CHAPTER 7

SHORT COLUMNS SUBJECT TO AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING

AXIAL LOAD AND BENDING

All columns are subject to axial forces as well as some bending and they need to be proportioned to
resist both tones. The load capacity given by Eq. 6-2 and Eq. 6-3 are only applicable of an eccentricity
of 0.10h for tied column and 0.05h for spiral columns.
Columns will tend to bend under the action of moment, which produces compression on one side of the
column and tension on the other side. The following failures are possible under the combined axial and
bending loads.

1. Large axial load with negligible moment. Failure under this condition occur by
crushing of concrete with all reinforcing bars in the column having reached their yield
stress in compression

2. Large axial load and small moment with the entire cross-section in compression -
Failure occurs by crushing of concrete with all bars in compression.

3. Large axial load with moment larger than in (2) - Bars in far side in tension but
have not yielded. Failure occurs by crushing of concrete.

4. Balanced loading condition - Bars on tensile side yield at the same time concrete
on compression side crushes at 0.85 f,.

5. Large moment, relatively small axial - Failure initiated by yielding of tensile bars

6. Largo bending moment - Failure occurs like a beam.

PLASTIC CENTROID

The plastic centroid of a column cross section is the point through which the resultant column load
must pass to produce uniform strain in failure. It represents the location of the resultant force produced
by the steel and concrete. The eccentricity of a column load is the distance from the load to the plastic
centroid of the column.

In locating the plastic centroid, all concrete is assumed to be stressed in compression to 0.85 fc and all
steel to fy in compression and the centroid is then located by taking moments due to these forces.

For svmmetrical sections, the plastic centroid coincides with the centroid of the column cross-section.

See Problem 7.1

ANALYSIS OF ECCENTRICALLY LOADED COLUMNS

The following procedure and formulas may be applied on determining the value of Pn for
columns with four rows of reinforcement perpendicular to the axis of bending (along side h).

Given or known data:

As1 , As2 , As3 , As4 , fy , fc

P, h, d’, e, x1, x2, x3, x4,
X= e +1/2 x2
d= h-d’
xc = d- a/2

Steel Stress:
𝑑−𝑐
fs1= 600 𝑐
must not be taken more than fy
𝑐−𝑧2
fs2= 600 𝑐
must not be taken more than fy or less than - fy
𝑐−𝑧3
fs3= 600 𝑐
must not be taken more than fy or less than - fy
𝑐−𝑧4
fs4= 600 𝑐
must not be taken more than fy

T= As1 fs1
C2 = As2 fs2
C3 = As3 fs3
C4 = As4 fs4 Cc = 0.85 fc a b= 0.85 fc B1 c b

[Σ𝐹𝑣 = 0] Pn = C1+ C2 + C3 – T
[Σ𝑀𝑇 = 0] C2x2+ C3x3+ C4x4+ Ccxc – Pnx = 0
The task is to solve the value of c or a. If all steel yields, the value of c or a can I solved by
quadratic equation. However, if some or all steel will not yield, the equation becomes a cubic
equation, which can be solved by trial and error.

Another approach to solve for Pn is to have series of assumption for the values of cuntil
equilibrium conditions are satisfied.

ECCENTRICALLY LOADED COLUMNS WITH TWO ROWS OF REINFORCEMENT

If there are only two rows of reinforcements, this procedure can also be used with,
As2 = As3 = 0. The following formulas can be applied for columns with two rows of
reinforcements.

For columns with large eccentricity and when all steel has yielded:
[fs1= fs4= fy]

T= As1 fy
Cc = 0.85 fc a b
C4 = As4 fy
C4 = As1 fy (but since As1 = As1 due to symmetry)

[Σ𝐹𝑣 = 0] Pn = Cc+ C4 – T (since C4 = T)

Pn = Cc = 0.85 fc a b

[Σ𝑀𝑇 = 0] Ccxc+ C4x4 – Pnx = 0

x4 and x are known values
xc = d- a/2

0.85 fc b a (d-a/2) + As1 fy x4 - 0.85 fc b a x = 0

As1 fy x4
0.5 a2 + (x-d) a 0.85 fc b
=0

Let

m=x-d (Eq. 7-1)

