On optimal design of reinforced concrete columns subjected to combined biaxial bending and axial load

This paper presents a new procedure for designing rectangular columns subjected to combined biaxial bending and axial load. The new procedure is realized within a new comprehensive structural analysis software for building analysis and design. Compared to existing engineering packages, the new program does not require pre-setting the distribution of bars before designing and gives more detailed results: not only the required reinforcement amount, but also a distribution of bars of a certain diameter along the sides of the column section. The program starts by inserting four reinforcement bars into the corners of the column, and checks if this reinforcement bars provide required resistance to the applied loads. If the reinforced concrete column fails to withstand the applied loads, then the program increases the reinforcement by adding new bars and checks required resistance again. This process continues until the reinforced concrete column is able to withstand the applied loads. The proposed procedure is realized within following methods: (I) calculation of the so-called column capacity interaction volume using a large number of interaction curves (usually 24 curves); (II) the elliptical approximation of the column capacity interaction volume (the load contour equation). Within the second method, the program calculates two interaction curves only: the first curve is for an eccentric case in $X$ direction and the second curve is for an eccentric case in $Y$ direction. In both methods, the interaction curves are calculated according to American concrete institute standards. The use of the new procedure within the second method gives results very close to the first method (the most accurate), but it requires much less time for calculation. This is very important when designing large structures with multiple columns.