Thumb Rules for Designing a Column Layout _ Civil Engineering _ Civil Engineering Projects

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Alignment of columns, Building Construction, Design of columns, Distance between columns, Guideto making a column layout, How to make a column layout?, Size of the columns, structural design,Thumb rules for making a column layout, Wrong Structural Design

Thumb rules for designing a Column layout |Civil Engineering

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Guidelines to be followed for making a column layout | BuildingConstructionToday, we will discuss something very general. Inspite of knowing these general thumb rules, CivilEngineers still end up making disastrous mistakes which would not only cost them but also cost thepeople living in the building designed by these engineers.

Earlier, I wrote an article describing one of my projects where structural designing was executed on site(which was extremely pathetic) even before Architectural design was done. (Check out: Consequencesof Wrong Structural Design | Live Project example)

In this article, we will go through the essential thumb rules to be followed for giving a columnlayout. Ofcourse RCC columns have to be designed in accordance to the total load on the columnsbut apart from that it is essential for every Civil engineer and Architect to remember a few thumbrules so that they are prevented from making mistakes.

Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:Size of the Columns1.

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Distance between Columns2.Alignment of columns3.

Thumb rule no.1Size of the columnsThe size of the columns depends on the total load on the columns.

Minimum size of the column should not be less than 9”x9”.

9”x9” columns are to be used for a single storey structure with M15 grade of concrete.

In case, 9”x9” column size is to be used for 1 and half storey structure, then it is advised to use M20grade concrete.

A safe and structurally sound column size for a 1 and half storey structure should not be less than12”x9” using M15 grade concrete. This should be in your most preferred and practical options list.

Thumb rule no.2

Distance between the columnsTry to maintain equal distance between the centres of two columns. Always plan a column layout on agrid.

The distance between two columns of size 9”x9” should not be more than 4m centre to centre ofcolumn.

If larger barrier free distances are required then going for larger column size is to be used.

The size of the columns increase because of two factors:Increase in the distance between two columns (This increases the dimensions of the columns aswell the depth of the beam.)

1.

Height of the building (Increase in the number of floors is directly proportional to the dimensionsof the columns.

2.

Thumb rule no.3

Alignment of ColumnsA rectangular grid is to be made for placing the columns. This helps in avoiding mistakes and placingin columns can be done in the right way.

The columns can preferably be arranged in two different fashions:In a straight line with the help of a grid1.In a circular fashion for circular buildings.2.

Zigzag arrangement of columns is an absolutely wrong way of working out Structural design. It shouldbe remembered that when columns are erected, beams are laid connecting the columns.

The Zigzag column placement causes three major issues:Unbalanced load transfer1.Problems in wall construction2.Problems in laying beams3.

If these three thumb rules are followed by Civil Engineering and Architecture students,implementation of wrong Structural design can be prevented.

In the next article, I will explain these three thumb rules with the help of an example “ColumnLayout for a Residence“.

Also read:Introduction to design of RCC Structures

Building Design Guide which includes design of:

RCC columns1.RCC beams2.Foundations3.Staircase4.

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This entry was posted on September 9, 2011, 9:27 am and is filed under Building Construction, Civil Projects. Youcan follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

#1 by Ghulam Mustafa Vira on September 9, 2011 - 10:58 am

wow gr8 stuff thanx

#2 by BenzuJK on September 9, 2011 - 11:53 am

Hello Mustafa,I am glad our article has been of help to you. Do keep visiting.Cheers

#3 by awais on April 2, 2012 - 9:27 pm

thanks

#4 by ADIL YOUSAF ADIL on August 13, 2012 - 5:05 pm

thanks for this good welfare

#5 by Poonguzhale.V on September 27, 2011 - 2:53 am

worth stuff. thanks a lot

#6 by Vaibhav kashyap on December 3, 2011 - 4:42 am

Igts really worth article…..Thnx…..

#7 by sunita on January 31, 2012 - 3:02 am

Really helpful articleThanks for sharing

#8 by rhon ammang on February 15, 2012 - 11:14 pm

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A BIG HELP 4 ME,,THANKS

#9 by KANNAN on May 1, 2012 - 2:35 am

Thanks

#10 by Gerard on May 2, 2012 - 4:51 pm

Sorry, if I may sound dumb as I am a new bee.What does ’1 and half storey structure’ mean? A house will be either 1 or 2 storey.

Also, would it be ok if the column size is 12″x12″ using M15 grade concrete?

Thanks in advance.

#11 by BenzuJK on May 15, 2012 - 10:17 am

Hello Gerard,1 and half storey is calculated by adding the length of the plinth beam and the parapet wall. When theirlengths are added, they sum up to 5′ which is equivalent to half storey. This is assumed so since they haveto be considered in the structural design calculations.As far as column size is concerned, the column size for any building is derived from its structuralcalculations.

Go through the following article. It will be of help to you.Building design Guide | Structural Design

#12 by mahantesh on July 13, 2012 - 4:56 am

hi..its very nice article if possible mail me thumbrules for brick masonry.

#13 by Gourav tiwari on July 30, 2012 - 4:49 am

Very nice articles. Thanks for such a wonderful job.GhPlease mention some more thumb rule practised in civil eng.

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Thumb Rules for Designing a Column Layout _ Civil Engineering _ Civil Engineering Projects