The Not So Simple Column
At first glance, a column seems pretty straightforward – just a vertical member carrying the weight above. Easy enough: run the numbers, check a chart, and you’re done. But in practice, columns are rarely that simple. They juggle load paths, material limits, slenderness, stability, and architectural intent all at once. That mix of simplicity on the surface and complexity underneath is exactly what makes them so intriguing, and why we enjoy designing them.
A column is a vertical member that supports the structure above; just calculate the load and select from a table – simple, right? Yes, but no. How big is the load? Can you even use the wood member you were thinking about? Maybe it needs to be steel, or concrete, or masonry block (CMU) construction to match the building framing system. A column with a large load in a taller building needs to be considered as part of the whole system; the wind blows, and things move sideways, introducing new loads to consider.
Structural engineers smile when their work remains exposed within the final architecture of a building, but can we do that, or does it need a fire rating? Spray-on for steel or maybe extra material for concrete or wood, so it lasts long enough for us to get out safely. Now the architect may want a say – round, square, rectangle, wide flange, or maybe something unique!
Even the column wrapped in an architectural enclosure can get tricky. Does it fit? Is there a roof drain that also needs to pack into that small space? If there is a drain, do we need to drop the foundation down to accommodate a pipe elbow? And, we must be certain that the baseplate and anchorage are up to snuff during construction, as it must be safe for the workers to climb and bang around a bit when they attach the rest of the building. Perhaps they need some holes or plates to fasten guy wires.
Sometimes simple isn't all that simple.
In conclusion, at first glance, a column might seem like one of the simplest parts of a building, but every decision, from material choice to fire rating to construction safety, is a puzzle piece in a much bigger picture. The “right” column isn’t just about holding up the structure above; it’s about fitting seamlessly into the architectural vision, meeting strict safety requirements, and working within the realities of construction. In the end, that’s the beauty of structural engineering: turning something that looks simple into something that works beautifully, safely, and for decades to come.
