Practical Design to Eurocode 2

Columns

Strain compatibility
Steel (B600)
Stress

Steel (B500)

Concrete (C30/37)

c1 = 0.0022 cu1 = 0.0035

Strain

Bending with/without Axial

Concise Figure 6.3
Load
(1- c2/cu2)h

EC2 Figure 6.1

or

(1- c3/cu3)h

A s2
h

C
Ap

p(0)

As1

s , p

ud

A reinforcing steel tension strain limit

B concrete compression strain limit
C concrete pure compression strain limit

Minimum eccentricity: e0 = h/30 but 20 mm

c2
cu2

c3
cu3

Column Design Chart

-

Figure 15.5b

Column Design Chart

-

Figure 15.5e

Geometric Imperfections
Cl. 5.2

5.5

Deviations in cross-section dimensions are normally taken into account

in the material factors and should not be included in structural analysis
Imperfections need not be considered for SLS
Out-of-plumb is represented by an inclination, i
i = 0 h m where 0 = 1/200
h = 2/l; 2/3 h 1
m = (0.5(1+1/m))
l is the length or height (m) (see 5.2(6))
m is the number of vert. members

For isolated columns in braced systems, m = 1 and

h may be taken as 1
ie i = 0 = 1/200

Effect of Imperfections
Cl. 5.2 (7) & (9)

5.6.2.1

For isolated members

The effect of imperfections may be taken into account in two ways:
a) as an eccentricity, ei = i l0/2
For isolated columns in braced systems, ei = l0/400 may be used.
b) as a transverse force, Hi
Hi = i N for unbraced members
Hi = 2i N for braced members = N/100
Minimum eccentricity: e0 = h/30 but 20 mm cl 6.1(4)

Isolated Members
EC 2: Figure 5.1a

Concise: 5.5.2

Braced

Unbraced

ei = i l0/2

For walls and isolated columns ei = l0/400

or
Hi = iN for unbraced members
Hi = 2iN for braced members = N/100

Structures
Figure 5.1b

Hi

Figure 5.5

Na
Nb

i /2

i
Na

Hi

i /2

Nb

Bracing System

Floor Diaphragm

Roof

Hi = i (Nb-Na)

Hi = i (Nb+Na)/2

Hi = i Na

Column Design Process

Determine the actions on the column
Determine the effective length, l0
Determine the first order moments
Determine slenderness,
Determine slenderness limit, lim
Is lim?

Yes

Column is slender

Second order effects

No
Column is not slender, MEd = Max (M02, NEde0)

Calculate As (eg using column chart)

Check detailing requirements

Second Order Effects with Axial Load

EC 2: Cl. 5.8.2, 5.8.3.1

Concise: 5.6.1

Second order effects may be ignored if they are less than 10% of the
corresponding first order effects
Slenderness = l0/i where i = (I/A)
hence for a rectangular section = 3.46 l0 / h
for a circular section
= 4 l0 / h
Second order effects may be ignored if the slenderness, is less than
lim where
lim = 20 A B C/n
With biaxial bending the slenderness should be checked separately for
each direction and only need be considered in the directions where
lim is exceeded

Slenderness Limit (5.8.3.1)

EC 2: Cl. 5.8.3.1

Concise: 5.6.1.4

lim = 20ABC/n
where:
A = 1 / (1+0,2ef)
B = (1 + 2)
C = 1.7 - rm

(5.13N)
ef is the effective creep ratio;
(if ef is not known, A = 0.7 may be used)
= Asfyd / (Acfcd)
(if is not known, B = 1.1 may be used)
rm = M01/M02
(if rm is not known, C = 0.7 may be used)

M01, M02 are first order end moments, including the effect of
imperfections,
M02 M01
M02 = Max{|Mtop|;|Mbot|} +ei NEd
M01 = Min {|Mtop|;|Mbot|} +ei NEd
n = NEd / (Acfcd)

Slenderness Limit (5.8.3.1)

Cl. 5.8.3.1
C = 1.7 - rm

5.6.1.4
rm = M01/M02

Note:
In the following cases, rm should be taken as 1.0 (i.e. C= 0.7)
for braced members in which the first order moments arise only
from or predominantly due to imperfections or transverse loading
For unbraced members in general

