Interaction Diagram - Tied Reinforced Concrete Column with High-Strength Reinforcing Bars (ACI 318-19)

Interaction Diagram - Tied Reinforced Concrete Column with High-Strength Reinforcing Bars (ACI 318-19)

Develop an interaction diagram for the square tied concrete column shown in the figure below about the x-axis using
ACI 318-19. Determine seven control points on the interaction diagram and compare the calculated values with exact
values from the complete interaction diagram generated by spColumn engineering software program from
StructurePoint. High Strength Reinforcing Bars (HSRB) with Grade 80 steel (fy = 80 ksi) is being used to assist with
congestion of reinforcement at columns/beams joints.

Figure 1 – Reinforced Concrete Column Cross-Section

Version: Jan-23-2020
Contents
1. Pure Compression ....................................................................................................................................................5
1.1. Nominal axial compressive strength at zero eccentricity ..................................................................................5
1.2. Factored axial compressive strength at zero eccentricity ..................................................................................5
1.3. Maximum (allowable) factored axial compressive strength..............................................................................5
2. Bar Stress Near Tension Face of Member Equal to Zero, (εs = fs = 0) .....................................................................6
2.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement ................................................................................................................6
2.2. Forces in the concrete and steel.........................................................................................................................6
2.3. ϕPn and ϕMn ......................................................................................................................................................7
3. Bar Stress Near Tension Face of Member Equal to 0.5 fy, ( fs = - 0.5 fy ) .................................................................8
3.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement ................................................................................................................8
3.2. Forces in the concrete and steel.........................................................................................................................8
3.3. ϕPn and ϕMn ......................................................................................................................................................9
4. Bar Stress Near Tension Face of Member Equal to fy, ( fs = - fy )........................................................................... 10
4.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement .............................................................................................................. 10
4.2. Forces in the concrete and steel....................................................................................................................... 11
4.3. ϕPn and ϕMn .................................................................................................................................................... 11
5. Bar Strain Near Tension Face of Member Equal to εy + 0.003, (εs = - 0.00576 in./in.).......................................... 12
5.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement .............................................................................................................. 12
5.2. Forces in the concrete and steel....................................................................................................................... 13
5.3. ϕPn and ϕMn .................................................................................................................................................... 13
6. Pure Bending .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
6.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement .............................................................................................................. 14
6.2. Forces in the concrete and steel....................................................................................................................... 15
6.3. ϕPn and ϕMn .................................................................................................................................................... 15
7. Pure Tension........................................................................................................................................................... 16
7.1. Pnt and ϕPnt ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
7.2. Mn and ϕMn .................................................................................................................................................... 16
8. Column Interaction Diagram - spColumn Software ............................................................................................... 17
9. Summary and Comparison of Design Results ........................................................................................................ 26
10. Conclusions & Observations .................................................................................................................................. 27

Version: Jan-23-2020
Code
Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-19) and Commentary (ACI 318R-19)

References
Reinforced Concrete Mechanics and Design, 6th Edition, 2011, James Wight and James MacGregor, Pearson
Column Design with High-Strength Reinforcing Bars per ACI 318-19, 2019, StructurePoint
Column Design Capacity Comparison with High Strength Reinforcing Bars per ACI 318-14 and ACI 318-19,
2019, StructurePoint
ACI 318-19 Code Revisions Impact on StructurePoint Software, 2019, StructurePoint

Design Data
fc’ = 5000 psi
fy = 80,000 psi
Cover = 2.5 in. to the center of the reinforcement
Column 16 in. x 16 in.
Top reinforcement = 4 #9
Bottom reinforcement = 4 #9

Solution
Use the traditional hand calculations approach to generate the interaction diagram for the concrete column
section shown above by determining the following seven control points:

Point 1: Pure compression

Point 2: Bar stress near tension face of member equal to zero, (fs = 0)
Point 3: Bar stress near tension face of member equal to 0.5 fy (fs = - 0.5 fy)
Point 4: Bar stress near tension face of member equal to fy (fs = - fy)
Point 5: Bar strain near tension face of member equal to εy + 0.003
Point 6: Pure bending
Point 7: Pure tension

3
 εt = εy + 0.003

Figure 2 – Control Points

4
1. Pure Compression

1.1. Nominal axial compressive strength at zero eccentricity

Po = 0.85 f 'c ( Ag − Ast ) + f y Ast ACI 318-19 (22.4.2.2)

