There are various types of columns used in construction, including reinforced concrete columns, steel columns, composite columns, masonry columns, and timber columns.
Each type of column has its own unique set of characteristics, advantages, and limitations. Understanding the different types of columns can help architects, engineers, and builders make informed decisions when designing and constructing buildings.
Read on to learn more about the types of columns used in construction.
Table of Contents
What Is Column?
The column is a vertical strut that transmits loads of a structure from the beam and slab to the foundation. The effective depth of a column surpasses three times the lateral dimension.
Mostly, columns transfer axial loads in compression. Columns are very essential components of a structure. Failure of columns results in the collapse of the structure.
Let’s know the different types of columns used in structures.
Types Of Columns:
There are various column types used in structures. The types of Columns can be categorized depending upon several conditions, which are:
- Depend on the shape.
- Depend on the type of reinforcement.
- Depend on the types of loading.
- Depend on the slenderness ratio.
- Depend on the materials.
1. Types Of Columns Based On Shape:
(a) Square Or Rectangular Column:
Square or rectangular columns are largely used in building construction. These types of columns are economically good and easy to construct because of it is easy shuttering and reinforcement arrangement.
(b) Circular Column:
Circular columns are generally used in piling and elevation of the buildings for aesthetic intent. In the circular columns, more than 4 steel bars are used as reinforcement and its bending resistance is normally higher than the square or rectangular columns. Other than buildings, circular columns are also utilized as bridge pillars due to good deflection resistance.
(c) L Type Column:
L-type columns are utilized in boundary wall construction and in the turning of metro rail or in flyover construction.
(d) T Type Column:
T type column has the same characteristic as square/ rectangular column and is most exploited in bridge and retaining wall construction.
(e) Y Type Column:
These types of columns are generally used in bridge and flyover construction.
2. Types Of Columns Based On Reinforcement
(a) Tied Column:
Tied columns have closed lateral ties spaced approximately and uniformly across the column. The spacing of the ties is limited in that they must be close enough to avoid barrelling failure between them, and far enough apart that they do not interfere with the setting of the concrete. If ties are spaced too far apart, the column will undergo shear failure and barrelling in between ties.
(b) Spiral Column:
When circular columns are reinforced with closely and uniformly spaced spiral reinforcement, they are called spiral columns. The spiral acts to give support in the transverse direction and prevent the column from barrelling. Spirally reinforced columns mostly consist of 6 bars as longitudinal reinforcement.
(C) Composite Column:
These columns are comprised of structural steel or cast iron column enclosed with concrete, reinforced with longitudinal as well as spiral reinforcement. Composite columns are largely used in truss structures to avoid the corrosion of steel.
3. Types Of Columns Based On Type Of Loading:
(a) Axially Loaded Column:
When the resultant of the load coincides with the centroid of the cross-section of a column, it is known as an axially loaded or concentrically loaded column. These types of columns are rarely utilized in construction.
When the resultant of the load does not coincide with the centroid of the cross-section of a column, it is known as an axially loaded or eccentrically loaded column.
I. Uniaxially Eccentrically Loaded Column:
When the eccentric load acts on either X-axis or Y-axis is known as a uniaxially eccentrically loaded column.
II. Biaxially Eccentrically loaded column:
When the eccentric load does not act on either X-axis or Y-axis it is known as the biaxially eccentrically loaded column.
4. Types Of Columns Based On Slenderness Ratio:
(a) Short Column:
When the ratio of the effective length of the column to its least lateral dimension is less than 12, it is known as a short column. In the short column, mechanical failure chiefly occurs due to shearing.
(b) Long Column:
When the ratio of the effective length of the column to its least lateral dimension exceeds 12 the column is known as a long column. Such columns are likely to fail due to buckling. Long columns are weaker compared to short columns of the same cross-sectional area and not generally desirable.
Types Of Columns Based On Materials
- Reinforced concrete column.
- Steel column.
- Timber column.
- Stone Column.
- Brick column.
Faqs
Columns are tall, strong, vertical posts that help support buildings and other structures.
Columns can be round, square, rectangle, or even have many sides, like a stop sign.
Columns can be solid (like a pole), hollow (like a tube), or made of different materials (like wood or metal).
A load-bearing column is a strong column that helps support the weight of a building or structure.
A non-load bearing column is a column that doesn’t support the weight of a building or structure, but is there just for decoration.
Columns can be short (stumpy), intermediate (in the middle), or long (very tall), depending on how much weight they need to support.
A reinforced concrete column is a very strong column made of concrete that’s been reinforced with steel bars or mesh inside.
A steel column is a very strong column made entirely of steel, which is a tough metal.
A timber column is a wooden column that’s used to help support a building.
People think about how heavy the building or structure is, where the column will go, what the building looks like, what materials are available, and how much the materials cost.