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What is a Column Interaction Curve

October 11, 2018 Sam Carigliano No Comments Technical

Vertical members that are part of a building frame are subjected to combined axial
loads and bending moments. These forces develop due to external loads, such as 
dead, live, and wind loads. Simply put, an interaction diagram (or curve) displays
the combinations of acceptable moment and axial capacities of a structural
member. The equivalency between an eccentrically applied load and an axial load–

moment combination is shown below. Assume that a force P is applied to a cross

section at a distance e (eccentricity) from the centroid. Eccentric force P may now be
combined with the force P acting downward at the centroid and a couple Pe, that is

a pure moment.
Di erent position of axial force from the section centroid produces various
behaviors of a column as well as stress distribution in sections. These are plotted on

the M-N Interaction Curve:

Example of an Interaction Curve

1. Pure axial compression (point A). This is the largest axial compression load
that column can support.
2. Compression with minor bending (point B). This is the case of a large axial
load acting at a small eccentricity. The stress distribution becomes inclined but
section is still under compression. Failure occurs by crushing of the concrete.

3. Compression control (point C). Here exist both compression zone and tension
zone of concrete. Steel is subjected to tension. Failure occurs by crushing of the
concrete on the compression side, whereas the stress in steel fs is less than the
yield stress fy.
4. Balanced condition (point D). A balanced condition is reached when the
compression strain in the concrete reaches limited and the tensile
reinforcement reaches yielding simultaneously. Failure of concrete occurs at the
same time as the steel yields.
5. Tension control (point E). This is the case of a small axial load with large
eccentricity, that is, a large moment. At failure, the strain in the tension steel is

greater than the yield strain.

6. Pure exure (point F). The section in this case is subjected to a bending
moment M, whereas the axial load is P = 0. Failure occurs as in a beam
 subjected to bending moment only.
7. Pure axial tension (point G). This is the largest axial tension load that column
can support.

To consider this curve SkyCIv considers the necessary number of intermediate

points. Typically, there are three main points: maximum axial tension (point G),
maximum axial compression (point A) and balanced condition (point D). Then
intermediate points are considered from balanced condition to maximum tension
(points D-G) and from balanced condition to maximum compression (points D-A). To
calculate all that points as per design codes used next assumptions:

1. Strains in concrete and steel are proportional to the distance from the neutral
axis
2. Equilibrium of forces and strain compatibility must be satis ed
3. The maximum usable compressive strain in concrete is 0.003
4. Strength of concrete in tension can be neglected
5. The concrete stress block may be taken as a rectangular shape

The strength of a column cross-section can be determined from the geometry of the
cross-section, the constitutive relationships of the concrete and steel and a
consideration of equilibrium and strain compatibility. For calculation of intermediate
M-N curve points that are describe the strength of section the SkyCiv uses iterative
process. The next steps are involved in this process as per ACI code:
Interpreting the Interaction Curve

For the design of a column to be considered adequate (safe), the combination of

action e ects (M, P) must be less than the combination of design strengths (M, P)
from the interaction curve. This means that if the position of the M,P point on the

plot is outside of the curve it is deemed as not meeting this criteria and considered
unsafe.

SkyCiv Reinforced Concrete Design

SkyCiv o ers a fully featured Reinforced Concrete Design software that allows you to

check concrete beam and concrete column designs as per ACI 318, AS 3600 and
EN2 Design Standards. The software is easy-to-use and fully cloud based; requiring

no installation or downloading to get started!

 Michael Malgin
Structural Engineer, Product Development
MEng (Civil)
michael@skyciv.com

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