What type of columns are short, squat columns that fail by crushing?

Piers are indeed the type of columns that are short and squat, primarily designed to support loads and resist lateral forces. They have a limited height-to-width ratio, which makes them more robust in compression compared to slender columns. When subjected to excessive loads, piers are likely to fail by crushing, their material reaching its compressive strength limit.

In construction, piers are often used in foundations or as support elements for structures, and their design accounts for this failure mode. Understanding this characteristic is crucial for fire service personnel, as it can influence the behavior of a building during a fire and the strategies used for firefighting operations or rescue efforts.

In contrast, intermediate columns and slender columns have different dimensions and load-bearing characteristics, and trusses are structural frameworks that distribute loads differently than piers. Recognizing these distinctions is important for comprehension of structural integrity and collapse scenarios in the context of building construction.