Thus far, our design and analysis have been limited to short columns that require no consideration of

necessary strength reduction due to the possibility of buckling. All compression members will
experience the buckling phenomenon as they become longer and more flexible. These are sometimes
termed slender columns. A column may be categorized as slender if its cross-sectional dimensions are
small in comparison to its unsupported length. The degree of slenderness may be expressed in terms of
the slenderness ratio k/u r where k = effective length factor for compression members /u = the
unsupported length of a compression member, which shall be taken as the clear distance between floor
slabs, beams, or other members capable of providing lateral support in the direction being considered
(ACI Code, Section 10.1.1) r = radius of gyration of the cross section of the

compression members, which may be taken as 0.30h, where h is the overall dimension of a rectangular
column in the direction of the

moment, or 0.25D, where D is the diameter of a circular column (ACI Code, Section 10.1.2) The
numerator k/u is termed the effective length. It is a function not only of the unsupported length and end
conditions of the column but also a function of whether or not sidesway exists. Sidesway may be
described as a kind of deformation whereby one end of a member moves laterally with respect to the
other. Sidesway is also termed lateral drift. The ACI Code, Section 10.6.3, states that for compression
members braced against sidesway, k may be taken as 1.0. This is conservative. The ACI Code, Section
10.7.2, states that for compression members not braced against sidesway, the effective length must be
greater than 1.0. Therefore, as a rule, compression members free to buckle in a sidesway mode are
appreciably weaker than when braced against sidesway. A simple example is a column fixed at one end
and entirely free at the other (cantilever column or flagpole). Such a column will buckle, as shown in
Figure 9-25. The upper end would move laterally with respect to the lower end. This lateral movement is
the sidesway (or lateral drift). In reinforced concrete structures, it is common to deal with indeterminate
rigid frames, such as illustrated by the simple portal frame in Figure 9-26. The upper end of the frame
can move sideways as it is unbraced. This type of frame is sometimes termed a sway frame, and it
depends on the rigidity of the joints for stability. The lower ends of the columns may be theoretically pin
corrected, fully restrained, or somewhere in between. As an example of how the effective length of a
column is influenced by sidesway, consider the simple case of a single member, as shown in Figure 9-27.
The member braced

If No. 9 bars are eventually chosen (refer to Figure 9-23):

gh = 26 - 2111 22- 2a3 8b- 1.13 = 21.12 in.

g = 21.12 h = 21.12 26 = 0.812 Therefore, use Diagram A-18 from Appendix A (ACI Interaction Diagram
R4-60.8). Next, determine the required rg. Assume that this column will be compression-controlled (f =
0.65) subject to later check. Recognizing that required Pn = Pu/f and required Pue = Mu/f, we can
calculate the values of required Kn and Rn:

required Kn =

Pu ff′ cAg
=

1300 0.65(4)(676) = 0.740

required Rn =

Mu ff′ cAgh

550 (12) 0.65(4)(676)(26) = 0.144 From Diagram A-18, rg ≈ 0.023. Note that this is well above the fs/fy =
1.0 line; therefore, the column is compressioncontrolled and the assumption that f = 0.65 is O.K.
required As = rgAg = 0.023(676) = 15.55 in.2 Select 16 No. 9 bars (As = 16.00 in.2). Check the maximum
number of No. 9 bars from Table A-14: 20 (O.K.). Design the ties. Use a 3 8@in.@diameter tie, because
the vertical bar size (No. 9 bar) is not greater than a No. 10. The maximum tie spacing is the smallest of
the following:

16 (bar diameter) = 16 * 1.13 = 18 in.

48 (tie diameter) = 48 *

3 8 = 18 in.

least column dimension = 26 in. Therefore, use No. 3 ties at 18-in. spacing. The design is shown in Figure
9-24.

26" h Figure 9-23 Sketch for Example 9-8.

#3 ties @ 18-in. spacing

16-#9 bars

1 " cover to ties 1 2

Figure 9-24 Design sketch for Example 9-8.

174 Chapter NiNe

against sidesway (Figure 9-27a) has an effective length half that of the member without sidesway
bracing (Figure 9-27b) and has four times the axial-load capacity based on the Euler critical column load
theory. If we consider the column shown in Figure 9-27b to be part of a frame and give the sidesway the
notation ¢ as shown in Figure 9-28, it is seen that the axial load now acts eccentrically and creates end
moments of Pu¢. This is referred to as the P-delta effect. These moments are also referred to as
“second-order end moments” because they are in addition to any primary (first-order) end moments
that result from applied loads on the frame with no consideration of geometry change (sidesway).
Actual structures are rarely completely braced (nonsway) or completely unbraced (sway). Sidesway may
be

Pu

Pu

Figure 9-25 Fixed-free column.

