SpColumn Manual

Version 5.
This Computer program (including software design, programming structure, graphics, manual, and on-line
help) was created and published by STRUCTUREPOINT, formerly the Engineering Software Group of the
Portland Cement Association (PCA), for engineering design and investigation of reinforced concrete sections
subject to axial and flexural loads.
While STRUCTUREPOINT has taken every precaution to utilize the existing state-of-the-art and to assure the correctness of the
analytical solution techniques used in this program, the responsibilities for modeling the structure, inputting data, applying engineering
judgment to evaluate the output, and implementing engineering drawings remain with the structural engineer of record. Accordingly,
STRUCTUREPOINT does and must disclaim any and all responsibility for defects or failures of structures in connection with which this
program is used.
Neither this manual nor any part of it may be reproduced, edited, or altered by any means electronic or mechanical or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of STRUCTUREPOINT LLC.
All products, corporate names, trademarks, service marks, and trade names referenced in this material are the property of their respective
owners and are used only for identification explanation without intent to infringe. spColumn is a registered trademark of
STRUCTUREPOINT LLC.
Copyright 2002 2015, STRUCTUREPOINT LLC All Rights Reserved.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1-1
Program Features ................................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Program Capacity .................................................................................................................................................. 1-1
System Requirements ............................................................................................................................................ 1-2
Terms ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Conventions ........................................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Installing, Purchasing and Licensing spColumn .................................................................................................... 1-2
Chapter 2 Method of Solution ................................................................................................................................ 2-1
A Definitions and Assumptions .......................................................................................................................... 2-1
B Conventions .................................................................................................................................................... 2-6
C Section Investigation ....................................................................................................................................... 2-7
D Section Design .............................................................................................................................................. 2-11
E Moment Magnification at Ends of Compression Member ............................................................................ 2-11
F Moment Magnification along Length of Compression Member ................................................................... 2-13
G Ratio of Moments Due To Second-Order Effects to Moments Due To First-Order Effects ......................... 2-16
References ........................................................................................................................................................... 2-17
Chapter 3 spColumn Interface ................................................................................................................................ 3-1
Main Window ........................................................................................................................................................ 3-1
File Menu............................................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Input Menu ............................................................................................................................................................ 3-3
Solve Menu ............................................................................................................................................................ 3-4
View Menu ............................................................................................................................................................ 3-4
Options .................................................................................................................................................................. 3-6
Help Menu ............................................................................................................................................................. 3-6
Chapter 4 Operating the Program ........................................................................................................................... 4-1
Creating New Data File ......................................................................................................................................... 4-1
Opening Existing Data File ................................................................................................................................... 4-1
Saving Data ........................................................................................................................................................... 4-2
Importing ............................................................................................................................................................... 4-2
Exporting Data ....................................................................................................................................................... 4-3
Printing Results...................................................................................................................................................... 4-4
General Information .............................................................................................................................................. 4-5
Material Properties ................................................................................................................................................ 4-5
Section / Rectangular ............................................................................................................................................. 4-6
Section / Circular ................................................................................................................................................... 4-6
Reinforcement / All Sides Equal ........................................................................................................................... 4-7
Reinforcement / Equal Spacing ............................................................................................................................. 4-7
Reinforcement / Sides Different ............................................................................................................................ 4-8
Reinforcement / Irregular Pattern .......................................................................................................................... 4-9
Reinforcement / Confinement ................................................................................................................................ 4-9
Reinforcement / Design Criteria .......................................................................................................................... 4-10
Slenderness / Factors ........................................................................................................................................... 4-10
Slenderness / Design Column .............................................................................................................................. 4-10
Slenderness / Columns Above and Below ........................................................................................................... 4-11
Slenderness / X-Beams ........................................................................................................................................ 4-11
Slenderness / Y-Beams ........................................................................................................................................ 4-12
Loads / Factored .................................................................................................................................................. 4-12
Loads / Service .................................................................................................................................................... 4-12
Load / Control Points ........................................................................................................................................... 4-13
Loads / Axial Loads ............................................................................................................................................. 4-14

Loads / Load Combinations ................................................................................................................................. 4-14
Flipping / Rotating the Section ............................................................................................................................ 4-14
Executing a Run................................................................................................................................................... 4-15
Viewing Results ................................................................................................................................................... 4-16
Changing Startup Defaults ................................................................................................................................... 4-16
Changing Reinforcement Bar Set ........................................................................................................................ 4-17
Superimposing Diagrams..................................................................................................................................... 4-17
Viewing Diagrams ............................................................................................................................................... 4-17
Chapter 5 Examples ................................................................................................................................................ 5-1
Example 1 Capacity of a Square Column ........................................................................................................... 5-1
Example 2 Investigation of a Slender Nonsway Column ................................................................................... 5-5
Example 3 Design of a Slender Column in a Sway Frame ............................................................................... 5-14
Example 4 Investigation of Concrete Shear Wall ............................................................................................. 5-22
Chapter 6 spSection Module ................................................................................................................................. 6-29
Main Menu .......................................................................................................................................................... 6-29
Edit Menu ............................................................................................................................................................ 6-29
View Menu .......................................................................................................................................................... 6-30
Help Menu ........................................................................................................................................................... 6-30
Defining the Drawing Area ................................................................................................................................. 6-30
Graphical Editing of the Section or Opening ....................................................................................................... 6-31
Graphical Editing of the Reinforcement .............................................................................................................. 6-32
Manual Editing of the Section or Opening .......................................................................................................... 6-33
Manual Editing of the Reinforcement ................................................................................................................. 6-33
Zooming and Panning the Image ......................................................................................................................... 6-33
Example 5 Capacity of an Irregular Section ..................................................................................................... 6-34
Appendix .................................................................................................................................................................. A-1
Import File Formats .............................................................................................................................................. A-1
spColumn Text Input (CTI) file format ................................................................................................................ A-3
Conversion Factors - English to SI ..................................................................................................................... A-12
Conversion Factors - SI to English. .................................................................................................................... A-12
Contact Information ............................................................................................................................................ A-13
iv
Table of Contents
License Agreements
STRUCTUREPOINT EVALUATION SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT
BY CLICKING THE I AGREE ICON BELOW, OR BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE SOFTWARE
OR USER DOCUMENTATION, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTY DISCLAIMERS, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND TERMINATION PROVISIONS BELOW.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE SOFTWARE OR USER
DOCUMENTATION, EXIT THIS APPLICATION NOW AND RETURN THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION TO
STRUCTUREPOINT.
STRUCTUREPOINT, 5420 OLD ORCHARD ROAD, SKOKIE, ILLINOIS 60077, GRANTS THE CUSTOMER A PERSONAL,
NONEXCLUSIVE, LIMITED, NONTRANSFERABLE LICENSE TO USE THIS SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION
SOLELY FOR TRIAL AND EVALUATION PURPOSES ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
THIS AGREEMENT. SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION IS SUPPLIED TO CUSTOMER EITHER BY
STRUCTUREPOINT DIRECTLY OR THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OF STRUCTUREPOINT (HEREAFTER DEALER).
WHILE STRUCTUREPOINT HAS TAKEN PRECAUTIONS TO ASSURE THE CORRECTNESS OF THE ANALYTICAL
SOLUTION AND DESIGN TECHNIQUES USED IN THIS SOFTWARE, IT CANNOT AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE ITS
PERFORMANCE, NOR CAN IT OR DOES IT BEAR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTS OR FAILURES IN STRUCTURES
IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH THIS SOFTWARE MAY BE USED. DEALER (IF ANY) HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE
DESIGN OR DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SOFTWARE AND NEITHER GUARANTEES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE
SOFTWARE NOR BEARS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTS OR FAILURES IN STRUCTURES IN CONNECTION WITH
WHICH THIS SOFTWARE IS USED.
STRUCTUREPOINT AND DEALER (IF ANY) EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY THAT: (A) THE FUNCTIONS
CONTAINED IN THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF CUSTOMER OR OPERATE IN COMBINATIONS
THAT MAY BE SELECTED FOR USE BY CUSTOMER; (B) THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE FREE OF ALL
"BUGS" OR PROGRAM ERRORS; OR (C) THE SOFTWARE CONFORMS TO ANY PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS.
CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT STRUCTUREPOINT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE ANY SUPPORT,
UPDATES, BUG FIXES OR ERROR CORRECTIONS TO OR FOR THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION.
THE LIMITED WARRANTIES IN SECTION 6 HEREOF ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT,
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EACH OF WHICH IS HEREBY DISCLAIMED.
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 6, THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED ON AN
"AS-IS" BASIS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL STRUCTUREPOINT OR DEALER (IF ANY) BE LIABLE FOR: (A) LOSS OF PROFITS, DIRECT,
INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES, EVEN IF
STRUCTUREPOINT OR DEALER (IF ANY) HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; (B) ANY
CLAIM AGAINST CUSTOMER BY ANY THIRD PARTY; OR (C) ANY DAMAGES CAUSED BY (1) DELAY IN DELIVERY OF
THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT; (2) THE PERFORMANCE OR NON
PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE; (3) RESULTS FROM USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION,
INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, MISTAKES, ERRORS, INACCURACIES, FAILURES OR CUSTOMER'S INABILITY TO
PROVIDE SERVICES TO THIRD PARTIES THROUGH USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION;
(4) CUSTOMER'S FAILURE TO PERFORM CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITIES; (5) STRUCTUREPOINT NOT PROVIDING
UPDATES, BUG FIXES OR CORRECTIONS TO OR FOR ANY OF THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION; (6)
LABOR, EXPENSE OR MATERIALS NECESSARY TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION
CAUSED BY (a) ACCIDENT, (b) NEGLIGENCE OR ABUSE BY CUSTOMER, (c) ACTS OF THIRD PERSONS INCLUDING,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INSTALLATION, REPAIR, MAINTENANCE OR OTHER CORRECTIVE WORK RELATED TO ANY
EQUIPMENT BEING USED, (d) CAUSES EXTERNAL TO THE SOFTWARE SUCH AS POWER FLUCTUATION AND
FAILURES, OR (e) FLOODS, WINDSTORMS OR OTHER ACTS OF GOD. MOREOVER, IN NO EVENT SHALL
STRUCTUREPOINT BE LIABLE FOR WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES, REPRESENTATIONS OR ANY OTHER
UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND DEALER (IF ANY) RELATING TO THE SOFTWARE OR USER
DOCUMENTATION.
THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE AND EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND
STRUCTUREPOINT AND DEALER (IF ANY) WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION TO BE
FURNISHED HEREUNDER. IT IS A FINAL EXPRESSION OF THAT AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING. IT SUPERSEDES
ALL PRIOR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES (INCLUDING ANY EVALUATION LICENSE AND ALL ORAL
AND WRITTEN PROPOSALS). ORAL STATEMENTS MADE BY STRUCTUREPOINT'S OR DEALER'S (IF ANY)
REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION DO NOT CONSTITUTE REPRESENTATIONS
OR WARRANTIES, SHALL NOT BE RELIED ON BY CUSTOMER, AND ARE NOT PART OF THIS AGREEMENT.
1.
LICENSE RESTRICTIONS
a.
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or as otherwise authorized in writing by STRUCTUREPOINT, Customer has
no right to: (1) use, print, copy, display, reverse assemble, reverse engineer, translate or decompile the Software or User
Documentation in whole or in part; (2) disclose, publish, release, sublicense or transfer to another person any Software or
User Documentation; (3) reproduce the Software or User Documentation for the use or benefit of anyone other than
Customer; or (4) modify any Software or User Documentation. All rights to the Software and User Documentation not
expressly granted to Customer hereunder are retained by STRUCTUREPOINT. All copyrights and other proprietary rights
except as expressed elsewhere in the Software or User Documentation and legal title thereto shall remain in
STRUCTUREPOINT. Customer may use the Software only as licensed by STRUCTUREPOINT on designated workstation
at Customer's site at any given time. Customer may not transmit the Software licenses electronically to any other workstation,
computer, node or terminal device whether via a local area network, a wide area network, telecommunications transmission,
the Internet or other means now known or hereafter created without prior written permission by STRUCTUREPOINT.
b.
2.
3.
Customer acknowledges that this is a limited license for trial and evaluation purposes only. This limited license shall
automatically terminate upon the earlier of: (1) ten executions of the Software on the computer on which it is installed; or (2)
fifteen days after the installation of the Software. Thereafter, Customer may only use the Software and Documentation if it
acquires a production license for the same.
TERM AND TERMINATION

c.
This Agreement shall be in effect from the date Customer clicks the I AGREE icon below or installs, copies or otherwise
uses the Software or User Documentation until: (1) it is terminated by Customer, by Dealer (if any) on behalf of Customer or
STRUCTUREPOINT or by STRUCTUREPOINT as set forth herein; or (2) the limited trial and evaluation license terminates.
d.
This Agreement may be terminated by STRUCTUREPOINT without cause upon 30 days' written notice or immediately upon
notice to Customer if Customer breaches this Agreement or fails to comply with any of its terms or conditions. This
Agreement may be terminated by Customer without cause at any time upon written notice to STRUCTUREPOINT.
BACKUP AND REPLACEMENT COPIES

Customer may make one copy of the Software for back-up and archival purposes only, provided STRUCTUREPOINT's copyright
and other proprietary rights notices are included on such copy.
4.
5.
PROTECTION AND SECURITY

a.
Customer shall not provide or otherwise make available any of the Software or User Documentation in any form to any
person other than employees of Customer with the need to know, without STRUCTUREPOINT's written permission.
b.
All Software and User Documentation in Customer's possession including, without limitation, translations, compilations,
back-up, and partial copies is the property of STRUCTUREPOINT. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason,
Customer shall immediately destroy all Software and User Documentation, including all media, and destroy any Software that
has been copied onto other magnetic storage devices. Upon STRUCTUREPOINTs request, Customer shall certify its
compliance in writing with the foregoing to STRUCTUREPOINT.
c.
Customer shall take appropriate action, by instruction, agreement or otherwise, with any persons permitted access to the
Software or User Documentation, to enable Customer to satisfy its obligations under this Agreement with respect to use,
copying, protection, and security of the same.
d.
If STRUCTUREPOINT prevails in an action against Customer for breach of the provisions of this Section 4, Customer shall
pay the reasonable attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses incurred by STRUCTUREPOINT in connection with such action in
addition to any award of damages.
CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential purpose of this Agreement is to provide Customer with limited use rights to the Software and User Documentation.
Customer accepts full responsibility for: (a) selection of the Software and User Documentation to satisfy Customer's business needs
and achieve Customer's intended results; (b) the use, set-up and installation of the Software and User Documentation; (c) all results
obtained from use of the Software and User Documentation; and (d) the selection, use of, and results obtained from any other
software, programming equipment or services used with the Software or User Documentation.
6.
LIMITED WARRANTIES
STRUCTUREPOINT and Dealer (if any) warrants to Customer that: (a) STRUCTUREPOINT and Dealer (if any) has title to the
Software and User Documentation and/or the right to grant Customer the rights granted hereunder; (b) the Software and User
Documentation provided hereunder is STRUCTUREPOINT's most current production version thereof; and (c) the copy of the
Software provided hereunder is an accurate reproduction of the original from which it was made.
7.
vi
LIMITATION OF REMEDY
a.
STRUCTUREPOINT AND DEALER (IF ANY) HAS NO LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. CUSTOMER'S
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR DAMAGES DUE TO PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE OF ANY
SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION, STRUCTUREPOINT, DEALER (IF ANY), OR ANY OTHER CAUSE
WHATSOEVER, AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT,
INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, SHALL BE LIMITED TO CUSTOMER STOPPING ALL USE OF THE SOFTWARE
AND USER DOCUMENTATION AND RETURNING THE SAME TO STRUCTUREPOINT.
b.
NEITHER STRUCTUREPOINT NOR DEALER (IF ANY) IS AN INSURER WITH REGARD TO THE
PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION. THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE LIMITED WARRANTIES, AND THE LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
AND REMEDY, ARE A REFLECTION OF THE RISKS ASSUMED BY THE PARTIES. IN ORDER TO OBTAIN
License Agreements
THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION FROM STRUCTUREPOINT OR DEALER (IF ANY),
CUSTOMER HEREBY ASSUMES THE RISKS FOR (1) ALL LIABILITIES DISCLAIMED BY
STRUCTUREPOINT AND DEALER (IF ANY) ON THE FACE HEREOF; AND (2) ALL ACTUAL OR ALLEGED
DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION. THE
ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF THE LIMITED REMEDY PROVIDED CUSTOMER HEREUNDER IS TO
ALLOCATE THE RISKS AS PROVIDED ABOVE.
8.
U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

This commercial computer software and commercial computer software documentation were developed exclusively at private
expense by STRUCTUREPOINT, 5420 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, Illinois, 60077. U.S. Government rights to use, modify, release,
reproduce, perform, display or disclose this computer software and computer software documentation are subject to the restrictions
of DFARS 227.7202-1(a) (September 2007) and DFARS 227.7202-3(a) (September 2007), or the Restricted Rights provisions of
FAR 52.227-14 (December 2007) and FAR 52.227-19 (December 2007), as applicable.
9.
GENERAL
a.
No action arising out of any claimed breach of this Agreement or transactions under this Agreement may be brought by
Customer more than two years after the cause of such action has arisen.
b.
Customer may not assign, sell, sublicense or otherwise transfer this Agreement, the license granted herein or the Software or
User Documentation by operation of law or otherwise without the prior written consent of STRUCTUREPOINT. Any attempt
to do any of the foregoing without STRUCTUREPOINTs consent is void.
c.
Customer acknowledges that the Software, User Documentation and other proprietary information and materials of
STRUCTUREPOINT are unique and that, if Customer breaches this Agreement, STRUCTUREPOINT may not have an
adequate remedy at law and STRUCTUREPOINT may enforce its rights hereunder by an action for damages and/or
injunctive or other equitable relief without the necessity of proving actual damage or posting a bond therefor.
d.
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE GOVERNED BY THE UNITED
NATIONS CONVENTION ON CONTRACTS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SALE OF GOODS, THE APPLICATION OF
WHICH IS EXPRESSLY EXCLUDED, BUT SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SHALL INSTEAD BE GOVERNED
BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO AND PERFORMED
ENTIRELY WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND APPLICABLE FEDERAL (U.S.) LAWS. UCITA SHALL NOT
APPLY TO THIS AGREEMENT.
e.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE TREATED AS THOUGH IT WERE EXECUTED IN THE COUNTY OF COOK, STATE
OF ILLINOIS, AND WAS TO HAVE BEEN PERFORMED IN THE COUNTY OF COOK, STATE OF ILLINOIS. ANY
ACTION RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE INSTITUTED AND PROSECUTED IN A COURT LOCATED
IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. CUSTOMER SPECIFICALLY CONSENTS TO EXTRATERRITORIAL SERVICE OF
PROCESS.
f.
Except as prohibited elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
personal and legal representatives, permitted successors, and permitted assigns of the parties hereto.
g.
All notices, demands, consents or requests that may be or are required to be given by any party to another party shall be in
writing. All notices, demands, consents or requests given by the parties hereto shall be sent either by U.S. certified mail,
postage prepaid or by an overnight international delivery service, addressed to the respective parties. Notices, demands,
consents or requests served as set forth herein shall be deemed sufficiently served or given at the time of receipt thereof.
h.
The various rights, options, elections, powers, and remedies of a party or parties to this Agreement shall be construed as
cumulative and no one of them exclusive of any others or of any other legal or equitable remedy that said party or parties
might otherwise have in the event of breach or default in the terms hereof. The exercise of one right or remedy by a party or
parties shall not in any way impair its rights to any other right or remedy until all obligations imposed on a party or parties
have been fully performed.
i.
No waiver by Customer, STRUCTUREPOINT or Dealer (if any) of any breach, provision, or default by the other shall be
deemed a waiver of any other breach, provision or default.
j.
The parties hereto, and each of them, agree that the terms of this Agreement shall be given a neutral interpretation and any
ambiguity or uncertainty herein should not be construed against any party hereto.
k.
If any provision of this Agreement or portion thereof is held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court or competent
jurisdiction, such decision shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Agreement, it being the
intent and agreement of the parties that this Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision to the extent
necessary to render it enforceable and valid while preserving its intent or, if such modification is not possible, by substituting
therefor another provision that is enforceable and valid so as to materially effectuate the parties intent.
Except as set forth herein, this Agreement may be modified or amended only by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized
representative of STRUCTUREPOINT and Customer.
License Agreements
vii
STRUCTUREPOINT SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

