Eccentrically Loaded Short Columns

I. Introduction

Eccentric Loading on Column

When the load acting on the column is offset from the centroid of the column, then it establishes
the bending of column along with the axial stress. This offset loading of the column is referred as eccentric
loading.
Eccentric loading will not be at the middle of cross-section of the column. It will be at some distance
from the middle of the column either towards right or left corners of the column. The distance between the
middle of cross-section of the column and the eccentric load is referred as eccentricity symbolized by e.
Increase in the eccentric load increases the axial load and the moment acting on the column. This
makes the column to bend additional increasing the bending of column.

II. Derivation of Formulas

D

e
b

Pn

d’ d
a

0.85 f’c

Cc C’s
d − a/2 a/2

d – d’ d’

T = As fy
C's =A's fy
Cc = 0.85 f'c a b

ƩFv = 0] ↓+ (C’s = T )
Pn = Cc + C's - T
Pn = Cc
Pn = 0.85 f'c a b

ƩMT = 0] ↩+
Pn x - Cc x2 - C's x3 = 0

Where:
x = e +(d - d')/2
x2 = d - a/2
x3 = d - d'

Substitute the values:

[0.85f'c a b x - 0.85 f'c a b (d - a/2) - A's fy x3 = 0 ] / (0.85f'c a b)
ax - a (d-a/2) - (A's fy x3 ) / (0.85f'c a b) = 0
0.5a2 + a(x - d) - (A's fy x3 ) / (0.85f'c a b) = 0
 Let:
m = (x - d); &
n = (A's fy x3 ) / (0.85f'c a b)
0.5a2 + am - n = 0
By quadratic formula:
𝒂 = −𝒎 + √(𝒎𝟐 + 𝟐𝒏);
c = a/ß
If all steel yields, use fs = f's = fy

Strength of Steel : fy • Ast

Strength of Concrete : 0.85f'c (Ag - Ast )
Net Concrete Area : (Ag - Ast )

Steel yields when f's > fy

f's = [600(c - d')]/c

Plastic Centroid
The plastic centroid of a column cross section is the point through which the resultant column load
must pass to produce uniform strain in failure. It represents the location of the resultant force produced by
the steel and concrete. The eccentricity of a column loads is the distance from the load to the plastic centroid
of the column.
In locating the plastic centroid; all concrete is assume to be stressed in compression to .85fć and all
steel to fy in compression and the centroid is then located by taking moments due to these forces.
For symmetrical sections, the plastic centroid coincides with the centroid of the column cross section.
Plastic centroid Plastic centroid

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