Po = 0.85  5000  (16 16 − 8 1.00) + 80000  8 1.00 = 1694 kips

1.2. Factored axial compressive strength at zero eccentricity

Since this column is a tied column with steel strain in compression:

 = 0.65 ACI 318-19 (Table 21.2.2)

 Po = 0.65 1694 = 1101.1 kips

1.3. Maximum (allowable) factored axial compressive strength

 Pn,max = 0.80   Po = 0.80 1101.1 = 880.9 kips ACI 318-19 (Table 22.4.2.1)

5
2. Bar Stress Near Tension Face of Member Equal to Zero, (εs = fs = 0)

Figure 3 – Strains, Forces, and Moment Arms (εt = fs = 0)

Strain εs is zero in the extreme layer of tension steel. This case is considered when calculating an interaction diagram
because it marks the change from compression lap splices being allowed on all longitudinal bars, to the more severe
requirement of tensile lap splices. ACI 318-19 (10.7.5.2.1 and 2)

2.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement

c = d1 = 13.5 in.

Where c is the distance from the fiber of maximum compressive strain to the neutral axis.
ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.2)

a = 1  c = 0.80 13.5 = 10.80 in. ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

Where:

a = Depth of equivalent rectangular stress block

0.05  ( f c'  4000 ) 0.05  ( 5000 − 4000)

1 = 0.85 − = 0.85 − = 0.80 ACI 318-19 (Table 22.2.2.4.3)
1000 1000

s = 0

 = 0.65 ACI 318-19 (Table 21.2.2)

 cu = 0.003 ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.1)

 cu 0.003 Fy 80
 s' = (c − d2 )  = (13.50 − 2.5)  = 0.00244 (Compression) <  y = = = 0.00276
c 13.50 Es 29000

2.2. Forces in the concrete and steel

Cc = 0.85  fc'  a  b = 0.85  5,000 10.80 16 = 734.4 kip ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

f s = 0 psi → Ts = f s  As1 = 0 kip

6
 Since  s' <  y → compression reinforcement has not yielded

 f s' =  s'  Es = 0.00244  29000000 = 70889 psi

The area of the reinforcement in this layer has been included in the area (ab) used to compute Cc. As a result,
it is necessary to subtract 0.85fc’ from fs’ before computing Cs:

Cs = ( f s' − 0.85 fc' )  As 2 = (80000 − 0.85  5000)  4 = 266.6 kip

2.3. ϕPn and ϕMn

Pn = Cc + Cs − Ts = 734.4 + 266.6 − 0 = 1001.0kip

 Pn = 0.65 1001.0 = 650.6kip

h a h   h
M n = Cc   −  + Cs   − d 2  + Ts   d1 − 
 2 2   2   2

 16 10.80   16   16 
M n = 734.4   −  + 266.6   − 2.5  + 0   13.50 −  = 281.3kip.ft
 2 2   2   2

 M n = 0.65  281.3 = 182.8kip.ft

7
3. Bar Stress Near Tension Face of Member Equal to 0.5 fy, ( fs = - 0.5 fy )

Figure 4 – Strains, Forces, and Moment Arms (fs = - 0.5 fy)

3.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement

fy 80
y = = = 0.00276
Es 29000

y 0.00276
s = = = 0.00138   y → tension reinforcement has not yielded
2 2

 = 0.65 ACI 318-19 (Table 21.2.2)

 cu = 0.003 ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.1)

d1 13.50
c=   cu =  0.003 = 9.25 in.
 s +  cu 0.00138 + 0.003

Where c is the distance from the fiber of maximum compressive strain to the neutral axis.
ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.2)

a = 1  c = 0.80  9.25 = 7.40 in. ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

Where:

0.05  ( f c'  4000 ) 0.05  ( 5000 − 4000)

1 = 0.85 − = 0.85 − = 0.80 ACI 318-19 (Table 22.2.2.4.3)
1000 1000

0.003 0.003
 s' = ( c − d2 )  = ( 9.25 − 2.5)  = 0.00219 (Compression) <  y
c 9.25

3.2. Forces in the concrete and steel

Cc = 0.85  fc'  a  b = 0.85  5000  7.40 16 = 503.1 kip ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

f s =  s  Es = 0.00138  29000000 = 40000 psi

8
 Ts = f s  As1 = 40000  4 = 160 kip

Since  s' <  y → compression reinforcement has not yielded

 f s' =  s'  Es = 0.00219  29000000 = 63481 psi

The area of the reinforcement in this layer has been included in the area (ab) used to compute Cc. As a result,
it is necessary to subtract 0.85fc’ from fs’ before computing Cs:

