Load Combination

DL for DEAD LOAD

LL for LIVE LOAD
EQX for SEISMIC LOAD (X) DIRECTION
EQZ for SEISMIC LOAD (Z) DIRECTION

Load Combination
The load combinations for analysis and design
will be taken as follows:
1. (DL+LL)*1.5
8. (DL-EQX)*1.5
2. (DL+LL+EQX)*1.2
9. (DL-EQZ)*1.5
3. (DL+LL+EQZ)*1.2
10. 0.9DL+EQX*1.5
4. (DL+LL-EQX)*1.2
11.
0.9DL+EQZ*1.5
5. (DL+LL-EQZ)*1.2
12. 0.9DL-EQX *1.5
6. (DL+EQX)*1.5
13. 0.9DLEQZ*1.5

Load Combination
The members (beams, columns, shear walls etc.)
and their joints will be designed for the worst
combination of loads, shears and moments.

Materials
Reinforcement: Cold twisted high yield strength
deformed bars grade Fe 415 conforming to IS:
1786-1985, or preferably TMT bars of standard
manufacturer e.g. TATA Steel, SAIL or equivalent
shall be used.
Cement: Ordinary portland cement conforming to
IS 269 - 1976 shall be used along with fly ash
after carrying out the design mix from approved
consultant.

Materials
The following grades of concrete mix may be
adopted or as required for safe design:
(a) For RCC columns in lowest few storeys
: M35
(b) For RCC columns in the middle few
storeys : M30
(c) For RCC columns in the top few storeys
: M25
(d) For beams, slabs, staircase etc.: M20
(e) For raft foundation
: M 20 or
25
(f) Max. Water cement Ratio
: 0.45

CLEAR COVER TO ALL REINFORCEMENT

For mild Exposure and fire rating of 1 hr. following
clear covers may be adopted
(a) For foundation R.C.C.:
i)

Footings

60 mm.

ii) Raft
: 60 mm.
(b)For columns
: 40 mm
(c) For Beams
: 25 mm or main bar dia.
whichever is more
(d)For Slab
: 20 mm.

Ductile Detailing
After designing the frame column-beam, shear
walls and foundation by limit state theory as per
IS: 456:2000,
all details of longitudinal steel, overlaps, shear
capacities, confining reinforcement requirements,
stirrups and ties etc. shall be worked out using
the provisions of IS: 13920-1993.
The drawings should clearly show all the adopted
details.

Thumb Rules for Structural Design

Minimum RCC beam size: is 9x9. But generally,
to maintain uniformity and speed ofconstruction,
we design all beams of the same size 9x12. But
9x9 can also be used safely, according to
design.
Minimum thickness of RCC slab: is 4.5 because a
slab may contain electrical pipes embedded into
them which could be 0.5 or even fatter for
internal wiring, which effectively reduces slab
depths at certain places, causing cracking,
weakening and water leakage during rains. So, a

Thumb Rules for Structural Design

Minimum size of foundation : for a single storey of
G+1 building, where soil safe bearing capacity is
30 tonnes per square meter, and the oncoming
load on the column does notexceed 30 tonnes, a
size of 1m x 1m or 3 x 3 should be used.
Even if the load is less (forexample only 20
tonnes) then also the minimum is 3x3 and depth
of footing should be atleast 4 below ground level
if not more

Thumb Rules for Columns

Size of the columns
The size of the columns depends on the total load
on the columns.
Minimum size of the column should not be less
than 9x9.
9x9 columns are to be used for a single storey
structure with M15 grade of concrete.
In case, 9x9 column size is to be used for 1 and

Thumb Rules for Columns

Size of the columns
Minimum cross-sectional dimension for a Column:
is 9x9. But to avoid slenderness ratio problems
in multistorey buildings, we prefer a rectangular
column design of 9x12 which is safer.
A safe and structurally sound column size for a 1
and half storey structure should not be less than
12x9 using M15 grade concrete. This should be
in your most preferred and practical options list.

Thumb Rules for Columns

Distance between the columns
Try to maintain equal distance between the
centres of two columns. Always plan a column
layout on a grid.
The distance between two columns of size 9x9
should not be more than 4m centre to centre of
column.
If larger barrier free distances are required then
going for larger column size is to be used.

Thumb Rules for Columns

Distance between the columns
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.)
Height of the building (Increase in the number of
floors is directly proportional to the dimensions of
the columns.

Thumb Rules for Columns

Alignment of Columns
A 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 preferably be arranged in
two different fashions:
In a straight line with the help of a grid
In a circular fashion for circular buildings.
Zigzag arrangement of columns is an absolutely
wrong way of working out Structural design. It
should be remembered that when columns are
erected, beams are laid connecting the columns.

Thumb Rules for Columns

The Zigzag column placement causes three
major issues:
Unbalanced load transfer
Problems in wall construction
Problems in laying beams

Thumb Rules for Columns

Thumb rule no1:

Size of the Columns
The size of the columns are 9x9 with the use of
M20 grade of concrete.
Thumb rule no.2:
Distance between the columns:
The distance between the columns does not
exceed 4.5m.
Thumb rule no.3:
Alignment of Columns
The Columns have been arranged on a iron grid
pattern. So there is absolutely no question of

Thumb Rules for Columns

Thumb rule no1:

Size of the Columns
The size of the columns are 9x9 with the use of
M20 grade of concrete.
Thumb rule no.2:
Distance between the columns:
The distance between the columns does not
exceed 4.5m.
Thumb rule no.3:
Alignment of Columns
The Columns have been arranged on a iron grid
pattern. So there is absolutely no question of

Thumb Rules for Columns

Thumb rule no1:

Size of the Columns
The size of the columns are 9x9 with the use of
M20 grade of concrete.
Thumb rule no.2:
Distance between the columns:
The distance between the columns does not
exceed 4.5m.
Thumb rule no.3:
Alignment of Columns
The Columns have been arranged on a iron grid
pattern. So there is absolutely no question of