Concrete Column Analysis

A reinforced square tie concrete column is des

Figure 01 - Concrete Column - Elevation View

Dimension Design
To begin, the dimensions of the cross-section m

Pu = 1.2 (135 k) + 1.6 (175 k)

Based on these factors, Pu is equal to 442 kips.

Pu = (Φ) (α) [ 0.85 f’c (Ag - Ast) + fy Ast]

442k = (0.65) (0.80) [0.85 (4 kips) (Ag - 0.02 Ag

Solving for Ag, we receive an area of 188 in2. T

Required Steel Reinforcement

Now that Ag is established, the steel reinforcem

442k = (0.65) (0.80) [0.85 (4 kips) (196 in2 - Ast

Solving for Ast yields a value of 3.24 in2. From

Ast = 3.52 in2

Tie Selection
Determining the minimum tie size requires Sec

Tie Spacing
To determine the minimum tie spacing (s), we

(a) The clear spacing must be equal to or great

smin = (4/3) dagg = (4/3) (1.00 in.) = 1.33 in.

(b) The centre-to-centre spacing should not ex

sMax = Min (16db, 48db, 14 in.)

16db = 16 (0.75 in.) = 12 in.

48db = 48 (0.375 in.) = 18 in.

The minimum clear tie spacing calculated is eq

Detailing Check
The detailing check can now be performed to v

Steel Percentage = AstAg=3.52in2196in2=0.017

Longitudinal Bar Spacing

The maximum longitudinal bar spacing can be

Maximum longitudinal bar spacing:

14in.−2(1.5in.)−2(0.375in.)−3(0.75in.)2=4.00in.

4.00 in. is less than 6 in. which is required per 2

The minimum longitudinal bar spacing can be c

(a) 1.5 in.

(b) 1.5 db = 1.5 (0.75 in.) = 1.125 in.

(c) (4/3) db = (4/3) (1.00 in.) = 1.33 in.

Therefore, the minimum longitudinal bar spaci

The development length (Ld) must also be calc

(a) Ldc=(fy⋅ψr50⋅λ⋅√f′⋅c)⋅db=((60,000psi)⋅(1.0)5

(b) Ldc=0.0003⋅fy⋅ψr⋅db=0.0003⋅(60000psi)⋅(1

In this example, (a) is the greater value so Ldc 

Referencing 25.4.10.1 [1], the development len

Ldc=Ldc(As,providedAs,required)=(14.23in.)(1ft

The reinforced square tie column is fully design

tie concrete column is designed to support an axial dead and live load of 135 and 175 kips respectively using ULS design and factored L

Column - Elevation View

sions of the cross-section must be calculated. The square tie column is determined to be compression controlled since all axial loads ar

ors, Pu is equal to 442 kips. Next, the gross cross-section Ag can be calculated utilizing Eqn. 22.4.2.2.

c (Ag - Ast) + fy Ast]

0.85 (4 kips) (Ag - 0.02 Ag) + ((60 ksi) (0.02) Ag)]

ceive an area of 188 in2. The square root of Ag is taken and rounded up to set a cross-section of 14” x 14" for the column.

lished, the steel reinforcement area Ast can be calculated utilizing Eqn. 22.4.2.2 by substituting the known value of Ag = 196 in2 and s

0.85 (4 kips) (196 in2 - Ast) + ((60 ksi) (Ast))]

a value of 3.24 in2. From this, the number of bars required for design can be found. According to Sect. 10.7.3.1  [1], a square tie colum

imum tie size requires Sect. 25.7.2.2 [1]. In the previous section, we selected No. 6 longitudinal bars which are smaller than No. 10 bar

nimum tie spacing (s), we refer to Sect. 25.7.2.1 [1]. Ties that consist of closed looped deformed bars must have spacing that is in acco

must be equal to or greater than (4/3) dagg. For this calculation we will be assuming an  aggregate diameter (dagg) of 1.00 in.