Cs = ( f s' − 0.85 fc' )  As 2 = ( 63481 − 0.85  5000)  4 = 237.0 kip

3.3. ϕPn and ϕMn

Pn = Cc + Cs − Ts = 503.1 + 237.0 − 160.0 = 580.0kip

 Pn = 0.65  580.0 = 377.0kip

h a h   h
M n = Cc   −  + Cs   − d 2  + Ts   d1 − 
2 2 2   2

 16 7.40   16   16 
M n = 503.1  −  + 237.0   − 2.5  + 160.0   13.50 −  = 362.2 kip.ft
2 2   2   2

 M n = 0.65  362.2 = 235.5kip.ft

9
4. Bar Stress Near Tension Face of Member Equal to fy, ( fs = - fy )

Figure 5 – Strains, Forces, and Moment Arms (fs = - fy)

This strain distribution is called the balanced failure case and the compression-controlled strain limit. It marks the
change from compression failures originating by crushing of the compression surface of the section, to tension failures
initiated by yield of longitudinal reinforcement. It also marks the start of the transition zone for ϕ for columns in which
ϕ increases from 0.65 (or 0.75 for spiral columns) up to 0.90.

4.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement

fy 80
y = = = 0.00276
Es 29000

 s =  y = 0.00276 → tension reinforcement has yielded

 = 0.65 ACI 318-19 (Table 21.2.2)

 cu = 0.003 ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.1)

d1 13.50
c=   cu =  0.003 = 7.03 in.
 s +  cu 0.00276 + 0.003

Where c is the distance from the fiber of maximum compressive strain to the neutral axis.
ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.2)

a = 1  c = 0.80  7.03 = 5.63 in. ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

Where:

0.05  ( f c'  4000 ) 0.05  ( 5000  4000 )

1 = 0.85 − = 0.85 − = 0.80 ACI 318-19 (Table 22.2.2.4.3)
1000 1000

0.003 0.003
 s' = ( c − d2 )  = ( 7.03 − 2.5)  = 0.00193 (Compression) <  y
c 7.03

10
4.2. Forces in the concrete and steel

Cc = 0.85  fc'  a  b = 0.85  5000  5.63 16 = 382.6 kip ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

f s = f y = 80000 psi

Ts = f y  As1 = 80000  4 = 320 kip

Since  s' <  y → compression reinforcement has not yielded

 f s' =  s'  Es = 0.00193  29000000 = 56074 psi

The area of the reinforcement in this layer has been included in the area (ab) used to compute Cc. As a result,
it is necessary to subtract 0.85fc’ from fs’ before computing Cs:

Cs = ( f s' − 0.85 fc' )  As 2 = ( 56074 − 0.85  5000)  4 = 207.3 kip

4.3. ϕPn and ϕMn

Pn = Cc + Cs − Ts = 382.6 + 207.3 − 320.0 = 269.9kip

 Pn = 0.65  269.9 = 175.4kip

h a h   h
M n = Cc   −  + Cs   − d 2  + Ts   d1 − 
2 2 2   2

 16 5.63   16   16 
M n = 382.6   −  + 207.3   − 2.5  + 320.0   13.50 −  = 407.0 kip.ft
2 2   2   2

 M n = 0.65  407.0 = 264.6kip.ft

11
5. Bar Strain Near Tension Face of Member Equal to εy + 0.003, (εs = - 0.00576 in./in.)

Figure 6 – Strains, Forces, and Moment Arms (εs = - 0.005 in./in.)

This corresponds to the tension-controlled strain limit of εy + 0.003 (this value used to be equal to 0.005 in older
versions of ACI 318). It is the strain at the tensile limit of the transition zone for ϕ, used to define a tension-controlled
section.

5.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement

fy 80
y = = = 0.00276
Es 29000

 s =  y + 0.003 = 0.00276 + 0.003 = 0.00576   y → tension reinforcement has yielded

 = 0.9 ACI 318-19 (Table 21.2.2)

 cu = 0.003 ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.1)

d1 13.50
c=   cu =  0.003 = 4.62 in.
 s +  cu 0.00576 + 0.003

Where c is the distance from the fiber of maximum compressive strain to the neutral axis.
ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.2)

a = 1  c = 0.80  4.62 = 3.70 in. ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

Where:

0.05  ( f c'  4000 ) 0.05  ( 5000 − 4000)

1 = 0.85 − = 0.85 − = 0.80 ACI 318-19 (Table 22.2.2.4.3)
1000 1000

0.003 0.003
 s' = ( c − d2 )  = ( 4.62 − 2.5)  = 0.00138 (Compression) <  y
c 4.62

