Column Design
Interactive Design of Rectangular RCC column as per IS-456
Sudhakaran.K.V
e-mail: sudhakaranpld@gmail.com
Abstract—this paper is for defining the significance, features
and use of the software “Column Design-Interactive Design of
Rectangular RCC column as per IS-456”.
Keywords—axial; biaxial; rebar; moment; STAADPro
I. INTRODUCTION
This software, programmed using “Microsoft Visual
Basic” provides interactive design of RCC (Reinforced
Cement Concrete) Rectangular column as per Indian design
codes. Design using this software is an interactive one which
can be carried by inputting the design data manually or from
analysis results of ‘STAADPro’. It enables the user for
arranging the reinforcement conveniently and economically. It
also helps to compare the limiting capacity of axial loads and
moments with applied loads and moments for a particular
rectangular column cross section.
II. SIGNIFICNCE OF THE SOFTWARE
A. General
Design of rectangular RCC columns with moments are
usually carried out using the “Pu-Mu interaction charts of SP-
16” or software. In SP-16, Pu-Mu interaction charts are
presented for steel grade Fe-250, Fe-415 and Fe-500 for
d′/D=0.05, 0.10,0.15 and 0.20 (Where d′ is the effective cover
to longitudinal bar and D the overall depth of column cross
section)
The reinforcement arrangements for Pu-Mu Interaction
charts are idealized as.
1) Reinforcement on two opposite faces: Chart No. 27 to
38
2) Reinforcement on all four faces equally distributed:
Chart No. 39 to 50.
The limiting moment and axial load capacity are found out
for these charts and are verified with inequality equation for
getting biaxial moment capacity for finalizing the design.
B. Limitations of Pu-Mu interaction curves of SP-16
1. The charts for case 1 can be used for uniaxial
bending only. However small bending Moment
in the other direction may be, there is no way to
design a column for Biaxial Bending for this
arrangement of reinforcement.
2. When the charts are used for Mux (BM @ Major
axis) for case 1, the reinforcement will be on the
smaller (width- b) faces. These charts do not
accommodate reinforcement to be provided on
larger (Depth-D) faces from detailing aspects. If
a Column with D = 900mm, minimum four bars
are required on each D-face, the charts cannot
account for these internal bars which may be of
smaller diameter.
3. It is evident that larger diameter bars on the
highly stressed face makes efficient use of
reinforcement, even larger diameter bars in
corner are used with advantage for biaxial
bending, and it cannot be accommodated by use
of SP16.
4. There would be confusion in arranging the
reinforcement as equally distributed for
rectangular section with large D/b ratio.
III. FEATURES OF T HE SOFTWARE
A. Design philosaphy –Limit State of Collapse as per IS 456
B. Units
 SI (MKS) units followed
 Length –mm
 Breadth –mm
 Depth –mm
 Diameter of reinforcement –mm
 Spacing of reinforcement – mm
 Axial force –kN
 Bending Moment –kNm.
C. Concrete mix carried by arranging the longitudinal bars software itself and
The concrete mix of compressive strength M20, M25, display the reinforcement if the section passes otherwise
M30, M35 and M40. revise the concrete mix, grade of steel or cross section or
maximum diametre of bar. If the user wish to modify the
longitudinal reinforcement, choose from combo box as
desired. The interaction chart and column section will be
D. Reinforcement shown there accordingly.
 Available grade of steel Fe 415 and Fe 500. d) If user finalised the design of min bars shear design
 Available diameter of longitudinal reinforcement can be carried using the Special confinement and shear button.
12,16,20,25 and 32mm After completing both the design user can print the design
 Available diameter of transverse reinforcement output using the report button and interction table using tables
8,10,12 and 16mm button.
E. Inputing data
Inputting can do either manually or from staad.
F. Viewing output
The design results and interaction chart plotted with input
forces can be viewed simultaneously on entering the input
data.
G. Special confinement reinforcement and shear.
Special confinement and shear reinforcement can be
calculated.
H. Printing
Design output and interaction table can be printed.
I. STAAD
The analysis result of a particular column can be taken
from STAAD file and the design of that member can be done
interactively as user wishes. This feature enables the user to
provide the reinforcement conveniently and economically.
Fig. 2. Design report

IV. USING THE SOFTWARE

The software is very simple to use, while activating the

software a window opens as shown in Fig. 1, in which data
can be entered to the software.

Fig. 3. Interaction Tables

2) Inputing the data from STAADPro.

Fig. 1. Main window of the software. a) Click on the STAAD button available on the interfce.
A “Get from STAAD window opens as in Fig. 4.
A. Inputing the Data and Design
1) Inputing the data manually
a) Enter the size of column such as bredth and depth in
to corresponding fields.
b) Enter design forces such as factored axial force,
uniaxial moment in major axis as well as minor aixs in to
corresponding fields .
c) For designing the member for given design forces,
Choose Maximum diametre of the longitudinal bar from
combo box then click “Auto Rebar” button. Design will be Fig. 4. Get from STAAD window
 b) Enter the member No. and Click on “Get from
STAAD” to get the analysis result of the member from the file
choosen. While opening the file a new window with available
analysis results opens as in Fig. 5. If analysis results are not
available the software itself call the STAAD analysis engine
and do the analysis to get the results.
Fig. 5. From STAAD window of the software.
c) All the analysis results for all load cases and
combination are displayed. The axial force as well as moment
of maximum value will be displayed in bold for getting the
critical combination easly.
d) For designing the member for critical combination,
Choose Maximum diametre of the longitudinal bar from
combo box then click the red coloured design button below
the corresponding load combination. Design will be carried by
arranging the longitudinal bars by software itself and display
the reinforcement if the section passes otherwise revise the
concrete mix, grade of steel or cross section or maximum
diametre of bar. If the user wish to modify the longitudinal
reinforcement, go to the main window and choose from
combo box as desired. The interaction chart and column
section will be shown there accordingly.
e) If user finalised the design of main bars shear design
can be carried using the Special confinement and shear button.
After completing both the design user can print the design
output using the report button and interction table using tables
button.
References
[1] S. Unnikrishna Pillai and Devadas Menon, “Reinforced Concrete
Design”, 3rd ed., TATA McGRAW HILL
[2] N. Subramanian, “Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures”, 1st ed.,
Oxford:
[3] Bureau of Indin Standards, “Handbook On Concrete Reinforcement And
Detailing”[SP 34:1987].
[4] Bureau of Indin Standards, “Design Aids for Reinforced Concrete to
IS:456-1978”[SP 16:1980].
[5] Bureau of Indin Standards, “Plain And Reinforced Concrete- Code of
Practice”[IS 456-2000].