Column reinforcement detail

What does a column detail include?

For each column, KNCad produces all the drawings needed on site in one place: the column section, elevation of the longitudinal bars, tie and cross-tie developments, confinement zones, level information and bar mark labels. The column's relationship to the floors below and above (where the lap splice is, the starter bars coming from the foundation, or bars ending at the top floor) is also shown in the detail.

• Rectangular and circular sections
• Longitudinal bars evenly spaced along each face
• Tie layout densified at the ends and wider at mid-height
• Ties with 135° hooks and cross-ties
• Crank and offset bend details for columns with section changes
• Foundation, intermediate-floor and top-floor column types

Column setting-out plan

Before detailing, columns must be correctly defined on the plan. KNCad names columns left to right, top to bottom, and measures each column's distance to the grid lines. Small deviations in the drawing are rounded to engineering values, so the plan stays legible and consistent. On plans with angled wings, each column is measured to its own grid line.

Bulk detailing with Excel

Instead of entering hundreds of columns one by one, you can read the column list from Excel. Columns on the same floor and of the same type are grouped into a single detail, and their counts go into the schedule. That means fewer sheets, and the schedule doesn't change.

The rules are built in

Confinement zone length, tie spacing, concrete cover, and hook and lap lengths are calculated according to code principles. The program alerts the user to questionable situations, such as a reinforcement ratio falling outside the limits. For the theory, see our articles on the column confinement zone and the column reinforcement ratio.