Concrete columns

Concrete columns serve as more than just structural supports; they are essential to maintaining the stability and security of a range of infrastructure and buildings. The purpose of these vertical components is to transfer loads from a structure’s upper levels to its foundation. Our bridges, skyscrapers, and even some of our residential homes wouldn’t be able to withstand the elements or stand the test of time without them.

Concrete columns may conjure images of the massive, imposing pillars found in opulent structures like bridges and buildings. However, they are made to order, with various sizes and shapes to suit the unique requirements of a project. Their main function is still the same, regardless of whether they have a sleek, contemporary or more traditional appearance: to offer strength and support.

This article will examine the various varieties of concrete columns, covering everything from their fundamental construction to their varied uses. We will also discuss the advantages of using concrete for columns, including its resilience to weather and durability. Knowing about concrete columns will help you appreciate the buildings around you more, whether you work in construction or are just interested in building design.

Purpose

The column serves as a supporting element for structures in addition to being used decoratively in building design. They are installed on porches, terraces, verandas, balconies, interior of buildings, and personal plots. They are also used as a support for ceilings. They are constructed, as closely as possible, in accordance with the current norms and regulations, given the significant load on the supports.

Types

The innate varieties of concrete columns are as follows:

• square;
• round;
• rectangular.

When utilizing diverse varieties of concrete columns, the subsequent categories of manufacturing technology are discerned:

• Prefabricated supports are structures manufactured in factories that are transported to the work site where they are installed. Prefabricated columns have the following advantages: relatively low price, speed of installation, quick drying of the solution.
• Monolithic. Pouring into molds is carried out at the construction site. When working with monolithic columns, the following advantages are distinguished: the ability to monitor the quality of laying the concrete solution, the absence of leakage of the mixture. Among the disadvantages observed: a long time for production, waiting for the mixture to harden in the mold.

Installation Features

Installed at the corners of buildings and other structures, square supports are fastened to the base and ceiling with anchors. It is important to note, though, that installing a square pipe by hand is a labor-intensive and difficult procedure; therefore, professional builders do not advise doing this kind of column yourself. One type of support structure is a little brick wall. Wooden or log supports are installed on porches and verandas.

Prior to installing the support and concrete it, steel cups are secured with anchors when installing a support element in a concrete base. When building a house, the support structures in the middle of the structure are very crucial. In this instance, formwork and concrete mortar are poured after columnar supports with a calculated cross-section of metal reinforcement are used.

Making concrete column elements by hand is a significant task that requires responsibility and a certain level of expertise and abilities in work production. Continuously pouring concrete into forms while keeping them horizontal will help prevent the development of intermediate cold joints and shield the structure from collapse.

Stages of construction

The following phases make up the construction of concrete supports:

• prepare the necessary tools and materials before starting work;
• clean the surface from construction waste;
• start installing the formwork;
• carry out reinforcement work;
• then pour the concrete solution and dismantle the formwork after it dries.

After hardening, the concrete mixture needs to be strong and have a plastic consistency. The elements of the concrete solution and the technical attributes of the reinforcement, which need to have the following qualities, have an impact on the strength of the structure:

• strength;
• ease of welding;
• low possibility of corrosion on the product;
• good adhesion.

Preparation of tools and materials

You will require the following supplies, machinery, and tools in order to pour concrete solution into the supporting structure in an excellent manner:

• concrete pump;
• rectangular corner;
• hammer;
• building level;
• wire made of metal;
• wooden spacers;
• reinforced mesh;
• screwdriver;
• nails and screws;
• wide boards;
• vibrators;
• device for mixing concrete mass;
• tape measure;
• steel rod;
• anchors;
• water;
• cement;
• sand;
• lime.

Installing the formwork

As you tighten the formwork, assess the structure’s durability and strength. Using wooden spacers, the form is attached to the support on four sides. When pouring concrete into a high column, the formwork is secured on three sides and extended on the fourth. Keep the structure level during the form installation process; this can be verified using a building level. The leveled formwork is secured inside the product by screws, which also hold the concrete mixture in place. Next, use a rectangular corner to verify that all of the corners are in conformity.

Reinforcement

Use vertical reinforcement with a diameter of at least 1.2 centimeters when assembling the column. Four rods, positioned at the corners of the square shape, make up the vertical reinforcement. Decks are furnished with a two-meter step to make it easier to install reinforcement, the height of which exceeds three meters.

There are several ways to assemble the support frame. Due to its small size, weight, and volume of the supporting structure, the frame is mounted in the future formwork, and you can tilt the completed frame by using your hands to complete the task. Its base is pre-assembled and has a significant amount of reinforcement. At the work site, individual rods are installed, and the rods are already tied. A variety of boards and supports are used to set the completed structure. Metal wire is used to secure the reinforcement rods to one another at a distance of roughly 40 centimeters.

Concreting

Consider the characteristics of the concrete before beginning to lay the mixture. The mobility of this composition is crucial for concreting columns. It is simple to lay mobile concrete, and it doesn’t require concrete pumps or vibrator compaction while working. Layers of concrete are laid out evenly and horizontally. Metal rods are used to periodically tamp the mixture as it is being laid.

If it is necessary to compact the solution. you cannot do without a deep vibrator. Remove air bubbles from the concrete by tapping with a hammer on the exposed formwork. When concreting columns, periodically align the reinforcement cage in the center. For laying the solution, choose cement that is part of the M400 concrete, which will require one part, also for preparing the mixture take two parts of sand and two parts of gravel and crushed stone. Dry ingredients are filled with water in the volume required to obtain a homogeneous thick consistency. At the end of the process of laying the prepared concrete mixture, proceed to the installation of reinforcement, which is fixed with anchors.

The laid concrete is allowed to dry in an environment with ideal humidity and temperature. Concrete is periodically irrigated with water and, if needed, covered with plastic film to prevent precipitation and direct sunlight from penetrating the surface.

Because they offer the vertical support needed to keep buildings and other structures afloat, concrete columns are crucial to construction projects. These columns are made to support large weights and move weight from a building’s upper levels to its foundation. Because of their strength, resilience, and adaptability, they are frequently used in contemporary engineering and architecture. Building safe and sturdy structures requires an understanding of the function and advantages of concrete columns, whether you’re building a skyscraper or a modest residential house.

Dismantling of formwork

Proceed to disassemble the formwork once the concrete solution has solidified and reached its maximum strength characteristics. The formwork removal is left to the skilled laborers. As the side sections of the formwork do not support the weight of the structure, they are removed first during disassembly. Building codes and regulations determine the concrete’s strength, and it is crucial to verify this before removing the formwork. Trial testing of material samples is done in the laboratory to ascertain the strength of the concrete solution. The formwork is dismantled in a precise order to protect the structural components.

Concrete columns are an essential part of contemporary architecture, giving structures strength and stability. They are a preferred option for a variety of applications, from residential buildings to tall skyscrapers, due to their durability and versatility. Having a thorough understanding of their operation and the variables affecting their performance can help guarantee the longevity and safety of any construction project.

Selecting the appropriate kind of concrete column is contingent upon several elements, such as the architecture of the structure, the necessary loads, and the surrounding circumstances. By taking these factors into account, engineers and builders can choose the best materials and construction methods, guaranteeing that the columns will not only properly support the structure but also endure over time.

In general, concrete columns serve as more than just structural reinforcement; they are evidence of the material’s durability and adaptability. Comprehending concrete columns can offer significant understanding of the intricacies of contemporary architecture and engineering, regardless of one’s involvement in construction or interest in building construction.

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