Thumb rules for Structural Design | RCC Structures Design of RCC Structural Components In this article, we are going

to discuss the minimum standards that are to be followed for the design of Structural components of a building such as Columns, beams, slab and foundation. We will also discuss the minimum safe standards for the reinforcing bars that are to be used for the design of the above mentioned Structural Components. Minimum cross-sectional dimension for a Column: is 9x9. But to avoid slenderness ratio problems in multistorey buildings, we prefer a rectangular column design of 9x12 which is safer. Minimum RCC beam size: is 9x9. But generally, to maintain uniformity and speed of construction, we design all beams of the same size 9x12. But 9x9 can also be used safely, according to design. Minimum thickness of RCC slab is 4.5 because a slab may contain electrical pipes embedded into them which could be 0.5 or even fatter for internal wiring, which effectively reduces slab depths at certain places, causing cracking, weakening and water leakage during rains. So, a minimum thickness of 4.5 should be maintained. Minimum size of foundation for a single storey of G+1 building, where soil safe bearing capacity is 30 tonnes per square meter, and the oncoming load on the column does not exceed 30 tonnes, a size of 1m x 1m or 3 x 3 should be used. Even if the load is less (for example only 20 tonnes) then also the minimum is 3x3 and depth of footing should be atleast 4 below ground level if not more Reinforcing bar details (minimum) 1. Columns: 4 bars of 12mm steel rods FE 415 2. Beams: 2 bars of 12 mm in the bottom and 2 bars of 10 mm on the top. 3. Slab a) One Way Slab: Main Steel 8 mm bars @ 6 C/C and Distribution Steel of 6 mm bars @ 6 C/C b) Two Way Slab: Main Steel 8 mm bars @ 6 C/C and Distribution Steel of 8 mm bars @ 9 C/C 4. Foundation: 6 of PCC layer comes first. Over than, a tapered or rectangular footing of 12 thickness is minimum. Steel mesh of 8 mm bars @ 6 C/C should be laid. In a 3 x 3 footing, this would consist of 6 bars of 8 mm on both portions of the steel mesh. Foundation Design Foundation is the base of any structure. Without a firm foundation, the structure cannot stand. That is the reason why we have to be very cautious with the design of foundations because our entire structure rests on the foundation.

Laying of Column Footing Reinforcement The strength of the foundation determines the life of the structure. As we discussed in the earlier article, design of foundation depends on the type of soil, type of structure and its load. On that basis, the foundations are basically divided into Shallow Foundations and Deep Foundations. In this article, we are going discuss the step by step guide to Column Footing Design. Reinforced Concrete Footings Footing comprises of the lower end of a column, pillar or wall which i enlarged with projecting courses so as to distribute load. Footings shall be designed to sustain the applied loads, moments and forces and the induced reactions and to ensure that any settlement which may occur shall be as uniform as possible and the safe bearing capacity of soil is not exceeded. In sloped or stepped footings, the effective cross-section in compression shall be limited by the area above the neutral plane, and the angle of slope or depth and location of steps should be such that the design requirements are satisfied at every section. Design Procedure of Column Footings Here is a step-by-step guide to Column Footing Design:

Column Footing Plan and Section Step 1 Area required for footing Square = B = (w+w1)/P0 Where, Po = safe bearing capacity of soil w1 = self weight of footing w = self weight of footing For Rectangle = b/d = B/D A=bxd Net upward pressure on the footing q/p = W/A Step 2 Bending Moment Critical section for maximum bending moment is taken at the face of the column

For a square footing, Mxx = q x B/8 (L a)2 Mxx = q x L/8 (B b)2 Myy = q x B/8 (L a)2 Step 3 To fix the depth of the footing shall be greater of the following: Depth from bending moment consideration d =square root(M/Qb) where, Q = moment of required factor Depth from shear consideration Check for one way shear Check for two way shear or punching shear Critical shear for one way shear is considered at a distance d from face of the column. Shear force, V = qB [ (B b) d] Nominal shear stress, Tv = k . Tc
Tc

= 0.16square rootfck

Step 4 Check for two way shear Critical section for two way shear is considered at a distance at a distance d/2 from all the faces of the column. SF, V = q [ B2 (b + d)2] SF, V = q [L x B (a + d)(b + d)] Nominal shear stress, Tv = V/2((a+d)(b+d)d) - {for a rectangle
Tv

= V/4((b+d)d) = k . Tc

- {for a square

Tv

k = 0.5 + Beta > 1

Tc

; [Beta = ratio of sides of the column

= 0.16square rootfck

Area of steel, Ast = M/((sigma)stjd)

How to calculate the total load on the footing? | Building Construction This article has been written on the request from my readers. Engineering students generally get confused when it comes to calculating loads for footings. They ask weird and inappropriate questions regarding the load calculations. This is because they havent understood what loads are to be calculated when footing/foundation for a building is designed. Calculation of loads is extremely simple. I hope after reading this article, the queries of many of my readers would get a satisfactory answer. Four loads are to be considered in order to measure total load on the footing: 1. Self load of the column x Number of floors 2. Self load of beams x Number of floors 3. Load of walls coming onto the column 4. Total Load on slab (Dead load + Live load) If you get well versed with load calculations, then calculating the size of the footing and following the procedure for foundation design wouldnt be a problem. RCC Beams RCC beams are cast in cement concrete reinforced with steel bars. Beams take up compressive and add rigidity to the structure. Beams generally carry vertical gravitational forces but can also be used to carry horizontal loads (i.e., loads due to an earthquake or wind). The loads carried by a beam are transferred to columns, walls, or girders, which then transfer the force to adjacent structural compression members. In Light frame construction the joists rest on the beam.