Factor C
100 kNm

100 kNm

-100 kNm
rm = M01/ M02
= 0 / 100
=0
C = 1.7 0
= 1.7

rm = M01/ M02
= -100 / 100
= -1
C = 1.7 + 1
= 2.7

100 kNm

100 kNm
rm = M01/ M02
= 100 / 100
=1
C = 1.7 1
= 0.7

Different Column End Restraints

EC 2: Figure 5.7, 5.8.3.2

Concise: Figure 5.6, 5.6.1.2

= l0/i

f)
l0 = l

Braced members:
Fig f)

l0 = 2l l0 = 0.7l

l0 = 0.5l

l0 = l / 2

l0 = l

l /2 <l0< l

g)
l0 > 2l

k1
k2

1
1
0,45 k1
0,45 k 2

k1 k 2
k1
k2
l
=
l

max
1
10
;
1
1

Unbraced members: 0

1 k 1 k
k

1
2
1
2

Fig g)

k = ( / M) (E / l)

Typical Column Effective

EC 2: PD 6687 Cl.2.10

Concise: -

Non failing
column

End 1
Failing column

From PD 6687
The contribution of non failing
columns to the joint stiffness may be
ignored
For beams /M may be taken as l/2EI
(allowing for cracking in the beams)

End 2
Non failing
column

Assuming that the beams are symmetrical about the column and their
sizes are the same in the two storeys shown, then:
k1 = k2 = EI`/`lcol / 2EI / lbeams
= EI /`lcol / 2 x 2EI / lbeams

0.1

Although not stated effective lengths can be used?

Typical Column Effective Length

EC 2: -

Concise: -

lo = Fl

l is clear height

Conservative to
use the method in
BS 8110 Table
3.19

2nd order effects Slender columns

Methods of analysis
EC 2: Cl 5.8.5, cl 5.8.8

Concise: 5.6.2.1

The methods of analysis include a general method. Based

on non-linear second order analysis and the following two
simplified methods:
Method based on nominal stiffness
Method based on nominal curvature
This method is primarily suitable for isolated members with
constant normal force and defined effective length. The
method gives a nominal second order moment based on a
deflection, which in turn is based on the effective length and
an estimated maximum curvature.

Nominal Curvature Method

EC 2: Cl. 5.8.8.2

Concise: 5.6.2.2

MEd = M0Ed+ M2
M0Ed = Equivalent first order moment including the effect
of imperfections [At about mid-height]. May be
taken as = M0e
M0e = (0.6 M02 + 0.4 M01) 0.4M02
HOWEVER, this is only the mid-height moment - the two
end moments should be considered too. PD 6687
advises for braced structures:
MEd = MAX{M0e+M2; M02; M01+0.5M2} e0NEd
M02 = Max{|Mtop|;|Mbot|} +ei NEd
M01 = Min {|Mtop|;|Mbot|} + ei NEd
M2 = nominal 2nd order moment in slender columns = NEde2

Moments in Slender Columns

2nd Order
moments

Combination
of moments

1st Order
moments

Typical braced column

Combination
of moments

2nd Order
moments

1st Order
moments

Typical unbraced column

Nominal Curvature Method

-

Figure 5.10

Second order moment

Cl. 5.8.8

5.6.2.2

M2 = NEd e2
e2 = (1/r)l02/2
1/r = KrK/r0

where 1/r0 = yd /(0.45d)

Kr = (nu n)/(nu-nbal) 1
K = 1 + ef 1

= 0.35 + fck /200 /150

Biaxial Bending
Cl. 5.8.9

5.6.3

MEdz MEdy
1,0

MRdz MRdy
For rectangular cross-sections
NEd/NRd 0.1
0.7
1.0
a
1.0
1.5
2.0
where NRd = Acfcd + Asfyd
For circular cross-sections

a = 2.0

Biaxial bending for rectangular

column
NRd

a=2
NEd
a = 1.5

a=1
MEdy

MEdz

Columns (1)
(9.5.2)
h 4b
min 12
As,min = 0,10NEd/fyd but 0,002 Ac
As,max = 0.04 Ac

(0,08Ac at laps)

Minimum number of bars in a circular column is 4.

