16 40 40 01 . 0 A , use mm 16 8 .
Clear distance between bars
=
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) cm 0 . 4 cm 6 . 1 5 . 1 cm 53 . 7
3
6 . 1 4 1 3 4 2 40
> >


Spacing of 10 mm ties is the smallest of:
48 (1) = 48 cm
16 (1.6) = 25.6 cm
40 cm
Use 10 mm ties @ 25 cm as shown in Figure 9.18.

Figure 9.18: Designed cross section
Example (9.9):
Design a short spirally reinforced column using minimum reinforcement to support a
factored axial load of 24 tons and a factored bending moment of 5 t.m.
Use
2
/ 280 cm kg f
c
, and
2
/ 4200 cm kg f
y
..
Solution:
tons 0 . 24 P
u

m . t 0 . 5 M
u

( ) ( )
D
0 . 2 1 2 4 2 D

CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

29

In the next table, different cross sections are assumed and corresponding reinforcement
ratios are then evaluated using interaction diagrams C4-60.6, C4-60.7 and C4-60.8.
Try a 30 cm diameter cross section.
Now, let us check the assumed value of ,
( )( )
2 2
s
cm 06 . 7 30 4 / 01 . 0 A , use mm 12 7 .
Trying mm 8 spirals, the pitch S is given by
( )
( )
( )( )
( )( )
cm
f
f
A
A
D
a
S
sy
c
c
g
c
s
52 . 3
4200
280
1
22 4 /
30 4 /
22 45 . 0
5 . 0 4
1 45 . 0
4
2
2

,
_

1
]
1

,
_

1
]
1

Clear pitch of spiral cm S
c
72 . 2 80 . 0 52 . 3
Use 8 mm spiral with a pitch of 3.5 cm as shown in Figure 9.19.

Figure 9.19: Designed cross section
30 cm 35 cm 40 cm 45 cm
g c
n
n
A ' f
P
K

0.16 0.12 0.09 0.07
h A ' f
e P
R
g c
n
n

0.11 0.07 0.05 0.03

0.61 0.67 0.71 0.74
g

0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

30
9.2 Design of Long (Slender) Columns
The total moment in along column is the sum of the secondary moment caused by
deformations resulting from buckling, and the primary moment caused by transverse loads
and column end moments, as shown in Figure 9.20. Once the deflected shape of the
column, shown in Figure 9.21, is determined, the secondary moment can be evaluated at
any section. One way to determine the deflected shape is to integrate the basic equation

(a) (b)

(c) (d) (e)
Figure 9.20: (a) beam-column; (b) free body diagram; (c) primary
moment; (d) secondary moment; (e) total moment
( )
I E
x M
x d
y d

2
2
(9.27)
The stiffness I E can not be determined accurately due to change of the modulus of
elasticity of concrete with compressive stress level and an unknown extent of cracking of
the concrete sections.
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

31
ACI Code 10.10.1 suggests that the moments in long
columns be determined using second-order analysis that
accounts for the influence of cracking and creep of concrete.
If second-order analysis software is not available,
approximate analysis using the moment magnification
method can be used. The moment magnification method is
based on magnifying the primary moments, determined from
first-order analysis, by a certain factor in an attempt to reach
approximate value of the total moment originally caused by
primary and secondary moments.
9.2.1 Moment Magnification
In his book Theory of Elastic stability, Timoshenko studied
the elastic stability of structures. One of the problems he
discussed was a beam-column subjected to an axial load P in
addition to a concentrated load Q applied at midspan, shown in Figure 9.22. He proved that
the maximum deflection
max
and the maximum bending moment
max
M are given by the
following equations
( )
1
]
1

3
3
max
tan 3
48 u
u u
EI
L Q
(9.28)

,
_

u
u L Q
M
tan
4
max
(9.29)
where
EI
P L
u
2


Figure 9.21: Deflected
shape of column
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