BY CLICKING THE I AGREE BELOW, OR BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE SOFTWARE OR
USER DOCUMENTATION, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, THE WARRANTY DISCLAIMERS, LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND TERMINATION PROVISIONS BELOW.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE SOFTWARE OR USER
DOCUMENTATION, EXIT THIS APPLICATION NOW AND RETURN THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION TO
STRUCTUREPOINT FOR A FULL REFUND WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER YOUR RECEIPT OF THE SOFTWARE AND
USER DOCUMENTATION.
STRUCTUREPOINT, 5420 OLD ORCHARD ROAD, SKOKIE, ILLINOIS 60077, GRANTS THE CUSTOMER A PERSONAL,
NONEXCLUSIVE, LIMITED, NONTRANSFERABLE LICENSE TO USE THIS SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION
IS SUPPLIED TO CUSTOMER EITHER BY STRUCTUREPOINT DIRECTLY OR THROUGH AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OF
STRUCTUREPOINT (HEREAFTER DEALER).
WHILE STRUCTUREPOINT HAS TAKEN PRECAUTIONS TO ASSURE THE CORRECTNESS OF THE ANALYTICAL
SOLUTION AND DESIGN TECHNIQUES USED IN THIS SOFTWARE, IT CANNOT AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE ITS
PERFORMANCE, NOR CAN IT OR DOES IT BEAR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTS OR FAILURES IN STRUCTURES
IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH THIS SOFTWARE IS USED. DEALER (IF ANY) HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE DESIGN
OR DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SOFTWARE AND NEITHER GUARANTEES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE NOR
BEARS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTS OR FAILURES IN STRUCTURES IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH THIS
SOFTWARE IS USED.
STRUCTUREPOINT AND DEALER (IF ANY) EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY THAT: (A) THE FUNCTIONS
CONTAINED IN THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF CUSTOMER OR OPERATE IN COMBINATIONS
THAT MAY BE SELECTED FOR USE BY CUSTOMER; (B) THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE FREE OF ALL
"BUGS" OR PROGRAM ERRORS; OR (C) THE SOFTWARE CONFORMS TO ANY PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS.
CUSTOMER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT STRUCTUREPOINT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE ANY SUPPORT,
UPDATES, BUG FIXES OR ERROR CORRECTIONS TO OR FOR THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION.
THE LIMITED WARRANTIES IN SECTION 7 HEREOF ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT,
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EACH OF WHICH IS HEREBY DISCLAIMED.
EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 7, THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED ON AN
"AS-IS" BASIS.
IN NO EVENT SHALL STRUCTUREPOINT OR DEALER (IF ANY) BE LIABLE FOR: (A) LOSS OF PROFITS, INDIRECT,
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES, EVEN IF STRUCTUREPOINT
OR DEALER (IF ANY) HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; (B) ANY CLAIM AGAINST
CUSTOMER BY ANY THIRD PARTY EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 8 ENTITLED "INFRINGEMENT"; OR (C) ANY
DAMAGES CAUSED BY (1) DELAY IN DELIVERY OF THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT; (2) THE PERFORMANCE OR NONPERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE; (3) RESULTS FROM USE OF THE
SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, MISTAKES, ERRORS, INACCURACIES,
FAILURES OR CUSTOMER'S INABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THIRD PARTIES THROUGH USE OF THE
SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION; (4) CUSTOMER'S FAILURE TO PERFORM CUSTOMER'S RESPONSIBILITIES; (5)
STRUCTUREPOINT NOT PROVIDING UPDATES, BUG FIXES OR CORRECTIONS TO OR FOR ANY OF THE SOFTWARE OR
USER DOCUMENTATION; (6) LABOR, EXPENSE OR MATERIALS NECESSARY TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO THE SOFTWARE
OR USER DOCUMENTATION CAUSED BY (a) ACCIDENT, (b) NEGLIGENCE OR ABUSE BY CUSTOMER, (c) ACTS OF
THIRD PERSONS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, INSTALLATION, REPAIR, MAINTENANCE OR OTHER
CORRECTIVE WORK RELATED TO ANY EQUIPMENT BEING USED, (d) CAUSES EXTERNAL TO THE SOFTWARE SUCH
AS POWER FLUCTUATION AND FAILURES, OR (e) FLOODS, WINDSTORMS OR OTHER ACTS OF GOD. MOREOVER, IN
NO EVENT SHALL STRUCTUREPOINT BE LIABLE FOR WARRANTIES, GUARANTEES, REPRESENTATIONS OR ANY
OTHER UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND DEALER (IF ANY) RELATING TO THE SOFTWARE OR USER
DOCUMENTATION.
THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ENTIRE AND EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CUSTOMER AND
STRUCTUREPOINT AND DEALER (IF ANY) WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE AND USER DOCUMENTATION TO BE
FURNISHED HEREUNDER. IT IS A FINAL EXPRESSION OF THAT AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING. IT SUPERSEDES
ALL PRIOR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE PARTIES (INCLUDING ANY EVALUATION LICENSE AND ALL ORAL
AND WRITTEN PROPOSALS). ORAL STATEMENTS MADE BY STRUCTUREPOINT 'S OR DEALER'S (IF ANY)
REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE SOFTWARE OR USER DOCUMENTATION DO NOT CONSTITUTE REPRESENTATIONS
OR WARRANTIES, SHALL NOT BE RELIED ON BY CUSTOMER, AND ARE NOT PART OF THIS AGREEMENT.
1.
LICENSE RESTRICTIONS
a.
viii
Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or as otherwise authorized in writing by STRUCTUREPOINT, Customer has
no right to: (1) use, print, copy, display, reverse assemble, reverse engineer, translate or decompile the Software or User
Documentation in whole or in part; (2) disclose, publish, release, sublicense or transfer to another person any Software or
User Documentation; (3) reproduce the Software or User Documentation for the use or benefit of anyone other than
Customer; or (4) modify any Software or User Documentation. All rights to the Software and User Documentation not
expressly granted to Customer hereunder are retained by STRUCTUREPOINT. All copyrights and other proprietary rights
except as expressed elsewhere in the Software or User Documentation and legal title thereto shall remain in
License Agreements
STRUCTUREPOINT. Customer may use the Software only as licensed by STRUCTUREPOINT on designated workstation
at Customer's site at any given time. Customer may not transmit the Software licenses electronically to any other workstation,
computer, node or terminal device whether via a local area network, a wide area network, telecommunications transmission,
the Internet or other means now known or hereafter created without prior written permission by STRUCTUREPOINT.
b.
2.
Customer acknowledges that the registration process for the Software results in the generation of a unique license code. Once
the license code is entered DURING THE INSTALLATION PROCESS, the Software will only work on the computer on
which the Software LICENSE is INITIALLY installed. If you need to deinstall the Software license and reinstall the Software
license on a different computer, you must contact STRUCTUREPOINT to obtain the necessary reinstallation procedures.
CHARGES AND PAYMENTS

All payments for the Software and User Documentation shall be made to either STRUCTUREPOINT or Dealer (if any), as
appropriate.
3.
4.
TERM AND TERMINATION

a.
This Agreement shall be in effect from the date Customer clicks the I AGREE below or installs, copies or otherwise uses
the Software or User Documentation until it is terminated by Customer, by Dealer (if any) on behalf of Customer or
STRUCTUREPOINT or by STRUCTUREPOINT as set forth herein.
b.
This Agreement may be terminated by STRUCTUREPOINT without cause upon 30 days' written notice or immediately upon
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xi
Chapter 1 Introduction
Introduction
spColumn is a software program for the design and investigation of reinforced concrete sections subject to
axial and flexural loads. The section can be rectangular, round or irregular, with any reinforcement layout or
pattern. Slenderness effects can be considered.
The program offers investigation of irregularly shaped, reinforced concrete column sections that may contain
openings or boundary elements. Widely used for design of shear walls, bridge piers as well as typical framing
elements in buildings, spColumn can investigate sections that are impossible to find on design charts or do by
hand calculations. You can obtain the P-M interaction diagrams from both uniaxial and biaxial runs, as well
as the Mx-My moment contour plots from biaxial runs for even the most irregular column and shear wall
sections. Slenderness effects producing magnified moments may be included in the investigation.
Program Features
ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, ACI 318-08, ACI 318-05, ACI 318-02, CSA A23.3-04, and CSA A23.3-94
English and SI units
Design and investigation run options
Uniaxial or biaxial flexure combined with axial load
Rectangular, circular, and irregular section geometry
Non-slender and sway or nonsway slender columns
Complete P-M and Mx-My interaction diagrams
Customizable view of interaction diagrams
Superposition of interaction diagram from a different run
Factored, unfactored, axial, and control points loading
Binary (COL) and text (CTI) input file formats
Graphical input for irregular sections
Imports geometry, reinforcement, and loads from text files
Imports section shape and reinforcement from DXF files
Exports section shape and reinforcement to DXF files
Exports graphical reports (screen printouts) to EMF files
Exports P-M diagrams, Mx-My diagrams, and 3D failure surface to TXT and CSV files
GUI (Graphical User Interface) and batch mode (command prompt) runs
Reports neutral axis location and maximum steel strain corresponding to section capacity
Reports neutral axis location, net tensile steel strain, and strength reduction factors in text output
Program Capacity
10,000 reinforcing bars within a section.
10,000 exterior points that define the geometric outline of the cross section (spSection module).
10,000 interior points that define an opening in the cross section (spSection module).
10,000 factored load entries, each consisting of an axial load, a moment about the x-axis, and a moment
about the y-axis.
50 service load entries, each consisting of dead, live, wind, earthquake, and snow axial loads, moments at
column top about the x and y axes, and moments at column bottom about the x and y axes.
50 load combinations.
System Requirements
Any computer running Microsoft Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 operating
system with 32 or 64 bit processing is sufficient to run the spColumn program. For instructions on how to
troubleshoot system specific installation and licensing issues, please refer to support pages on StructurePoint
website at www.StructurePoint.org.
Terms
The following terms are used throughout this manual. A brief explanation is given to help familiarize you
with them.
Windows
refers to the Microsoft Windows environment as listed in System Requirements.
[]
indicates metric equivalent
Click on
means to position the cursor on top of a designated item or location and press and
release the left-mouse button (unless instructed to use the right-mouse button).
Double-click on
means to position the cursor on top of a designated item or location and press and
release the left-mouse button twice in quick succession.
Conventions
To help you locate and interpret information easily, the spColumn manual adheres to the following text
format.
Italic
indicates a glossary item, or emphasizes a given word or phrase.
Bold
indicates the name of a menu or a menu item command such as File or Save.
Mono-space
indicates something you should enter with the keyboard. For example c:\*.txt.
KEY + KEY
indicates a key combination. The plus sign indicates that you should press and hold the
first key while pressing the second key, then release both keys. For example, ALT +
F indicates that you should press the ALT key and hold it while you press the F
key. then release both keys.
SMALL CAPS
Indicates the name of an object such as a dialog box or a dialog box component. For
example, the OPEN dialog box or the CANCEL or MODIFY buttons.
Installing, Purchasing and Licensing spColumn

For instructions on how to install, purchase, and license StructurePoint software please refer to support pages
on StructurePoint website at www.StructurePoint.org.
1-2
Introduction
Chapter 2 Method of Solution
Method of Solution
A Definitions and Assumptions
1.
The analysis of the reinforced concrete section performed by spColumn conforms to the provisions of the
Strength Design Method1 and Unified Design Provisions2 and is based on the following assumptions.
a) All conditions of strength satisfy the applicable conditions of equilibrium and strain compatibility 3
b) Strain in the concrete and in the reinforcement is directly proportional to the distance from the
neutral axis4. In other words, plane sections normal to the axis of bending are assumed to remain
plane after bending.
c) The maximum usable (ultimate) strain at the extreme concrete compression fiber is assumed equal to
0.003 for ACI codes5 and 0.0035 for CSA codes6 unless otherwise specified by the user
d) A uniform rectangular concrete stress block is used. For ACI code7, the maximum uniform concrete
compressive stress, f c , is 0.85f c by default and the block depth is 1c , where c is the distance
from the extreme compression fiber to the neutral axis and 1 is described in item 4 below. For
CSA8, f c is taken as:
fc 0.85 0.0015f c f c 0.67f c , where f c is in MPa

Both f c and 1 can be modified by the user.
e)
f)
Concrete displaced by the reinforcement in compression is deducted from the compression block 9
For the reinforcing steel, the elastic-plastic stress-strain distribution is used 10. Stress in the
reinforcing steel below the yield strength, f y , is directly proportional to the strain. For strains greater
than that corresponding to the yield strength, the reinforcement stress remains constant and equal
to f y . Reinforcing steel yield strength must be within customary ranges.
g)
h)
i)
j)
Tensile strength of concrete in axial and flexural calculations is neglected11.

Reinforcement bars are located within section outline.
Irregular sections must be composed of a closed polygon without any intersecting sides.
Members with very large cross sectional area, multiple openings, and unusual geometry must be
carefully evaluated in light of above assumption for solution stability and reliability of results.
For CSA A23.3-04 (Ref. [6]) and CSA A23.3-94 (Ref. [7])
For ACI 318-14 (Ref. [1]), ACI 318-11 (Ref. [1]), ACI 318-08 (Ref. [2]), ACI 318-05 (Ref. [3]) and ACI 318-02 (Ref. [4]); also see
notes on ACI 318-08, 8.1.2 in Ref. [9] and notes on ACI 318-11, 8.1.2 in Ref. [13]
3
ACI 318-14, 4.5.1, 22.2.1.1, 13.2.6.2; ACI 318-11, 10.2.1; ACI 318-08, 10.2.1; ACI 318-05, 10.2.1; ACI 318-02, 10.2.1; CSA A23.304, 10.1.1; CSA A23.3-94, 10.1.1
4
ACI 318-14, 22.1.2, 22.2.1.2; ACI 318-11, 10.2.2; ACI 318-08, 10.2.2; ACI 318-05, 10.2.2; ACI 318-02, 10.2.2; CSA A23.3-04,
10.1.2; CSA A23.3-94, 10.1.2
5
ACI 318-14, 22.2.2.1; ACI 318-11, 10.2.3; ACI 318-08, 10.2.3; ACI 318-05, 10.2.3; ACI 318-02, 10.2.3
6
CSA A23.3-04, 10.1.3; CSA A23.3-94, 10.1.3
7
ACI 318-14, 22.2.2.3; ACI 318-11, 10.2.6; ACI 318-08, 10.2.6, 10.2.7; ACI 318-05, 10.2.6, 10.2.7; ACI 318-02, 10.2.6, 10.2.6
8
CSA A23.3-04, 10.1.1; CSA A23.3-94, 10.1.1
9
For consistency with Eq. 10-1 and 10-2 in ACI codes (Refs. [1], [3], [4]) and with Eq. 10-10 in CSA codes (Refs. [6], [7])
10
ACI 318-14, 20.2.2.1; ACI 318-11, 10.2.4; ACI 318-08, 10.2.4; ACI 318-05, 10.2.4; ACI 318-02, 10.2.4; CSA A23.3-04, 8.5.3.2; CSA
A23.3-94, 8.5.3.2
11
ACI 318-14, 22.2.2.2; ACI 318-11, 10.2.5; ACI 318-08, 10.2.5; ACI 318-05, 10.2.5; ACI 318-02, 10.2.5; CSA A23.3-04, 10.1.5; CSA
A23.3-94, 10.1.5
2
2.
The modulus of elasticity of concrete, E c , is computed as follows (unless otherwise specified by the
user):
Ec 57,000 fc , for the ACI code12 where f c and E c are in psi,

Ec 4,700 fc , for the ACI code13 where f c and E c are in MPa.
For the CSA standard14, Ec 3,518 fc 7,355 , where f c and E c are in MPa.
3.
The modulus of elasticity of reinforcing steel 15, Es , is taken as 29,000 ksi (200,000 MPa) unless
otherwise specified by the user. The computed compression controlled strain limit cannot exceed 0.005
and is reset to 0.002 for user input fy values in excess of 145 ksi.
Figure 2-1 Analysis of Reinforced Section

4.
The ratio of the concrete compression block depth to the distance between the extreme compression fiber
and the neutral axis, 1 , is computed as follows (unless otherwise specified by the user):
0.65 1 1.05 0.05f c 0.85 , for the ACI code16 where f c is in ksi,
0.65 1 (149 f c ) /140 0.85 , for the ACI code17 where f c is in MPa.
For the CSA standard18, 1 0.97 0.0025f c 0.67 , where f c is in MPa.

5.
Stress in the reinforcement is computed based on the strain at the centroid of each reinforcing bar.
6.
All moments are referenced to the geometric centroid of the gross concrete section (neglecting the
reinforcement).
12
ACI 318M-14, 19.2.2.1; ACI 318M-11, 8.5.1; ACI 318M-08, 8.5.1; ACI 318M-05, 8.5.1; ACI 318M-02, 8.5.1
14
CSA A23.3-04, 8.6.2.3, Eq. 8.1 and CSA A23.3-94, 8.6.2.3, Eq. 8-6 (with c = 2400 kg/m3)
15
ACI 318-14, 20.2.2.2; ACI 318-11, 8.5.2; ACI 318-08, 8.5.2; ACI 318-05, 8.5.2; ACI 318-02, 8.5.2; ACI 318M-05, 8.5.2; ACI 318M02, 8.5.2;CSA A23.3-04, 8.5.4.1; CSA A23.3-94, 8.5.4.1
16
ACI 318-14, 22.2.2.4.3; ACI 318-11, 10.2.7.3; ACI 318-08, 10.2.7.3; ACI 318-05, 10.2.7.3; ACI 318-02, 10.2.7.3
17
ACI 318M-14, 22.2.2.4.3; ACI 318M-11, 10.2.7.3; ACI 318M-08, 10.2.7.3; ACI 318M-05, 10.2.7.3; ACI 318M-02, 10.2.7.3
18
CSA A23.3-04, 10.7.1(c); CSA A23.3-94, 10.7.1(c)
13
2-2
Method of Solution
7.
For the ACI codes, the nominal (unreduced) capacity of the section is first computed. Then, the nominal
capacity is reduced to the design capacity using the strength reduction factor, , the value of which is
calculated based on the net tensile steel strain, t , in the following way19:
For columns with spiral reinforcement per ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, and ACI 318-08
0.9
0.20 t f y / Es
0.75
0.005 f y / Es
0.75
if t 0.005 (tension controlled sec tion)

if f y / E y t 0.005 (transition sec tion)
if t f y / E y (compression controlled sec tion)
For columns with spiral reinforcement per ACI 318-05 and ACI 318-02
0.9
0.20 t f y / Es
0.70
0.005 f y / Es
0.70

For other columns per ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, ACI 318-08, ACI 318-05, and ACI 318-02
0.9
0.25 t f y / Es
0.65
0.005 f y / Es
0.65

P
Pmax
(Mn,Pn)
0.9
0.75 or 0.7
0.65
Pmax
0.8Pmax
Spiral*
Other
fy
Es
Compression
controlled
0.005
Transition zone
Tension
Controlled
Pmin
Pmin
(Mn,Pn)
Compression
controlled
(Mn,Pn)
Transition
zone
M
(Mn,Pn)
Tension
controlled
* Spiral sections in compression controlled zone: = 0.75 per ACI 318-11/08 and = 0.70 per ACI 318-05/02
Figure 2-2 Reduction factors for Flexural and Axial Capacity per ACI code
* Spiral sections in compression controlled zone: =0.75 per ACI 318-14/11/08 and =0.70 per ACI 318-05/02
19
ACI 318-14, 21.2; ACI 318-11, 9.3.2, 10.3.3, 10.3.4; ACI 318-08, 9.3.2, 10.3.3, 10.3.4; ACI 318-05, 9.3.2, 10.3.3, 10.3.4; ACI 318-02,
9.3.2, 10.3.3, 10.3.4
Method of Solution
2-3
Figure 2-2 illustrates variation of the strength reduction factor with net tensile strain in extreme tension
steel and the impact of the strength reduction factor on the axial and flexural capacity interaction
diagram. It is worth noting that in the transition between compression controlled and tension controlled
zones, the nominal axial capacity, Pn, decreases whereas the value of net tensile strain increases and so
does the strength reduction factor, . Consequently, the resulting factored axial capacity (i.e. the product
of nominal axial capacity and the strength reduction factor), Pn, may either increase or decrease in the
transition zone depending on the rates of axial force decrease and strength reduction increase for the
section under consideration. Typically, the rate of axial capacity decrease dominates over the rate of
strength reduction increase and thus the factor axial load capacity decreases as well.
For certain classes of sections (e.g. sections having a narrowing in the middle such as hollow core
section, T-shaped, L-shaped, and I-shaped sections), however, the reverse may be true resulting in the
factored axial load capacity increase in the transition zone between compression controlled and tension
controlled zones (see Figure 2-3). This unusual increase in axial load capacity is not illustrated by
interaction diagrams produced by the program and is not considered for design and investigation of
cross-sections. It will be flagged to inform the user, however, when the program is run using Control
Points as the load type.
Where unsymmetrical members (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped sections) are investigated under biaxial
bending, the Mx-My contour diagram occasionally crosses the X or Y axes more than once. This
presents an unusual situation where a load point may exist outside of the Mx-My contour while
appearing within the P-Mx or P-My contour views. It is suggested the Mx-My contours be investigated
carefully for each factored axial load level.
For the CSA standards, the program calculates the factored resistance directly using the factored
compressive concrete strength20, c f c , and the factored forces in reinforcement bars 21, sSi . The
material resistance factor for concrete, c , equals
0.6 for CSA A23.3-94
c 0.65 for CSA A23.3-04 (cast-in-place)

0.70 for CSA A23.3-04 (precast)
The material resistance factor for steel, s , is equal to 0.90.