Doubly Reinforced Beam In this article, we are going to discuss types of beam construction and RCC design of Doubly reinforced beam RCC beam construction is of two types:

Singly reinforced beam Doubly reinforced beam

Singly reinforced beam A singly reinforced beam is a beam provided with longitudinal reinforcement in the tension zone only. Doubly reinforced beam

Beams reinforced with steel in compression and tension zones are called doubly reinforced beams. This type of beam will be found necessary when due to head room consideration or architectural consideration the depth of the beam is restricted. The beam with its limited depth, if reinforced on the tension side only, may not have enough moment of resistance, to resist the bending moment. By increasing the quantity of steel in the tension zone, the moment of resistance cannot be increased indefinitely. Usually, the moment of resistance can be increased by not more than 25% over the balanced moment of resistance, by making the beam over-reinforced on the tension side. Hence, inorder to further increase the moment of resistance of a beam section of unlimited dimensions, a doubly reinforced beam is provided.

Besides, this doubly reinforced beam is also used in the following circumstances:

The external live loads may alternate i.e. may occur on either face of the member.

For example:

A pile may be lifted in such a manner that the tension and compression zones may alternate. The loading may be eccentric and the eccentricity of the load may change from one side of the axis to another side. The member may be subjected to a shock or impact or accidental lateral thrust.

Design procedure for doubly reinforced beam Step 1 Determine the limiting moment of resistance for the given c/s(Mulim) using the equation for singly reinforced beam Mulim = 0.87.fy.Ast1.d [1 0.42Xumax] Or Balanced section

Ast1 = (0.36.fck.b.Xumax)/(0.87fy) Step 2 If factored moment Mu > Mulim, then doubly reinforced beam is required to be designed for additional moment. Mu Mulim = fsc.Asc (d d) Step 3 Additional area of tension steel Ast2 Ast2 =Asc.fsc/0.87fy Step 4 Total tension steel Ast, Ast = Ast1 + Ast2 [fsc value from page no. 70]

RCC Column A column forms a very important component of a structure. Columns support beams which in turn support walls and slabs. It should be realized that the failure of a column results in the collapse of the structure. The design of a column should therefore receive importance. Supporting the slabs is the main function of the columns Such slabs are called Simply Supported Slabs. Simply supported slabs could be either one way slab or a two-way slab. It depends on the dimensions of the slab.

Reinforced Cement Concrete Column Plan and Section A column is defined as a compression member, the effective length of which exceeds three times the least lateral dimension. Compression members whose lengths do not exceed three times the least lateral dimension, may be made of plain concrete. In this article, we are going to discuss in detail the basis of classification of columns and different types of reinforcement required for a certain type of column. A column may be classified based on different criteria such as: 1. Based on shape

Rectangle Square Circular Polygon

2. Based on slenderness ratio

Short column, ? ? 12 Long column, ? > 12

3. Based on type of loading

Axially loaded column A column subjected to axial load and unaxial bending A column subjected to axial load and biaxial bending

4. Based on pattern of lateral reinforcement

Tied columns Spiral columns

Minimum eccentricity Emin > l/500 + D/30 >20 Where, l = unsupported length of column in mm D = lateral dimensions of column Types of Reinforcements for columns and their requirements Longitudinal Reinforcement

Minimum area of cross-section of longitudinal bars must be atleast 0.8% of gross section area of the column. Maximum area of cross-section of longitudinal bars must not exceed 6% of the gross cross-section area of the column.

The bars should not be less than 12mm in diameter. Minimum number of longitudinal bars must be four in rectangular column and 6 in circular column. Spacing of longitudinal bars measures along the periphery of a column should not exceed 300mm.

Transverse reinforcement

It maybe in the form of lateral ties or spirals. The diameter of the lateral ties should not be less than 1/4 th of the diameter of the largest longitudinal bar and in no case less than 6mm.

