Minimum Standards For Structural Design

Minimum Standards for Structural
Design | RCC Structures

thumb rules for Structural Design | RCC Structures
I highly recommend use of advanced structural design software like ETabs or

Staad Pro for design of structures. This is very important. There are so many
variables in design of a structure that no minimum standards can be accurate.
This guide can be used for design of very small structures, maybe up to G+1
floors. But I would still recommend use of professional software. Every structural
designer should learn these software. Use of manual methods is outdated.
Manual method is only used for checks. Real design is done with the help of
computers, with very advanced design concepts like pushover analysis, seismic
analysis, wind loads simulation and many advanced methods.
You can hire me for your structural design need. Contact me.
Design of RCC Structural Components
In this article, I will discuss the minimum standards that can be followed for the
design of RCC structural components of a structure, such as columns, beams, slab
and foundation. We will also discuss the minimum safe standards for the
reinforcing bars that are to be used for the design of the above mentioned
Structural Components.
Minimum cross-sectional dimension for a Column: is 9″x 12″ (225 MM x 300

MM) which is the minimum recommended size. I have designed hundreds of
buildings, and never had the misfortune of any structural component ever failing
due to loads. I always use M20 grade concrete for construction, as it is the
minimum recommended grade of concrete is IS 456:2000. Please don’t skimp on
the quality of concrete. The minimum steel in a 9″ x 9″ column is 4 bars of 12 MM
with stirrups of 8 MM steel rings at a distance of 150 MM centre to centre. In a 9″
x 12″ column, I add two more bars, to take the total to 6 bars of 12 MM diameter.
This design can be safe for up to G+1 floors. But there are a lot of other factors
involved.
Minimum RCC beam size should not be less than 9″x 9″ (225MM X 225MM), with
an additional slab thickness of 125 MM. I generally use a minimum of 4 bars, with
2 bars of 12 MM thickness in the bottom of the beam, and 2 bars of 10 MM at the
top of the beam. I maintain a concrete cover of 40 MM. I recommend use of M20
grade of concrete (1 part cement : 1.5 parts sand : 3 parts aggregate : 0.5 parts
water).
Minimum thickness of RCC slab I recommend is 5″ (125MM) because a slab may
contain electrical pipes embedded into them which could be 0.5″ or more for
internal wiring, which effectively reduces slab depths at certain places, causing
cracking, weakening and water leakage during rains. So, a minimum thickness of
5″ should be maintained.
Minimum size of foundation for a single storey of G+1 building, where soil safe
bearing capacity is 30 tonnes per square meter, and the oncoming load on the
column does not exceed 30 tonnes, a size of 1m x 1m should be used. Minimum
depth of footing should be atleast 4′ below ground level. It is recommended to go
to depths up to had strata.
Reinforcing bar details (minimum)
1. Columns: 4 bars of 12mm steel rods FE 500

2. Beams: 2 bars of 12 mm in the bottom and 2 bars of 10 mm on the top.
3. Slab
a) One Way Slab: Main Steel 8 MM bars @ 6″ C/C and Distribution Steel of 6 mm
bars @ 6″ C/C
b) Two Way Slab: Main Steel 8 MM bars @ 5″ C/C and Distribution Steel of 8 mm
bars @ 7″ C/C
4. Foundation: 6″ of PCC layer comes first. Over than, a tapered or rectangular

footing of 12″ thickness is minimum. Steel mesh of 8 mm bars @ 6″ C/C should be
laid. In a 1m X 1m footing, this would consist of 6 bars of 8 mm on both portions
of the steel mesh.
Thumb rules for designing a
Column layout | Civil Engineering
Guidelines to be followed for making a column layout
In this article, we will go through the essential thumb rules to be followed for
giving a column layout. Of-course columns have to be designed in accordance to
the total forces acting on the structure, but apart from that, it is essential for
every Civil engineer and Architect to remember a few thumb rules so that they
are prevented from making mistakes.
Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:
1. Size of the Columns

2. Distance between Columns
3. Alignment of columns
Minimum Size of RCC columns
The size of the columns depends on the total load on the columns. There are
axial loads and lateral loads. Large beam spans induce bending moment not only
in the beams, but also in columns which are pulled by the stresses in the beams.
It is important to use advanced structural design software like ETabs or Staad pro.
I highly recommend every structural designer learn these software. The thumb
rules are for general designing in very small projects.
For this general thumb rule, we will assume a structure of G+1 floors high,
using standard 6″ walls.
Minimum size of an RCC column should not be less than 9” x 12” (225mm x
300mm) with 4 bars of 12 MM Fe415 Steel.
These days the minimum I use in my projects is 9″ x 12″ (225 mm x 300mm) with
6 bars of 12 MM Fe500 steel. You can never go wrong with strong columns. I also
recommend use of M20 grade concrete for the structure (ratio 1 part Cement :
1.5 parts Sand : 3 parts Aggregate with 0.5 parts water by volume). I recommend
use of 8 MM stirrups at a distance of 150 MM center to center throughout the
length of column.
This setup of 9″ x 12″ RCC columns is safe for G+1 Floors. There are a lot of other
considerations, but this is just a thumb rule.
Span (distance) between two columns
For the above column setup, a span of up to 5 meters is quite safe. One can use
beams of size 9″ X 12″ (225 MM x 300MM) with a slab thickness of 5″ (125 MM)
cast in M20 concrete for spans up to 5m. There are other considerations like
secondary and tertiary spans, point loads and wall loads which have to be
considered. It is complicated, but thumb rules can work if the structure is simple.
It is always recommended to use structural design software like ETabs or Staad
pro for design.
In a beam of up to 5 meters length, secondary spans of up to 4 meters, wall loads

of up to 8 kN per running meter, I can use steel as below.
 Top Steel – 2 bars of 12 MM

 Crank bars – 2 bars of 12 MM, cranked at an angle of 45° at a distance of
L/4 at both ends of a simply supported beam
 Bottom Steel – 3 bars of 12 MM.
This configuration can change depending on a lot of factors.
Alignment of Columns
Placing of columns depend completely on the plan. A planner has a very

important job. A grid column placement is always preferred in order to reduce
point loads and unnecessary complications while construction. This reduces the
cost of construction as well as time required for construction. Beams which have
continuity with other simply supported beams have reduced bending moments,
and thus require less steel and concrete depth to be safe.
Columns have to be connected with each other for smooth transfer of loads. An
experienced planner will keep such things in mind when planning the structure.
In the next article, I will explain these three thumb rules with the help of an
example “Column Layout for a Residence“.
Recommended Reading:
Introduction to design of RCC Structures

Building Design Guide which includes design of:
1. RCC columns
2. RCC beams
3. Foundations
4. Staircase

Minimum Standards For Structural Design

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What are the minimum standards recommended for column dimensions?

What are the recommended spacing between columns?

Minimum Standards for Structural

Design | RCC Structures

I highly recommend use of advanced structural design software like ETabs or

Minimum cross-sectional dimension for a Column: is 9″x 12″ (225 MM x 300

1. Columns: 4 bars of 12mm steel rods FE 500

4. Foundation: 6″ of PCC layer comes first. Over than, a tapered or rectangular

Three thumb rules to be followed are as follows:

1. Size of the Columns

Span (distance) between two columns

In a beam of up to 5 meters length, secondary spans of up to 4 meters, wall loads

 Top Steel – 2 bars of 12 MM

Placing of columns depend completely on the plan. A planner has a very

Introduction to design of RCC Structures

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