32

(d)
Figure 9.22: (a) Beam-column and loads; (b) primary moment (P = 0);
(c) secondary moment (Q = 0); (d) primary + secondary moments
Looking carefully at the two previous equations, one can easily notice that the maximum
deflection
max
is equal to
EI
L Q
48
3
which is the maximum deflection due to the load Q in the
absence of P, multiplied by the factor
( )
3
tan 3
u
u u
which accounts for the presence of the
force P . Similarly, the maximum bending moment
max
M is
4
L Q
, which is the maximum
moment due to the load Q in the absence of the load P, multiplied by the factor
u
u tan
,
which accounts for the presence of the force P . These factors are called amplification
factors, and their values are unity when P is equal to zero.
(a)
(b)
(c)
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

33
Timoshenko derived an approximate expressions for the amplification factor as
cr
P P / 1
1

for
cr
P P / less than 0.60, as shown in Figure 9.23.

Figure 9.23: Amplification factors
Eq. (9.28) and (9.29) can be written as

,
_

cr
P P EI
L Q
/ 1
1
48
3
max
(9.30)

,
_

cr
P P
L Q
M
/ 1
1
4
max
(9.31)
where
cr
P is Eulers critical buckling load given as
( )
2
2
u
cr
L k
EI
P (9.32)
The previous equations can be used for beam-columns bent in single curvature in nonsway
frames and with the maximum values of primary and secondary moments coincide near
midspan.
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

34
9.2.2 ACI Moment Magnification Method for Nonsway Frames

Figure 9.24: (a) nonsway column bent in single curvature; (b) nonsway
column bent in double curvature
If a beam-column in nonsway frame is loaded by unequal end moments, without transverse
loads, the maximum design moment will occur either at one of the column ends when the
secondary moment is small or between the two ends when the secondary moment is large,
as shown in Figure 9.24. Since the maximum primary and secondary moments do not
coincide, the amplification factor
cr
P P / 1
1

can not be applied directly. To deal with this

(a)
(b)
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

35
situation, the maximum end moment
2
M is multiplied by an equivalent moment correcting
factor
m
C . This factor is used to convert
2
M into an equivalent uniform moment which
gives the same total moment due to actual primary and secondary moments when
multiplied by the amplification factor
cr
P P / 1
1

, as shown in Figure 9.25.

(a) (b)
Figure 9.25: (a) Actual moments M
max
= primary moment+secondary
moment; (b) Equivalent Uniform moment M
max
= C
m
M
2

According to ACI Code 10.0.6, slender columns in nonsway frames are designed for the
factored axial load
u
P and the factored moment amplified for the effects of member
curvature,
c
M where
min , 2 ns 2 ns c
M M M (9.33)
and
2
M = columns larger-end moment, not taken less than
min , 2
M ,where
( ) h P M
u
03 . 0 0 . 15
min , 2
+ , where the units within the brackets are given in millimeters.
ns
= moment magnification factor for nonsway frames , given by
0 . 1
P 75 . 0
P
1
C
c
u
m
ns

(9.34)
where
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

36
m
C = factor relating actual moment diagram to an equivalent uniform moment diagram. For
members without transverse loads between the supports,
m
C is taken as
2
1
m
M
M
4 . 0 60 . 0 C + (9.35)
where
2 1
M / M is positive if the column is bent in single curvature, and negative if the
member is bent into double curvature.
For columns with transverse loads between supports,
m
C is taken as 1.0. For members for
which
min , 2
M exceeds
2
M ,
m
C is either taken equal to 1.0, or be based on the ratio of the
computed end moments
2 1
M / M .
c
P = Eulers critical buckling load given by
( )
2
u
2
c
l k
EI
P


In the previous equation, the flexural stiffness EI is to account for cracking, and creep
given by either of the two following equations
( )
dns
se s g c
1
I E I E 2 . 0
EI
+
+
(9.36)
dns
g c
1
I E 4 . 0
EI
+
(9.37)
c
E = modulus of elasticity of concrete
s
E = modulus of elasticity of steel reinforcement
g
I = moment of inertia of gross concrete section about centroidal axis, neglecting
reinforcement
se
I = moment of inertia of reinforcement about centroidal axis of member cross section
dns
= creep effect factor equals the ratio of maximum factored axial sustained load to
maximum factored axial load associated with the same load combination, but shall not be
taken greater than 1.0.
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