Where direction of longitudinal bars changes more than
1:12 the spacing of transverse reinforcement should be
calculated.

Columns (2)
(9.5.3)

150mm

scl,tmax

150mm

scl,tmax = min {20 min; b ; 400mm}

scl,tmax should be reduced by a factor 0,6:
in sections within h above or below a beam
or slab
near lapped joints where > 14.
A min of 3 bars is required in lap length
scl,tmax = min {12 min; 0.6b ; 240mm}

Worked Example

The structural grid is 7.5 m in each direction

Worked Examples to EC2 - Example 5.1
38.5 kN.m

38.5 kN.m

Solution effective length

Using PD 6687 method
Clear span is 4000 250 = 3750 mm
EI c
300 4 12
Lc
3750
k

0.14
2EI b
2 3750 250 3 12
L
7500
b

From Table 4 of How toColumns

Take beam width as,

say, half the bay width

F = 0.62 lo = 0.62 x 3.750 = 2.33 m

Check slenderness:

= 3.46 lo/h = 3.46 x 2.33 / 0.3 = 26.8

Column moments
First order moments
M02

= M + eiNEd
ei = l0/400 = 2300/400 = 5.8 mm

M02

= 38.5 + 0.0058 x 1620

= 47.9 kNm

M01

= 38.5 + 0.0058 x 1620

= 47.9 kNm

Slenderness
A

= 0.7 (use default value)

= 1.1 (use default value)

= 1.7 rm = 1.7 M01/M02 = 1.7 (-47.9/47.9) = 2.70

= NEd/Acfcd = 1620 x 1000/(3002 x 0.85 x 30/1.5) = 1.06

lim

= 20 ABC/n
= 20 x 0.7 x 1.1 x 2.7/1.06 = 40.4

lim > (26.8)

...column is not slender

M2 = 0

Column moments
Design moments

MEd = Max { M02, e0NEd}

e0 = Max[h/30,20mm] = Max[300/30,20mm] = 20 mm
MEd = Max { 47.9, 0.02 x 1620} = Max { 47.9 , 32.4}
MEd = 47.9 kN.m

Solution determine As
d2 = cnom + link + /2 = 25 + 8 +16 = 49 mm
d2/h = 49/300 = 0.163
Column design charts interpolate between d2/h = 0.15 and 0.20
MEd/(bh2fck) = 47.9 x 106/(3003 x 30) = 0.059
NEd/(bhfck) = 1620 x 1000/(3002 x 30) = 0.60
Charts are for symmetrically reinforced columns
where bars are in the corners.
See concise 15.9.3 for method where bars are not
concentrated in the corners

Interaction Chart

Asfyk/bhfck

0.22

Interaction Chart

Asfyk/bhfck

0.24

Solution determine As
Interpolating:
Asfyk/(bhfck) = 0.23
As = 0.23 x 3002 x 30/500 = 1242 mm2
Try 4 H25 (1964 mm2)

(note 4 H20 is 1260 mm2)

Workshop Problem
Design column C2
between ground and first
floors for bending about
axis parallel to line 2.
Assume the following:
Axial load: 7146kN
Top Moment: 95.7kN.m
Nominal cover:35mm
Pinned base
Bay width is 6.0 m
Elastic modulus is the
same for column and slab

Solution - effective length

Using PD 6687 method
Clear span is 4500 300 = 4200 mm
EI c
500 4 12
Lc
4200
k

0.41
3
2EI b
2 3000 300 12 2 3000 300 3 12

L
8600
9600
b

From Table 4 of How toColumns

Take beam
width as, say,
half the bay
width

F = 0.86 lo = 0.86 x 4.2 = 3.612 m

Check slenderness:

= 3.46 lo/h = 3.46 x 3.612 /0.5 = 25.0

Column moments
First order moments
M02

= M + eiNEd
ei = l0/400 =3612/400 = 9.0 mm

M02

= 95.7 + 0.0090 x 7146

= 160.0 142.9 kNm

M01

= 0 kNm (pinned base)

