EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SHORT COLUMNS BEARING CAPACITY SUBJECTED TO UNIAXIAL LOADING

Abstract

Columns can be defined as individuals that carry loads mainly in compression. Frequently, columns carry bending moments as properly, about one or each axis of the cross section. The bending moment action may produce tensile stresses over a part of the cross section. In this research, twenty-four column samples distributed into eight groups were cast to investigate the structural behavior under loading with varying bar diameter, clear cover of vertical reinforcement and concrete strength. Samples designed to fail by tension. The loading rate was set to be from fifteen to twenty percent of designed capacity. The results showed that increasing concrete strength leads to increase in bearing capacity, the load that needs to cause the first crack and decreasing in crack width. Increasing steel bars size showed rising in a column bearing capacity, the load that needs to occur the first crack, crack width and decreasing the number of cracks in tension area. While the large concrete cover caused increasing in bearing capacity, the crack width and reduce the load that needs to produce the first crack.