Behaviour and design of

members subjected to axial

loads
Behaviour of cross sections subjected to combined bending and axial
load
Contents
• What are the basic design requirements for columns
• How we determine the strength of a column cross section
Axial loads on columns
• Bending moments can occur principally P P
P
about one axis (uniaxial bending) or about M e

both axes (biaxial bending).

• Usually the cross section of a column is
either square or rectangular, where the P

shape depends on the relative moments

acting in each axis.
• When we consider a column for analysis, an biaxial bending

axial force (P) applied at some eccentricity

(e) is equivalent to a concentrically loaded
column with a load P and bending moment
M
• Both representations are used interchangeably
Design requirements for columns
• For beams it is required that we
consider behaviour under both service
and ultimate loads
• For columns, we generally design for
ultimate strength and check
serviceability.
• Design criteria are therefore mainly
concerned with achieving adequate
strength (we generally follow a strong
column weak beam philosophy).
• As columns are subjected to a sustained
load columns creep over time
• For very slender columns creep buckling
can be a design consideration
How do we quantify the strength of a column (given it is under
combined loading)
• The capacity of a column cross
section depends on the ratio of squash load
applied moment and axial load.
transition point
• As the eccentricity (or moment)
increases the capacity left to resist
axial loads (N) decreases.
• It is possible to construct a failure balance
envelope connecting N and M. point
pure bending
• This envelope is known as a section
capacity line, strength interaction M
axial tension
diagram or column curve.
Strength interaction diagram
squash load
• While a continuous curve can easily be constructed
numerically, it is common to approximate the curve using transition point
5 key points:
• Squash load
• Transition point
• Balance point
• Pure bending balance
• Tension failure point
pure bending
• The construction of the strength interaction diagram M
according to the requirements of AS3600 10.6 are:
axial tension
• Plane sections remain plane.
• Concrete carries no tension.
• The distribution of stress in the concrete and steel is
determined using the same stress strain relationships as for
flexural strength without axial loads.
• The strain in the compressive reinforcement does not exceed
0.003.
• Where the neutral axis depth lies outside of the cross section,
consideration shall be given to the effect on strength of
spalling of the cover concrete.
Column curve– squash load Nuo
The squash load (Nuo) represents failure under a pure axial squash load
load and therefore is not expected to occur in practice.
transition point
The squash load can be determined by assuming:
• A uniform strain profile corresponding to the yield stress
of the reinforcement (0.0025)
• A uniform stress in the concrete of:
balance
point
𝛼1 = 1.0 − 0.003𝑓𝑐′ ; 0.72 ≤ 𝛼1 ≤ 0.85 pure bending
M
The squash load is therefore given by: axial tension
 y  1f c P
𝑁𝑢𝑜 = 𝛼1 𝑓𝑐 𝐴𝑔 + 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦
Prc
fy
Where, Ag is the gross cross sectional area and As is the
total area of reinforcing d
D Pconc
PC
To ensure there is no moment acting on the section
(uniform compressive strain) the axial load must pass
through the plastic centroid i.e. the centroid when the Prt
fy
concrete and reinforcement are plastic.
b
 Section capacity line – transition point
• The transition point quantifies failure when the strain at the effective depth is 0 (ku=1).
• Stress block parameters α2 and γ are the same as those for flexural strength analysis.
• Moments must be taken about the plastic centroid (PC).
• N is equal to the sum of internal forces (Pconc+Prc).

 0.003  2fc P squash load

rc
Prc transition point
rc
d dNA Pconc
D
PC
balance
point
pure bending
M
b axial tension
Section capacity line – balance point
• The balance point corresponds to failure when the cross section is
balanced – maximum strain in the concrete of 0.003 and max strain in the
tensile reinforcement of εy
• Follow the same procedure for a balanced beam analysis
• Take moments about plastic centroid
• N is equal to the sum of internal forces (Pconc+Prc-Prt).

 0.003  2fc P squash load

rc
dNA rc Prc transition point
Pconc
d
D
PC
balance
point
y Prt pure bending
fy M
b axial tension
Section capacity line – pure bending
• Strength of the cross section when no axial load is applied.
• Same analysis procedure as calculating the flexural capacity of a
beam.
• Moments can be taken anywhere within the section (no axial load).

 0.003  2fc P
squash load
rt
dNA rc Prc transition point
Pconc
d
D
PC
balance
point
rt rt
Prt pure bending
M
b axial tension
Section capacity line – tensile failure
The tensile failure point considers all the concrete to have cracked and all the
reinforcement to have yielded
y   P
Prc
fy
d
D
PC
fy
Prt

b
Ignoring any contribution of concrete in tension
𝑁𝑢𝑜.𝑡 = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦
 Example 1 – construction of section capacity
line
Determine the Solution approach:
40 mm key points
460 mm (squash load, 1. Determine plastic
500 mm transition point, centroid.
balance point, 2. Determine key points.
pure bending,
tensile failure) on 3. For sections with an axial
the section load take moments about
300 mm capacity line. PC.
Art = Arc= 904 mm 2 Bending takes
place about the x- 4. Take axial load as sum of
fc = 40 MPa
fy = 500 MPa axis. internal forces.
Er = 200 GPa
What you should know
• Basic design requirements for columns
• How to generate a column section capacity line