The mechanical performance of specially shaped reinforced concrete columns in a multistorey building

Abstract Most of the traditional square and rectangular reinforced concrete (RC) columns protrude from walls and disturb the architectural aesthetics. Specially shaped RC (SSRC) columns (L‐, T‐, and cross‐shaped) are an appropriate option; however, they have complicated stress distributions under biaxial moments. This paper studies the performance and loading capacity of SSRC columns compared to traditional square columns used in a multistorey building. L, T, and + columns were placed at corners, edges, and interior, respectively. A nonlinear finite element analysis model was constructed and validated using experimental data for T‐shaped columns. The numerical findings for the ground‐floor columns with minimum moments show that the SSRC columns are a feasible alternative to square columns. The study also investigated the design challenges of T‐ and L‐shaped columns under axial load and different biaxial moments and provided design recommendations for SSRC columns under different loading circumstances, which are currently missing from national design requirements.