Slenderness
A

= 0.7 (use default value)

= 1.1 (use default value)

= 1.7 rm = 1.7 M01/M02 = 1.7 (0/160.0) = 1.7

= NEd/Acfcd = 7146 x 1000/(5002 x 0.85 x 50/1.5) = 1.01

lim

= 20 ABC/n
= 20 x 0.7 x 1.1 x 1.7/1.01 = 26.1

lim > (25.0)

...column is not slender

M2 = 0

Column moments
Design moments

MEd = Max { M02, e0NEd}

e0 = Max[h/30,20mm] = Max[500/30,20mm] = 20 mm
MEd = Max { 160.0, 0.02 x 7146} = Max { 160.0 , 142.9}
MEd = 160.0 kN.m

Solution determine As
d2 = cnom + link + /2 = 35 + 8 + 16 = 59 mm
d2/h = 59/500 = 0.118
MEd/(bh2fck) = 160.0 x 106/(5003 x 50) = 0.026
NEd/(bhfck) = 7146 x 1000/(5002 x 50) = 0.57

Interaction Chart
f ck
h
/b
k

fy

As

0.09

Solution determine As
Asfyk/bhfck = 0.09
As = 0.09 x 5002 x 50 / 500 = 2250 mm2
Use 8 H20 (2513 mm2)

Practical Design to Eurocode 2

Fire Design

Fire

Structural Fire Design

Part 1-2, Fig 5.2

Figure 4.2

Scope
Part 1-2 Structural fire design gives several methods for fire engineering
Tabulated data for various elements is given in section 5
Reinforcement cover
Axis distance, a, to centre of bar
a = c + m/2 + l

Axis
Distance

Eurocode 2: Part 1.2 Structural

Fire Design
General
Basis of fire design
Material properties
Design procedures
Simplified and advanced calculation methods
Shear and torsion
Spalling
Joints
Protective layers
Tabulated data
High strength concrete
Annexes A, B, C, D and E

100 Pages

Chapter 2: Basis of Fire Design

Requirements:
Criteria considered are:
R Mechanical resistance (load bearing)
E Integrity (compartment separation)
I
Insulation (where required)
M Impact resistance (where required)

Actions - from BS EN 1991-1-2

Nominal and Parametric Fire Curves

Chapter 2: Basis of Fire Design

Verification methods Ed,fi Rd,fi(t)
Member Analysis Ed,fi = fi Ed
Ed is the design value for normal temperature design
fi is the reduction factor for the fire situation
fi = (Gk + fi Qk.1)/(GGk + Q.1Qk.1)
fi is taken as 1 or 2 (= 1 - NA)

Design Procedures

Tabulated data (Chapter 5)

Simplified calculation methods
Advanced calculation method

Which method?

Section 5. Tabulated Data

Cl. 5.1

Provides design solutions for the standard fire exposure up to 4

hours
The tables have been developed on an empirical basis
confirmed by experience and theoretical evaluation of tests
Values are given for normal weight concrete made with siliceous
aggregates
For calcareous or lightweight aggregates minimum dimension
may be reduced by 10%
No further checks are required for shear, torsion or anchorage
No further checks are required for spalling up to an axis
distance of 70 mm
For HSC (> C50/60) the minimum cross section dimension should
be increased

Elements
Approach for Beams and Slabs very similar
Separate tables for continuous members
One way, two way spanning and flat slabs
treated separately
Columns depend on load and slenderness
Walls depend on exposure conditions

Continuous Beams
EC 2: Table 5.6

Concise: Table 4.6

Flat Slabs
1992-1-2 Table 5.9

Table 4.8

Columns Tabular Approach

Columns more Tricky!
Two approaches
Only for braced structures
Unbraced structures columns
can be considered braced if
there are columns outside the
fire zone

Columns: Method A
EC 2: Table 5.2a

Concise: Table 4.4A

The minimum
dimensions are
larger than
BS 8110

fi = NEd,fi/ NRd = Gk + 1,1 Qk,1/(1.35Gk + 1.5 Qk) Conservatively 0.7

where NEd,fi is the design axial load in the fire condition
NRd is the design axial resistance at normal temperature

