Column Analysis and Design Examples
These examples use the NSCP 2015/adopted ACI 318 basis. Compression is positive for section resultants, moments are taken about the section centroid, and every interaction point is obtained from strain compatibility and force equilibrium.
Maximum Design Axial Strength of a Short Tied Column
A short tied column is with eight 25 mm bars (), , and . Determine the maximum factored axial design strength.
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 2 Steps CompletedBalanced Strain Reference Point
A tied column has two 25 mm bars at and two at , so . Use , , , and . Find the balanced nominal resultants.
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 3 Steps CompletedCapacity at a Specified Load Eccentricity by Strain Compatibility
Use the section and materials from Example 2 for and . Check section strength without interpolating between interaction-diagram landmarks.
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 3 Steps CompletedPure Bending Is Not the Balanced Point
For the section in Example 2, find the strain-compatible point at zero nominal axial force.
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 2 Steps CompletedNonsway Slenderness and Moment Magnification
A braced, nonsway column is pin-ended for the axis considered, so . Let , , , for single curvature, and . Use with .
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 3 Steps CompletedBresler Reciprocal Load Check
At the specified eccentricities, a column has , , and . Estimate the nominal biaxial axial capacity within the range where the reciprocal approximation is applicable.
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 1 Steps CompletedMinimum Spiral Volumetric Ratio
A circular column has overall diameter and clear cover to the outside of the spiral, so the core diameter measured outside-to-outside is . Use and .
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 2 Steps CompletedTied and Spiral Axial Caps Are Conditional
Two otherwise comparable short columns each have . Compare their maximum factored axial strengths, assuming the first is tied and the second fully qualifies for spiral-member provisions.
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 2 Steps CompletedOrdinary Tie Spacing Governing Check
A tied column uses 25 mm longitudinal bars and 12 mm ties. Determine the maximum ordinary non-seismic tie spacing from the three spacing limits taught in this topic.
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 2 Steps CompletedTransition-Region Strength Reduction Factor
A tied-column strain-compatible state has , , and net extreme tensile strain . Determine the applicable .
Step-by-Step Solution
0 of 2 Steps CompletedBiaxial Method Selection Beyond the Reciprocal Approximation
A rectangular corner column has significant and . A preliminary reciprocal-load calculation produces an estimated biaxial strength below , and the actual reinforcement is strongly asymmetric. Select the appropriate analysis path.