4/3) (1.00 in.) = 1.33 in.

ntre spacing should not exceed the minimum of 16db of the longitudinal bar diameter, 48db of the tie bar, or the smallest dimension o
tie spacing calculated is equal to 1.33 in. and the maximum tie spacing calculated is equal to 12 in. For this design, a  maximum of 12 in

an now be performed to verify the reinforcement percentage. The required steel percentage must be between 1% and 8% based on t

stAg=3.52in2196in2=0.01795⋅100=1.8%AstAg=3.52in2196in2=0.01795 ⋅100=1.8% O.K.

udinal bar spacing can be calculated based on the clear cover spacing and the diameter of both the tie and longitudinal bars.

al bar spacing:

375in.)−3(0.75in.)2=4.00in.14in.−2(1.5in.)−2(0.375in.)−3(0.75in.)2=4.00in.

in. which is required per 25.7.2.3 (a) [1]. O.K.

udinal bar spacing can be calculated by referencing 25.2.3 [1] which states the minimum longitudinal spacing for columns must be at le

in.) = 1.125 in.

1.00 in.) = 1.33 in.

mum longitudinal bar spacing is equal to 1.50 in.

ngth (Ld) must also be calculated with reference to 25.4.9.2 [1]. This will be equal to the greatest of (a) or (b) calculated below.

f′⋅c)⋅db=((60,000psi)⋅(1.0)50 ⋅(1.0)⋅√4000psi) ⋅(0.75in.)=14.23in.Ldc=(fy ⋅ψr50 ⋅λ ⋅f′ ⋅c) ⋅db=((60,000psi) ⋅(1.0)50 ⋅(1.0) ⋅4000psi) ⋅(0.75in.)=14

⋅db=0.0003⋅(60000psi)⋅(1.0)⋅(0.75in.)=13.5in.Ldc=0.0003 ⋅fy ⋅ψr ⋅db=0.0003 ⋅(60000psi) ⋅(1.0) ⋅(0.75in.)=13.5in.

s the greater value so Ldc = 14.23 in.

1 [1], the development length is multiplied by the ratio of required steel reinforcement over provided steel reinforcement.

As,required)=(14.23in.)(1ft.12in.)(1.92in.23.53in.2)=0.65ftLdc=Ldc(As,providedAs,required)=(14.23in.)(1ft.12in.)(1.92in.23.53in.2)=0.6

e tie column is fully designed and its cross-section can be viewed below in Figure 02.
 ULS design and factored LRFD  load combinations according to ACI 318-14 [1] as presented in Figure 01. The concrete material has a c

olled since all axial loads are strictly in compression. Per Table 21.2.2  [1], the strength reduction factor Φ is equal to 0.65. When determ

or the column.

alue of Ag = 196 in2 and solving

.3.1  [1], a square tie column is required to have at least four bars. Based on this criteria, and the minimum required area of 3.24 in2, (8

are smaller than No. 10 bars. Based on this information and  section, we select No. 3 for the ties.

have spacing that is in accordance with (a) and (b) from this  section.

(dagg) of 1.00 in.

r the smallest dimension of the member.

esign, a  maximum of 12 in. for the tie spacing will govern.

een 1% and 8% based on the ACI 318-14  [1] requirements to be adequate.

ongitudinal bars.

g for columns must be at least the greatest of (a) through (c).

) calculated below.

1.0) ⋅4000psi) ⋅(0.75in.)=14.23in.

reinforcement.

2in.)(1.92in.23.53in.2)=0.65ft.
e concrete material has a compressive strength f'c of 4 ksi while the reinforcing steel has a yield strength fy of 60 ksi. The steel reinforc

qual to 0.65. When determining the maximum axial strength, Table 22.4.2.1 [1] is referenced which sets the alpha factor (α) equal to

equired area of 3.24 in2, (8) No. 6 bars for the steel  reinforcement is used from Appendix A [1]. This provides the reinforcement area b
of 60 ksi. The steel reinforcement percentage is initially assumed to be 2%.

e alpha factor (α) equal to 0.80. Now, the design load Pu can be calculated.

s the reinforcement area below.