Additionally, the design axial capacity (for all ACI and CSA standards) is capped22 at 0.85 of the
maximum axial capacity for sections with spiral reinforcement or at 0.80 for sections with tie
reinforcement.
20
CSA A23.3-04, 8.4.2, 16.1.3; CSA A23.3-94, 8.4.2

CSA A23.3-04, 8.4.3; CSA A23.3-94, 8.4.3
22
ACI 318-14, 22.4.2.1; ACI 318-11, 10.3.6; ACI 318-08, 10.3.6; ACI 318-05, 10.3.6; ACI 318-02, 10.3.6; CSA A23.3-04, 10.10.4;
CSA A23.3-94, 10.10.4
21
2-4
Method of Solution
Figure 2-3 Shapes of P-M interaction diagram in transition zone for ACI codes
8.
In the investigation mode the program will calculate capacity for any provided area of reinforcement.
However, if the reinforcement area falls below the code-specified23 minimum of 0.01 times the gross
area, Ag, then two options, Architectural or Structural, are available.
By default Architectural option is selected for which the capacity of the section is reduced. For the ACI
codes, the reduction results from multiplying the maximum concrete stress, f c , by the ratio of
reinforcement area to 0.01Ag. This produces the same effect as reducing the effective concrete area24 to
achieve ratio of reinforcement area to gross concrete area equal to 0.01. For the CSA standards 25, the
factored axial and flexural resistances are multiplied by ratio 0.5 1 t / 0.01 for the 04 edition and
t / 0.01 for the 94 edition.
For Structural option, the section is treated as is without any reductions in capacity. This option is
provided for informational purposes only, since per all codes supported by spColumn, capacity of
compression members with reinforcement area less than 0.01Ag has to be reduced and areas below
0.005Ag are not allowed.
23
A23.3-94, 10.9.1
24
25
CSA A23.3-04, 10.10.5; CSA A23.3-94, 10.10.5
Method of Solution
2-5
9.
Under the Design option, the reinforcement ratio cannot be less than 1.0% if Structural column type is
selected in design criteria and 0.5% in case of Architectural column type. For Architectural type, the
capacity of the designed column is reduced as described above. Additionally, User Defined type is
provided in the design criteria, which allows designs with reinforcement ratios not less than 0.1%. No
reduction in capacity is applied for User Defined column type.
10. Maximum reinforcement ratio 26 for Structural and Architectural options in both Investigation and Design
modes is 8%. For User Defined type in the Design mode the maximum reinforcement ratio is set to 20%.
B Conventions
1.
Positive axial forces are compressive and negative axial forces are tensile.
2.
Looking in plan at the section with z-axis pointing outwards, the positive x-axis points to the right and
the positive y-axis points up. For this section, vectors of positive bending moments have the same
orientation as their corresponding axes x and y. Thus, a positive bending moment about the x-axis, Mx,
produces tension at the top face of the section and compression at the bottom face. A positive bending
moment about the y-axis, My, produces tension at the left face of the section and compression at the right
face.
z
y
My
P
Mx
Mx
My
Top
P
Bottom
Figure 2-4 Positive axial force and bending moments (internal forces)
3.
If service loads are input, moment loads at the upper (top) and lower (bottom) ends of the column are
needed. Top and bottom moment loads of opposite signs produce single curvature bending. Top and
bottom moment loads of the same sign produce double curvature bending.
Positive moment loads at the upper end of the column coincide with positive bending moments.
However, at the lower end, positive moment loads produce effects opposite to positive bending moments.
Therefore spColumn changes the sign of the service moment at the lower end to convert it from a
moment load to a bending moment.
Axial load is assumed to be constant so it is input only as for the upper end where positive axial load
coincides with positive axial force.
4.
If factored loads are input, they are considered to be applied at a section pointing upwards so that they
have the same orientations as positive axial force and positive bending moments.
26
A23.3-94, 10.9.2
2-6
Method of Solution
My
z
My
Mx
Mx
My
z
Mx
Mx
My
Figure 2-5 Positive moment loads (external forces)

5.
The convention for the slenderness input of beam and column dimensions and their orientation is
presented in Figure 2-6. Beams above the columns are shown. Same convention applies to beam below
the column.
Z
Y
Left
Left
X-Beam
Right
X
Y-Beam
luy
Column
Right
lux
Figure 2-6 Slenderness Input Convention
C Section Investigation
1.
The computations performed when investigating a section depend on the selected load mode:
a)
Factored loads for the axial load of each load point, the moment capacity and the ratio of designto-applied moment are computed. For a biaxial run, the computed Mx and My moment capacities are
at the same angle as that produced by the applied Mx and My moments. In uniaxial case the program
also reports the depth of neutral axis and maximum steel strain corresponding to the calculated
moment capacity. For the ACI code, the value of strength reduction factor is also reported.
spColumn allows defining up to 50 load combinations. The user has full control over the
combinations. The program contains predefined (built into the program) default primary load
Method of Solution
2-7
combinations for the supported codes. These default combinations are created when starting a new
project. The default load combinations of the Dead (D), Live (L), Wind (W), Earthquake (E) and
Snow (S) loads considered by the program are shown below. For the ACI 318-14, 11, 08, 05, and 02
codes27:
U1
=
1.4D
U2
=
1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5S
U3
=
1.2D +1.0L + 1.6S
U4
=
1.2D + 0.8W + 1.6S
U5
=
1.2D +1.0L + 1.6W + 0.5S
U6
=
0.9D + 1.6W
U7
=
1.2D 0.8W + 1.6S
U8
=
1.2D +1.0L 1.6W + 0.5S
U9
=
0.9D 1.6W
U10
=
1.2D +1.0L +1.0E 0.2S
U11
=
0.9D +1.0E
U12
=
1.2D +1.0L 1.0E + 0.2S
U13
=
0.9D 1.0E
For the CSA A23.3-94 code28:
U1
=
1.25D
U2
=
1.25D + 1.5L
U3
=
1.25D + 1.5L + 1.5S
U4
=
1.25D + 1.05L + 1.05W
U5
=
1.25D + 1.05L + 1.05W + 1.05S
U6
=
1.25D + 1.5W
U7
=
0.85D + 1.5W
U8
=
1.0D +1.0L + 1.0E
U9
=
1.0D +1.0L + 1.0E + 1.0S
U10
=
1.0D + 1.0E
U11
=
1.25D + 1.05L 1.05W
U12
=
1.25D + 1.05L 1.05W + 1.05S
U13
=
1.25D 1.5W
U14
=
0.85D 1.5W
U15
=
1.0D + 1.0L 1.0E
U16
=
1.0D + 1.0L 1.0E + 1.0S
U17
=
1.0D 1.0E
For the CSA A23.3-04 code29:
U1
=
1.4D
U2
=
1.25D + 1.5L
U3
=
1.25D + 1.5L + 0.5S
U4
=
1.25D + 1.5L + 0.4W
U5
=
1.25D + 1.5L 0.4W
U6
=
0.9D + 1.5L
U7
=
0.9D + 1.5L + 0.5S
U8
=
0.9D + 1.5L + 0.4W
27
ACI 318-14, 5.3; ACI 318-11, 9.2; ACI 318-08, 9.2; ACI 318-05, 9.2; ACI 318-02, 9.2; (assuming W based on service-level wind load
and E based on ultimate-level forces)
28
CSA A23.3-94, 8.3.2 (conservatively assuming storage and assembly occupancies)
29
CSA A23.3-04, 8.3.2; CSA A23.3-04, Annex C, Table C1; NBCC 2005 [8], Table 4.1.3.2
2-8
Method of Solution
U9
=
0.9D + 1.5L 0.4W
U10
=
1.25D + 1.5S
U11
=
1.25D + 0.5L + 1.5S
U12
=
1.25D + 0.4W + 1.5S
U13
=
1.25D 0.4W + 1.5S
U14
=
0.9D + 1.5S
U15
=
0.9D + 0.5L + 1.5S
U16
=
0.9D + 0.4W + 1.5S
U17
=
0.9D 0.4W + 1.5S
U18
=
1.25D + 1.4W
U19
=
1.25D + 0.5L + 1.4W
U20
=
1.25D + 1.4W + 0.5S
U21
=
1.25D 1.4W
U22
=
1.25D + 0.5L 1.4W + 0.5S
U23
=
1.25D 1.4W + 0.5S
U24
=
0.9D + 0.5L + 1.4W
U25
=
0.9D + 0.5L + 1.4W
U26
=
0.9D + 1.4W + 0.5S
U27
=
0.9D 1.4W
U28
=
0.9D + 0.5L 1.4W
U29
=
0.9D 1.4W + 0.5S
U30
=
1.0D + 1.0E
U31
=
1.0D + 0.5L + 1.0E + 0.25S
U32
=
1.0D 1.0E
U33
=
1.0D + 0.5L 1.0E + 0.25S
b) Service loads the program calculates the factored loads using the input load combinations. If
slenderness effects are to be checked and the column is found to be slender, the applied moments are
magnified according to Procedures E and F. For each calculated factored load, the same
computations described in (a) above are performed.
c) Control points for several key points on the interaction diagram, the program calculates axial load
and moment capacity together with the neutral axis depth and maximum steel strain corresponding to
the respective moment capacity. For ACI code, strength reduction factor is also reported. The
following key points are used by the program: maximum compression, allowable compression, point
where steel stress is zero, point where steel stress is 0.5 f y , balanced point, pure flexure and
maximum tension. For ACI code, an additional control point is introduced where maximum steel
strain is equal to 0.005 (tension control limit).
d) Axial loads for each input axial load, the program calculates the positive and negative moment
capacities together with the corresponding neutral axis depths and maximum steel strains. For ACI
code, strength reduction factors are also reported.
2.
The program also computes the interaction diagram (uniaxial runs) or the three-dimensional failure
surface (biaxial runs) of the input section. The values of maximum compressive axial load capacity and
maximum tensile load capacity are computed. These two values set the range within which the moment
capacities are computed for a predetermined number of axial load values.
a)
For uniaxial runs, positive and negative moment capacities about only the selected axis are
computed. Moment capacities about the orthogonal axis are ignored. To compute the moment
capacity at a certain level of axial load, the neutral axis angle is held constant, parallel to the selected
axis. The neutral axis depth is adjusted to arrive at the desired axial load capacity. This is done for
all the predetermined values of axial load.
Method of Solution
2-9
b) For biaxial runs, the same predetermined values of axial load are utilized. For each level of axial
load, the section is rotated in 10-degree increments from 0 degrees to 360 degrees and the Mx and My
moment capacities are computed. Thus for each level of axial load, an Mx-My contour is developed.
Repeating this for the entire range of axial loads, the three-dimensional failure surface is computed.
A three-dimensional visualization of the resulting entire nominal and factored failure surface is
provided to support enhanced understanding of the section capacity.
Also for each point on the interaction diagram or on the three-dimensional failure surface, the program
calculates the location of the neutral axis (expressed in terms of depth and angle of the neutral axis),
maximum steel strain, and (for ACI codes only) the strength reduction factor. These results are reported
for the maximum capacity of the section based on the ultimate limit states and not for the given loading
input. The information can however be used to draw conclusions or make additional calculations for a
given loading condition.
P
Mx-My slice
at constant
P1
l=arctan
My
Mx
P1
P-M slice at
constant l
My
Mx
My
(a) Moment slice at constant load P1
Mx
tension compression
Ml
Ml
(b) Half of P-M slice at constant angle l
Figure 2-7 Interaction Surface for Combined Axial Load and Biaxial Bending
2-10
Method of Solution
D Section Design
1.
Based on the specified minimum, maximum and increment specified for the section and the reinforcing
bars, the program selects the smallest section with the least amount of reinforcement for which the loadmoment capacity exceeds the applied loads. If service loads are input, they are factored using the input
load combinations. Depending on the design criteria the user selects, the least amount of reinforcement
the program searches for means either the smallest number of bars or the smallest steel area.
2.
The program starts the design by trying the smallest section (minimum dimensions) and the least amount
of reinforcing bars. The program verifies that the ratio of provided reinforcement is always within the
specified minimum and maximum ratios. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified by the user 30, the bar
spacing is always kept greater than or equal to the larger of 1.5 times the bar diameter or 1.5 in. [40 mm]
for ACI31 and 1.4 times the bar diameter or 1.2 in [30 mm] for CSA32.
3.
A section fails the design if, for the design axial load, the ratio of design-to-applied moment is less than
1.0 (unless otherwise specified in the Design Criteria dialog box).
4.
Once a section passes the design, its capacity is computed and the calculations explained in Procedure C
above are performed.
5.
For members with large cross sectional area spColumn sometimes warns the user with the following
message Cannot achieve desired accuracy. This results when the program cannot meet the predefined
convergence criteria and the corresponding point on the interaction diagram may be slightly off. The
convergence criteria is more stringent than required in engineering practice, however, the shape of the
interaction diagram should be verified to be relatively smooth and free of unexpected discontinuity.
E Moment Magnification at Ends of Compression Member

This procedure accounts for moment magnification due to second-order effects at ends of columns in sway
frames33.
1.
If properties of framing members are input, spColumn computes the effective length factor, k s , for sway
condition using the following equation34:
/ k 2
A B
s
A B
1 tan
36
ks
6
ks
where is the ratio of EI / lc of columns to EI / l of beams in a plane at one end of the column,
A and B are the values of at the upper end and the lower end of the column. For a hinged end,
is very large. This happens in the case where EI / l of beams is very small (or zero) relative to the
EI / lc of columns at that end. In this case, the program outputs 999.9 for the value of . The moment
of inertia used in computing is the gross moment of inertia multiplied by the cracked section
coefficients35 (specified in the Slenderness Factors dialog box).
2.
For the ACI code36, slenderness effects will be considered if k lu / r 22.0 . For the CSA standards, all
sway columns are designed for slenderness effects.
30
The user may select spacing greater than the default value to take into account tolerances for reinforcement placement (see ACI 11706, Ref [5]) and other project specific considerations.
31
ACI 318-14, 25.2.3; ACI 318-11, 7.6.3; ACI 318-08, 7.6.3; ACI 318-05, 7.6.3; ACI 318-02, 7.6.3
32
CSA A23.3-04, Annex A, 6.6.5.2; CSA A23.3-94, Annex A, A12.5.2
33
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.6.1; ACI 318-11, 10.10.7; ACI 318-08, 10.10.7; ACI 318-05, 10.13; ACI 318-02, 10.13; CSA A23.3-04, 10.16;
CSA A23.3-94, 10.16
34
Exact formula derived in Ref. [12] pp. 851 for Jackson and Moreland alignment chart
35
ACI 318-14, 6.6.3.1.1, 6.6.4.2, 6.7.1.3, 6.8.1.4; ACI 318-11, 10.10.4.1; ACI 318-08, 10.10.4.1; ACI 318-05, 10.11.1, 10.13.1; ACI
318-02, 10.11.1, 10.13.1; CSA A23.3-04, 10.14.1.2, 10.16.1; CSA A23.3-94, 10.14.1, 10.16.1
36
Method of Solution
2-11
3.
If the ratio k lu / r exceeds 100, slenderness effects cannot be accounted for using moment magnification
procedure37. A more exact method must be used. In this case, the program issues a warning message and
aborts design or investigation procedure except for calculations per ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, and ACI
318-08 where limit of k lu / r 100 does not explicitly apply and the program continues calculations after
showing the warning message.
4.
Factored moments, M ns,top and Mns,bot , due to dead, live, and snow loads assumed to cause no
appreciable sidesway38, are calculated at the top and bottom ends of the column.
5.
Factored moments, Ms,top and Ms,bot , due to lateral loads (wind and earthquake) assumed to cause
appreciable sidesway39, are calculated at the top and bottom ends of the column.
6.
Flexural stiffness EI is calculated as40:
EI
0.2E c Ig Es Ise
1 ds
where E c is the modulus of elasticity of concrete, Es is the modulus elasticity of steel, I g is the gross
moment of inertia of the concrete section, Ise is the moment of inertia of reinforcement. Assuming that
shear due to lateral loads is not sustained in most frames 41, the ds is taken as zero (with the exception of
strength and stability of the structure as a whole under factored gravity loads described in Step 11).
7.
The critical buckling load, Pc , is computed as42:
Pc
8.
2 EI
k l u 2
The sway moment magnification factor, s , is computed as43:
1.0
1.0 ,
Pu
1
k Pc
where the stiffness reduction factor, k , is equal to 0.75.

Pu is taken as the factored axial load for the load combination under consideration times the
ratio Pu / Pu , i.e.44 Pu Pu Pu Pu .
Pc is taken as the critical buckling load for the load combination under consideration times the ratio
Pc / Pc , i.e. Pc Pc Pc Pc .
k and the ratios Pu / Pu and Pc / Pc may be modified using the Slenderness Factors input box.
9.
The magnified moments at the top and bottom ends of the compression member are computed as45:
37
ACI 318-05, 10.11.5; ACI 318-02, 10.11.5; CSA A23.3-04, 10.13.2; CSA A23.3-94, 10.13.2
ACI 318-14, 2.1; ACI 318-11, 2.1; ACI 318-08, 2.1; ACI 318-05, 2.1; ACI 318-02, 10.0; CSA A23.3-04, 2.3; CSA A23.3-94, 10.0
39
40
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.4.4, Eq. 6.6.4.4.4b; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-14; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-14; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3 Eq. 1011; ACI 318-02, 10.12.3. Eq. 10-10; CSA A23.3-04, 10.16.3.2, 10.15.3 Eq. 10-18; CSA A23.3-94, 10.16.3.2, 10.15.3.1 Eq. 10-18
41
ACI 318-14, R6.6.4.6.2(b); ACI 318-11, R10.10.7.4; ACI 318-08, R10.10.7.4; ACI 318-05, R10.13.4.1, R10.13.4.3; ACI 318-02,
R10.13.4.1, R10.13.4.3; Ref. [10] pp 586 (first paragraph from the bottom)
42
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.4.2, Eq. 6.6.4.4.2; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-13; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-13; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3 Eq. 10-10;
ACI 318-02, 10.12.3 Eq. 10-10; CSA A23.3-04, 10.16.3.2, 10.15.3.1 Eq. 10-17; CSA A23.3-94, 10.16.3.2, 10.15.3 Eq. 10-17
43
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.6.2, Eq. 6.6.4.6.2b; ACI 318-11, 10.10.7.4 Eq. 10-21; ACI 318-08, 10.10.7.4 Eq. 10-21; ACI 318-05, 10.13.4.3 Eq.
10-18; ACI 318-02, 10.13.4.3 Eq. 10-18; CSA A23.3-04, 10.16.3.2 Eq. 10-23; CSA A23.3-94, 10.16.3.2 Eq. 10-23
44
To minimize required input, the program uses one value of ratio Pu / Pu for all load combinations. However, the ratio can vary
depending on the combination under consideration. In this case, it will be conservative to use the highest value of the ratio.
38
2-12
Method of Solution
M top M ns,top s Ms,top ,
Mbot Mns,bot s Ms,bot .