The pitch of lateral ties should not exceed

Least lateral dimension 16 x diameter of longitudinal bars (small) 300mm

Helical Reinforcement The diameter of helical bars should not be less than 1/4 th the diameter of largest longitudinal and not less than 6mm. The pitch should not exceed (if helical reinforcement is allowed);

75mm 1/6th of the core diameter of the column

Pitch should not be less than,

25mm 3 x diameter of helical bar

Pitch should not exceed (if helical reinforcement is not allowed) Least lateral dimension

16 x diameter of longitudinal bar (smaller) 300mm

Load Calculations | Types of Loads Students find it difficult to understand the concept of loads although it is a very simple concept. We are going to write a series of articles on Load Calculations and help you all in understanding different types of loads that are to be considered for structural designing and also how to calculate them. In this article, we will discuss different types of loads with examples. In our next article, we will cover the following points:

Design principle assumption and notation assumed Design Constant

Assumptions regarding Design Loads on Beams Loads on slabs

An object is subject to mainly two types of forces: 1. Live loads 2. Dead loads Basically, an object subject to any type of force which could be gravitational force (weight), pressure or anything affects the object is called a load. This concept is used in Mechanical and structural engineering. Lets take in terms of Structural Engineering. Whenever a structure is designed, these concepts are taken into consideration because real world objects are analyzed in order to design the structure. This is very important in terms of structural stability. What are Dead loads? As the name itself suggests, dead loads could be termed as self weight of the non-living objects. It could be the weight of the materials, equipments or any other components in the structure that will remain permanent throughout the life of the structure. Dead load has to be considered in order to make the structural design accordingly. Dead loads vary from structure to structure. Every building is unique and has different considerations. An additional load is considered in case additional forces build up in a structure in case of settlement or due to secondary effects of pre-stress construction or due to shrinkage of concrete. For the calculations of dead loads, we could also consider,

Columns Beams Footings Lintels Furniture Machinery and other equipment Walls Floors Roofs Ceilings Stairways Built-in partitions Finishes (POP Plaster of Paris) Cladding (Use of various materials which increase the self weight of the structure) etc.

Basically, all the permanent loads are to be considered. What are Live loads? Unlike dead loads, live loads are variable. We could term them as probabilistic loads. Live load varies from time to time. As the name suggests, live load is the load of human beings living in the building. Their movement is not fixed. The number of people at a time in a structure can also vary. For example: A person lives in a 4BHK apartment with his wife and two kids. If he happens to throw a party for 50 persons, the live load on the structure increases considerably for that period of time. As soon as the guests leave, the number of persons reduces from 50 to 4. So, heres what I mean by variable force. Lets take another example: Live load to be considered while designing a staircase:

Pressure of the feet Wind load on the stair in case the staircase is located outside the house

Live load to be considered while designing the roof: Movement of workers on the roof during construction, maintenance along with their materials and equipments Also, if the owner of the house plans to make a terrace garden on the roof, that adds additional load to it. For dwelling houses to a 10KN/m2. In any building project, slabs are assumed to be 100m thick from stiffness/deflection consideration. Beams are taken separately and the self-weight is calculated and added separately on the frame. The net weight of the above load is multiplied by a load of 1.5 for concrete. RCC Structures RCC Structures are nothing but reinforced concrete structures. RCC structure is composed of building components such as Footings, Columns, Beams, Slabs, Staircase etc. These components are reinforced with steel that give stability to the structure. Staircase is one such important component in a RCC structure.

Dog Legged Stair In this article, we will discuss different types of staircases and study the RCC design of a dog-legged staircase Stairs Stairs consist of steps arranged in a series for purpose of giving access to different floors of a building. Since a stair is often the only means of communication between the various floors of a building, the location of the stair requires good and careful consideration. In a residential house, the staircase may be provided near the main entrance. In a public building, the stairs must be from the main entrance itself and located centrally, to provide quick accessibility to the principal apartments. All staircases should be adequately lighted and properly ventilated. Various types of Staircases

Straight stairs Dog-legged stairs Open newel stair Geometrical stair

RCC design of a Dog-legged staircase

In this type of staircase, the succeeding flights rise in opposite directions. The two flights in plan are not separated by a well. A landing is provided corresponding to the level at which the direction of the flight changes. Design of Dog-legged Stairs Based on the direction along which a stair slab span, the stairs maybe classified into the following two types. 1. Stairs spanning horizontally 2. Stairs spanning vertically Stairs spanning horizontally These stairs are supported at each side by walls. Stringer beams or at one side by wall or at the other side by a beam. Loads

Dead load of a step = x T x R x 25 Dead load of waist slab = b x t x 25 Live load Floor finish = LL (KN/m2) = assume 0.5 KN/m

Stairs spanning Longitudinally In this, stairs spanning longitudinally, the beam is supported ay top and at the bottom of flights. Loads

Self weight of a step = 1 x R/2 x 25 Self weight of waist slab = 1 x t x 25 Self weight of plan Live load Floor finish = 1 x t x 25[(R2 + T2)/T] = LL (KN/m2) = assume 0.5 KN/m

For the efficient design of an RCC stair, we have to first analyse the various loads that are going to be imposed on the stair. The load calculations will help us determine, how much strength is required to carry the load. The strength bearing capacity of a staircase is determined on the amount of steel and concrete used. The ratio of steel to concrete has to be as per standards. Steel in the staircase will take the tension imposed on it and the concrete takes up the compression. These are the essential steps that are to be followed for the RCC Stair Design.