What is better circular column or rectangular column?

Answer 1

Columns are structural compression members which transmit loads from the upper floors to the lower levels and then to the soil through the foundations. Since columns are compression elements, failure of one column in a critical location can cause the progressive collapse of adjoining floors, and in turn, even the collapse of the entire structure.

Although tied columns are most commonly used because of the lower construction costs, spirally bound circular columns are also used where increased ductility is needed, such as in earthquake zones. The ability of a spirally reinforced column to sustain the maximum load at excessive deformation prevents the complete collapse of the structure before total redistribution of moments and stresses is complete.

Failure in columns could occur as a result of material failure or by loss of lateral structural stability. If a column fails due to material failure, it is classified as a short column, as opposed to the slender column whose failure is by buckling.

The program generates the axial load vs. bending moment interaction diagram of an unconfined circular concrete column, with uniform arrangement of non-prestressed reinforcing bars. The program takes into account the slenderness effects.