How does a COLUMN fail?

Did you know that over 80% of structural collapses during earthquakes are due to columns?
Studies show that column failure is a leading cause of structural collapses during earthquakes, particularly in buildings that do not meet seismic design standards. Columns are a building's backbone, carrying the weight of everything above them. When they lose their strength or stability, the entire structure is at risk making their reliability absolutely crucial for safety. 

                                 Why do column fails and what can we learn from such failure?    

    

Types of Column Failure

1. Compression Failure
2. Buckling Failure
3. Shear Failure
4. Foundation related Failure

1. Compression Failure 

Think of this as a column being pushed down with so much force that it simply gives up. This happens when the material of the column—be it concrete, steel, or wood—can no longer handle the weight it was designed to support. It’s like overloading a bridge with too many cars; eventually, the stress exceeds the limit, and the structure collapses under the pressure.

2. Buckling Failure 

Imagine a tall, slender column trying to stay upright while a heavy load presses down from above. Instead of breaking into pieces, it bends or buckles sideways. This is a common failure mode for thin or poorly braced columns, especially under vertical loads. The taller and slimmer the column, the more likely it is to buckle when stressed.

3. Shear Failure

This type of failure often occurs in regions prone to earthquakes. During seismic activity, the forces acting on a building push and pull columns sideways, like bending a paperclip back and forth. If the column isn’t strong or flexible enough to resist these forces, it cracks and splits, losing its ability to support the structure above.

4. Foundation related Failure

A column is only as strong as the ground it stands on. If the foundation beneath a column settles unevenly, erodes, or shifts, the column might tilt, crack, or even topple. This is especially common in areas with soft soil or inadequate foundation design.

By understanding these failure types, we can see how crucial proper design, material selection, and maintenance are to ensure columns stay strong and reliable. 

 (Ground Settlement)