Concrete load-bearing structures are used in construction to provide buildings with vertical rigidity. They transfer the entire load of the building to the ground and are a very important element in the construction.
There are several varieties of such designs. Each type has a certain load capacity, flexibility coefficient, advantages and disadvantages. Typically, columns are used in the construction of multi-storey buildings, strengthening balconies and terraces. Designs can be made in an original way and give the building a richer, more interesting appearance. Also, concrete columns can be round, square or rectangular.
Varieties of concrete structures
There are monolithic and prefabricated concrete columns. Prefabricated structures attract with their cost and assembly speed, due to the fact that the blocks are manufactured in factories, delivered to the construction site and only then assembled. Monolithic structures are poured right at the construction site, which means that you have to spend a lot of time waiting for the mixture to dry. Also, for monolithic structures, it is necessary to prepare a high-quality frame and formwork in advance.
Advantages of concrete columns
Concrete columns are highly durable. Such structures are durable, fire resistant and perfectly cope with atmospheric influences. Due to the prevalence of materials, the price is quite low.
Disadvantages of concrete columns
Despite the large number of advantages, reinforced concrete structures also have disadvantages. If the calculations of the expected load were made with errors, then cracks in the structure and even its destruction are possible in the future.
Choosing the type of concrete column
There are several important factors to consider when choosing the type of concrete columns. These factors include:
- climate type;
- soil features at the construction site;
- proposed level of load on the structure;
- storey and building size.
To select a design, it is recommended to contact several specialists for advice. It is better to calculate a concrete column together with professionals in construction companies, because by making calculations on your own, you can make serious mistakes. If it is not possible to seek help from a construction company, then calculations can be made online. Remember that this is a very important and responsible stage of construction. The strength and reliability of the reinforced concrete structure and the entire building as a whole depend on the correct choice and calculations.
When calculating concretecolumns to consider:
- Column type.
- Number and class of rebar.
- Estimated load (it is worth noting that this indicator also takes into account the weight of the column itself).
- Quality and class of concrete.
- Column size.
Concrete column design and pouring process
In order to assemble the precast concrete structures, you will need equipment and labor, it will not take much time, so we will not consider such a process.
It is much more difficult to pour monolithic concrete columns. Installation has to be carried out at the construction site.
After choosing a monolithic type of construction and calculating the required amount of material, it is necessary to start preparing the process of pouring the columns. It is necessary to choose a metal for fittings that has strength and weldability. It must also have good adhesion to concrete.
Before you start assembling the formwork, you need to clear the area around. It is desirable to make the formwork in the form of a cylinder, the diameter of which coincides with the diameter of the future column. Around the cylinder is covered with earth, and a concrete mixture is poured inside it. The frame of the column should be mounted from strong, thick reinforcement. The fittings should be as long as possible and fastened with wire to the rods protruding from the pre-prepared foundation. When the frame is fully assembled, the reinforcement should be wrapped with a sheet of galvanized steel. Galvanized steel must be fixed as best as possible, as at the time of filling it is assumedgreat burden on them. After preparing the structure, you can proceed to pouring the concrete mixture, the choice of which must also be taken with full responsibility. Filling should be done in equal layers. The solution must be periodically compacted so that air bubbles do not appear in the structure. If necessary, the formwork and the reinforcement frame should be corrected.
After pouring the concrete structure, it is necessary to dismantle the formwork. Dismantling should begin only after the concrete mixture has completely solidified, when the structure has fully acquired the necessary characteristics. Dismantling is not an easy process, so it is advisable to entrust this to specialists who know in what sequence the formwork structure should be dismantled. It is important during the dismantling process not to damage the column and keep it intact, therefore, before starting, you need to make sure that the concrete is strong.
The concrete columns are shown below. Installing them in the ground is clearly shown.
Features of installation of reinforced concrete structures
Concrete supports are recommended to be installed along the edges of structures and buildings. The structure should be fixed to the base and ceiling with anchors.
Installing columns is a very time-consuming process and it is quite difficult to cope with it on your own, so we recommend that you seek help from specialist builders.
If desired, this design can be replaced with a small wall made of bricks. You can make such a wall yourself, andit will cost less. Its disadvantage is that it will not withstand too much load.
Also don't forget about the supporting structures in the center of the building, as they are a very important structural element. The installation of such supports practically does not differ from the installation of supports located along the edges of the structure. The only difference is that the rebar must be used with a metal section.
Replacement of concrete columns
Depending on the purpose of using the columns, they can be replaced with the following materials:
- Square steel pipes (can be used in the construction of a one-story or two-story house, at the corners of the building).
- Brick columns (it is undesirable to use if a large load is planned, because the material is less durable and may not withstand the weight of the structure).
- Wooden structures that can be made of timber or logs (it is possible to use in structures similar to a veranda, gazebo).
For almost all of these structures, as well as for the installation of concrete slabs, it is necessary to use a construction crane and involve several specialists.
It is worth noting once again that the process of pouring columns with a concrete mixture is very time-consuming, which means that it is difficult to do it yourself. It requires great responsibility, skills and abilities to work with these materials. In the process of concreting, it is necessary to follow many rules that have been listed above.
