Category: Structure & materials
Prepared by Eng. Ahmed Fathy, Projects Manager ·
Definition
The column neck is the lower part of the column from the footing up to ground beam or ground floor level. It carries the column load into the footing and is usually the same section as the column or slightly larger.
Why it matters on a project
It is the first member cast after the footings, and any error in position or plumb carries into every column above. It sits in soil, so it needs more cover and waterproofing.
Measurement and pricing
Concrete in cubic metres (section × height), steel within column steel in tonnes, and waterproofing in square metres on faces against soil.
Worked example
12 column necks of 30 x 60 cm and 1.5 m high: concrete 12 × 0.3 × 0.6 × 1.5 = 3.24 m³.
Common mistake
Casting necks without checking the column grid on site, so columns drift from the drawings and beams have to be adjusted.
Frequently asked questions
Are column necks waterproofed?
Yes, their faces against soil are coated with bitumen or a suitable waterproofing, like the footings.
Is the neck section the same as the column?
Usually the same or slightly larger, as the structural drawings show.
Related terms
- ColumnA vertical element that carries slab and beam loads down to the footings.
- Footings (foundations)Structural elements that transfer the building loads to the soil.
- Ground beam (tie beam)A ground-level beam tying the footings and carrying walls at ground level.
- Concrete coverThe concrete thickness between the surface and the nearest bar.
Read next
- Bar bending schedule (BBS): what it is and how to read it
- Work out quantities with our free calculators: concrete, tiles, paint and plaster. Open the calculators
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