12
5.2. Forces in the concrete and steel

Cc = 0.85  fc'  a  b = 0.85  5000  3.70 16 = 251.5 kip ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

f s = f y = 80000 psi

Ts = f y  As1 = 80000  4 = 320 kip

Since  s' <  y → compression reinforcement has not yielded

 f s' =  s'  Es = 0.00138  29000000 = 39963 psi

The area of the reinforcement in this layer has been included in the area (ab) used to compute Cc. As a result,
it is necessary to subtract 0.85fc’ from fs’ before computing Cs:

Cs = ( f s' − 0.85 fc' )  As 2 = ( 39963 − 0.85  5000)  4 = 142.9 kip

5.3. ϕPn and ϕMn

Pn = Cc + Cs − Ts = 251.5 + 142.9 − 320 = 74.4kip

 Pn = 0.90  74.4 = 67.0kip

h a h   h
M n = Cc   −  + Cs   − d 2  + Ts   d1 − 
2 2 2   2

 16 3.70   16   16 
M n = 251.5   −  + 142.9   − 2.5  + 320   13.50 −  = 341.1kip.ft
 2 2   2   2

 M n = 0.90  341.1 = 307.0kip.ft

13
6. Pure Bending

Figure 7 – Strains, Forces, and Moment Arms (Pure Moment)

This corresponds to the case where the nominal axial load capacity, Pn, is equal to zero. Iterative procedure is used to
determine the nominal moment capacity as follows:

6.1. c, a, and strains in the reinforcement

Try c = 3.899 in.

Where c is the distance from the fiber of maximum compressive strain to the neutral axis.
ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.2)

a = 1  c = 0.80  3.899 = 3.119 in. ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

Where:

0.05  ( f c'  4000 ) 0.05  ( 5000  4000 )

1 = 0.85 − = 0.85 − = 0.80 ACI 318-19 (Table 22.2.2.4.3)
1000 1000

 cu = 0.003 ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.1)

fy 80
y = = = 0.00276
Es 29000

0.003
 s = ( d1 − c ) 
c

0.003
 s = (13.50 − 3.899 )  = 0.00739 (Tension) >  y → tension reinforcement has yielded
3.899

 = 0.9 ACI 318-19 (Table 21.2.2)

0.003
 s' = (c − d 2 ) 
c

0.003
 s' = (3.899 − 2.5)  = 0.00108 (Compression) <  y → compression reinforcement has not yielded
3.899

14
6.2. Forces in the concrete and steel

Cc = 0.85  fc'  a  b = 0.85  5000  3.119 16 = 212.1 kip ACI 318-19 (22.2.2.4.1)

f s = f y = 80000 psi

Ts = f y  As1 = 80000  4 = 320 kip

Since  s' <  y → compression reinforcement has not yielded

 f s' =  s'  Es = 0.00108  29000000 = 31216 psi

The area of the reinforcement in this layer has been included in the area (ab) used to compute Cc. As a result,
it is necessary to subtract 0.85fc’ from fs’ before computing Cs:

Cs = ( f s' − 0.85 fc' )  As 2 = ( 31216 − 0.85  5000)  4 = 107.9 kip

6.3. ϕPn and ϕMn

Pn = Cc + Cs − Ts = 212.1 + 107.9 − 320 = 0kip →  Pn = 0.0kip

The assumption that c = 3.899 in. is correct

h a h   h
M n = Cc   −  + Cs   − d 2  + Ts   d1 − 
 2 2   2   2

 16 3.119   16   16 
M n = 212.1  −  + 107.1  − 2.5  + 320   13.50 −  = 309.9 kip.ft
2 2  2   2

 M n = 0.90  209.9 = 278.9kip.ft

15
7. Pure Tension

The final loading case to be considered is concentric axial tension. The strength under pure axial tension is computed
by assuming that the section is completely cracked through and subjected to a uniform strain greater than or equal to
the yield strain in tension. The strength under such a loading is equal to the yield strength of the reinforcement in
tension.

7.1. Pnt and ϕPnt

Pnt = f y  ( As1 + As 2 ) = 80000  ( 4 + 4) = 640.0 kip ACI 318-19 (22.4.3.1)

 = 0.9 ACI 318-19 (Table 21.2.2)

 Pnt = 0.90  640 = 576.0kip

7.2. Mn and ϕMn

Since the section is symmetrical

M n =  M n = 0.0kip.ft

16
8. Column Interaction Diagram - spColumn Software

spColumn program performs the analysis of the reinforced concrete section conforming to the provisions of the
Strength Design Method and Unified Design Provisions with all conditions of strength satisfying the applicable
conditions of equilibrium and strain compatibility. For this column section, we ran in investigation mode with
control points using the 318-19. In lieu of using program shortcuts, spSection (Figure 9) was used to place the
reinforcement and define the cover to illustrate handling of irregular shapes and unusual bar arrangement.