As1 fy x4
n= 0.85 fc b
(Eq. 7-2)

0.5 a2 + ma –n = 0

−m±√m2 −4(0.5)(−𝑛)
a= 2(0.5)

a= -m + √ m2 + 2n (Eq. 7-3)

c=a/B1
 𝑑−𝑐
fs1 = 600 𝑐
(Eq. 7-4)

𝑐−𝑑′
fs4 = 600 𝑐
(Eq. 7-5)

If both fs1 and fs4 exceed fy , then assumption is correct and Pn = 0.85 fc b a

See Problem 7.3

BALANCED LOADING CONDITION

Columns normally fail by either tension or compression. In between the two lies the so-called
balanced load condition where failure may be of either type.

Balanced loading occurs when the tension steel just reached its yield strain fy/E, and the
concrete is strained to 0.003. For every column there is always a balanced leading situation
where an ultimate load Pbn placed at an eccentricity eb will produce a moment Mbn. If the
eccentricity of a column is less than its balance eccentricity eb (e < eb), the column fails in
compression (compression controls, fs1 < fy), otherwise tension controls (fs1 = fy ).

In computing the balanced loading, the procedure presented in page 205 is applied with fs1 = fy
and solving for c. See PROBLEM 72.

COLUMN INTERACTION DIAGRAMS

It can be seen that the analysis of columns with statics equations is very tedious and
complicated. As a result, designers resort to diagrams or computer in designing columns.

Interaction diagram is a plot the axial load Pn that the column can carry versus its moment Mn
capacity. This diagram is very useful for studying the strength, of columns with varying
proportions of loads and moments. Any combination of loading that falls inside the curve is
satisfactory, whereas any combination that falls outside represents failure.
The diagram is made by plotting the axial load capacity of the column at A, then the balanced
loading B, then the bending strength of the column if it is subjected in pure moment only at C. In
between the points A and C, the column fails due to combination of axial and bending. Point B is
called the balanced point. In reference to point D, the vertical and horizontal dotted lined
represents the particular load combination of axial load and moment.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
PLASTIC CENTROID

Problem 7.1

The T-shaped colmnn shown is reinforced with 4-28 nun

diameter bar with fy= 414 MPa. Determine the plastic centroid
of the column measured from the 400-mm side. Assume fc =
27.6 MPa.

Solution

The plastic centroid of the column is at the resultant of the

forces due to concrete and steel.

Dividing the section into two rectangles;

For concrete:
C1= 0.85 f’c Ac
C1= 0.85(27.6)(150)(400)
C1=1 407 600 N

C2= 0.85(27.6)(200)(200)
C2= 938,400

For steel (less concrete)

Ab= 𝜋/4 (28)2 = 616mm2
C3= C4
C3 =(fyAb- 0.85 fcAb) x 2
C3 = 2Ab(fy - 0.85f,)
C3 = 2(616) [414 - 0.85(27.6)]
C3= 481,145 N

Total C = C1+ C2+ 2 C3

C=3,308,290 N
 DESIGN OF COLUMNS WITH DIMENSIONS KNOWN

Problem 7.8
Determine the required number of 25 mm bars to be used in two end faces only for the
300 mm x 500 mm rectangular column shown to support the following loads:

PDL = 440 kN MDL = 80 kN-m

PLL = 490 kN MLL = 110 kN-m

Use f’c= 20.7 MPa

And fy= 413.7 MPa

Solution

Pu =1.4(440) + 1.7(490)
Pu= 1449 kN

Pn = Pu / ∅
Pn = 1449/0.7= 2070 kN

Mu= 1.4(80) + 1.7(110)

Mu = 299 kN-m

Mn = Mu / ∅

Mn=299 / 0.7 = 427 kN-m

[e= Mn / Mn ]

e= 427/2070 = 0.206 mm= 206mm

e/h = 206/500 = 0.412

y = 375/500 = 0.75

∅Pn / Ag = 0.7(2070x103)/ 500(300) =9.66 MPa=1.4 ksi

From the interaction diagram in Figure 7.5:

Pg - 0.032 < 0.06 (OK)
As= pg Ag
As. = 0.032(300 x 500) = 4,800 mm2
𝜋/4(25)2 N = 4,800 mm2
N= 9.78 say 10 bars (5 on each side)

Figure 7.5: Interaction diagram

 DESIGN OF COLUMNS WHERE
DIMENSIONS IS TO BE COMPUTED

Problem 7.9

Design a square tied column to carry a factored axial load of 2,000 kN and a factored moment
of 190 kN-m. Use 25 mm bars to be placed uniformly around the faces of the column. Assume
fc = 20.7 MPa and fy = 413.7 MPa.