10. The smaller and the larger factored end moments are then determined based on absolute values of
magnified top and bottom end moments
M bot
M1
M top
if M top M bot ,
M top
M2
M bot
if M top M bot ,
if M top M bot ,
if M top M bot .
While design codes define moment M 2 as always positive and the sign of moment M1 depending on
single or double curvature bending46, spColumn retains actual signs of moments M1 and M2. This
revision ensures proper comparison against negative and positive moment capacities of unsymmetrical
sections (see Figure 2-8).
11. Strength and stability of the structure as a whole under factored gravity loads47 is ensured by checking
that the value of the moment magnification factor, s. is positive and does not exceed 2.5.
The program performs this check for all load combinations that include only gravity loads with the
exception of the ACI 318-14/11/08 codes for which the check is not performed and CSA A23.3-94 where
the check is performed only for the load combination of 1.25 dead load plus 1.5 live load plus (1.5 snow
or 0.0 snow), if this combination is present (default). The d factor for the load combination under
consideration is equal to the maximum sustained factored axial load to the maximum factored axial load.
F Moment Magnification along Length of Compression Member

This procedure accounts for moment magnification due to second-order effect along the length of
compression members that are part of either nonsway48 or sway frames49. In nonsway frames, moment
magnification along length is neglected by the program if the condition in Step 3 below is satisfied.
In sway frames designed per ACI 318-02/05 and CSA A23.3-94/04, the magnification along the length is
neglected if50:
lu
35
.
Pu
f cAg
By rearranging and introducing k Pu /(f cA g ) , this condition can be succinctly expressed as k lu / r 35 .

For columns designed per ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, and ACI 318-08 codes, moment magnification along
length is to be considered for all slender compression members, i.e. columns in either nonsway or sway
frames regardless of the k lu / r ratio. Since various published examples of columns designed per ACI 31814, ACI 318-11, and ACI 318-08 do not combine moment magnification at ends and along length of columns
45
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.6.1; ACI 318-11, 10.10.7; ACI 318-08, 10.10.7; ACI 318-05, 10.13.3; ACI 318-02, 10.13.3; CSA A23.3-04,
10.16.2; CSA A23.3-94, 10.16.2
46
47
ACI 318-05, 10.13.6; ACI 318-02, 10.13.6; CSA A23.3-04, 10.16.5; CSA A23.3-94, 10.16.5
48
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.4.2, 6.6.4.5.1, 6.6.4.5.2; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6; ACI 318-05, 10.12; ACI 318-02, 10.12; CSA
A23.3-04, 10.15; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15
49
ACI 318-14, 6.6.1.1; ACI 318-11, 10.10.2.2; ACI 318-08, 10.10.2.2; ACI 318-05, 10.13.5; ACI 318-02, 10.13.5; CSA A23.3-04,
10.16.4; CSA A23.3-94, 10.16.4
50
ACI 318-05, Eq. 10-19; ACI 318-02, Eq. 10-19; CSA A23.3-04, Eq. 10-25; CSA A23.3-94, Eq. 10-25
Method of Solution
2-13
in sway frames51, spColumn optionally allows not considering moment magnification along the length of a
column in a sway frame based on engineering judgment of the user.
When moment magnification along the length of a compression member is considered, the following
procedure is followed:
1.
The effective length factor, k, is either entered by the user or calculated by the program. The value of k
must be between 0.5 and 1.0 for moment magnification along length and the recommended 52 value is 1.0.
Smaller values can be used if justified by analysis. If properties of framing members are input, spColumn
computes the effective length factor, k, for nonsway condition from the following equation 53:
A B 2 A B
/ k
2
tan
1
1
2
4 k
2
2k
tan / k / k
Where is the ratio of EI / lc of columns to EI / l of beams in a plane at one end of the column,
A and B are the values of at the upper end and the lower end of the column, respectively.
Moments of inertia used in computing factors are gross moments of inertia multiplied by the cracked
section coefficients54 (specified in the Slenderness Factors dialog box).
2.
Moments at column ends, M1 and M2, are calculated, where M1 is the moment with the smaller absolute
value and M2 is the moment with the larger absolute value. For columns in nonsway frames, the end
moments will be equal to the factored applied first order moment. For columns in sway frames, the end
moments will be the moments M1 and M2 calculated in the procedure for moment magnification at ends
of compression member. While design codes define moment M2 as always positive and the sign of
moment M1 depending on single or double curvature bending 55, spColumn retains actual signs of
moments M1 and M2 to ensure proper comparison of resulting magnified moments against negative and
positive moment capacities of unsymmetrical sections (see Figure 2-8). This revised interpretation does
not affect results of the moment magnification along length procedure because the procedure relies on
the M1/M2 ratio. spColumn follows the code definition which assumes the ratio to be positive if the
member is bent in single curvature and negative if bent in double curvature. If both moments are equal to
zero, the program conservatively assumes the ratio of M1 / M 2 1.0 .
3.
Second-order effects along length for columns in nonsway frames can be ignored if:
k lu
M
34 12 1 40 for ACI codes56,
r
M2
and
k lu 25 10(M1 M2 )
for the CSA standards57
r
Pf fcAg
where lu is the unsupported column length, r Ig / A is the radius of gyration, and the ratio M1 / M 2
is always taken as greater than or equal to 0.5.
4.
If the ratio k lu / r exceeds 100, slenderness effects cannot be accounted for using moment magnification
procedure58. A more exact method must be used. In this case, the program issues a warning message and
aborts design or investigation procedure except for calculations per ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, and ACI
51
See Example 11.2 in Ref. [9], Example 12.4 in Ref. [11], and Example 12.3 in Ref. [10]
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.4.3, R6.6.4.4.3; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6.3, R10.10.6.3; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6.3, R10.10.6.3; ACI 318-05, 10.12.1; ACI
318-02, 10.12.1; CSA A23.3-04, 10.15.1; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.1
53
Exact formula derived in Ref. [12] pp. 848 for Jackson and Moreland alignment chart
54
ACI 318-14, 6.6.3.1.1, 6.6.4.2, 6.7.1.3, 6.8.1.4; ACI 318-11, 10.10.4.1; ACI 318-08, 10.10.4.1; ACI 318-05, 10.11.1, 10.12.1; ACI
318-02, 10.11.1, 10.12.1; CSA A23.3-04, 10.14.1.2, 10.15.1; CSA A23.3-94, 10.14.1, 10.15.1
55
56
57
CSA A23.3-04, 10.15.2; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.2
58
ACI 318-05, 10.11.5; ACI 318-02, 10.11.5; CSA A23.3-04, 10.13.2; CSA A23.3-94, 10.13.2
52
2-14
Method of Solution
318-08 where limit of k lu / r 100 does not explicitly apply and the program continues calculations after
showing the warning message.
5.
The factor C m is computed as59:
Cm 0.6 0.4
M1
,
M2
and for codes other than ACI 318-14, 318-11, and ACI 318-08, Cm is taken as not less than 0.4.
If M1 M 2 0 , the program assumes Cm to be equal to60 1.0. This is consistent with the assumption
made above (in Step 2).
6.
The sustained load factor dns is computed as the ratio of maximum factored axial sustained load to the
maximum factored axial load for the load combination under consideration for compression members
either in nonsway61 or sway62 frames. The value of dns is not taken greater than 1.0.
7.
Flexural stiffness EI is computed as63:
EI
0.2E c Ig Es Ise
1 dns
where E c is the modulus of elasticity of concrete, Es is the modulus of elasticity of steel, I g is the gross
moment of inertia of the concrete section, and Ise is the moment of inertia of reinforcement.
8.
The critical buckling load, Pc , is computed as64:
Pc
9.
2 EI
.
(k lu ) 2
The magnification factor for moment along length, , is computed as65:
Cm
1.0 ,
Pu
1
k Pc
where the stiffness reduction factor, k , is equal to 0.75 (may be modified using the Slenderness Factors
input box) and Pu is the factored axial load for the load combination under consideration.
10. The moment due to minimum eccentricity, emin , is computed as66:
M min Pu emin , where
emin 0.6 0.03 h , with h in inches,
59
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.5.3; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6.4; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6.4; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3.1; ACI 318-02, 10.12.3.1; CSA A23.3-04,
10.15.3.2; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.3.1
60
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.5.4; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6.5; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6.5; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3.2; ACI 318-02, 10.12.3.2
61
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.4.4; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6.2; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6.2; ACI 318-05, 10.11.1; ACI 318-02, 10.0; CSA A23.3-04, 2.3;
CSA A23.3-94, 10.0
62
ACI 318-14, 6.6.1.1; ACI 318-11, 10.10.2.2, 10.10.6.2; ACI 318-08, 10.10.2.2, 10.10.6.2; ACI 318-05, 10.13.5; ACI 318-02, 10.13.5;
CSA A23.3-04, 10.14.1.3(a), 10.16.4; CSA A23.3-94, d definition (a) in 10.0, 10.16.4
63
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.4.4 Eq. 6.6.4.4.4(b); ACI 318-11, 10.10.6.1 Eq. 10-14; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6.1 Eq. 10-14; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3 Eq.
10-11; ACI 318-02, 10.12.3. Eq. 10-10; CSA A23.3-04, 10.15.3 Eq. 10-18; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.3.1 Eq. 10-18
64
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.4.2, Eq. 6.6.4.4.2; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-13; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-13; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3 Eq. 10-10;
ACI 318-02, 10.12.3 Eq. 10-10; CSA A23.3-04, 10.15.3.1 Eq. 10-17; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.3 Eq. 10-17
65
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.5.2 Eq. 6.6.4.5.2; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-12; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6 Eq. 10-12; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3 Eq. 10.9;
ACI 318-02, 10.12.3 Eq. 10.9; CSA A23.3-04, 10.15.3.1 Eq. 10-16; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.3 Eq. 10-16
66
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.5.4; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6.5; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6.5; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3.2; ACI 318M-05, 10.12.3.2; ACI 318-02,
10.12.3.2; ACI 318M-02 10.12.3.2; CSA A23.3-04, 10.15.3.1; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.3.
Method of Solution
2-15
emin 15 0.03 h , with h in mm,
and h is the section dimension (diameter for circular sections) in the direction being considered.
11. The factored magnified moment along the length of a compression member, M c , is the larger67 of M 2
and M min . The program also calculates moment Mc based on the smaller end moment, M1, to account
for scenario when M1 and M2 are of different sign (double curvature bending). For an unsymmetrical
section, the smaller moment, M1, may govern the design when the moment capacity on the negative side
of the interaction diagram is smaller than the moment capacity on the positive side (see Figure 2-8).
M1 M1
M2 M2
Figure 2-8 Case of unsymmetrical section bent in double curvature (M1 and M2 of different sign)
with the smaller end moment, M1, governing the design
G Ratio of Moments Due To Second-Order Effects to Moments Due To First-Order Effects

For calculations in accordance with ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, and ACI 318-08, the value of total magnified
moment including second-order effects (combined magnification at ends and along length of compression
member) cannot exceed 1.4 times the corresponding moment due to first order effects 68. Columns with
second-order moment to first-order moment ratios exceeding 1.4 do not meet requirements of ACI 318-14,
ACI 318-11, and ACI 318-08.
The ratio of second-order moment, M2nd, to first-order moment M1st is calculated for both values (i =1, 2) of
magnified moment along length, Mci, i.e. based on M1 and M2:
M 2ndi
M1st i
M ci
Mu
i
M ci
M
min
if M u i M min
if M u i M min
Cutoff value of Mmin is applied to Mui in order to avoid unduly large ratios in cases where M ui moments are
smaller than Mmin.
If only magnification at ends is considered (i.e. when user chooses to bypass provision 10.10.2.2 of ACI 31814/11/08 and ignores second order effects along the length of a compression member in a sway frame), the
ratio of second-order moment, M2nd, to first-order moment, M1st, is calculated at both ends (i =1, 2) as:
67
ACI 318-14, 6.6.4.5.4; ACI 318-11, 10.10.6.5; ACI 318-08, 10.10.6.5; ACI 318-05, 10.12.3.2; ACI 318-02, 10.12.3.2; CSA A23.3-04,
10.15.3.1; CSA A23.3-94, 10.15.3
68
ACI 318-14, 6.2.6; ACI 318-11, 10.10.2.1; ACI 318-08, 10.10.2.1
2-16
Method of Solution
M 2ndi
M1st i
M M
Mi
ins s is
M ui
Mins Mis
where Mi are the magnified end moments M1 and M2, and Mui are the corresponding factored applied moment
composed of the part that causes no appreciable sidesway, Mins, and the part that causes appreciable sidesway,
Mis. If both M2ndi and M1sti moments are equal to zero, the program will report the ratio equal to 1.0. If only
M1sti moment is equal to zero, the program will report the ratio as a large value.
References
[1] Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-11) and Commentary (ACI 318R-11),
American Concrete Institute, 2011
[5] Specification for Tolerances for Concrete and Materials and Commentary, An ACI Standard (ACI 11706), American Concrete Institute, 2006
[6] A23.3-04, Design of Concrete Structures, Canadian Standards Association, 2004
[7] A23.3-94, Design of Concrete Structures, Canadian Standards Association, 1994 (Reaffirmed 2000)
[8] National Building Code of Canada 2005, Volume 1, Canadian Commission on Buildings and Fire Codes,
National Research Council of Canada, 2005
[9] Notes on ACI 318-08 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete with Design Applications,
Edited by Mahmoud E. Kamara, Lawrence C. Novak and Basile G. Rabbat, Portland Cement
Association, 2008
[10] Wight J.K. and MacGregor J.G., Reinforced Concrete, Mechanics and Design, Fifth Edition, Pearson
Prentice Hall, 2009
[11] Hassoun M.N. and Al-Manaseer A., Structural Concrete Theory and Design, Fourth Edition, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc., 2009
[12] Salomon C.G. and Johnson J.E., Steel Structures: Design and Behavior, 2nd Edition, Harper & Row
Publishers, 1980
[13] Notes on ACI 318-11 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete with Design Applications,
Edited by Mahmoud E. Kamara, and Lawrence C. Novak, Portland Cement Association, 2013
Method of Solution
2-17
Chapter 3 spColumn Interface
spColumn Interface
Main Window
Most windows have certain elements in common, such as a title bar and menus. Not all windows, however,
have every element. To learn more about how to use window elements, refer to your Microsoft Windows
manual. The following is a list of the spColumn window components.
Control-Menu Box:
The Control-menu box is located in the upper-left corner of the window and includes commands for sizing,
moving, enlarging, restoring, and closing the window, as well as switching to other applications. To access
the Control-menu box using the mouse, click the left mouse button on the box; using the keyboard, press
ALT+ (space).
Title Bar:
The Title bar displays the name of the application (spColumn in this case), along with the name of the current
data file in use. If the data have not been saved into a file, the word Untitled is displayed in the Title bar.
Menu Bar:
The Menu bar is located directly below the Title bar. It lists the available menus. A menu contains a list of
commands or actions you can execute.
Tool Bar:
The Tool bar is located directly below the Menu bar. It contains a collection of buttons (or icons) that provide
a shortcut to accessing the menu commands. The Tool bar buttons can only be accessed using the mouse.
Information Bar:
The Information bar is located on the left side of the spColumn window. The top part displays the column
cross section. The bottom part is a list of selected input data echo.
Graphics Area:
The Graphics area covers most of the window. This is where the interaction diagram is shown.
Status Bar:
The Status bar is located along the bottom of the window. It displays important information such as units,
design code, cursor position, and helpful messages.
File Menu
The File menu is used for working with data files, printing results, and exiting the program.
New (CTRL+N)
Clears any input data and returns the data to the default values so that a
new data file may be input.
Open (CTRL+O)
Opens an existing spColumn data file.
Save (CTRL+S)
Saves the changes you have made to the current data file under that
same filename.
Save As
Names or renames a data file.
Import
Reads geometry, reinforcement or loads data from an ASCII (TXT) file, or imports section geometry and
reinforcement from a DXF file.
Export
Exports interaction diagram and 3D failure surface to Comma-Separated Values (CSV) files (readable by
most spreadsheet programs) or Tab-Delimited Text (TXT) files. Exports a column section to Drawing
Exchange Format (DXF) file (readable by most CAD programs). Exports graphical report (screen printout) to
Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) file (readable by most graphics and word processing programs).
Revert
Discards any changes to the data and returns to the last version of saved data. This option will only be
available if the file has been modified since the last file save.
Print Results
Displays Print dialog box and prints the results in the text form to the selected printer.
Print Screen (CTRL+P)
Displays Print dialog box and prints the results similarly as they appear on the screen.
Recent Data File List
Provides quick access to up to four recently open data files.
3-2
The spColumn Window
Exit
Quits the spColumn program. If you have made any changes to your data and have not saved them, spColumn
will prompt you whether you want to save or abandon any changes you have made before you exit.
Input Menu
The Input menu includes commands used to input the data needed to define a problem.
General Information
Input labels to identify the input and select from several options that control the run.
Material Properties
Input the material properties for concrete and reinforcement.
Section
Rectangular: Input the dimensions of a rectangular section.
Circular: Input the dimension of a circular section.
Irregular: Execute spSection to define an irregularly shaped section. See Chapter 6.
Reinforcement
All Sides Equal: Input a reinforcement pattern in which all the bars are of one size, and the number of bars is
the same on all four sides of a rectangular layout or are equally spaced for a circular layout. Available for
rectangular and circular sections.
Equal Spacing: Input a reinforcement pattern in which all bars are of one size and are uniformly spaced on
all four sides of a rectangular layout. Available for rectangular sections only.
Sides Different: Input a reinforcement pattern in which each one of the four sides of a rectangular section has
a certain number of bars and a certain bar size. Available for rectangular sections only.
Irregular Pattern: Input a reinforcement pattern in such a way that bars of any size can be placed anywhere
within the column section.
Confinement: Input confinement-related data such as the capacity reduction factors and the size of ties
associated with the longitudinal bar size.
Design Criteria: Input parameters that govern the design of the section such as column type, minimum and
maximum reinforcement ratio, bar selection criterion, minimum clear spacing, and design/required ratio.
Slenderness
Design Column: Input data needed for slenderness related to the column being considered.
Column Above/Below: Input data needed for slenderness related to the columns above and below the design
column.
X-Beams: Input data needed for slenderness related to beams perpendicular to the x-axis framing into the
design column.
Y-Beams: Input data needed for slenderness related to beams perpendicular to the y-axis framing into the
design column.
Factors: Input factors that affect slenderness calculations.
Loads
Factored: Input factored axial loads and moments. This command is available for non-slender columns only.
The spColumn Window
3-3
Service: Input service-level (dead, live, wind, earthquake, and snow) axial loads and moments about the
active axis. Moments are input at the top and at the bottom of the column. This command must be used for
slender columns.
Control Points: If chosen, the program will compute key points on the interaction diagram. In addition, the
splice regions are shown on the interaction diagram. This option is available for short (non-slender) columns
under the investigation option only and for uniaxial runs only.
Axial Loads: Input a group of axial loads with an initial value, a final value, and an increment. This
command is available for uniaxial short (non-slender) columns only.
Load Combinations: Input the load factors and combinations used to combine the service loads.
Flip/Rotate Section
Flip an unsymmetrical section about an axis or rotate an irregular section (created in spSection).
Solve Menu
The Solve menu contains the command used to perform the design or investigation
and options that control inclusion of nominal capacity calculations, tracing through
the design process, and sending the output to a text file.
Execute (F5)
Executes the solver.
Include Nominal Diagram
Toggles INCLUDE NOMINAL DIAGRAM option on and off.
Design Trace
Toggles DESIGN TRACE option on and off.
Results File
Toggles RESULTS FILE option on and off.
View Menu
The View menu commands used to customize the display screen to suit your viewing needs, view the
interaction diagram at a given angle, view the contour for a given axial load, superimpose an interaction
diagram or a contour from another run, and view the results file.
Redraw
Redraws the displayed diagrams or contours.
Copy Diagram to Clipboard (CTRL+C)
Copies the displayed diagram or contour to clipboard so that in can be
pasted in other applications.
Information Bar
Shows or hides the Information bar.
Tool Bar
Shows or hides the Tool bar.
Status bar
3-4
The spColumn Window
Shows or hides the Status bar.

