ABSTRACT
A reinforced concrete column is a structural element designed to support compressive loads or a combination of axial loads and bending. The primary function of a column in a building is to support beams or slabs and transfer the load to the foundations. Columns have two axes and bending can occur on one or both the axes. The bending action may produce tensile stresses on part of the cross section of the column. Despite the tensile forces acting on columns, they are generalized as compressive members because compressive forces dominate in the column design. The columns are also divided into two categories: short columns and slender columns. The strength of short columns is controlled by the strength of the material and the geometry of the cross section. Reinforcing bars are placed axially in the column to provide additional axial stiffness. In short columns, the height is such that lateral buckling is not considered. Slender columns are long columns as related to their cross-sectional dimensions, which necessitates the consideration of lateral buckling. The strength of the column reduces, as the height of the column increases for same the cross-sectional dimensions of the column due to lateral buckling. Buckling is a mode of failure resulting from structural instability due to compressive action on columns.
