Structural Elements: Column, Beam, Wall, and Slab Load Calculations

What Is Column?

A compression member, i.e., column, is an important element of every reinforced concrete structure. These are used to transfer a load of superstructure to the foundation safely.

Mainly columns, struts, and pedestals are used as compression members in buildings, bridges, supporting systems of tanks, factories, and many more such structures.

A column is defined as a vertical compression member who is mainly subjected to the effective length and axial loads of which exceeds three times its least lateral dimension.

The compression member whose effective length is less than three times its least lateral dimension is called Pedestal. The compression member who is inclined or horizontal and is subjected to axial loads is called Strut. Struts are used in trusses.

The function of columns is to transfer the load of the structure vertically downwards to transfer it to a foundation. Apart from the wall performs the following functions also:

1. It encloses building areas into different compartments and provides privacy.
2. It provides safety from burglary and insects.
3. It keeps the building warm in cools in summer and winter.

What Is Beam?

The beam is a structural element that stands against the bending. Mainly beam carries vertical gravitational forces, but also pull the horizontal loads on it.

The beam is called a wall plate or sill plate that carries the transmits and load it to the girders, columns, or walls. It is attached with.

In the early centuries, timbers were the most preferred material to be used as a beam for this structural support purpose, now to bear the force along with carrying vertical gravitational force, now they are made up of aluminum, steel, or other such materials.

In actual means, beams are structural materials, which bear the sheer force of the load and the bending moment.

To carry on the more tension and load, pre-stressed concrete beams are widely used nowadays in the foundation of bridges and other such humongous structures.

Several famous beams used nowadays are supported Beam, Fixed Beam, Cantilever Beam, Continuous Beam, Overhanging Beam.

What is Wall?

Wall is a structural element that divides the space (room) into two spaces (rooms) and also provides safety and shelter. Generally, the wall is differentiated as two types of outer-wall and inner-wall.

Outer-walls give an enclosure to the house for shelter, and inner-walls help to partition the enclosure into the required number of rooms. Inner walls are also called as Partition walls.

Walls are built to partition the living area into different parts. They impart privacy and protection against temperature, rain, and theft.

What Is Slab?

A slab is constructed to provide flat surfaces, typically horizontal, in building roofs, floors, bridges, and other types of structures.

The slab could be supported by walls, by reinforced concrete beams normally cast monolithically with the slab, by structural steel beams, either by columns or from the ground.

A slab is a plate element having a depth (D), very small as compared to its length and width. A slab is used as floor or roof in buildings, carry distribution load uniformly.

Slab May Be

1. Simply Supported.
2. Continuos.
3. Cantilever.

Different Load Calculation on Column, Beam, Wall & Slab

1. Column = Self  Weight x Number of floors
2. Beams = Self Weight per running meter
3. Wall Load Per Running Meter
4. Total Load on Slab (Dead Load + Live Load +Wind Load + Self-Weight)

Besides this above loading, the columns are also subjected to bending moments that have to be considered in the final design.

These tools are reduced laborious and consuming method of manual calculations for structural design, this is highly recommended nowadays in the field.

The most effective method for designing structure is to use advanced structural design software like STAAD Pro or ETABS.

For professional structural design practice, there are some basic assumptions we use for structural loading calculations.

Load Calculation on Column:

We know that the Self-weight of Concrete is around 2400 kg/m³, which is equivalent to 24.54 kn/m³and the Self-weight of Steel is around 7850 kg/m³. ( Note: 1 Kilonewton Is Equal to 101.9716 Kilograms)

So, if we assume a column size of 300 mm x 600 mm with 1% steel and 2.55 (why 2.55 so, 3 m column hight – beam size) meters standard height, the self-weight of the column is around 1000 kg per floor, that id equal to 10 kN.

How to Load Calculation on Column?

1. Size of column Height 2.55 m, Length = 300 mm, Width = 600 mm
2. Volume of Concrete = 0.30 x 0.60 x 2.55 =0.459 m³
3. Weight of Concrete = 0.459 x 2400 = 1101.60 kg
4. Weight of Steel (1%)  in Concrete = 0.459 x 1% x 7850 = 36.03 kg
5. Total Weight of Column = 1101.60 + 36.03 = 1137.63 kg = 11.12 KN

While doing calculations, we assume the self weight of columns is between 10 to 12 kN per floor.

Beam Load Calculation:

We adopt the same method of calculations for beam also. We assume each meter of the beam has dimensions of 300 mm x 600 mm excluding slab thickness. Assume each (1m) meter of the beam has dimension

How to Beam Load Calculation?

