SERVICE LOAD ANALYSIS OF SLENDER R-C COLUMNS

The design of reinforced columns in frameworks requires a consideratio n of both material and geometric nonlinearities. At service loads, the material nonlinearities arise through cracking, creep, and shrinkage, while the geometric nonlinearities are introduced through the P-delta and P-Delta effects. Code rules presently used are very empirical, an d do not have a sound scientific basis. A very simple numerical scheme is developed herein for analyzing pin-ended eccentrically loaded colu mns subjected to instantaneous and long-term lending at service load l evels. The results are validated against theoretical solutions and exp eriments, and the inaccuracies qi the present code rules are illustrat ed. A design proposal developed elsewhere by the author is shown to pr ovide a good estimate of the the response of eccentrically loaded colu mns.