Solution

The size of the column for this condition can be obtained by assuming an average compressive
stress in concrete under the load Pu. This assumed value must be less than 0.85 fc, (usually
from 0.5 f’c to 0.6 f’c). With the column dimension known, the steel ratio can be computed.
However, if p obtained from this assumption is unreasonable, the size can be revised and a new
value of p is obtained.

Assume average compressive stress as 0.5 f’c:

Ag= Pu / 0.5 f’c

Ag= 2000x103 / 0.5(20.7)
Ag= 193,237 mm2 = h2
h = 439 mm

Try 450 x 450 column

e=Mu /Pu
e= 190/2000
e= 0.095 m
e= 95mm

e/h = 95/450
e/h = 0.211

y= 325/450
y=0.722
Since there is no available diagram for y = 0.722, let us use the available diagrams for
y = 0.6 and y = 0.75

Pn = Pu / ∅
Pn = 2000 / 0.7 = 2,857 kN

∅𝑃n / Ag = 0.70(2,857x103) /450(450)

∅𝑃n / Ag = 9.876 MPa = 1.433 ksi

From the diagram, pg = 0.018

From the diagrams pg = 0.016

𝑥−0.016 0.722−0.75
0.018−0.016
= 0.6−0.75

x=0.01637=pg

As= pg Ag = 0.01637(450 x 450)

As = 3315 mm2
𝜋/4(25)2 N = 3315
N = 6.75

Since the bars must be placed uniformly around the faces,

use 8-25 mm bars with 3 bars in each face.

Computer calculation for this column (with 8-25 mm bars and e = 95 mm yields the following
results:

Pn = 3,089 kN Pu = 2162.3 kN >2000 (OK)

Mn = 293 kN-m Mu =205.1 kN-m >190 (OK)
AXIAL LOAD PLUS BENDING IN BOTH AXES
(AXIAL BENDING)

In most cases, columns are subject to bending in both axes, or biaxial bending. This is the usual
case of corner columns in buildings where beams or girders frame to the column from both
directions only.

Axial bending on circular columns would not be a problem due to polar symmetry of the column.
If there is bending moment about both x and y axes, the axial moment and eccentricity can be
computed from the following formulas:

Mu = √(𝑀𝑢𝑥)2 + (𝑀𝑢𝑦)2 (Eq. 7-6)

e= √(𝑒𝑥)2 + (𝑒𝑦)2 (Eq. 7-7)

For column shapes other than circular ones, the analysis would be as shown in the figure below:
One could think how difficult to solve for Pn using the statics equation as presented in
PROBLEM 7.4. Such solution would lead to correct answer, but the mathematics involved is so
complicated that the method is not a practical one, but with the aid of computer such is not a
problem.

BRESLER EQUATION

A method published by Professor Boris Bresler in 1960 relates the desired value of ∅Pn under
biaxial leading (ex and ey) to three other Pu values.

The equation is:

1 1 1 1
= + - (Eq.7-8)
𝑃𝑛 𝑃𝑛𝑥 𝑃𝑛𝑦 𝑃𝑛𝑜

where:
Pnx =axial lead capacity of the column for eccentricity ex with ey =0
Pny=axial load capacity of the column for eccentricity ey with ex,=0
Pno pure axial capacity of the column

Pno = 0.85 f’c Ag + As fy (Eq. 7-9)

The Bresler equation works well as long as P„ is at least as large as 0.1 Pno.
Should Pn be less than 0.1 Pno, it is satisfactory to neglect the axial force completely and design
the section as a member subject to biaxial bending only.