How to Calculate the Column Size of 2-Story Houses

Columns are one of the most vital parts of any building, especially 2-story houses. This is because they act as supports for the second floor. If the size of the columns in a 2-story house is not carefully calculated, various problems can arise, ranging from budget overruns to structural collapse.

In determining the size of the columns, you must also consider various factors, both internal and external. This way, the strength, stability, and even the beauty of the house can be preserved.

To find out the ideal column size for a 2-story house and essential tips in determining its size, read this article thoroughly.

Column Size of a 2-Story House

First, it is essential to understand that there are three types of columns in a building: primary columns, practical columns, and flat columns.

As the name suggests, the primary columns serve as the main structural supports for the building. Practical columns help maintain the strength of the walls to prevent them from collapsing or cracking. Meanwhile, flat columns are typically chosen for their slim shape, which enhances space efficiency and aesthetics.

In fact, the size of columns in a 2-story house, whether main, practical, or flat, varies considerably, as it also depends on the house design and materials used. However, the standard sizes are as follows:

Central column: 20 cm x 20 cm or 25 cm x 25 cm, with 8 pieces of 12 mm diameter concrete reinforcement bars and several 8 mm diameter stirrups placed at 10 cm intervals. The distance between the 2-story house columns and the central columns is approximately 3.5 m.
Practical columns: 15 cm x 15 cm, with 4 pieces of 10 mm diameter concrete reinforcement bars and 8 mm diameter stirrups placed at a distance of 20 cm. The distance between practical columns is approximately 3-4 m.
Flat columns: Generally range from 15 cm x 40 cm to 15 cm x 50 cm.

Once again, the above sizes are standard sizes for 2-story house columns. In other words, many factors can cause the sizes of 2-story house columns to vary. However, there is actually a specific formula for estimating the size of square 2-story house columns, namely:

Beam height = 1/12 x Span distance between 2 columns

Beam width = ½ x Beam height

Column size = Beam width + (2 x 5 cm)

For example, if the span between two columns of a house is 6 meters, then the method for determining the size of a 2-story house column is as follows:

Beam height = 1/12 x 6 meters = 0.5 m or 50 cm

Beam width = ½ x 50 cm = 25 cm

Column size = 25 cm + (2 x 5 cm) = 35 cm

Therefore, the recommended column size for the house is 35 cm x 35 cm.

Factors Affecting Column Size Calculation

As mentioned earlier, several factors affect the calculation of column size for a 2-story house. These are detailed below:

1. Composition of Materials

In fact, the quantity and type of materials greatly influence many decisions in a building project, including the calculation of column size. Usually, the materials often chosen for making columns in a 2-story house are steel and reinforced concrete. Compared to steel, reinforced concrete will create a relatively larger column size.

In addition to the type of material, its quality also has an influence. For example, high-grade and stronger concrete can reduce the dimensions of the columns.

2. Load Bearing

The load carried by a structure is divided into live load and dead load. Live load refers to the number of residents and their activities, such as walking, sitting, and exercising. Meanwhile, dead load refers to the weight of materials and elements in the house, such as walls, floors, roofs, and other structural components.

This is also related to the function of the room. The living room and gym may require different column sizes. This is because the gym is assumed to be used for fairly intense activities, so the columns must also be larger. To accommodate heavy loads, larger columns are also needed.

3. Building Height

In fact, in multi-story houses, the columns on the lower floors bear a greater load because they must support the entire structure above them. Therefore, the taller a building is, the more columns are needed, and the larger they become.

Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the columns are strong enough to support the load stably, without causing deformation to the structure.

4. Soil Conditions

Keep in mind that you will need larger columns if the soil at the construction site has low bearing capacity, such as soft clay or loose sand. This is to prevent subsidence and cracking. Larger columns allow the force from above to be distributed more stably to the ground.

5. Local Regulations

In each region, there are generally strict regulations regarding building construction, including restrictions on height and the number of floors. So, be sure to double-check that the building structure complies with these regulations to avoid heavy penalties in the future.

Tips for Determining the Column Size of a 2-Story House

To ensure that the column size for a 2-story house is accurate and efficient, follow these tips:

1. Use Practical Columns

Practical columns do not bear the main load, but they are quite significant, as walls must be supported to stand firmly. For this reason, you must ensure that the size of the practical columns is also appropriate and sufficient so that they can function optimally.

2. Consult with Experts

With their experience, experts can help calculate the size of columns for a 2-story house more accurately. These experts can be civil engineers or architects.

Not only calculate, but they will also consider contributing factors and provide appropriate recommendations to optimize the construction process. If you want to leave it to the experts, do not forget to prepare the budget.

3. Choose High-Quality Materials

It is evident that the quality of materials, especially concrete and reinforcing steel, affects many things in a construction project, including determining the size of columns for a 2-story house.

To ensure the safety of the building, you must ensure that the concrete and rebar used meet applicable standards. Typically, the concrete quality used to build a 2-story house is K-225 to K-300, while rebar is generally 12-16 mm in diameter.

This guide provides tips for calculating the size of columns for a 2-story house and ensuring accurate results. Precise and accurate column calculations are an essential step in ensuring the strength, stability, and safety of the building in the long term. So, make sure you understand this before starting your construction project.

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