COMPUTERIZED DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS BY LOAD FACTOR METHOD.

Abstract

The load factor method of design for reinforced concrete columns subjected to axial load and biaxial bending has been computerized to the extent that, given the concrete section and the applied loads of each loading case, the computer program evaluates the amount and distribution of reinforcement required together with the corresponding load factor of each loading case. The formulation and the procedure developed are applicable to columns of arbitrary cross-section, with or without voids. The design process is basically an iterative process of gradually increasing the amount of reinforcement till the required load factor is achieved.