Tests on slender reinforced concrete columns

Abstract

Nineteen full-scale pinned reinforced concrete columns with slenderness ratios of between 18 and 63 have been tested under short and long-term eccentric loading. The experimental results substantiate the fact that instability is the primary failure criterion for slender columns; this occurs at relatively low compressive concrete strains in the range 0.001-0.002. Creep was found to have a significant influence on the value of the buckling load e.g. with a sustained load of 60% of short-term capacity, creep can cause a reduction of 10-40% in the load capacity.