All the loads that will act on the structure. Use load combinations as per code and make a structural analysis to determine how much load will be carried by your columns. There are lots of loads to consider so please consult a structural engineer.
Decking will provide a better finishing of the slab soffit if required by the owner/contractor. Less steel is required and less form supports and scaffoldings. Just place it on top with shear studs on top of a reinforced cap beam. Or you can try the concept of a hollow core slab placed on top of...
Thanks for your answers DST148.
I'm pretty well aware that you can not just go by the cross-sectional dimensions when designing but once and a while I encounter structures where both options are possible, as far as I know, and as you mentioned, ACI 530-02 is stuck with this criterion meaning...
Small to long dimension less than 25% meaning the small dimension of the column cross section is 25% of the long dimension.
Or the long dimention is more than 4 times of the small dimension.
If there is no definition to differentiate the two in terms of cross sectional dimensions, is there any...
In some regions that I've visited they used to design columns wherein the small to long dimension ratio of a concrete column cross section is less than 25%.
When is the right time to consider designing a shear wall instead of a column?
Can you please guide me on some code provisions regarding...