Guidelines to be followed for making a column layout | Building Construction

Today, we will discuss something very general. Inspite of knowing these general thumb rules, Civil Engineers still end up making disastrous mistakes which would not only cost them but also cost the people living in the building designed by these engineers. Earlier, I wrote an article describing one of my projects where structural designing was executed on site which was extremely pathetic! even before "rchitectural design was done. Check out# Conse$uences of %rong &tructural 'esign ( )ive *roject example! In this article, we will go through the essential thumb rules to be followed for giving a column layout. Ofcourse RCC columns have to be designed in accordance to the total load on the columns but apart from that it is essential for every Civil engineer and Architect to remember a few thumb rules so that they are prevented from making mistakes.

Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:

+. -. .. &i,e of the Columns 'istance between Columns "lignment of columns

Thumb rule no.1 Size of the columns

The si,e of the columns depends on the total load on the columns. /inimum si,e of the column should not be less than 01x01. 01x01 columns are to be used for a single storey structure with /+2 grade of concrete. In case, 01x01 column si,e is to be used for + and half storey structure, then it is advised to use /-3 grade concrete. " safe and structurally sound column si,e for a + and half storey structure should not be less than +-1x01 using /+2 grade concrete. This should be in your most preferred and practical options list. Thumb rule no.

istance between the columns

Try to maintain e$ual distance between the centres of two columns. "lways plan a column layout on a grid. The distance between two columns of si,e 01x01 should not be more than 4m centre to centre of column. If larger barrier free distances are re$uired then going for larger column si,e is to be used.

The size of the columns increase because of two factors:

Increase in the distance between two columns This increases the dimensions of the columns as well the depth of the beam.! -. 5eight of the building Increase in the number of floors is directly proportional to the dimensions of the columns. Thumb rule no.! +.

!lignment of Columns
" rectangular grid is to be made for placing the columns. This helps in avoiding mistakes and placing in columns can be done in the right way.

The columns can "referably be arranged in two different fashions:

+. -. In a straight line with the help of a grid In a circular fashion for circular buildings.

6ig,ag arrangement of columns is an absolutely wrong way of working out &tructural design. It should be remembered that when columns are erected, beams are laid connecting the columns.

The #igzag column "lacement causes three ma$or issues:

+. 7nbalanced load transfer -. *roblems in wall construction .. *roblems in laying beams If these three thumb rules are followed by Civil "ngineering and Architecture students, implementation of wrong #tructural design can be prevented. In the ne$t article, I will e$plain these three thumb rules with the help of an e$ample %Column &ayout for a Residence%.

!lso read:
Introduction to design of RCC #tructures 'uilding (esign )uide which includes design of#