37
Example (9.10):
Design the reinforcement for a 50 cm 55 cm column that carries a factored axial load of
250 tons, a service dead load of 72.9 tons, a smaller-end moment of 30 t.m, and a larger-end
moment of 40 t.m, shown in Figure 9.26.a. The column is considered nonsway, its effective
length kl
u
= 8.0 m, and is bent into single curvature.
Use
2
/ 280 cm kg f
c
and
2
/ 4200 cm kg f
y
.

Figure 9.26.a: Given cross section

Solution:
1- Check whether the column is short or long:
( )
48 . 48
55 3 . 0
800

r
l k
u

( ) ( ) 0 . 25 40 / 30 12 34 / 12 34
2 1
M M
i.e., the column is classified as being long, thus columns larger-end moment needs to be
magnified.
2- Evaluate the equivalent moment correction factor
m
C :
( ) ( ) 9 . 0 40 / 30 4 . 0 6 . 0 / 4 . 0 6 . 0
2 1
+ + M M C
m

3- Evaluate the critical buckling load
c
P :
( )
35 . 0
250
9 . 72 2 . 1
dns

2
328 252671 280 15100 kg/cm . E
c

CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

38
( ) ( )( )
( )
( )
2 10
3
10 19 5
35 0 1 12
55 50 328 252671 4 0
kg.cm .
.
. .
EI
+

( )( )
( ) ( )
tons 36 . 800
1000 800
10 19 . 5
P
2
10 2
c

4- Evaluate the magnification factor
ns
:
( )
0 . 1 54 . 1
36 . 800 75 . 0
250
1
90 . 0
>

ns

5- Evaluate the design moment
c
M :
( )
m t m t M . 40 . 875 . 7
1000
550 03 . 0 15
250
min , 2
<
,
_

+

( ) m . t 6 . 61 40 54 . 1 M
c

6- Design the reinforcement:
( ) ( )
782 . 0
55
0 . 2 1 2 4 2 55

( )
( ) ( )( )
50 . 0
55 50 280 65 . 0
1000 250
A ' f
P
K
g c
n
n

( )
( ) ( )( )( )
22 . 0
55 55 50 280 65 . 0
100000 6 . 61
h A ' f
e P
R
g c
n
n

Using strength interaction diagram L4-60.7, one gets , while using strength interaction
diagram L4-60.87, one gets %. 33 . 2
g

For 782 . 0 , %. 40 . 2
g

( )( )
2
s
cm 0 . 66 55 50 024 . 0 A , use mm 25 14
Clear distance between bars
c
S is given as
c
S =
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) cm 0 . 4 ) cm 75 . 3 5 . 2 5 . 1 ( cm 375 . 6
4
5 . 2 5 1 4 4 2 50
> >

O.K
Spacing of 10 mm ties is the smallest of:
48 (1) = 48 cm
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

39
16 (2.5) = 40 cm
50 cm
Use two sets of 10 mm ties @ 40 cm as shown in Figure 9.26.b.







Example (9.11):
Design a 7.0 m high column that carries a service dead load of 55 tons, and a service live load
of 45 tons, shown in Figure 9.27.a.
Use
2
/ 280 cm kg f
c
and
2
/ 4200 cm kg f
y
.