Grid
Shows or hides the grid.
Mx-My Diagram
View a contour of the failure surface sliced at a constant axial load.
P-M Diagram - Full
View an interaction diagram sliced at a constant (Mx, My) angle drawn for both positive and negative
moments.
P-M Diagram - M positive
View an interaction diagram sliced at a constant (Mx, My) angle drawn for the positive moments only.
P-M Diagram - M negative
View an interaction diagram sliced at a constant (Mx, My) angle drawn for the negative moments only.
P-M Diagram 3D
View a three dimensional visualization of the complete nominal and factored failure surface for sections
subject to biaxial bending.
Next Load (Ctrl + Arrow Up)
View an Mx-My interaction diagram for the factored load next to the one displayed currently on the
interaction diagram.
Previous Load (Ctrl + Arrow Up)
View an Mx-My interaction diagram for the factored load previous to the one displayed currently on the
interaction diagram.
Next Angle
View a P-M interaction diagram at the (Mx, My) angle corresponding to factored load next to the one
currently in the graphics area.
Previous Angle
View a P-M interaction diagram at the (Mx, My) angle corresponding to factored load previous to the one
currently in the graphics area.
Show Load Point Labels
Show/Hide Load Point labels of factored loads input.
Show Splice Lines
Show the P-M splice lines corresponding to fs = 0 and fs = 0.5fy.
Show Nominal Diagram
Show nominal (unfactored) capacity interaction diagram in addition to the design (factored) capacity
interaction diagram. Available only when Include Nominal Diagram option is selected in the Solve menu.
Superimpose
Superimpose a diagram from a previously saved run over the current diagram.
The spColumn Window
3-5
Results (F6)
View the results file after a successful run has been performed with the Solve | Results File option ON.
Options
The Options menu contains commands used to view or change spColumns default
settings and reinforcement bar set.
Startup Defaults
View or Edit application startup default settings.
Reinforcement
View or Edit reinforcing bar set.
Help Menu
spColumn Help
Lists all the available help topics about the program.
spColumn Manual
Opens spColumn Manual in the default PDF viewer.
Command Line Help
Displays help on how to use command line parameters for running spColumn in batch mode.
Check for Updates
Checks if a newer version of the program is available. Internet connection is required.
About spColumn
Shows the version number of the program, the licensing information, and the copyright information. In the
case of a trial license, the expiration date is given as well as the locking code which is needed to obtain a
standalone license.
3-6
The spColumn Window
Chapter 4 Operating the Program
Operating the Program

This chapter is divided into sections that follow the order in which commands and options appear in the
program.
Creating New Data File

When spColumn is first loaded, the program is ready to obtain input for a new file. The data will not have a
file name associated with it; therefore, Untitled appears in the Title bar.
Select File | New. This clears the screen and returns to the default settings of the program. If existing data
have been changed prior to selecting the New command, spColumn asks if you want to save the data. At
any time after starting a new file, use the File | Save As command to give the file a name.
Opening Existing Data File

You can open spColumn data files that were previously saved to disk. spColumn reads files that have been
saved in binary format (with COL extension) or text input format (with CTI extension).
Select File | Open. A dialog box appears.
All files with the COL extension contained in the current drive and directory are displayed in the FILE
NAME list box.
To open a file that exists in another drive or directory, select the drive or directory you want from the
LOOK IN drop-down list.
To open a file in spColumn Text Input (CTI) format 69, use FILE TYPE list box to select this type.
From the FILE NAME list box, select the file to be opened, or simply type its name in the text box.
Choose the OK button.
69
See Appendix for description of the CTI format
Saving Data
To save the data with the same file name:
At anytime while editing a data file that has previously been saved under a file name, choose File | Save to
save the changes under the same file name. Selecting the File | Save command before giving the data file a
name displays the Save As dialog box.
To give the data a new or different file name or to change input file format:
Select File | Save As. A dialog box appears.
All files with COL extension contained in the current drive and directory are displayed in the FILE NAME
list box.
To save the file to a drive or directory other than the default, select a different drive or directory drive
from the SAVE IN drop-down list.
Use FILE TYPE list box to select either spColumn Input File (COL) or spColumn Text Input File (CTI).
In the FILE NAME text box, type a new file name. If no file extension is specified, an extension will be
appended to the specified file name based on the selected file type.
Importing
Importing Data
Geometry, reinforcement or load data may be imported from a text file. The import file must be saved in pure
ASCII (text) format.70
Select File | Import | Import Data or press CTRL + I keyboard shortcut to

display IMPORT DATA dialog box.
Select the type of data you want to import: SERVICE LOADS, FACTORED LOADS,
REINFORCEMENT OR GEOMETRY.
Choose the OK button. The Open Import file box is displayed.
70
4-2
See Appendix for description of the import file format
All files with the TXT extension contained in the current drive and directory are displayed in the FILE
NAME list box.
From the File Name list box, select the file to be opened, or simply type its name in the text box.
Choose the OPEN button.
Importing DXF Files
Select File | Import | Import DXF. to display Open Import file box.
All files with the DXF extension contained in the current drive and directory are displayed in the FILE
NAME list box.
From the File Name list box, select the file to be opened, or simply type its name in the text box.
Choose the OPEN button.
The DXF IMPORT LAYER SELECTION dialog box is displayed.
Type the layer name (default is 0) to import the section from and click the OK button. To search the
whole file, press the SKIP button or provide an empty name.
If the DXF file (or selected layer) contains a closed polyline entity (either LWPOLYLINE or POLYLINE) it
will be interpreted as the section outline. If multiple closed polylines are present then the fist two will be
automatically recognized as the outline and the opening and the rest will be ignored.
Reinforcing bars are derived from DXF circle entities (CIRCLE). If no closed polylines are present then the
first circle entity will be interpreted as a circular shape of the column and the rest will be interpreted as
reinforcing bars.
Dimensions of imported entities will be automatically converted to current project units based on DXF header
variable $INSUNITS.
Exporting Data
Once a successful run has been performed you may export points from the
interaction diagram or 3D failure surface to a Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file
or to a Tab Delimited Text file (TXT). These files can be read by most spreadsheet
and mathematical programs where data produced by spColumn can be further
analyzed and processed as needed by the user. Coordinates of the points (P, Mx,
My) are saved together with corresponding location of the neutral axis (depth and
angle), maximum steel strain, and (for ACI code) strength reduction factor. The
column section can be exported to a file in Drawing Exchange Format (DXF) format that is readable by most
CAD programs. A graphical report can be exported to a file in Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF) that is
readable by most graphics and word processing programs. The file will include column section, column
information, and the interaction diagram currently displayed on the screen presented the same way as in the
printout created by the default printer using the File | Print Screen command.
Select File | Export | Factored Interaction Diagram to export P-M or Mx-My diagram currently
displayed on the screen.
4-3
To export 3D failure surface (biaxial runs only) select File | Export | Factored 3D Failure Surface.
Select File | Export | Nominal Interaction Diagram to export nominal (unfactored) P-M or Mx-My
diagram corresponding to the one currently displayed on the screen.
To export nominal (unfactored) 3D failure surface (biaxial runs only) select File | Export | Nominal
3D Failure Surface.
To export column section to DXF file select File | Export | Column Section to DXF File.
To export graphical report to EMF file select File | Export | Graphical Report to EMF File.
For interaction diagrams and 3D failure surface, use FILE TYPE list box to select either Comma-Separated
Values (CSV) file or Tab Delimited Text file (TXT). For sections, only DXF format is available and for
graphical reports, only EMF format is available.
In the FILE NAME text box, type the file name. If no file extension is specified, an extension will be
appended to the specified file name based on the selected file type.
Printing Results
Once a successful run has been performed you may print the displayed diagram using File | Print Screen
command. If the Solve | Results File option was selected you may print the results file using File | Print
Results. spColumn sends the printout to the printer selected in the Print dialog box.
4-4
Select File | Print Results or File | Print Screen. A dialog box appears.
Select the printer to send the results to.
Use Print dialog controls to set up the printer options.
Choose the OK button to start the printing or choose the CANCEL to terminate the print job.
General Information
The General Information command allows you to define or change options that
will affect the rest of the input.
Select Input | General Information. A dialog box appears.
Enter the PROJECT, COLUMN, and ENGINEER labels.
Select the units of measure, ENGLISH or METRIC.
Select the axis about which the column capacity is to be computed: ABOUT
X-AXIS, ABOUT Y-AXIS, or BIAXIAL.
Select the design code to conform to: ACI 318-14, ACI 318-11, ACI 31808, ACI 318-05, ACI 318-02, CSA A23.3-04 or CSA A23.3-04.
Choose a run option: INVESTIGATION or DESIGN.
Specify whether slenderness effects are to be considered or not by checking

either YES or NO under the CONSIDER SLENDERNESS? option.
Material Properties
Select Input | Material Properties. A dialog box appears.
Enter the concrete compressive strength, fc under STRENGTH, fc. The modulus of elasticity, Ec, under
ELASTICITY, Ec; the constant stress intensity, fc at the maximum usable strain used to calculate the force
on concrete, under MAX STRESS, fc; the factor used to determine the depth of the stress block, under
BETA(1); and the maximum usable strain at the extreme concrete compression fiber, at the ULTIMATE
STRAIN are automatically computed and displayed. Modify any of the values if different than computed.
For the reinforcing steel, enter the yield strength, fy under STRENGTH, fy. The modulus of elasticity, Es
under the ELASTICITY, Es, as well as Compression-controlled strain limit, Eps_yt are automatically
computed and displayed. Modify any of the values if different than computed.
Choose the OK button to accept standard or modified values based on users judgment.
4-5
Section / Rectangular
Input for the Investigation Option:
Select Input | Section | Rectangular. A dialog box appears.
Enter the width and depth of the rectangular section using WIDTH (ALONG X) and
DEPTH (ALONG Y) respectively. Note that width is measured along the x-axis and
depth is measured along the y-axis.
Input for the Design Option:
Select Input | Section | Rectangular. A dialog box appears.
Enter the starting and ending values for each dimension (width and
depth) along with an increment for each dimension under START, END
and INCREMENT columns along WIDTH (ALONG X) and DEPTH (ALONG
Y). Note that the starting and ending values may be the same (in which
case the increment must be zero).
Section / Circular
Select Input | Section | Circular. A dialog box appears.
Enter the diameter of the column section.
4-6
Select Input | Section | Circular. A dialog box appears.
Enter the starting and ending values the diameter along with an
increment. Note that the starting and ending values may be the same (in
which case the increment must be zero).
Reinforcement / All Sides Equal

The Input | Reinforcement | All Sides Equal command allows you to enter the total number of bars in the
column section. The program attempts to divide the bars equally between the four sides of a rectangular
layout then equally space them on each side. Corner bars are associated with the top and bottom sides, and if
the total number of bars is not a multiple of four, the top and bottom sides get the extra bars. For a circular
layout, the program attempts to equally space the bars.
Select Input | Reinforcement | All Sides Equal. A dialog box
appears.
Enter the total number of bars in the section. It must be at least 4 and
must be a multiple of 4 for a rectangular layout. For a circular layout it
can be any number not less than 4.
Select the bar size.
Enter the clear cover and specify whether it is to the transverse (ties)
or to the longitudinal bars.
Select a bar layout, CIRCULAR or RECTANGULAR. The default is Circular for a circular section and
Rectangular for a rectangular section.
Input for the Design Option
Select Input | Reinforcement | All Sides Equal. A dialog box

appears.
Enter the minimum and maximum total number of bars in the

section (must be at least 4 and must be a multiple of 4 for a
rectangular layout).
Select the minimum and maximum bar sizes along with the clear
cover.
Enter the clear cover and specify whether it is to the transverse

(ties) or to the longitudinal bars.
Select a bar layout, Circular or Rectangular. The default is Circular for a circular section and Rectangular
for a rectangular section.
Reinforcement / Equal Spacing

The Input | Reinforcement | Equal Spacing command allows you to enter the total number of bars in the
column section. The program attempts to place the bars equally spaced on all four sides of a rectangular
layout. Corner bars are associated with the top and bottom sides and if the total number of bars is not a
multiple of 4, the program does not accept the input.
Select Input | Reinforcement | Equal Spacing. A dialog box

appears.
Enter the total number of bars in the section NO. OF BARS. (Must be
at least 4 and a multiple of 4).
Select the bar size.
4-7
Enter the clear cover and specify whether it is to the transverse (ties) or to the longitudinal bars.

Select Input | Reinforcement | Equal Spacing. A dialog box appears.
Enter the minimum and maximum total number of bars in the section under MINIMUM and MAXIMUM
corresponding to NO. OF BARS. (must be a multiple of 4).
Select the minimum and maximum bar sizes.
Enter the clear cover and specify whether it is to the transverse (ties) or to the longitudinal bars.
Reinforcement / Sides Different

Select Input | Reinforcement | Sides Different. A dialog box

appears.
Enter the number of bars to be placed on each of the top, bottom

(on the top and bottom, number of bars needs to be at least 2),
left and right sides (on the left and right, the number of bars may
be any number) of the rectangular section. Note that corner bars
are associated with the top and bottom sides.
Select the bar size and enter the clear cover for each of the top,
bottom, left and right sides of the section.
Specify whether the clear cover entered is to the transverse (ties)

or to the longitudinal bars.
4-8
Select Input | Reinforcement | Sides Different. A dialog box

appears.
In the Top and Bottom group, enter the minimum and maximum
total number of bars to be placed on the top and bottom sides,
along with the bar size and the clear cover. The number of bars
must be greater than 4 and a multiple of 2. Corner bars are
associated with the top and bottom sides.
Select the minimum and maximum bar size and enter the clear
cover.
Repeat the steps above for the Left and Right sides.
Specify whether the clear cover entered is to the transverse (ties) or to the longitudinal bars.
Reinforcement / Irregular Pattern

The Input | Reinforcement | Irregular Pattern command allows you to specify any number of bars (up to
10,000) to be placed anywhere within the column section. Each bar may have any cross-sectional area. This
command is available with the Investigation option only.
Select Input | Reinforcement | Irregular Pattern. If the section is

irregular, The spSection window, where the section reinforcement may
be graphically input, is displayed. Otherwise, a dialog box appears.
Enter the bar area, along with its x- and y-coordinates.
Choose the INSERT button. The data are added to the list box.
Repeat the steps above for each entry.
To edit an entry, select it from the list box, modify its values in the text
boxes, and choose the MODIFY button. To change the area for several
bars at once, select those bars from the list box, enter the new area in the
AREA text box, and choose MODIFY.
To delete a bar entry, select it from the list box and choose the DELETE
button.
Reinforcement / Confinement
Select Input | Reinforcement | Confinement. A dialog box appears.
Select the type of bar confinement: TIED (default), SPIRAL, or Other. The capacity reduction factors
change depending on the selection.
To modify the capacity reduction factors, choose OTHER for confinement type.
For the ACI code:

Phi(a) is the reduction factor for allowable compression,
Phi(b) is the strength reduction factor for tension controlled failure,
Phi(c) is the reduction factor for compression controlled failure.
For the CSA code:
Phi(a) is the reduction factor for allowable compression,
Phi(s) is the material resistance factor for steel,
Phi(c) is the material resistance factor for concrete.
Specify the tie size associated with the particular longitudinal bar
sizes. The code requirements are used as defaults.
Note that if confinement is selected as TIED or SPIRAL than the program will automatically adjust the factors
when the user changes the design code. However, if OTHER confinement is selected, the factors will not be
adjusted.
4-9
Reinforcement / Design Criteria
Select Input | Reinforcement | Design Criteria. A dialog box appears. This command is available with
the Design option only.
Specify whether the column is to be considered STRUCTURAL (default),

ARCHITECTURAL, or OTHER. Notice that the minimum and maximum
reinforcement ratios change depending on the selection.
Choose whether bar selection is to be based on MINIMUM NUMBER OF

BARS (default) or on MINIMUM AREA OF STEEL.
To modify the limiting reinforcement ratios, choose OTHER. Enter the

minimum and maximum reinforcement ratios in the corresponding text
boxes.
Enter the minimum clear bar spacing and the design-to-required ratio.
Slenderness / Factors
Select Input | Slenderness | Factors. A dialog box appears. Note: this

command is available for slender columns only.
The default values, per the design code, for the stiffness reduction factor (used
to compute the moment magnification factors) and the cracked section
coefficients for beams and columns are displayed. To modify these values,
select the USER-DEFINED option and enter your values.
Slenderness / Design Column
4-10
Select Input | Slenderness | Design Column. A dialog box appears. The x-axis or y-axis data groups
may be disabled depending on the active run axis. Note: this command is available for slender columns
only.
Enter the clear column height in the corresponding text box.
Specify whether the column is braced against sidesway or not by selecting or clearing the NONSWAY
FRAME option.
For a sway column, enter the ratio of the sum of the

critical load of all story columns to the critical load
of the column under consideration, (SUM PC)/PC.
Also, enter the ratio of the sum of the factored axial
load of all story columns to the factored axial load
of the column under consideration, (SUM PU)/PU.
Check 2ND ORDER EFFECTS ALONG LENGTH
option to consider 2nd order effects along length.
Note: this option is available for ACI 318-14, ACI
318-11, and ACI 318-08 codes only. For more
information, see discussion in section F Moment
Magnification along Length of Compression
Member in Chapter 2 Method of Solution.
In the EFFECTIVE LENGTH FACTORS group, specify

whether the k factor(s) are to be user-input or
computed by the program, by selecting the corresponding option.
If you chose INPUT K FACTORS, enter the effective length factors for nonsway and sway conditions, k(ns)
and k(s), respectively.
Repeat the steps above for each active axis.
Slenderness / Columns Above and Below
Select Input | Slenderness | Columns Above/Below. A dialog box appears. Note: this command is
available for slender columns only for which the COMPUTE k FACTORS option is selected in the DESIGN
COLUMN dialog box.
In the COLUMN ABOVE group, specify whether or not a column above the design column exists, by
selecting or clearing the NO COLUMN SPECIFIED OPTION.
If a column above exists; enter the center-to-center height, the width (along the x-axis), the depth (along
the y-axis), the concrete compressive strength, and the concrete modulus of elasticity of the column
above in the corresponding text boxes. For circular sections, enter zero for the DEPTH and input the
section diameter in the WIDTH box. If zero is entered for both Width and Depth, the dimensions of the
design column will be automatically used.
Repeat the same for the column below or, if the column above and the column below are the same,
choose the COPY TO COLUMN BELOW button.
Slenderness / X-Beams
Select Input | Slenderness | X-Beams. A dialog box appears. Beams

defined using this command span perpendicular to the x-axis. Note:
this command is available for slender columns only for which the
COMPUTE K FACTORS option is selected in the DESIGN COLUMN
dialog box and the RUN AXIS is BIAXIAL or uniaxial ABOUT X-AXIS.
From the BEAM LOCATION group, choose the appropriate option. The
data group below updates depending on the selection.
For the selected beam, specify whether or not a beam exists, by

selecting or clearing the NO BEAM SPECIFIED OPTION.
If a beam exists; enter the center-to-center span length, width, depth,

concrete compressive strength, concrete modulus of elasticity, and
4-11
moment of inertia (if different than computed) of the beam.
Repeat the steps above for the beams ABOVE RIGHT, BELOW LEFT, and BELOW RIGHT.
Slenderness / Y-Beams
Select Input | Slenderness | Y-Beams. A dialog box appears. Beams defined using this command span
perpendicular to the y-axis. Note: this command is available for slender columns only for which the
COMPUTE K FACTORS option is selected in the DESIGN COLUMN dialog box and the RUN AXIS is BIAXIAL
or uniaxial ABOUT Y-AXIS.
From the BEAM LOCATION group, choose the appropriate option.

