Design of Lateral Steel in Columns

Lateral steel in columns is generally required for shear resistance, confinement of concrete and prevention of buckling of longitudinal bars. This paper is limited to the design of lateral steel for confinement and bar buckling only. The provisions of the ACI 318-89 code (1989) related to this area are critically examined and changes are suggested to these provisions to make the design more rational. Both the tied and the spirally reinforced columns are considered and seismic as well as non-seismic design provisions are discussed.