1. 300 mm x 600 mm excluding slab.
2. Volume of Concrete = 0.30 x 0.60 x 1 =0.18 m³
3. Weight of Concrete = 0.18 x 2400 = 432 kg
4. Weight of Steel (2%) in Concrete = 0.18 x 2% x 7850 = 28.26 kg
5. Total Weight of Column = 432 + 28.26 =  460.26 kg/m = 4.51 KN/m

So, the self-weight will be around 4.51 kN per running meter.

How to Wall Load Calculation:

Here, the follows steps for wall loading calculations

1. we, know that the Density of bricks varies between 1800 to 2000 kg/m³.
2. For a 9 inch (230 mm) thick Brick wall of 3.55-meter height and a length of 1 meter,
3. The load / running meter to be equal to 0.230 x 1 x 2.55 x 2000 = 1173 kg/meter,
4. which is equivalent to 11.50 kN/meter.

This method can be adopted for load calculations of Brick per running meter for any brick type using this technique.

For aerated concrete blocks and auto-claved concrete (ACC)  blocks, like Aerocon or Siporex, the weight per cubic meter is between 550 to 650 kg per cubic meter.

The load/running meter to be equal to 0.230 x 1 x 3.55 x 650= 530.725 kg

If you are using these blocks for construction, the wall loads per running meter can be as low as 5.20 kN/meter, use of this block can significantly reduce the cost of the project.

How to Slab Load Calculation:

1. Let, Assume the slab has a thickness of 150 mm.
2. So, the Self-weight of each square meter of the slab would be
3. Slab Load Calculation = 0.150 x 1 x 2400 = 360 kg which is equivalent to 3.53 kN.
4. Now, If we consider the Floor Finishing load to be 1 kN per meter, superimposed live load to be 2 kN per meter, and  Wind Load as per Is 875 Near about 2 kN per meter.

So, from the above data, we can estimate the slab load to be around 8 to 9 kN per square meter.

1. Column Design Calculations PDF: Click Here
2. Steel Structure Design Calculation PDF: Click Here
3. How to Calculate Load of a Building PDF
   • 1. How to Structural Design a Building Part-1
     2. How to Structural Design a Building Part-2
     3. How to Structural Design a Building Part-3
     4. How to Structural Design a Building Part-4

Steel Beam Span Calculator Free

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How to Load Calculation Column Beam Wall Slab

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Structural Elements and Load Calculations

What is the purpose of a column in a reinforced concrete structure?

Columns are essential elements that transfer the load of a superstructure to the foundation securely. They provide vertical support and stability to buildings, bridges, and various structures.

How do columns differ from struts and pedestals?

Columns are vertical compression members subjected to axial loads, typically with an effective length exceeding three times their least lateral dimension. Struts are inclined or horizontal compression members, often used in trusses. Pedestals are compression members with an effective length less than three times their least lateral dimension.

What functions do walls serve in a structure?

Walls not only divide spaces into compartments but also provide privacy, safety from burglary and insects, and insulation for maintaining desired temperatures.

What materials are commonly used in beam construction?

While timbers were historically preferred, modern beams are often made of materials like aluminum, steel, or prestressed concrete to bear vertical gravitational forces and resist bending.

What are the different types of slabs, and how are they supported?

Slabs, used in roofs, floors, and bridges, can be simply supported, continuous, or cantilevered. They are supported by walls, reinforced concrete beams, structural steel beams, or columns.

How are loads calculated for columns, beams, walls, and slabs?

Column loads are determined by considering the self-weight and dimensions of the column. Beam loads are calculated based on the dimensions and materials used. Wall loads depend on the type of wall and materials. Slab loads include self-weight, floor finishing, live loads, and wind loads.

What assumptions are made in structural loading calculations?

Assumptions include the density of materials, dimensions of structural elements, and distribution of loads. Professional structural design software like STAAD Pro or ETABS can aid in accurate calculations.

How are column and beam loads calculated in practice?

Column loads are estimated based on the self-weight of concrete and steel, while beam loads are calculated similarly, considering the dimensions and materials used.

What factors influence wall loading calculations?

Wall loading calculations depend on the type of wall (e.g., brick, aerated concrete blocks) and their dimensions, along with the density of the materials used.

How are slab loads determined, and what factors are considered?

Slab loads include self-weight, floor finishing, live loads, and wind loads per square meter. Factors such as slab thickness and type of finishing materials are taken into account for accurate calculations.