The data group below updates depending on the selection.
For the selected beam, specify whether or not a beam exists, by

selecting or clearing the NO BEAM SPECIFIED OPTION.
If a beam exists; enter the center-to-center span length, width,

depth, concrete compressive strength, concrete modulus of
elasticity, and moment of inertia (if different than computed) of the
beam.
Repeat the steps above for the beams ABOVE RIGHT, BELOW LEFT,
and BELOW RIGHT.
Loads / Factored
Whether designing or investigating a short (non-slender) column, factored loads consisting of applied axial
loads and moments about the active axis may be input.
Select Input | Loads | Factored. A dialog box appears.
Enter the factored axial load in the LOAD text box.
Based on the active axis, enter the factored moment about the x-axis, XMOMENT, the factored moment about the y-axis, Y-MOMENT, or both.
Repeat the steps above for each factored load entry.
boxes, and choose the MODIFY button.
To delete an entry, select it from the list box and choose the DELETE
button.
Loads / Service
When designing or investigating a short or slender column, service level loads consisting of dead, live, lateral
(wind and earthquake), and snow axial loads and moments at both column ends about the active axis may be
input. These loads are then factored and combined based on the load combinations.
4-12
Select Input | Loads | Service. A dialog box appears.
For each of the load cases: Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake (EQ), and Snow, enter the axial load and the
applicable moment (about x or y) at the column top and bottom.
Enter the percentage of the sustained part of the load in each load case (by default only Dead Load is
assumed to be 100% sustained). These percentages will be used to arrive at sustained axial load ratio dns
to calculate moment magnification factor along length of the column 71.
Repeat the steps above for each entry.
To edit an entry, select it from the list box, modify its values in the text boxes, and choose the MODIFY
button.
To delete an entry, choose it from the list box and choose the DELETE button.
Load / Control Points

A non-slender column may be investigated without inputting any loads. The capacity of the section is
computed along with other section capacity parameters. This command is not available for slender columns
or under the Design option.
Select Input | Loads | Control Points.

In the output file, key points (e.g. balanced point and pure bending) on the interaction diagram are listed.
For each point, the axial load and bending moment capacities, along with the corresponding neutral axis
depth, distance from extreme compression fiber to centroid of extreme layer of longitudinal tension steel,
net tensile strain in extreme layer of longitudinal tension steel at nominal strength, and strength reduction
factor (ACI only) are listed. For a biaxial run, these points are listed for bending about positive and
negative X and Y axes.
For ACI code, the program flags the unusual increase in axial load capacity in transition zone between
the balanced point and the tension control point (see Figure 2-3).
For uniaxial runs, the bar splice requirements for columns72 are indicated on the interaction diagram.
For moment magnification at ends of a column in a sway frame, the value of ds is assumed to be zero and is not affected by sustained
load factors (see Chapter 2, Page 2-10, Footnote 41)
71
4-13
Loads / Axial Loads

When investigating a short column (uniaxial runs only), grouped factored applied axial loads may be input.
The corresponding moment capacity for each load is computed and output. This command is not available
under the DESIGN option, for biaxial runs, or if the column is slender.
Select Input | Loads | Axial Loads. A dialog box appears.
To input a range of axial loads, enter the initial, final and increment
values in the corresponding text boxes. To input a discrete (single) axial
load, enter its value in the INITIAL text box, and enter zero in the FINAL
and INCREMENT text boxes.
Repeat the steps above for each axial load entry you may have.
boxes, and choose the MODIFY button.
To delete an entry, choose it from the list box and choose the DELETE
button.
Loads / Load Combinations

spColumn allows you to specify up to 50 load combinations. The
service load input under the load cases (dead, live, wind, earthquake,
and snow) are combined based on these combinations. A minimum of
one combination must be input.
Select Input | Loads | Load Combinations. A dialog box appears.

For a new file, the default combinations per the selected code are
shown in the list box.
To add a new combination, enter the load factors or multipliers for

each load case, DEAD, LIVE, WIND, Earthquake (EQ), and SNOW.
Repeat the steps above for each load combination. Up to fifty

combinations may be defined.
To edit an entry, select it from the list box, modify its values in the
text boxes, and choose the MODIFY button.
To delete an entry, choose it from the list box and choose the
DELETE button.
Choose OK when done.
Flipping / Rotating the Section

This command is available for Irregular sections and for sections with Sides Different or Irregular
reinforcement.
Select Input | Flip/Rotate Section. A dialog box appears.
72
ACI 318-14, Fig. R10.7.5.2; ACI 318-11, Fig. R12.17; ACI 318-08, Fig. R12.17; ACI 318-05, Fig. R12.17; ACI 318-02, Fig. R12.17;
CSA A23.3-04, 12.17.3; CSA A23.3-94, 12.17.3
4-14
Select one of the options: FLIP SECTION ABOUT X-AXIS, FLIP SECTION ABOUT
Y-AXIS, or ROTATE SECTION. The last option is available for irregular
sections only.
If ROTATE SECTION is selected, enter the angle of rotation (clockwise is

positive).
Executing a Run
From the program
Select Solve | Results File. This is an option that may be turned ON or OFF by choosing it again. With
this option ON, an output file will be created while the program is solving. The output file is a text file
that contains an echo of the input along with slenderness calculation output, load combinations, and the
critical points on the interaction diagram.
Select Solve | Include Nominal Diagram. This is an option that may be turned ON or OFF by choosing
it again. With this option ON, calculations of nominal (unfactored) capacity interaction diagram will also
be included in the calculations so that the nominal diagram can be viewed and exported in addition to the
design (factored) capacity diagram.
Select Solve | Design Trace (design option only). This is an option that may by turned ON or OFF be
choosing it again. With this option ON, if designing a column section, the program will pause at each
cross section and reinforcement layout it tries, and display the cross section with its bars in the
Information bar.
Select Solve | Execute. If more data are needed to solve the

problem, an error box appears and you will be prompted for the
required data. If all the needed data are input, the solver portion of
spColumn will start executing. The Solving box appears with a
progress indicator. Click Cancel to terminate the solution process.
After a successful run, the interaction diagram or the contour plot
is displayed in the Graphics area of the window.
From command prompt

spColumn run can also be executed in batch mode from the command line prompt. Input data file, output data
file, and run options can be passed to the program via parameters. For instance typing spColumn
/i:Examples\Example01.col will run spColumn and solve the column defined in input file
Example01.col.
4-15
Multiple cross-sections can be designed and analyzed by executing spColumn with multiple input files using
batch (BAT) files (see Examples.bat in the spColumn program folder). Combined with Column Text Input
files (CTI), this feature can be used for automation spColumn runs for projects involving large numbers of
cross-sections.
Help on how to use command line parameters can be obtained by typing spColumn /? at the command
prompt.
Viewing Results
Once a successful run has been performed with the Solve | Results File option ON, you may view the results
file.
Select View | Results. spColumn executes the spView program, an applet that enables viewing of textbased files.
Use the scroll bars or the cursor keys to navigate through the file.
Select Exit to quit spView and return to spColumn. Changing the Startup Defaults
Changing Startup Defaults

You can change some default settings that spColumn uses when it is started or when the File | New command
is executed.
4-16
Select Options | Startup Defaults. A dialog box appears.
Enter the full path of the directory to which spColumn defaults when
opening a data file.
Select the system of units, design code, and reinforcement to be used as

defaults whenever a new file is started.
Enter the name of the program to be used by spColumn when viewing

results. By default, spColumn uses spView.
Enter the number of lines per page to be used in formatting the results file.
Choose the SAVE button to save these options in the registry.
Changing Reinforcement Bar Set
Select Options | Reinforcement. A dialog box appears.
To select a different set:
From the BAR SET drop-down list, select the set to be used.
To create or modify a user-defined set

From the BAR SET drop-down list, select USER-DEFINED. The ADD,
DELETE and MODIFY buttons are enabled.
To edit an entry, select it from the list box, modify its values, and choose
the MODIFY button.
To delete an entry, select it from the list box and choose the DELETE
button.
To add an entry, enter the bar size, diameter, area and unit weight in the
corresponding text box, and choose the ADD button. The data are added to
the list box.
A user-defined set may be saved to disk for use in other files. To do so,
choose the SAVE button after inputting the bars. The bar set is saved to the
file specified by the user. To retrieve a saved set, choose the READ button.
Superimposing Diagrams
After executing a run and selecting the File | Save command, the program saves the diagram data in a
separate file that has the same file name as the input file, with an IAD extension. If calculations of nominal
interaction diagram are included, the program stores also the nominal diagram data in an additional IAD file
named as the input file name suffixed with -nominal.iad.
The IAD interaction diagram file may be later read by the program and two diagrams (of different files) may
be superimposed for the purpose of comparison. Note that the RUN AXIS (uniaxial or biaxial) of the two files
must be the same.
Select View | Superimpose option. The open dialog box appears.
All files with the IAD extension contained in the current drive and directory are displayed in the FILE
NAME list box. To open a file that exists in another drive or directory, select a different drive or directory
drive from the LOOK IN drop-down list.
From the FILE NAME list box, select the file to be opened, or simply type its name in the text box.
Choose the OK button. If the data is successfully read, the diagram from the IAD file (shown dotted) is
superimposed over the currently displayed diagram.
To clear the superimposed diagram, uncheck the View | Superimpose option.
Viewing Diagrams
By default, the program displays diagrams based on the design (factored) section capacity. Display of
diagrams based on the nominal (unfactored) strength is controlled by the View | Show Nominal Diagram
option which is available when calculations of nominal diagram are activated using the Solve | Include
Nominal Diagram option.
4-17
For a uniaxial run, the program computes and displays the P-M interaction diagram. For a biaxial run, the
program computes the three-dimensional failure surface (P, Mx, My). The failure surface can be viewed in one
of two ways:
a) P-M interaction diagram (vertical slice at an angle measured from Mx)
b) Mx-My contour curve (horizontal slice at a constant axial load).
Whenever the mouse cursor moves over the Graph area, the axial load, moment, and eccentricity are
displayed in the Status bar.
Viewing Interaction Diagram
Select View | P-M Diagram - Full. A dialog box appears.
You may also select View | P-M Diagram M positive or View | PM Diagram M negative to view the interaction diagram only for
positive or negative moments.
Specify whether you want to enter an angle or the values of the

moments that produce a view angle by selecting either the ANGLE or
MOMENTS option, respectively.
If the ANGLE option was selected, select an angle from the list, use the
scroll bar to pick an angle, or simply enter the value in the text box.
If the MOMENTS option was selected, enter the values of Mx and My

which define the view angle. The value of that view angle is computed
and shown in the ANGLE text box.
To display all load points and their numbers check the LIST POINT NUMBERS option. To display unique
angle values only, leave the option unchecked.
You may browse through the angles by using View | Next angle and View |
Previous angle respectively.
Viewing Contour
Select View | Mx-My Diagram. A dialog box appears.
Select an axial load from the list, use the scroll bar to pick a load, or simply enter
the value in the text box.
To display all load points and their numbers check the LIST POINT NUMBERS
option. To display unique axial load values only, leave the option unchecked.
You may browse through the loads by using View | Next Load and View | Previous Load respectively.
Viewing 3D Failure Surface
4-18
Select View | P-M Diagram - 3D. A dialog window appears launching the spColumn 3D viewer.
Select options from the view menu or the View Controls panel to translate or rotate the failure surface as
needed. To translate, use the arrows or the corresponding shortcut of ALT and right-mouse button. To
rotate, use the rotate arrows or the corresponding shortcut of CTRL and right-mouse button.
The View menu or the View Controls Panel provides options to display the nominal surface, factored
surface, or both including several other helpful options such as planes, axes, coordinate system, load
points, zoom slider, and restore.
View Controls Panel can be collapsed or moved based on user preference from the drop down menu in
the title bar. It can also be turned off completely from the View menu.
A tool box provides options to cut the failure surface in the horizontal Mx-My plane and in the vertical PM plane for added clarity. Predefined axial load levels and surface angles are also provided for
convenience.
Restore button will reset the 3D surface view.
Options menu provides setting dialog window with color, size, and opacity preferences.
The status bar located at the bottom of the screen displays important information about the section and
relevant properties.
Image can be exported from the main menu as a PNG file to supplement calculation or reports.
spColumn 3D View
4-19
spColumn 3D View Failure surface horizontal cross section
spColumn 3D View Failure surface vertical cross section
4-20
Chapter 5 Examples
Examples
Example 1 Capacity of a Square Column
For a column section73 which is 16 x 16 and reinforced with 4-#8 bars, calculate the load moment
capacities for the following load conditions:
Case 1: Bar stress near tension face of member equal to zero, (fs = 0).
Case 2: Bar stress near tension face of member equal to 0.5fy, (fs = 0.5fy)
Case 3: At limit for compression controlled sections. (s = 0.002)
Case 4: At limit for tension controlled sections. (s = 0.005)
Given a concrete of 4000 psi and reinforcing steel of 60,000 psi.
1.
2.
3.
4.
73
From the File menu, choose New. Any input data is cleared and the
default values are restored.
From the Input menu, choose General Information.
Input the PROJECT header.
Select English units and ACI 318-14 code.
Select About X-axis for run axis, Investigation for run option and
No for Consider slenderness?
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Material Properties.
Accept the default properties as they match those in the problem statement
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Section | Rectangular.
For the section WIDTH (ALONG X), input 16
For the section DEPTH (ALONG Y), input 16.
Based on Example 6.4, pp 6-33 from Notes on ACI 318-11 Building Requirements for Structural Concrete with Design Applications,
Edited by Mahmoud E. Kamara and Lawrence C. Novak, Twelfth Edition, 2013, Portland Cement Association.
5.
6.
7.
From the Input menu, choose Reinforcement | All Sides Equal.
Input 4-#8 bars under NO. OF BARS.
Input 1.5 in for the CLEAR COVER and select TRANSVERSE BARS. under COVER TO.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Loads | Control Points.

From the Solve menu, choose Execute.
8.
9.
Choose OK.
The P-MX contour is displayed in the Graphics area.
From the View menu, choose Results.
Page through the results file.
Choose File | Exit to quit the spView program and get back to spColumn.
From the File menu, choose Print Results.
Select the printer to send the text results to.
Choose PRINT.
10. From the File menu, choose Print Screen.
5-2
Select the printer to send the graphical results to.
Choose PRINT.
spSection Module
spSection Module
5-3
5-4
spSection Module
Example 2 Investigation of a Slender Nonsway Column

Determine the adequacy of a 4 x 20 column74 with 3-#11 bars on each 14 side in a nonsway frame with a
clear height of 226. Use k=1.0.
The concrete used is 6000 psi and the reinforcing steel is 60,000 psi.
The factored load values for the column under consideration are as follows:
P (kip)
Top Muy (kip-ft)
Bottom Muy (kip-ft)
115 kips
279 ft-kips
-279 ft-kips
From the File menu, choose New. Any input data is cleared and the default
values are restored.
1.
2.
Select ENGLISH units and ACI 318-14 code.
Select Biaxial for run axis, Investigation for run option and Yes for
Consider Slenderness?
Choose OK.
Input 4.5 for the CONCRETE STRENGTH. Change the REINFORCING

STEEL STRENGTH to 50. Other properties are computed and will be
accepted.
Choose Ok.
From the Input menu, choose Section | Rectangular.
Input 20 and 14 for the section width (along X) and depth (along Y).
Choose OK.
74
Based on Example 15.8.5 from Reinforced Concrete Design by Chu-Kia Wang, Charles G. Salmon, and Jose A. Pincheira, Seventh
Edition, 2007, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
spSection Module
5-5
3.
4.
5.
5-6
From the Input menu, choose Reinforcement | Sides Different.
Input 2-#11 bars for TOP and BOTTOM and 1-#11 for LEFT and RIGHT. Input 1.5 in for the cover
and select LONGITUDINAL BARS.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Slenderness | Design Column.
Input 22.5 for the column CLEAR HEIGHT.
Check NONSWAY FRAME and select INPUT K FACTORS.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Loads | Service.
Under LIVE, input 71.875 for the AXIAL LOAD, 0 for the X-MOMENTS @TOP, 0 for the XMOMENTS @BOT, 174.375 for the Y-MOMENTS @TOP and -174.375 for the Y-MOMENTS
@BOTTOM, respectively.
In column SUSTAINED LOAD keep default setting for dead load equal 100%.
Choose INSERT to add the entry to the list box.
Choose OK .
spSection Module
6.
From the Input menu, choose Loads | Load Combinations.
7.
From the Solve menu, choose Execute.
8.
If the list displays thirteen combinations, choose only the second load combination U2 and delete all
the others by selecting them and using DELETE. Choose OK.
The solver of the program is started and, upon completion, displays the interaction diagram of the
section with the load point plotted within the diagram.
From the View menu, choose Results.
spSection Module
5-7

9.
Choose FILE | EXIT to quit the spView program and get back to spColumn.
From the File menu, choose Print Results.
Choose PRINT.
5-8
Choose PRINT.
spSection Module
spSection Module
5-9
5-10
spSection Module
spSection Module
5-11
5-12
spSection Module
spSection Module
5-13
Example 3 Design of a Slender Column in a Sway Frame

Design a square column75 with a clear height of 16 ft. The column is sway and subjected to dead, live and
wind loads as shown below.
Dead
Live
Wind
380
140
Top Mx (kip-ft)
32
20
50
Bottom Mx (kip-ft)
54
36
50
P (kip)
The column is to be checked for the following load combinations:

U1 = 1.2 D + 1.6 L
U2 = 1.2 D + 0.5 L + 1.6 W
The calculations in the reference are done based on the load combination U2.
In practice, the ratio Pc/Pc would have to be calculated before the problem
can be attempted, using a trial value of Pc/Pc. Here, the value of Pc/Pc used
is 28.67 based on the reference value of P c. There are 14 interior columns, 18
exterior columns and 4 corner columns. Therefore, the value of
Pu/Pu = 14 + 18 * 2/3 + 4 * 1/3 = 27.33 irrespective of the load combination
being used.
1.
2.
3.
From the File menu, choose New. Any input data is cleared and the
default values are restored.
Select About X-Axis for run axis, Design for run option and Yes for
Consider slenderness?
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, pick Material Properties.
Input 5 for the concrete strength. Other properties are computed and will be accepted.
Choose OK.
75
Based on Example 12.4, pp 409, from Structural Concrete: Theory and Design by M. Nadim Hassoun and Akthem Al-Manaseer,
Fourth Edition, 2008, John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
5-14
spSection Module
4.
5.
6.
From the Input menu, pick Section | Rectangular.
Input 18 and 18 for the WIDTH (ALONG X) and DEPTH (ALONG Y) under both START and END
options.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Reinforcement | All Sides Equal
Input 4-#10 bars for Minimum, and 40-#10 bars for Maximum and 1.5 in for the cover, and select
TRANSVERSE BARS and RECTANGULAR Bar Layout.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Slenderness | Design Column.
Input 16 for the column CLEAR HEIGHT.
Check SWAY FRAME
Under SWAY CRITERIA, input 28.67 and 27.33 for the Pc/Pc and Pu/Pu, respectively.
Leave 2ND ORDER EFFECT ALONG LENGTH option checked (default)
Select COMPUTE K FACTORS.
Choose OK.
spSection Module
5-15
7.
8.
5-16
From the Input menu, choose Slenderness | Columns Above/Below.
Clear the NO COLUMN SPECIFIED option.
Input 11 for the column height (center-to-center) under HEIGHT (C/C) and leave the other data as is.
Choose Copy to Column Below.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Slenderness | X-Beams.
Choose ABOVE LEFT.
Clear the NO BEAM SPECIFIED option.
Input 20 for the span (center-to-center) under SPAN(C/C).
Input 0.00 and 0.00 for the WIDTH and DEPTH, respectively.
Input 21436.6 for the moment of inertia under INERTIA.
Leave the other data as it is.
Choose ABOVE RIGHT and click on COPY FROM BEAM LEFT.
Choose BELOW LEFT and click on COPY FROM BEAM ABOVE.
Choose BELOW RIGHT and click on COPY FROM BEAM ABOVE.
spSection Module
9.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Loads | Service.
Under DEAD, input 380, 32 and -54 for the AXIAL LOAD, X-MOMENTS and Y-MOMENTS
respectively.
Under LIVE, input 140, 20 and -36 for the AXIAL LOAD, X-MOMENTS and Y-MOMENTS,
respectively.
Under WIND, input 0, 50 and -50 for the AXIAL LOAD, X-MOMENTS and Y-MOMENTS,
respectively.
Under SUSTAINED LOAD keep the default settings of 100%

for dead and 0% for all other load cases.
Choose INSERT to add the entry to the list box.
Choose OK.
10. From the Input menu, choose Loads | Load Combinations.
spSection Module
5-17
If the list displays thirteen combinations, leave the first and second as they are. Delete the remaining
combinations using DELETE.
11. From the Solve menu, choose Execute.
The solver of the program is started and, upon completion, displays the interaction diagram of the
section with the load points plotted within the diagram.
12. From the View menu, choose Results.
Choose Exit to quit the spView program and get back to spColumn.
13. From the File menu, choose Print Results.
Choose PRINT.
5-18
Choose PRINT.
spSection Module
spSection Module
5-19
5-20
spSection Module
spSection Module
5-21
Example 4 Investigation of Concrete Shear Wall

Investigate the axial load and moment capacity of a shear wall 76 for a given location of the neutral axis. Use
4-ksi concrete and 60-ksi reinforcing steel.
144 in
69.5
59.5
0.003
2.37
2.2
2.37
27
0.62
45
0.62
0.62
27
0.62
0.62
45
0.62
69.5
64.5
59.5
Ast, in2
2.37
2.2
2.37
x, in
Neutral
axis
h =12 in
h =15 in
15 in
Center
line
64.5
15 in
c=24 in
0.015
C12
C10
C11
T9
T8
T7
T6
T5
T4
T3
From the Start Menu, go to All Programs | StructurePoint | spColumn and run Design Assistant77.
Design Assistant uses macros to export data to text files. If a macro warning is displayed when opening
Design Assistant, make sure macros are enabled in order for the exporting function to work properly.
Cm
Choose Example 4 Tab in the spreadsheet.
a=20.4 in
Force Diagram
Input the data shown below:
0.85fch
3.
4.
T2
1.
2.
T1
Strain Diagram
Under OVERALL SECTION WIDTH IN X, input 15.
Under OVERALL SECTION HEIGHT IN Y, input 144.
Under WEB WIDTH, input 12.
Under WEB HEIGHT, input 114.
Under NUMBER OF BOUNDARY BARS IN X, input 3.
Under NUMBER OF BOUNDARY BARS IN Y, input 3.
Under NUMBER OF WEB BARS PER LAYER, input 8.
Under WEB BAR SPACING, input 18.
Under COVER, input 2.5.
Under REINFORCEMENT AREA PER BOUNDARY BAR, input 0.79.
Under REINFORCEMENT AREA PER WEB BAR, input 0.31.
76
Based on Example 4-4, pp 333, from Seismic and Wind Forces Structural Design Examples by Alan Williams, Third Edition, 2007,
International Code Council.
77
Design Assistant is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that can be used to facilitate creation of spColumn text import files for a variety of
sections including dumbbell shaped and C-shaped shear walls.
5-22
spSection Module
5.
Press Export Geometry Button and Save Geometry File box appears. Save the file as Example4Geo.txt
6.
Press Export Reinforcement button and Save Reinforcement File dialog box appears. Save the file as
Example4-Reinf.txt
spSection Module
5-23
7.
8.
9.
10.
Save and close the Design Assistant spreadsheet.

