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Expert: - 9/14/2007


Question
Hi, I am going to construct 2000 Square feet slab with total 26 columns.So what should be the approximate size of these 26 columns to withstand the load of 2000Square feet slab?
My conrtactor is saying that all outer(i.e. all corner) 16 columns will be 9x18 inche and remaining columns are in 6x18 inches and he is going to use 8 bars of 12mm steel in each column.So is it ok?

Answer
Hi Deepak,

This is very difficult to answer as you have not indicated the imposed load on the slab, not the height of columns, external conditions, etc, etc. Also, I do not do designs over this medium- just give advice.

All I can say is that you probably do not need so many columns (unless you are carrying a heavy water tank on the slab) and also that no clumn should be less than 8 inches in dimension.

Hope that helps!

Kind regards,

Arshad.

Civil Engineering

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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