Limitations to Table 5.2a

Limitations to Method A:
Effective length of the column under fire conditions l0,fi
<= 3m.
First order eccentricity under fire conditions: e = M0Ed,fi /
N0Ed,fi <= emax = 0.15 h
Amount of reinforcement: As < 0.04 Ac

Columns: Method B

Limitations to Table 5.2b

l/h (or l/b) 17.3 for rectangular column (fi 30)
First order eccentricity under fire conditions:
e/b = M0Ed,fi /b N0Ed,fi 0.25 with emax= 100 mm
Amount of reinforcement, = As fyd / Ac fcd 1
For other values of these parameters see Annex C

Spalling
EC2 distinguishes between explosive spalling that can occur
in concrete under compressive conditions, such as in
columns, and the concrete falling off the soffit in the
tension zones of beams and slabs.
Explosive spalling occurs early on in the fire exposure and is
mainly caused by the expansion of the water/steam particles
trapped in the matrix of the concrete. The denser the
concrete. the greater the explosive force.
Unlikely if moisture content is less than 3% (NDP) by
weight
Tabular data OK for axis distance up to 70 mm
Falling off of concrete occurs in the latter stage of fire
exposure

High Strength Concrete Tabulated Data

Minimum cross section should be increased:
For walls and slabs exposed on one side only by:
For Class 1: 0.1a
for C55/67 to C60/75
For Class 2: 0.3a

for C70/85 to C80/95

For all other structural members by:

For Class 1: 0.2a
for C55/67 to C60/75
For Class 2: 0.6a
for C70/85 to C80/95
Axis distance, a, increased by factor:
For Class 1: 1.1 for C55/67 to C60/75
For Class 2: 1.3 for C70/85 to C80/95

High Strength Concrete Spalling

For C 55/67 to C 80/95 the rules for normal strength concrete
apply. provided that the maximum content of silica fume is less
than 6% by weight.
For C 80/95 to C 90/105 there is a risk of spalling and at least
one of the following should be provided (NA):
Method A: A reinforcement mesh
Method B: A type of concrete which resists spalling
Method C: Protective layers which prevent spalling
Method D: monofilament polypropylene fibres.

Other Methods
Simplified calculation method for beams, slabs
and columns
Full Non-linear temperature dependent ..

But all of these must have the caveat that they

are unproven for shear and torsion.

Annex E: Simplified Calculation

Method for Beams and Slabs
M Rd1,fi
M Rd2,fi
MEd,fi = wEd,fileff / 8

M Rd,fi,Span

- Free moment diagram for UDL under fire conditions

MRd,fi,Span = (s /s,fi ) ks() MEd (As,prov /As,req)

MRd,fi,Support = (s /s,fi ) MEd (As,prov /As,req) (d-a)/d
Where

a is the required bottom axis distance given in Section 5

As,prov /As,req should not be taken greater than 1.3

500C Isotherm Method

Ignore concrete > 500C

Zone Method

Divide concrete into zones and work out average

temperature of each zone, to calculate strength

Worked Example
NEd=1824kN
Myy,Ed=78.5kNm
Mzz,Ed=76.8kNm
2 hour fire resistance
required
External, but no de-icing
salts
fck = 30MPa

Worked Example
Cover:
cmin,b = diameter of bar (assume 25mm bars with 8mm links)
cmin,dur = (XC3/XC4) 25mm
say cdev = 10mm
cnom (to main bars) = max{(25+10),(25+8+10)} = 43mm
Use cnom = 35mm to links

Worked Example
Check fire resistance of R120 to Method A
eccentricity e < 0.15b
e = MEd/NEd = 78.5x103/1824 = 43mm
0.15 x 350 = 52.5mm OK
Assume 8 bars OK
l0,fi = 0.7l = 2.8m < 3m OK
From Table 5.2a: min dimensions = 350/57
Column is 350mm, axis distance = 57mm
Check cover 35mm + 8 (link) + /2 = 55.5mm
Increase nominal cover to 40mm.