From the Start Menu, go to All Programs | StructurePoint | spColumn and run spColumn
From the File menu, choose New. Any input data is cleared and the default values are restored.
From the File menu, choose Import | Import Data. Import Data (from text file) dialog box appears.
Make sure that Geometry radio button is checked, choose OK
11. Open Import File box appears. Select Example4-Geo.txt file and choose Open. The shear wall
geometry appears on the spColumn screen.
12. From the File menu, choose Import | Import Data. Import Data (from text file) box appears. Press
Reinforcement radio button, then Choose OK
5-24
spSection Module
13. Open Import File box appears. Select Example4-Reinf.txt file and choose Open. The shear wall
reinforcement appears on the spColumn screen as well.
14. From the Input menu, choose General Information Tab. Input Project Information and leave all other
options in their default settings of ACI 318-14 design code. Choose OK
15. From the Input menu, choose the Material Properties tab. VERIFY CONCRETE STRENGTH, fc, and
REINFORCING STEEL STRENGTH, fy, values are entered as 4 ksi, and 60 ksi respectively. Leave all other
options in their default settings. Choose OK
16. From the Input menu, choose Reinforcement | Confinement Tab.
spSection Module
5-25
From the CONFINEMENT drop-down menu choose OTHER.
Input AXIAL COMPRESSION (a) as 0.85.
Input COMPRESSION CONTROLLED FAILURE (c) as 0.7.
Leave all other options in their default settings. Choose OK
17. From the Input menu, choose Loads | Axial Loads Tab.
Input 649.5 for the INITIAL LOAD. The initial axial load was selected
through trial and error procedure in order to match neutral axis depth
of 24 in. given in the example.
Choose INSERT. Then, choose OK
Click NO when the warning message is displayed saying

Reinforcement ratio is less than 1%. Consider column as
architectural (i.e. fc is reduced by reinforcement ratio?).
The solver of the program is started and, upon completion, displays

the interaction diagram of the section.
Choose PRINT.
5-26
Choose PRINT
spSection Module
spSection Module
5-27
5-28
spSection Module
Chapter 6 spSection Module
spSection Module
spSection is an add-on module to the spColumn program. It enables the user to investigate irregularly shaped
reinforced concrete sections subject to a combination of loadings. spSection considers a polygonal section
reinforced with bars located at any location. The section may contain one opening. In addition, spSection
allows easy modification of a circular section by converting it into an approximate polygon.
spSection is accessed from within spColumn. Once spColumn is started, you can activate spSection by
selecting the Section | Irregular command from the Input menu. This starts spSection, minimizes and locks
the spColumn window and maximizes the spSection window. The section geometry may then be defined by
drawing it on the screen or by inputting the coordinates of the polygon nodes. Once the section definition is
complete, return to spColumn by selecting Save and Exit from the Main menu.
Once the irregular section is defined, its reinforcement is input using spSection as well. This is done by
selecting the Reinforcement | Irregular command from the Input menu of spColumn. The section
reinforcement may also be defined graphically.
Main Menu
Drawing Area
Set the limits for the drawing area and control the grid and snap settings.
Save and Exit
Accept the input and/or modifications made in spSection and return to spColumn.
Exit without Saving
Discard the input and/or modifications made in spSection and return to spColumn.
Edit Menu
Section
Toggles the input/editing session to the section.
Opening
Toggles the input/editing session to the section opening.
Reinforcement
Toggles the input/editing session to the section reinforcement.
Add
Switches to the Add mode to graphically insert section or opening nodes or reinforcing bars.
Delete
Switches to the Delete mode to graphically delete section or opening nodes or reinforcing bars.
Move
Switches to the Move mode to graphically move section or opening nodes or reinforcing bars.
spSection Module
6-29
Modify
Allows manual editing of the section or opening node coordinates or the reinforcing bar area and coordinates.
View Menu
Zoom
Magnifies or reduces the graphical image.
Pan
Translates or moves the graphical image.
Redraw
Redraws the displayed section and resets the Zoom and Pan actions.
Grid
Shows or hides the grid.
Snap
Toggles the Snap On and Off. With the SNAP ON, the cursor snaps (sticks) to exact locations.
Labels
Shows or hides the internal numbering of section (or opening) nodes and bars.
Status bar
Shows or hides the Status bar.
Help Menu
spSection Help
Lists all the available help topics about the program.
spColumn Manual
Opens spColumn Manual in the default PDF viewer.
About
Displays copyright information and the version number of the program.

Defining the Drawing Area
6-30
Select Main | Drawing Area. A dialog box appears. This step is not
needed the first time spSection is started using spColumns
Section | Irregular command. The box is automatically displayed.
Input the limits (MINIMUM and MAXIMUM) of the area within which the
section is to be drawn in both directions.
Input the interval (step) for the grid system. The grid is used as a guideline
when drawing.
Select or clear the SHOW GRID option to show or hide the grid.
Input the interval (STEP) for the snap. The snap settings may be different
spSection Module
than the grid settings and may be different in each direction (x and y).
Select or clear the SNAP ON option to activate or disable the Snap.
Graphical Editing of the Section or Opening

In spSection, the section (or opening) must be a closed polygon. It is defined by inputting the nodes at each
corner or vertex of the polygon. No two segments (sides) may overlap or cross and no two nodes may
coincide. An opening must lie completely within the section.
The coordinates that correspond to the cursor location are always displayed in the Status bar. To force the
cursor to stick to exact locations, turn the SNAP option on. The program will snap to locations whose
coordinates are multiples of the snap steps.
To add section or opening nodes:
Switch the input session to Section (or Opening) by selecting Edit | Section (or Edit | Opening).
Switch the input mode to ADD by selecting Edit | Add.
If you are editing a section (or opening), you must first click on an existing node. Once this is done, you
can insert subsequent nodes.
Adding a node is done by moving the cursor to a desired location within the Graphics area and clicking
the left-mouse button.
After inserting a node, a line extending from the last added node follows the cursor. Click at another
location to insert subsequent nodes. A line connecting the two nodes is drawn.
To end the drawing, click the right-mouse button or press the ESC key. The first and last nodes are
connected to close the section. Also note that while in the ADD mode, moving the cursor outside the
Graphics area ends the drawing.
To delete section or opening nodes:

Switch the input mode to DELETE by selecting Edit | Delete.
Marquee select the node (or nodes) to be deleted. This is done by moving the cursor to one location,
pressing the left-mouse button and while holding the button down, moving to another location. While
moving, a dotted rectangle (called the marquee) is drawn. Releasing the left-mouse button end the
marquee. All nodes that are enclosed with the marquee are deleted and the section (or opening) is
redrawn. To cancel a marquee action while holding down the left-mouse button, press the ESC key or
click the right-mouse button. Also, leaving the Graphics area cancels the marquee operation.
To move section or opening nodes:
Switch the input mode to Move by selecting Edit | Move.
Place the cursor over the node to be moved then press and hold the left-mouse button. As long as the
button is held down, moving the cursor moves the selected node to the cursor location. Once the node is
at the new desired location, release the mouse button. To cancel a move action while holding down the
left-mouse button, press the ESC key or click the right-mouse button. Also, leaving the Graphics area
cancels the move operation.
spSection Module
6-31
Graphical Editing of the Reinforcement

In spSection, the reinforcing bars may be located anywhere. The only restriction imposed in the program is
that no two bars may overlap. The coordinates that correspond to the cursor location are always displayed in
the Status bar. To force the cursor to stick to exact locations, turn the Snap option on. The program will
snap to locations whose coordinates are multiples of the snap steps. While in the Reinforcement session, you
cannot switch to the Section or Opening sessions without returning to spColumn. Therefore, the
Edit | Reinforcement command will have a check mark to its left. You use the command to specify the bar
size or area and the number of bars to be added.
To add one single bar at a time:
Switch the input mode to Add by selecting Edit | Add.
Select Reinforcement from the Edit menu. A dialog box appears.
In the Number of bars box, input 1.
Choose the Size option and select the size of the bar or choose the Area
option and input the bar area in the edit box.
In the Graphics area, point to the desired location and click. A bar is inserted.
Repeat the step above to insert more bars.
To generate multiple bars:
Switch the input mode to Add by selecting Edit | Add. The command must have a check mark left of it.
Select Reinforcement from the Edit menu. A dialog box appears.
Input the number of bars to be generated (should be greater than 1).
Choose the Size option and select the size of the bar or choose the Area option and input the bar area in
the edit box.
In the Graphics area, click at a location (let us call it point A), move the cursor to another location and
click (let us call it Point B). The specified number of equally-spaced bars is added, along the line
connecting the points A and B. For subsequent generations, point B becomes A and you only need to
click at the second point (B) to generate more bars.
To end the multiple bar generation or move to another location (without adding bars), click the rightmouse button or press the ESC key. Also note that while in the multiple bar generation of the Add mode,
moving the cursor outside the Graphics area aborts the generation.
To delete bars:
Switch the input mode to DELETE by selecting Edit | Delete.
Marquee select the bar(s) to be deleted. This is done by moving the cursor to one location, pressing the
left-mouse button and while holding the button down, moving to another location. While moving, a
dotted rectangle (called the marquee) is drawn. Releasing the left-mouse button end the marquee. All
bars that are enclosed with the marquee are deleted. To cancel a marquee action while holding down the
left-mouse button, press the ESC key or click the right-mouse button. Also, leaving the Graphics area
cancels the marquee operation.
To move a bar:
6-32
Switch the input mode to Move by selecting Edit | Move.
spSection Module
Place the cursor over the bar to be moved then press and hold the left-mouse button. As long as the
button is held down, moving the cursor moves the selected bar with it.
Once the bar is at the new desired location, release the mouse button.
To cancel a move action while holding down the left-mouse button,
press the ESC key or click the right-mouse button. Also, leaving the
Graphics area cancels the move operation.
Manual Editing of the Section or Opening
Switch the input session to Section (or Opening) by selecting

Edit | Section (or Edit | Opening).
Select Edit | Modify. A dialog box appears. If you have already

defined a section (or opening), the coordinates of its nodes are shown
in the list.
To add a node, enter its x and y coordinates and choose the INSERT
button. The entry is inserted in the list box following the selected
entry.
To edit an entry, select it from the list box, modify its values in the text boxes, and choose the MODIFY
button.
To delete an entry, choose it from the list box and choose the DELETE button.
Manual Editing of the Reinforcement
Select Edit | Modify. A dialog box appears.
boxes, and choose the MODIFY button. You can change the area of a
group of bars by selecting them from the list, enter the new area and
choose MODIFY.
To delete an entry, choose it from the list box and choose the DELETE
button.
Zooming and Panning the Image

Zooming is the enlargement or reduction of the graphical image. Panning is
the translation or movement of the image.
Zooming:
Select View | Zoom.
To enlarge the view (zoom-in): using the left-mouse button, click anywhere within the Graphics area.
Click again for further magnification.
To reduce the view (zoom-out): using the right-mouse button, click anywhere within the Graphics area.
Click again for further reduction.
To reset the Zoom and return to the default, select View | Redraw.
Panning:
Select View | Pan.
spSection Module
6-33
Place the cursor over the Graphics area. Press the left-mouse button and, while still holding the button,
move the cursor in the direction you wish to pan. A line showing the amount and direction of panning is
drawn.
Release the mouse button. The view is panned and the image is redrawn.
To reset the Pan and return to the default, select View | Redraw.
Keyboard shortcuts:
The following keyboard assignments are always active:
Key combination
Action
Ctrl + Page Up
Zoom-in
Ctrl + Page Down
Zoom-out
Ctrl + Cursor key
Pan
Enter
Reset zoom/pan (Redraw)
Example 5 Capacity of an Irregular Section

Compute horizontal moment capacity Mx of the unsymmetrical beam cross section 78 shown below. Use 3-ksi
concrete and 60-ksi reinforcing steel.
24"
4"
21.5"
24"
(2)-#8
(1)-#9
2.142"
2.00"
12"
Note: when instructed to move to a location (15, 25), move the cursor until the
cells in the Status bar show x=15 and y=25.
From the File menu, choose New. Any input data is cleared and the default
values are restored.
1.
2.
Select BIAXIAL for RUN AXIS, Investigation for

run option and NO for CONSIDER SLENDERNESS.
Choose OK.
Under CONCRETE, input 3 for the STRENGTH.

Other properties are computed and will be
accepted.
78
Based on Example 4.7, pp 161 from Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics and Design by James G. Wight and James K. MacGregor, Fifth
Edition, 2009, Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Education Inc.
6-34
spSection Module

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Choose OK.
From the Input menu, choose Section | Irregular. The spSection module
is loaded, its window occupies the desktop, and the DRAWING AREA box
appears.
Under Limits, input 0 and 20 for the MINIMUM X and MINIMUM Y,

respectively.
Under limits, input 24 and 4 for the MAXIMUM X and MAXIMUM Y,

respectively.
Under GRID, input 4 and 4 for X and Y grid STEP, respectively and
check the SHOW GRID option.
Under SNAP, input 4 and 4 for X and Y STEP, respectively and check
the SNAP ON option.
Choose OK.
The default input session is Section and the default input mode is Add
(the Edit | Section and Edit | Add options are checked).
In the Graphics area, move the cursor to the location (0, 0) and click the left mouse button. A node is
inserted.
Move to (12, 0) and click the left mouse button.
Move to (12, -20) and click the left mouse button.
Move to (24, -20) and click the left mouse button.
Click the right-mouse button to end drawing the section.
From the Main menu, choose Save and Exit. You are returned to spColumn and the
section is shown in the Information bar.
From the Input menu, choose Reinforcement | Irregular. The spSection module is
loaded, its window occupies the desktop.
The default input session is Reinforcement and the default input mode is Add (the Edit | Reinforcement
and Edit | Add options are checked).
Define some bars using multiple bar generation:
From the Edit menu, choose Reinforcement. Input 1 for the NUMBER OF
BARS and select #9 for the BAR SIZE. Choose OK.
Move the cursor to any location and click the left mouse button.
From the Edit menu, choose Modify. Input 14.142 for X-COORD and -17.5
for Y-COORD. Click MODIFY and then OK.
From the Edit menu, choose Reinforcement. Input 1 for the NUMBER OF
BARS and select #8 from BAR SIZE. Choose OK.
Move the cursor to any location and click the left mouse button. A #8 bar is
generated at that location.
From the Edit menu choose Modify. Input 18 for X-COORD and -17.5 for YCOORD. Click MODIFY and then OK.
spSection Module
6-35
From the Edit menu, choose Reinforcement. Input 1 for the NUMBER OF BARS and select #8 from
BAR SIZE. Choose OK.
Move the cursor to any location and click the left mouse button. A #8 bar is generated at that
location.
From the Edit menu choose Modify. Input 22 for X-COORD and -17.5 for Y-COORD. Click Modify
and then Ok
9.
From the Main menu, choose Save and Exit. You are returned to spColumn and the section is shown in
the Information bar.
10. From the Input menu, choose Input | Loads | .Factored
11. Enter LOAD as 0 (zero), X-MOMENT as -225 ft-kips and Y-MOMENT as 0.
A message is displayed saying Reinforcement ratio is less than 1%

