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Column Failure and its Different Types

Learn about Column Failure

The concrete column failure occurs if the concrete column is no longer able to stand with the load that has been designed to support it. The concrete column failure has been attributed to several factors, for example, the deficiencies in the construction materials, unforeseen load conditions or the design flaws. The concrete column failure needs to be understood by the professionals and it is crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of the construction project. In the case of not checking the concrete columns at regular intervals, the collapse of the entire building structure may occur.

Learn about Short Column Failure

The short columns help to possess high stiffness which helps to attract most of the forces acting on the multi-story building. The inadequate design of the short columns leads to sustaining these forces which results in the damage and shear failure of the short column.

This type of behavior of the short column under several forces is known as the short column effect. In this context, special attention is necessary for the short columns to prevent short column failure. It is also recommended to avoid building designs with short columns in the earthquake-prone areas.

Factors that impact the Failure of the Columns

The concrete columns of a construction structure have been subjected to various stresses and loads which lead to different types of concrete column failures. The reasons behind the failure of the concrete columns include:

Excessive loads

In the case of the applied load exceeding the design capacity of the concrete columns, it can lead to crushing, buckling, shear or other types of concrete failure.

Defects in the materials

In the case of material flaws or fabrication of the concrete columns including low-quality concrete, cracks, or corrosion reduces the strength and durability of the concrete columns.

Designing errors

The mistakes in the design and construction process of the concrete columns including insufficient cross-section, inadequate reinforcement, and improper alignment led to the failure of the concrete columns.

Environmental impacts

In the case of exposing the concrete columns to harsh weather conditions including temperature changes, moisture, or earthquakes, also leads to the failure of the concrete columns and failure in its connections.

Different types of Concrete Column Failure

There are different types of concrete column failure which depend upon the structural systems. Concrete column failure can occur in different modes. The types of concrete column failure are as follows:

Buckling Failure

These types of failures in the concrete design have occurred due to the buckling effect. These types of concrete column failures usually occur in slender or long columns which has very little bearing capacity. In the case of the load applied on the columns, the concrete columns become unstable which may fail showing a sideway bend that has been called buckling failure. These types of column failures have occurred for very small loads.

Shear Failure

In the case of developing shear forces in the concrete columns more than the column’s shear force capacity, these types of column failure may occur. The shear load on the concrete columns also leads to the development of sliding failure in the form of shear cracks. These types of shera cracks have been developed in the concrete column along with the diagonal or parallel to the direction of the force application. These types of column failure can be avoided through column designing along with the required tie rebars which help to confine the main bars.

Combined Stress Failure

The concrete columns have been subjected to the bending moments. In the case of the bending stress and axial stress being added to the column together, the final stress occurs in the section which will not be the uniform stress which leads to the concrete column failure.

Pure Compression Failure

The concrete columns have the ability to carry comprehensive loads. On the other hand, in the case of the other elements including beams, the comprehensive loads have been taken by only the part of the section. In the case of the compress, the column can fail due to the enhancement of the axial stress than its capacity. These types of concrete column failure can occur if the axial stress is greater than the column capacity and fails in compression.

Torsional Failures

The concrete columns may be subjected to the torsional moments. The torsional behaviour of the columns has been observed due to the irregularities in the structure. The concrete columns are torsionally rigid while it has been compared with the beams. In the case of the torque exceeds the limiting value, the concrete columns will fail in torsion.

Confinement Reinforcement Failure

The lack of links in the areas where there are higher shear forces leads to concrete column failure. In the case of the structural elements including columns and beams, higher stresses have been generated near the connections. The lack of links in those areas leads to structural failure while the cyclic loads have been applied.

Construction Defect Failure

Due to the errors o defects in the construction procedure, the failure of the concrete column can also occur. As an example, if the honeycomb has been treated improperly in a column, that leads to failure in the concrete column during the application of the loads.

In the case of the cavities in the concrete column not being filled properly, this leads to the occurrence of the concrete crack which will open the reinforcement to the environment and lead to the reinforcement corrosion thus leading to the concrete column failure.