Figure 9.27: (a) Column and eccentricities; (b) end moments
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

40
Solution:
1- Compute column end moments
1
M and
2
M :
( ) ( ) tons 138 45 6 . 1 55 2 . 1 P
u
+
( ) m t M . 28 . 8 100 / 6 138
1

( ) m t M . 8 . 13 100 / 10 138
2

2- Estimate the column size:
For an assumed reinforcement ratio of 1%,
g
A may be assumed as follows:
( )
( )
( )
2
38 . 952
4200 01 . 0 280 45 . 0
1000 138
45 . 0
cm
f f
P
A
y g c
u
g

+

Try a 40 cm 40 cm cross section
3- Check whether the column is short or long:
( )
100 33 . 58
40 3 . 0
700
<
r
l k
u

( ) ( ) 8 . 26 8 . 13 / 28 . 8 12 34 / 12 34
2 1
M M
i.e., the column is classified as being long, thus columns larger-end moment needs to be
magnified.
4- Evaluate the equivalent moment correction factor
m
C :
( ) ( ) 84 . 0 8 . 13 / 28 . 8 4 . 0 6 . 0 / 4 . 0 6 . 0
2 1
+ + M M C
m

5- Evaluate the critical buckling load
c
P :
( )
478 . 0
138
55 2 . 1
dns

2
328 252671 280 15100 kg/cm . E
c

( ) ( )( )
( )
( )
2 10
3
cm . kg 10 458815065 . 1
478 . 0 1 12
40 40 328 . 252671 4 . 0
EI
+

( )( )
( ) ( )
tons 83 . 293
1000 700
10 458815065 . 1
P
2
10 2
c

6- Evaluate the magnification factor
ns
:
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

41
( )
0 . 1 25 . 2
83 . 293 75 . 0
138
1
84 . 0
ns
>

7- Evaluate the design moment
max
M :
( )
m t m t M . 8 . 13 . 73 . 3
1000
400 03 . 0 15
138
min , 2
<
,
_

+

( ) m . t 05 . 31 8 . 13 25 . 2 M
c

8- Design the reinforcement:
( ) ( )
71 . 0
40
0 . 2 8 . 0 2 4 2 40

( )
( ) ( )( )
47 . 0
40 40 280 65 . 0
1000 138
A ' f
P
K
g c
n
n

( )
( ) ( )( )( )
27 . 0
40 40 40 280 65 . 0
100000 05 . 31
h A ' f
e P
R
g c
n
n

Using strength interaction diagram L4-60.7, one gets %. 80 . 2
g

The reinforcement ratio is rather high, try a 50 cm 50 cm cross section
9- Evaluate the critical buckling load
cr
P :
2
/ 328 . 252671 280 15100 cm kg E
c

( ) ( )( )
( )
( )
2 10
3
cm . kg 10 561560217 . 3
478 . 0 1 12
50 50 328 . 252671 4 . 0
EI
+

( )( )
( ) ( )
tons 37 . 717
1000 700
10 561560217 . 3
P
2
10 2
cr

10- Evaluate the magnification factor
ns
:
( )
0 . 1 13 . 1
37 . 717 75 . 0
138
1
84 . 0
ns
>

11- Evaluate the design moment
c
M :
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

42
( )
m t m t M . 8 . 13 . 14 . 4
1000
500 03 . 0 15
138
min , 2
<
,
_

+

( ) m . t 59 . 15 8 . 13 13 . 1 M
c

12- Design the reinforcement:
( ) ( )
768 . 0
50
0 . 2 8 . 0 2 4 2 50

( )
( ) ( )( )
30 . 0
50 50 280 65 . 0
1000 138
A ' f
P
K
g c
n
n

( )
( ) ( )( )( )
07 . 0
50 50 50 280 65 . 0
100000 59 . 15
h A ' f
e P
R
g c
n
n

Using strength interaction diagrams L4-60.7 and L4-60.8, one gets %. 0 . 1
g

( )( )
2
0 . 25 50 50 01 . 0 cm A
s
, use mm 20 8 .
Clear distance between bars
c
S is given as
c
S =
( ) ( ) ( )
cm cm 0 . 4 53 . 10
3
0 . 2 4 8 . 0 3 4 2 50
>

O.K.
Spacing of 8 mm ties is the smallest of:
48 (0.8) = 38.4 cm
16 (1.8) = 28.8 cm
50 cm
Use two sets of 8 mm ties @ 25 cm as shown in Figure 9.27.c.
CHAPTER NINE COLUMNS

43

Figure 9.27.c: Designed cross section