Lateral Ties in RC Columns

Lateral ties, also known as ties or stirrups, are transverse reinforcement provided in reinforced concrete (RC) columns. They are provided to resist the buckling of longitudinal steel bars due to compression forces.

Buckling of Longitudinal Steel Bars

When an RC column is subjected to compressive forces, the longitudinal steel bars tend to buckle, reducing the load-carrying capacity of the column. Buckling occurs when the column is slender and the compressive forces exceed the critical buckling load. In order to prevent buckling, lateral ties are provided.

Role of Lateral Ties

The lateral ties resist the buckling of longitudinal steel bars by confining them within a smaller area. This increases the effective area of the column, thereby enhancing its load-carrying capacity. The lateral ties also help in maintaining the spacing between longitudinal steel bars, preventing them from buckling due to lateral forces.

Bending Moment and Shear

Although lateral ties primarily resist the buckling of longitudinal steel bars, they also offer some resistance to bending moment and shear. The lateral ties help in distributing the bending moment and shear forces along the length of the column, reducing their concentration at any particular point.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lateral ties are an essential component of RC columns. They play a crucial role in resisting the buckling of longitudinal steel bars due to compressive forces. In addition, they also offer some resistance to bending moment and shear forces.