Figure 8 – Generating spColumn Model

17
Figure 9 – spColumn Model Editor (spSection)

18
Figure 10 – Column Section Interaction Diagram about the X-Axis (spColumn)

19
20
21
22
23
24
25
9. Summary and Comparison of Design Results

Table 1 - Comparison of Results

ϕPn, kip ϕMn, kip.ft
Support
Hand spColumn Hand spColumn
Max compression 1101.1 1101.1 0.0 0.0
Allowable compression 880.9 880.9 --- ---
fs = 0.0 650.6 650.6 182.8 182.8
fs = 0.5 fy 377.0 377.0 235.5 235.5
Balanced point 175.4 175.4 264.6 264.6
Tension control 67.0 67.0 307.0 307.0
Pure bending 0.0 0.0 278.9 279.0
Max tension 576.0 576.0 0.0 0.0

In all of the hand calculations illustrated above for this column with HSRB, the results are in precise agreement with
the automated exact results obtained from the spColumn program.

26
10. Conclusions & Observations

The analysis of the reinforced concrete section performed by spColumn conforms to the provisions of the Strength
Design Method and Unified Design Provisions with all conditions of strength satisfying the applicable conditions
of equilibrium and strain compatibility.

ACI 318-19 introduced new provisions for high-strength reinforcing bars (HSRB) with 80 ksi and 100 ksi
strengths. Table 21.2.2 in ACI 318-19 defines the strength reduction factor , for tension-controlled sections as
an expression of fy, for all reinforcement grades. Previously in ACI 318-14 Fig. R21.2.2b, the tension-controlled
strain limit was set to 0.005. Therefore, beginning with the 2019 Code, the expression (εty + 0.003) defines the
lower limit on εt for tension-controlled behavior. The new limit leads to a constant transition zone range from εty
to εty + 0.003.

The Figure below shows factored P-M interaction diagrams for a column section with Gr 80 reinforcement per
ACI 318-14 where the tension-controlled limit was 0.005 and per ACI 318-19 where the tension-controlled limit
for Gr 80 is 0.00576 (εty + 0.003). The change in the tension-controlled limit leads to the reduction of axial load
and moment capacities in the transition zone for this column section designed in accordance with ACI 318-19.

Figure 11 – Design (Factored) Interaction Diagrams using ACI 318-14 and ACI 318-19 (spColumn)

27
The Figure below shows factored interaction diagrams for a column section with Gr 60 and Gr 80 reinforcement
per ACI 318-19. The factored moment capacity of a column with Gr 80 reinforcement is greater than that of a
column with Gr 60 reinforcement with the exception of the transition zone region of a column with Gr 60
reinforcement.

Figure 12 – Design (Factored) Interaction Diagrams using Gr 60 and Gr 80 (spColumn)

28
In the calculation shown above a P-M interaction diagram was generated with moments about the X-Axis
(Uniaxial bending). Since the reinforcement in the section is not symmetrical, a different P-M interaction diagram
is needed for the other orthogonal direction about the Y-Axis (See the following Figure for the case where fs =
fy).

Figure 13 – Strains, Forces, and Moment Arms (fs = - fy Moments About x- and y-axis)

29
When running about the Y-Axis, we have 2 bars in 4 layers instead of 4 bars in just 2 layers (about X-Axis) resulting
in a completely different interaction diagram as shown in the following Figure.

Figure 14 – Comparison of Column Interaction Diagrams about X-Axis and Y-Axis (spColumn)

Further differences in the interaction diagram in both directions can result if the column cross section geometry is
irregular.

In most building design calculations, such as the examples shown for flat plate or flat slab concrete floor systems, all
building columns are subjected to Mx and My due to lateral forces and unbalanced moments from both directions of
analysis. This requires an evaluation of the column P-M interaction diagram in two directions simultaneously (biaxial
bending).

StucturePoint’s spColumn program can also evaluate column sections in biaxial mode to produce the results shown in
the following Figure for the column section in this example.

30
Figure 15 – Nominal & Design Interaction Diagram in Two Directions (Biaxial) (spColumn)

31