Types of Failure in RCC Column | 8 Types of Column Failure Methods:

In this Article today we will talk about the Types of Failure in RCC Column | 8 Types of Column Failure Methods | Buckling Failure in Column | Compression or Crushing Failure of Column | Shear Failure in Column | Column Failure Reasons | Common Causes of Column Failure

What is Column in Construction?

A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below.

What Is Column Failure ?

Columns are used to transfer the load vertically to the horizontal beams. Every material used in the building experience both compression and tension stress. Columns consist of two major material which are concrete and steel. Column Failure Reasons

Engineers do calculate the total stress caused by the live load and dead load of the entire building and will design the internal components of the building such as foundation, beam and columns. So if the applied stress exceeds the allowable stress then the structure starts to fail. Hence column failure also occurs due to this reason. Column Failure Reasons

8 Types of Column Failure Methods:

Types of column failure depend on the type of structural system and columns can fail in different modes as discussed in this article.

The column is the main element that carries the vertical loads to the foundation. Failure of a column could lead to the failure of the whole structure. Therefore, the failure of columns shall be avoided than any other element.

Further, the failure of the column could lead to the progressive collapse of the structure. Therefore, it is very important to identify the critical column and pay attention to them during design and construction.

The following types of column failure could be identified. Column Failure Reasons

Major Types of Column Failure:

1. Compression Failure
2. Buckling Failure
3. Shear Failure Buckling Compression Crushing Shear Failure in Column

Compression Failure:

The column is an element that transfers the weight of a structure as axial stress to the foundation or supporting element.

Concrete is capable of carrying the compressive load is dominant in carrying loads whereas in other elements such as beams compressive stress is taken only by part of the section.

Reinforcement is also provided to columns where it is not possible concrete to carry the whole load or as nominal reinforcements.

The column can fail in compress due to the increase of the axial stress than its capacity. These types of failure could be due to the following reasons.

• Reinforcement and concrete have certain capacity based on there amount and area of the section. If axial stress is greater than that capacity column will fail in compression.
• Further, the reinforcement and concrete have their own stain that they can bear. As per the British standards, concrete is capable of carrying a strain up to 0.0035 and steel starts yielding at a strain of 0.002 and it can increase greater than the concrete. When the axial stress exceeds a certain amount resulting in concrete strain grater than 0.0035 concrete will fail suddenly. It will be a sudden crushing of concrete.
• If the section is sufficiently reinforced, it will provide warnings before these types of column failure. The article published as structural cracks in concrete could also be referred more information on cracking.

Buckling Failure:

Mainly, the buckling failure can be identified as a failure of the design as we consider the buckling effect in the design. If the designer aware of these types of column failures, he could attend this.

The additional bending moment of the column slenderness of the column is considered in the design.

Further, the effective height of the column is considered based on its pattern of bucking. Buckling failure, the name itself provide the idea about the mode of failure. Therefore, we consider it in the design. Buckling failure is the other basic mode of failure of columns in addition to crushing failure of columns.

We provide links to columns to avoid buckling. It is the basic idea for providing links to the columns other than for as shear reinforcements. Common Causes of Column Failure

Shear Failure:

Lateral loads in a structure are carrying by vertical elements such as columns and shear walls.

When there are no shear walls, columns carry these lateral loads. Lateral loads are generated by winds, earthquake loads, from retaining structures, etc.

Shear links are provided to columns based on the shear forces excreted on them. Further, the size of the columns is increased in the direction of shear to increase the shear capacity.

In general, failure of columns due to shear can be identified as the failure of design. Designers should have provided adequate shear links or sections to carry the shear forces.

Others Types of Column Failure:

• 4) Combine stress failure
• 5) Failure due to Lack of Confinement Reinforcement
• 6) Torsional Failures
• 7) Failures due to Construction Defects
• 8) Failures due to errors in the Construction

Combined Stress Failure:

Concrete columns are subjected to bending moments in addition to the axial forces due to the eccentric moment generated due to the unbalance loads.

Bending stress and axial compression stress are added together to get the final stress in the section.

It will not be uniform stress. However, failure of the column will be based on the above criteria discussed under the pure compression failure.

The most important thing that the designer should consider in the design is the possible load combination and alternative loading effects. When there are significant deviations in the spans, we need to be alert about the design. Common Causes of Column Failure

Failure due to Lack of Confinement Reinforcement:

Vertical element subjected to cyclic loadings subjected to failure of this nature.

Failure causes mainly due to the lack of links in the area where there are higher shear forces.

In structural elements such as beams and columns, higher stresses are generated near the connections. Lack of links in these areas causes structural failures when cyclic loadings are applied. Common Causes of Column Failure

Torsional Failures:

There is a probability of columns subjecting to torsional moments.

Usually, columns are designed for axial, bending, and shear forces. However, due to the irregularities in the structure, the torsional behavior of the column can be observed.

Columns are torsionally rigid when they are compared with the beam as they have reinforcement around the section and links are provided at closer spacings.

However, if the torque exceeds the limiting values, columns could be failed in torsion.

Failure due to Construction Defects:

Columns could fail due to the construction defects. For example, improperly treated honeycomb in a column could lead to a failure when the loads are applied. These types of column failure can be avoided if attended with much care.

Cavities inside the column that were not filled properly with construction ground reduce the compressive area of the column. As a result it axial capacity will be reduced.

Further, cavities inside the column could lead concrete to crack. It will open the reinforcement to the environment leading the corrosion of reinforcements.

Similar instances could cause failure.

Failure due to the Errors in the Construction:

There may be many errors that could happen in construction and they also can categorize under types of column failure. Employing qualified engineer to the project and close supervision of construction work will minimize these types of column failure.

• Mistakenly reduce the bar diameter
• Construct an incorrect column in the location
• Changes in the grade of concrete
• Lack of strength in the concrete due to the failure of the concrete supplier.

OTHER POSTS:

1. Load Calculation on Column, Beam, Wall & Slab

2. Basic Rules for Design of Column | Thumb Rules for Column Design

3. How to Calculate Shuttering Area of Column, Beam and Slab

4. How to Calculate Cutting Length of Stirrups in Column or Beam

5. Bar Bending Schedule of Neck Column | BBS Steel Estimation

6. Things to Check Before Column Concreting | Concrete Pouring in Column

7. Column Reinforcement Detail | Lateral Reinforcement for Columns

FAQs

Conclusion:

Full article on Types of Failure in RCC Column | 8 Types of Column Failure Methods | Buckling Failure in Column | Compression or Crushing Failure of Column | Shear Failure in Column | Column Failure Reasons | Common Causes of Column Failure. Thank you for the full reading of this article in “The Civil Engineering” platform in English. If you find this post helpful, then help others by sharing it on social media. If any formula of BBS is missing from this article please tell me in comments.