Reinforced concrete columns are vertical support members to beams & slabs and help to transfer the load of the entire structure to the foundation. It is a very important part of a structure acting as the legs on which a structure is built.
Columns come in various types based on design, shape, length and load it must carry. Reinforced concrete columns must be designed and certified by a structural engineer to ensure that the supported load & positioning is correct, and no tensile stresses are incurred at cross-sections of the columns.
Extreme Structures uses certified structural engineers to design and certify our concrete columns. Our Reinforced concrete columns are built on-site and poured in-situ. All our work is carried out by an experienced construction team and followed by engineers to ensure we meet the expectations of all our clients.
Concrete columns are part of the sub-frame system supporting a building structure. It is designed to resist axial and lateral forces and works in conjunction with the horizontal elements of a structure to help transfer loads safely to the footing in the foundation of the structure.
The design & shape of a concrete column is based on the load it must carry. Commonly used shapes include the traditional square or rectangular shape that can be used on any structure. Circular & polygon shapes are used for exposed outside areas of a structure and help with a good architecture view.
Our structural engineers can provide you with customised & professional design & draughting services on all your concrete columns, beams & slab requirements. We can also help with structural analysis and design of reinforced concrete and steel structures, construction supervision, quality assurance & project management.
Our engineer will provide detailed layouts and notes stipulating the required placement of reinforcement that is required for the concrete columns, beams & slabs. Layout begins by identifying the location of the columns in the structure and laying out a rope grid to help with the construction of the structure.
Once the reinforcement steel has been installed and certified by our engineer, formwork is erected. Formwork is checked and secured before concrete is placed to ensure it stays in position when fresh concrete is poured. Concrete is poured up to slab bottom and the rest of the column is constructed when the slab and beam is constructed. Before the formwork can be removed enough time must be allowed for the concrete to cure.
The concrete column construction process involves the following steps:
At Extreme Structures, we are always striving to be more cost-effective by applying advanced technologies giving clients true value for money on all civil & structural services we offer. Our structural engineers always try and follow the most economical design when it comes to reinforced concrete columns to help reduce costs. Average pricing for column & footing starts at R2,800.00/unit (ex. vat). For up to date pricing see our section “Concrete Beams, Columns & Footing prices” on our website.