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Instability check

In the present typology "rectangular section of column" (selected in General data Tab) you can check the instability of the column with two different simplified methods:

1- Nominal curvature method (§5.8.8 EC2). This method is primarily suitable for isolated member ('DCL' ductility) with constant normal force and defined length l0 (to be pre-calculated by the user according to § 5.8.3.2 EC2). The applicability of the method is limited to uniaxial bending

2- 'Model column method' based based on the tracing of the moment-curvature diagram. This method is applicable for both uniaxial and biaxial bending.

The input windows for this calculation is as follows:

Sezioni_rettangolari_di_pilast_Instability

Sezioni_rettangolari_di_pilast_Graph

The relevant input data in this window are:

  • Dimension of side X and Y of the concrete rectangular section

  • Concrete Class and Steel grade

  • Number and diameter and cover of corner bars and web bars

  • Design constant axial force Nd

  • Effective creep ratio according to eq. (5.19) EC2:   φef = φ(∞,t0) MX0qp/MX0d  where  MX0qp is the first order moment in SLS quasi-permanent combination

  • First order bending moment in ULS combination of interest:  MX0d

  • Eccentricity eY: = l0Y/400  to take into account geometric imperfections according to simplified alternative in § 5.2(9) EC2.

  • Effective length l0Y: to evaluate in advance according to § 5.8.3.2 EC2

The curvature 1/r0 in eq (5.34)EC2 can be assessed by the program (see in above figure the option "Mode of calculation of curvature 1/r") with the direct formula in § 5.8.8.3 EC2 or by means the moment-curvature diagram as in "model column" method. In biaxial bending it is difficult to use the direct formula (5.34) of § 5.8.8.3 EC2 as it is hard to meet the conditions of applicability (5.38a) and (5.38b) EC2. The biaxial moment-curvature diagram provided without problems by the program make always possible to check biaxial instability.

In the below results such a diagram is shown together with the windows of numerical results.

Sezioni_rettangolari_di_pilast_Instability_Graph