Consider column as architectural (i.e. fc is reduced by reinforcement
ratio?). Click NO for this option.
The solver of the program is started and, upon completion, displays

the interaction diagram of the section.
Choose PRINT.
6-36
Choose PRINT
Change the interaction diagram to show the P-M diagram at 180o using the
icon.
spSection Module
spSection Module
6-37
6-38
spSection Module
spSection Module
6-39
Appendix
Import File Formats
Geometry, reinforcement or load data may be imported from a text file. The import file must be saved in pure
ASCII (text) format. Data fields on each line should be separated by spaces or TABs. Comments or blank
lines should not be placed within the import file.
Service Loads Data:
No_Of_Load_Points
P1_D M1x_DT M1x_DB M1y_DB M1y_DB
P1_L M1x_LT M1x_LB M1y_LT M1y_LB
P1_W M1x_WT M1x_WB M1y_WT M1y_WB
P1_EQ M1x_EQT M1x_EQB M1y_EQT M1y_EQB
P1_S M1x_ST M1x_SB M1y_ST M1y_SB
...
Pn_D Mnx_DT Mnx_DB Mny_DB Mny_DB
Pn_L Mnx_LT Mnx_LB Mny_LT Mny_LB
Pn_W Mnx_WT Mnx_WB Mny_WT Mny_WB
Pn_EQ Mnx_EQT Mnx_EQB Mny_EQT Mny_EQB
Pn_S Mnx_ST Mnx_SB Mny_ST Mny_SB
Each service load point has five lines of data (one line for each load case, i.e. Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake,
and Snow). Each data line has five values. For a service load point i, Pi_D, Mix_DT, Mix_DB, Miy_DT,
and Miy_DB are the axial load, Mx at top, Mx at bottom, My at top and My at bottom, respectively. The
notation D, L, W, EQ, and S designate the Dead, Live, Wind, Earthquake, and Snow load cases,
respectively.
Factored Loads Data:
No_Of_Load_Points
P1 M1x M1y
P2 M2x M2y
...
Pn Mnx Mny
For a factored load point i, Pi is the factored axial load, Mix is the factored moment about x and Miy is the
factored moment about y.
Reinforcement Data:
No_Of_Bars
A1 X1 Y1
...
An Xn Yn
For a bar i, Ai is the bar area, Xi is its x-coordinate, and Yi is its y-coordinate.
Geometry Data:
No_Of_Section_Nodes
Xs1 Ys1
Xs2 Ys2
...
Xsn Ysn
No_Of_Opening_Nodes
Xo1 Yo1
Xo2 Yo2
...
Xon Yon
For a section node si, Xsi is the x-coordinate of the node and Ysi is its y-coordinate.
For an opening node oi, Xoi is the x-coordinate of the node and Yoi is its y-coordinate.
If the section does not contain an opening, you must have a zero for the value of No_Of_Opening_Nodes.
A-2
Appendix
spColumn Text Input (CTI) file format

spColumn is able to read and save its input data into two file formats, COL file or CTI file. CTI files are plain
text files that can be edited by any text editing software.
Caution must be used when editing a CTI file because some values may be interrelated. If one of these values
is changed, then other interrelated values should be changed accordingly. While this is done automatically
when a model is edited in the spColumn user graphic user interface (GUI), one must update all the related
values in a CTI file manually in order to obtain correct results. For example, if units are changed from
English to Metric in GUI, all the related input values are updated automatically. If this is done by editing a
CTI file, however, not only the unit flag but also all the related input values must be updated manually.
The best way to create a CTI file is by using the spColumn GUI and selecting CTI file type in the Save As
menu command. Then, any necessary modifications to the CTI file can be applied with any text editor.
However, it is recommended that users always verify modified CTI files by loading them in the spColumn
GUI to ensure that the modifications are correct before running manually revised CTI files in batch mode.
The CTI file is organized by sections. Each section contains a title in square brackets, followed by values
required by the section. The CTI file contains the following sections.
[spColumn Version]
[Project]
[Column ID]
[Engineer]
[Investigation Run Flag]
[Design Run Flag]
[Slenderness Flag]
[User Options]
[Irregular Options]
[Ties]
[Investigation Reinforcement]
[Design Reinforcement]
[Investigation Section Dimensions]
[Design Section Dimensions]
[Material Properties]
[Reduction Factors]
[Design Criteria]
[External Points]
[Internal Points]
[Reinforcement Bars]
[Factored Loads]
[Slenderness: Column]
[Slenderness: Column Above And Below]
[Slenderness: Beams]
[EI]
[SldOptFact]
[Phi_Delta]
[Cracked I]
[Service Loads]
[Load Combinations]
[BarGroupType]
[User Defined Bars]
[Sustained Load Factors]
Each section of a CTI file and allowable values of each parameter are described in details below.
Corresponding GUI commands are presented in parenthesis.
#spColumn Text Input (CTI) File
Appendix
A-3
The number sign, #, at the beginning of a line of text indicates that the line of text is a comment. The # sign
must be located at the beginning of a line. Comments may be added anywhere necessary in a CTI file to make
the file more readable. If a comment appears in multiple lines, each line must be started with a # sign.
[spColumn Version]
Reserved. Do not edit.
[Project]
There is one line of text in this section.
Project name (menu Input | General Information)
[Column ID]
Column ID (menu Input | General Information)
[Engineer]
Engineer name (Menu Input | General Information)
[Investigation Run Flag]
[Design Run Flag]
[Slenderness Flag]
[User Options]
There are 26 values separated by commas in one line in this section. These values are described below in the
order they appear from left to right.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
A-4
0-Investigation Mode; 1-Design Mode; (Run Option on menu Input | General Information)
0-English Unit; 1-Metric Units; (Units on menu Input | General Information)
0-ACI 318-02; 1- CSA A23.3-94; 2-ACI 318-05; 3-CSA A23.3-04; 4-ACI 318-08; 5-ACI 318-11;
(Design Code on menu Input | General Information)
0-X Axis Run; 1-Y Axis Run; 2-Biaxial Run; (Run Axis on menu Input | General Information)
0-Slenderness is not considered; 1-Slenderness in considered; (Consider slenderness? on menu Input |
General Information)
0-Design for minimum number of bars; 1-Design for minimum area of reinforcement; (Bar selection
on menu Input | Reinforcement | Design Criteria)
0-Rectangular Column Section; 1-Circular Column Section; 2-Irregular Column Section; (menu Input |
Section)
0-Rectangular reinforcing bar layout; 1-Circular reinforcing bar layout; (Bar Layout on menu Input |
Reinforcement | All Sides Equal)
0-Structural Column Section; 1-Architectural Column Section; 2-User Defined Column Section;
(Column Type on menu Input | Reinforcement | Design Criteria)
0-Tied Confinement; 1-Spiral Confinement; 2-Other Confinement; (Confinement drop-down list on
menu Input | Reinforcement | Confinement)
Load type for investigation mode: (menu Input | Loads)
Appendix
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
0-Factored; 1-Service; 2-Control Points; 3-Axial Loads

Load type for design mode: (menu Input | Loads)
0-Factored; 1-Service; 2-Control Points; 3-Axial Loads
Reinforcement layout for investigation mode: (menu Input | Reinforcement)
0-All Side Equal; 1-Equal Spacing; 2-Sides Different; 3-Irregular Pattern
Reinforcement layout for design mode: (menu Input | Reinforcement)
0-All Side Equal; 1-Equal Spacing; 2-Sides Different; 3-Irregular Pattern
Number of factored loads (menu Input | Loads | Factored)
Number of service loads (menu Input | Loads | Service)
Number of points on exterior column section
Number of points on interior section opening
Cover type for investigation mode: (menu Input | Reinforcement)
0-To transverse bar; 1-To longitudinal bar
Cover type for design mode: (menu Input | Reinforcement)
0-To transverse bar; 1-To longitudinal bar
Number of load combinations; (menu Input | Load | Load Combinations)
[Irregular Options]
order they appear from left to right. (menu Input | Section | Irregular | Section Editor menu Main | Drawing
Area)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Area of reinforcing bar that is to be added through irregular section editor
Maximum X value of drawing area of irregular section editor
Maximum Y value of drawing area of irregular section editor
Minimum X value of drawing area of irregular section editor
Minimum Y value of drawing area of irregular section editor
Grid step in X of irregular section editor
Grid step in Y of irregular section editor
Grid snap step in X of irregular section editor
Grid snap step in Y of irregular section editor
[Ties]
order they appear from left to right. (Menu Input | Reinforcement | Confinement)
1.
2.
3.
Index (0 based) of tie bars for longitudinal bars smaller that the one specified in the 3 rd item in this
section in the drop-down list
Index (0 based) of tie bars for longitudinal bars bigger that the one specified in the 3 rd item in this
section in the drop-down list
Index (0 based) of longitudinal bar in the drop-down list
[Investigation Reinforcement]
This section applies to investigation mode only. There are 12 values separated by commas in one line in this
section. These values are described below in the order they appear from left to right.
If Side Different (Menu Input | Reinforcement | Side Different) is selected:
1.
2.
Appendix
Number of top bars

Number of bottom bars
A-5
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Number of left bars

Number of right bars
Index (0 based) of top bars (Top Bar Size drop-download list)
Index (0 based) of bottom bars (Bottom Bar Size drop-download list)
Index (0 based) of left bars (Left Bar Size drop-download list)
Index (0 based) of right bars (Right Bar Size drop-download list)
Clear cover to top bars
Clear cover to bottom bars
Clear cover to left bars
Clear cover to right bars
If All Sides Equal (Menu Input | Reinforcement | All Sides Equal) or Equal Spacing (Menu Input |
Reinforcement | Equal Spacing) is selected:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Number of bars (No. of Bars text box)

Index (0 based) of bar (Bar Size drop-down list)
Clear cover to bar (Clear Cover text box)
If Irregular Pattern (Menu Input | Reinforcement | Irregular Pattern) is selected:

[Design Reinforcement]
This section applies to design mode only. There are 12 values separated by commas in one line in this section.
These values are described below in the order they appear from left to right.
If Side Different (Menu Input | Reinforcement | Side Different) is selected:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Minimum number of top and bottom bars

Maximum number of top and bottom bars
Minimum number of left and right bars
Maximum number of left and right bars
Index (0 based) of minimum size for top and bottom bars
Index (0 based) of maximum size for top and bottom bars
Index (0 based) of minimum size for left and right bars
Index (0 based) of maximum size for left and right bars
Clear cover to top and bottom bars
Clear cover to left and right bars
If All Sides Equal (Menu Input | Reinforcement | All Sides Equal) or Equal Spacing (Menu Input |
Reinforcement | Equal Spacing) is selected:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A-6
Minimum number of bars

maximum number of bars
Index (0 based) of minimum size of bars
Index (0 based) of maximum size of bars
Appendix
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Clear cover
[Investigation Section Dimensions]

This section applies to investigation mode only. There are 2 values separated by commas in one line in this
section. These values are described below in the order they appear from left to right.
If rectangular section (Menu Input | Section | Rectangular) is selected:
1.
2.
Section width (along X)

Section depth (along Y)
If circular section (Menu Input | Section | Circular) is selected:

1.
2.
Section diameter
If irregular section (Menu Input | Section | Irregular) is selected:

1.
2.

[Design Section Dimensions]

This section applies to design mode only. There are 6 values separated by commas in one line in this section.
These values are described below in the order they appear from left to right.
If rectangular section (Menu Input | Section | Rectangular) is selected:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Section width (along X) Start

Section depth (along Y) Start
Section width (along X) End
Section depth (along Y) End
Section width (along X) Increment
Section depth (along Y) Increment
If circular section (Menu Input | Section | Circular) is selected:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Diameter start
Reserved. Do not change.
Diameter end
Diameter increment
[Material Properties]
order they appear from left to right. (Menu Input | Material Properties)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Appendix
Concrete strength, fc
Concrete modulus of elasticity, Ec
Concrete maximum stress, fc
Beta(1) for concrete stress block
Concrete ultimate strain
Steel yield strength, fy
Steel modulus of elasticity, Es
A-7
[Reduction Factors]
order they appear from left to right. (Menu Input | Reinforcement | Confinement)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Phi(a) for axial compression

Phi(b) for tension-controlled failure
Phi(c) for compression-controlled failure
[Design Criteria]
order they appear from left to right. (Menu Input | Reinforcement | Design Criteria)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Minimum reinforcement ratio

Maximum reinforcement ratio
Minimum clear spacing between bars
Design/Required ratio
[External Points]
This section applies to irregular section in investigation mode only. The first line contains the number of
points on exterior section perimeter. Each of the following lines contains 2 values of X and Y coordinates
(separated by comma) of a point.
Number of Points, n
Point_1_X, Point_1_Y
...
Point_n_X, Point_n_Y
[Internal Points]
points on an interior opening perimeter. Each of the following lines contains 2 values of X and Y coordinates
(separated by comma) of a point. If no opening exists, then the first line must be 0.
Number of Points, n
...
Point_n_X, Point_n_Y
[Reinforcement Bars]
reinforcing bars. Each of the following lines contains 3 values of area, X and Y coordinates (separated by
comma) of a bar.
Number of bars, n
Bar_1_area, Bar_1_X, Bar_1_Y
Bar_2_area, Bar_2_X, Bar_2_Y
...
Bar_n_area, Bar_n_X, Bar_n_Y
[Factored Loads]
The first line contains the number of factored loads defined. Each of the following lines contains 3 values of
axial load, X-moment, and Y-moment separated by commas. (Menu Input | Loads | Factored Loads)
Number of Factored Loads, n
Load_1, X-Moment_1, Y-Moment_1
A-8
Appendix
Load_2, X-Moment_2, Y-Moment_2

...
Load_n, X-Moment_n, Y-Moment_n
[Slenderness: Column]
This section contains 2 lines describing slenderness parameters for column being designed. The first line is
for X-axis parameters, and the second line is for Y-axis parameters.
There are 8 values79 separated by commas in each line. These values are described below in the order they
appear from left to right. (Menu Input | Slenderness | Design Column)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Column clear height

k(nonsway)
k(sway)
0-Sway frame; 1-Nonsway frame
0-Compute k factors; 1-Input k factors
Pc)/Pc
Pu)/Pu
0-Do not ignore moment magnification along column length in sway frames; 1-Ignore moment
magnification along column length in sway frames. Use for ACI 318-11 and ACI 318-08 only. For all
other codes the value must be 0.
[Slenderness: Column Above And Below]

This section contains 2 lines describing slenderness parameters for column above and column below. The first
line is for column above, and the second line is for column below. (Menu Input | Slenderness | Columns
Above/Below)
There are 6 values separated by commas in line 1 for column above. These values are described below in the
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
0-Column specified; 1-No column specified

Column Height
Column width (along X)
Column depth (along Y)
Concrete compressive strength, fc
There are 6 values separated by commas in line 2 for column below. These values are described below in the
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
0-Column specified; 1-No column specified

Column Height
Column width (along X)
Column depth (along Y)
[Slenderness: Beams]
This section contains 8 lines. Each line describes a beam.
Line 1: X-Beam (perpendicular to X), Above Left
Line 2: X-Beam (perpendicular to X), Above Right
Line 3: X-Beam (perpendicular to X), Below Left
Line 4: X-Beam (perpendicular to X), Below Right
Line 5: Y-Beam (perpendicular to Y), Above Left
Line 6: Y-Beam (perpendicular to Y), Above Right
79
Value No 8 introduced in spColumn v4.60.
Appendix
A-9
Line 7: Y-Beam (perpendicular to Y), Below Left

Line 8: Y-Beam (perpendicular to Y), Below Right
There are 7 values separated by commas for each beam in each line. (Menu Input | Slenderness | X-Beams,
Input | Slenderness | Y-Beams) These values are described below in the order they appear from left to right.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
0-beam specified; 1-no beam specified

Beam span length (c/c)
Beam width
Beam depth
Beam section moment of inertia
[EI]
[SldOptFact]
There is 1 value in this section for slenderness factors. (Code Default and User Defined radio buttons on
menu Input | Slenderness | factors)
0-Code default; 1-User defined
[Phi_Delta]
There is 1 value in this section for slenderness factors. (Menu Input | Slenderness | factors)
Stiffness reduction factor
[Cracked I]
order they appear from left to right. (Menu Input |
Slenderness | factors)
1.
2.
Beam cracked section coefficient

Column cracked section coefficient
[Service Loads]
This section describes defined service loads. (Menu Input | Loads | Service) The first line contains the
number of service loads. Each of the following lines contains values for one service load.
There are 25 values for each service load in one Line separated by commas. These values are described below
in the order they appear from left to right.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
A-10
Dead Axial Load

Dead X-moment at top
Dead X-moment at bottom
Dead Y-moment at top
Dead Y-moment at bottom
Live Axial Load
Live X-moment at top
Live X-moment at bottom
Live Y-moment at top
Live Y-moment at bottom
Wind Axial Load
Wind X-moment at top
Wind X-moment at bottom
Wind Y-moment at top
Wind Y-moment at bottom
Appendix
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
EQ. Axial Load

EQ. X-moment at top
EQ. X-moment at bottom
EQ. Y-moment at top
EQ. Y-moment at bottom
Snow Axial Load
Snow X-moment at top
Snow X-moment at bottom
Snow Y-moment at top
Snow Y-moment at bottom
[Load Combinations]
This section describes defined load combinations. (Menu Input | Loads | Load Combinations) The first line
contains the number of load combinations. Each of the following lines contains load factors for one load
combination.
Number of load combinations, n
Dead_1, Live_1, Wind_1, E.Q._1, Snow_1
Dead_2, Live_2, Wind_2, E.Q._2, Snow_2
...
Dead_n, Live_n, Wind_n, E.Q._n, Snow_n
[BarGroupType]
There is 1 value in this section. (Bar Set drop-down list on menu Options | Reinforcement)
0-User defined
1-ASTM615
2-CSA G30.18
3-prEN 10080
4-ASTM615M
[User Defined Bars]
This section contains user-defined reinforcing bars. (Menu Options | Reinforcement) The first line contains
the number of defined bars. Each of the following lines contains values for one bar separated by commas.
Number of user-defined bars, n
Bar_1_size, Bar_1_diameter, Bar_1_area, Bar_1_weight
Bar_2_size, Bar_2_diameter, Bar_2_area, Bar_2_weight
...
Bar_n_size, Bar_n_diameter, Bar_n_area, Bar_n_weight
[Sustained Load Factors]
There are 5 values separated by commas in one line in this section. Each value respectively represents
percentage of Dead, Live, Wind, EQ, and Snow load case that is considered sustained (Menu Input | Loads |
Service).
Appendix
A-11
Conversion Factors - English to SI

To convert from
To
Multiply by
in.
m (1000 mm)
0.025400
ft
lb
m
N (0.001 kN)
0.304800
4.448222
kip (1000 lbs)
kN
4.448222
plf (lb/ft)
N/m
14.593904
psi (lb/in.2)
ksi (kips/in.2)
kPa
MPa
6.894757
6.894757
psf (lb/ft2)
N/m2 (Pa)
47.88026
pcf (lb/ft3)
kg/m3
16.018460
ft-kips
kN m
1.355818
Conversion Factors - SI to English.

To convert from
To
Multiply by
m (1000 mm)
in
39.37008
m
N (0.001 kN)
ft
lb
3.28084
0.224809
kN
kip (1000 lbs)
0.224809
kN/m
MPa
plf (lb/ft)
psi (lb/in2)
68.52601
145.0377
MPa
ksi (kips/in2)
0.145038
kN/m (kPa)
3
A-12
20.88555
psf (lb/ft )
kg/m
pcf (lb/ft )
0.062428
kN m
ft-kips
0.737562
Appendix
Contact Information
Web Site:
http://www.StructurePoint.org
E-mail:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone:
Fax:
Appendix
StructurePoint, LLC.
5420 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, IL 60077
USA
(847) 966-4357
(847) 966-1542
A-13

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Version 5.

Copyright 2002 2015, STRUCTUREPOINT LLC All Rights Reserved.

Loads / Axial Loads ............................................................................................................................................. 4-14

TERM AND TERMINATION

BACKUP AND REPLACEMENT COPIES

PROTECTION AND SECURITY

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

STRUCTUREPOINT SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

CHARGES AND PAYMENTS

TERM AND TERMINATION

BACKUP AND REPLACEMENT COPIES

PROTECTION AND SECURITY

10. U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

English and SI units

Design and investigation run options

Uniaxial or biaxial flexure combined with axial load

Rectangular, circular, and irregular section geometry

Non-slender and sway or nonsway slender columns

Complete P-M and Mx-My interaction diagrams

Customizable view of interaction diagrams

Superposition of interaction diagram from a different run

Factored, unfactored, axial, and control points loading

Binary (COL) and text (CTI) input file formats

Graphical input for irregular sections

Imports geometry, reinforcement, and loads from text files

Imports section shape and reinforcement from DXF files

Exports section shape and reinforcement to DXF files

Exports graphical reports (screen printouts) to EMF files

10,000 reinforcing bars within a section.

refers to the Microsoft Windows environment as listed in System Requirements.

indicates metric equivalent

indicates a glossary item, or emphasizes a given word or phrase.

Installing, Purchasing and Licensing spColumn

Chapter 2 Method of Solution

fc 0.85 0.0015f c f c 0.67f c , where f c is in MPa

Tensile strength of concrete in axial and flexural calculations is neglected11.

Ec 57,000 fc , for the ACI code12 where f c and E c are in psi,

Figure 2-1 Analysis of Reinforced Section

For the CSA standard18, 1 0.97 0.0025f c 0.67 , where f c is in MPa.

if t 0.005 (tension controlled sec tion)

if t 0.005 (tension controlled sec tion)

if t 0.005 (tension controlled sec tion)

0.6 for CSA A23.3-94

c 0.65 for CSA A23.3-04 (cast-in-place)

The material resistance factor for steel, s , is equal to 0.90.

CSA A23.3-04, 8.4.2, 16.1.3; CSA A23.3-94, 8.4.2

Figure 2-5 Positive moment loads (external forces)

Figure 2-6 Slenderness Input Convention

(a) Moment slice at constant load P1

(b) Half of P-M slice at constant angle l

E Moment Magnification at Ends of Compression Member

Flexural stiffness EI is calculated as40:

The critical buckling load, Pc , is computed as42:

The sway moment magnification factor, s , is computed as43:

where the stiffness reduction factor, k , is equal to 0.75.

M top M ns,top s Ms,top ,

Mbot Mns,bot s Ms,bot .

F Moment Magnification along Length of Compression Member

By rearranging and introducing k Pu /(f cA g ) , this condition can be succinctly expressed as k lu / r 35 .

The factor C m is computed as59: