27/10/2024
FAILURE IN COLUMNS
The modes of failure for a column is based on ratio of effective length (further depends on support conditions) of column to the radius of gyration about the axis under consideration i.e. slenderness ratio of the column.
Assuming the columns are concentrically loaded, based on slenderness ratio, modes of failure of column are classifies as:

1. FAILURE DUE TO PURE COMPRESSION
When a column is subjected to high compressive load, the concrete and steel experiences high stresses, as a result the column fails without undergoing any lateral deformation. The concrete is crushed and steel yields, hence, column fails due to material failure.
It is a common failure case for pedestals, as pedestals have slenderness ratio value less than 3, due to which they do not undergo any lateral deformation (bending) due to concentric loads.

Remedy:
To keep the generated stresses under permissible limits, the concrete column must be designed with sufficient cross-section area.
2. FAILURE DUE TO COMBINED COMPRESSION AND BENDING
All long columns and most short columns are susceptible to this type of failure. Long columns undergoes lateral deflections even under influence of axial loads only, due to both material and member abnormality.
Short columns are mostly subjected to lateral loads, moments and axial loads. Due to action of moments and lateral loads, short columns undergo bending and lateral deflection. Due to lateral deflection and bending, the steel acquires its yield stress and eventually column fails.

Remedies:
Columns must be constructed keeping centre line straight; any abnormality might cause excessive lateral deflection, under influence of lateral or axial loads.As long as not specifically required, slenderness ratio must be kept small. This will reduce the unsupported length of column.
3. FAILURE DUE TO INELASTING INABILITY
Long columns with slenderness ratio greater than 12 have larger unsupported length, due to which their load carry capacity is majorly affected.
These columns are highly susceptible to buckling and become unstable even under influence of much smaller loads than their carrying capacity. This failure is highly unacceptable as per designer’s point of view.

Remedy:
Columns with slenderness ratio greater than 30 are totally neglected as per IS 456:2000 guidelines. Moreover, columns with slenderness ratio greater than 12 must be designed with respect to Rankine’s and Euler’s theories, according to requirement to calculate critical load.