Category: Structure & materials
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
A column is a vertical structural element of reinforced concrete or steel that receives loads from slabs and beams and carries them to the footings.
Why it matters on a project
Columns matter most for the building's safety. Any error in size, reinforcement or plumbness affects the whole structure, so nothing is cut into them without the designer's approval.
Measurement and pricing
Concrete in cubic metres, rebar in tonnes, formwork in square metres.
Worked example
A 0.30 × 0.50 m column 3.0 m high: concrete 0.45 m³, formwork 2 × (0.30 + 0.50) × 3.0 = 4.8 m².
Common mistake
Moving a column or changing its size on site to enlarge a room without consulting the structural engineer.
Frequently asked questions
Can a column be removed to enlarge a room?
Only with a new structural design that redistributes loads, never by judgement on site.
What are links in a column?
Transverse bar loops that hold the vertical bars and stop them buckling, spaced closer near the column ends.
Related terms
- BeamA horizontal element that carries the slab and transfers its loads to the columns.
- Footings (foundations)Structural elements that transfer the building loads to the soil.
- Reinforcement (rebar)Steel bars placed inside concrete per bar-bending schedules to strengthen structural elements.
- Reinforced concreteConcrete containing steel reinforcement to resist the tensile forces concrete alone cannot carry.
Read next
- Work out quantities with our free calculators: concrete, tiles, paint and plaster. Open the calculators
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