Pu

Frame Unloaded (a)

Frame Loaded, Unbraced (b) Pu

Pu

Pu

Figure 9-26 Sidesway on portal frame.

Pu

Braced Against Sidesway (a)

Not Braced Against Sidesway (b)

Rotation and translation fixed

Rotation and translation fixed

P.I.

P.I.

Rotation fixed

(k = 1.0)

(k = 0.5)

Rotation fixed

Pu
Pu

P.I.

P.I. Pu

Effective u = k = 1.0 u

Effective u= k = 0.5 u

Figure 9-27 Sidesway and effective length.

Columns 175

Fortunately, for ordinary beam and column sizes and typical story heights of concrete framing systems,
effects of slenderness may be neglected in more than 90% of columns in braced (nonsway) frames and
in about 40% of columns in unbraced (sway) frames [2]. In cases where slenderness must be considered,
the ACI Code gives the methods that can be used. These range from an approximate method (ACI 318-
11, Section 10.10.5) in which moments are magnified to account for slenderness to a nonlinear second-
order analysis. The approximate method uses a moment magnification factor that amplifies the factored
moment computed from a conventional elastic analysis. In turn, the combination of the magnified
factored moment and the factored axial load is used in the design of the compression member.
Although the approximate analyses have been the traditional design methods of the past, more exact
analyses have become possible and practical with the increased availability of sophisticated computer
methods. The design of slender reinforced concrete columns is one of the more complex aspects of
reinforced concrete design and is not within the intended scope of this book. For the more rigorous
theoretical background and applications relative to slender columns, the reader is referred to other
comprehensive texts on reinforced concrete design that may offer a different emphasis and orientation.

minimized in various ways. The common approach is to use walls or partitions sufficiently strong and
rigid in their own planes to prevent the horizontal displacement. Another method is to use a rigid
central core that is capable of resisting lateral loads and lateral displacements due to unsymmetrical
loading conditions. For those cases when it is not readily apparent whether a structure is braced or
unbraced, the ACI Code (Sections 10.10.1 and 10.10.5) provides analytical methods to aid in the
decision. For braced columns, slenderness effects may be neglected when

k/u r … 34 - 12 aM1 M2b [ACI Eq. (10-7)] where M1 is the smaller end moment and M2 is the larger end
moment, both obtained by an elastic frame analysis. The ratio M1/M2 is positive if the column is bent in
single curvature, is negative if bent in double curvature (see Figure 9-29), and the term [34 − 12M1/M2]
shall not be taken greater than 40. For columns in sway frames (not braced against sidesway),
slenderness effects may be neglected when k/u>r is less than 22 (ACI 318-11, Section 10.10.1).

Pu
Pu

Pu

Pu

Figure 9-28 Column subjected to sidesway.

Single-curvature bending

Double-curvature bending

Figure 9-29 Column curvature.

references

[1] ACI Design Handbook, “Design of Structural Reinforced Concrete Elements in Accordance with
Strength Design Method of ACI 318-95,” Publication SP-17(97). American Concrete Institute, P.O. Box
9094, Farmington Hills, MI 48333. [2] “Notes on ACI 318-02, Building Code Requirements for Structural
Concrete, with Design Applications.”

Portland Cement Association, 5420 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077-1083, 2002. Problems

9-1. Compute the maximum design axial load strength of the tied columns shown. Assume that the
columns are short. Check the tie size and spacing. Use f′ c = 4000 psi and fy = 60,000 psi.

176 Chapter NiNe

9-4. A short, circular spiral column having a diameter of 18 in. is reinforced with eight No. 9 bars. The
cover is 11 2 in., and the spiral is 3 8 in. in diameter spaced 2 in. o.c. Find the maximum design axial load
strength and check the spiral. Use f′ c = 3000 psi and fy = 40,000 psi. 9-5. Same as Problem 9-4, but f′ c =
4000 psi and fy = 60,000 psi. 9-6. Compute the maximum axial compressive service live load that may be
placed on the column shown. The column is short and is subjected to an axial service dead load of 200
kips. Check the ties. Use f′ c = 3000 psi and fy = 40,000 psi.

18"

#3 @ 18" (3 per set)

10-#9 bars

24"

1 " clear 1 2
PrOBLeM 9-6 9-7. Design a short, square tied column to carry a total factored design load Pu of 905 kips.
Space and practical limitations require a column size of 18 in. * 18 in. Use f′ c = 4000 psi and fy = 60,000
psi. 9-8. Design a short, square tied column for service loads of 205 kips dead load and 165 kips live load.
Use rg