Concrete Column PMM Designer
Easily design concrete columns for biaxial bending with this advanced tool from efficalc. Define your column geometry and load cases, then the tool will generate a detailed 3D PMM plot, demand-to-capacity ratios, and a comprehensive report featuring 2D P-M plots for each load case.
Design your column here:
Use the interactive form below to design your column for bi-directional flexure. View or print the calculation report using the icons in the "Results" section.
Inputs
Description | Name | Value (units) |
|---|---|---|
Results
What you get:
- Instant Results: Simply enter the column properties and load combinations to receive an immediate and accurate design strength evaluation in accordance with ACI 318-19.
- Detailed Calculation Report: Your calculation comes with a free professional-quality calculation report which details every calculation step, making it simple to review, verify, and submit in a design package.
- Customization: You can change any part of these calculations and make it your own! Simply copy or save this template below and edit it in any way that suits your project.
- Open Source: This calculator is 100% built with our open-source Python calculations library, efficalc. You can make your own calculations just like this on the website, or in a local Python environment and integrate them with your other Python workflows.
How it works:
- Capacity Calculation: Column capacity is calculated by the exact capacity method. In contrast to approximate methods such as the Bresler load contour method and the Bresler reciprocal load method, the exact capacity method calculates the column’s axial and moment capacity at the particular eccentricity angle at which the load is applied.
- PMM Diagrams: The PMM surface describes the capacity of the column in P, Mx, My (any load case falling inside the PMM surface is within capacity, and any load case falling outside the PMM surface exceeds capacity). The PMM diagrams created by this program comprise a mesh of calculated capacity points which are evenly spaced in both axial load and eccentricity angle.
- DCRs: The DCRs reported are PM Vector DCRs, defined as the ratio of the length of the demand vector (in PMM space) to the length of a parallel vector beginning at the origin and continuing until it reaches the PMM surface.
- Capacity Point Search: To calculate capacity points both for DCRs and for PMM diagrams, the program uses an iterative method in which the two parameters determining capacity (the neutral axis angle and neutral axis depth) are varied until the target capacity point is reached.
- P-M Diagrams: These compare each load case (axial force and resultant moment) against the column's P-M capacity at the same direction of loading. These are generated by taking a cut of the PMM surface at a given eccentricity angle.
More documentation is available at this calculation's README here.
Designed with modern engineers in mind, efficalc will not only speed up your design process but also integrate seamlessly with today's automated and data-driven engineering environments.
We value your feedback and are always looking for ways to enhance our tools. Reach out to us with the contact button () to the right or at github.com/youandvern/efficalc/issues anytime!
Save or copy this template:
This calculator is too large or complex to run on the efficalc platform right now. To save, change, and/or run this calculation on your own computer, you can find it at github.com/youandvern/efficalc/tree/main/examples.
Note: you can make suggestions for improvements to this code at github.com/youandvern/efficalc/issues or by sending us a message with the contact button.
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Disclaimer: This calculator is provided as a free tool to assist professionals and does not offer any warranties or guarantees regarding its use or the results. All calculations and engineering decisions must be reviewed and approved by a licensed professional engineer who will take responsibility for their application. Efficalc and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of any design resulting from the use of this calculator. Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Efficalc from any claims, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this calculator or its outputs. This calculator is not a substitute for professional judgment.