Base plates for Concentrically Loaded Columns

The design compressive stress in concrete or other type of masonry footing is

smaller than it in steel columns .when steel column is supporting by footing, it is
necessary for the column load to be spread over a sufficient area to keep the
footing from being overstressed .Loads from the steel column are transferred
through the base plate to a fairly large area of the footing.
The typical components of a column base plate are shown in figure below.

The base plate for steel column can be welded directly column or they can be
fastened by means of some types of bolted angels as shown below.
Material Specifications
The AISC Specification lists a number of plate and threaded rod materials that are
structurally suitable for use in base plate and anchor rod designs. Based on cost and
availability, the materials shown in Tables 2.1 and 2.2 are recommended for typical
building design. Base plates should be designed using ASTM A36 material unless
the availability of an alternative grade is confirmed prior to specification. Since
ASTM A36 plate is readily available, the plates can often be cut from stock
material. There is seldom a reason to use high-strength material, since increasing
the thickness will provide increased strength where needed. Plates are available in
1/8 in. increments up to 14 in. thickness and in in. increments above this. The
base plate sizes specified should be standardized during design to facilitate
purchasing and cutting of the material.

Many structural engineers have established minimum thicknesses for typical

gravity columns. For posts and light HSS columns, the minimum plate thickness is
typically in., and for other structural columns a plate thickness of in. is
commonly accepted as the minimum thickness specified.

Anchor Rod Material

As shown in Table 2.2, the preferred specification for anchor rods is ASTM F1554,
with Grade 36 being the most common strength level used. The availability of
other grades should be confirmed prior to specification. ASTM F1554 Grade 55
anchor rods are used when there are large tension forces due to moment
connections or uplift from overturning. ASTM F1554 Grade 105 is a special high
strength rod grade and generally should be used only when it is not possible to
develop the required strength using larger Grade 36 or Grade 55 rods.
ASTM F1554 anchor rods are required to be color coded to allow easy
identification in the field. The color codes are as follows:
Grade 36............................................................... Blue
Grade 55............................................................ Yellow
Grade 105.............................................................. Red

Anchor Rod Holes and Washers

The most common field problem is anchor rod placements that either do not fit
within the anchor rod hole pattern or do not allow the column to be properly
positioned. Because OSHA requires any modification of anchor rods to be
approved by the Engineer of Record, it is important to provide as large a hole as
possible to accommodate setting tolerances.
The AISC-recommended hole sizes for anchor rods are given in Table 2.3.
For anchor rods for columns designed for axial compression only, the designer
may consider using a smaller hole diameter of 1 1/16 in. with in.-diameter rods
and base plates less than 11/4 in. thick, as allowed in Footnote 3 in Table 2.3.
Design of Base Plates for Concentric Compressive Axial Loads

To analyze the base plate shown in figure below, the column is assumed to apply
to a total factored load of Pu for LRFD and Pa for ASD. The load is assume
transmitted uniformly from the plate to the footing below with pressure equal to .
For LRFD Pu /A
For ASD Pa/A

Where A is the area of the base plate.

The footing will push back with an equal pressure and will tend to curl up the
cantilever portion of the base plate outside of the column. This pressure will tend
to push up the part of the base plate between the column flanges.

With reference to this figure the AISC suggests that the maximum moment in the
base plate occur at a distance of 0.8 bf and 0.90 d apart. The bending moment can
be calculated at each of these sections, and the larger value used to calculate the
plate thickness.
Concentric Compressive Axial Loads
When a column base resists only compressive column axial loads, the base plate
must be large enough to resist the bearing forces transferred from the base plate
(concrete bearing limit), and the base plate must be of sufficient thickness (base
plate yielding limit).
Concrete Bearing Limit
The design bearing strength on concrete is defined in ACI 318-15, Section
22.8.3.1, as
PP = 0.85fcA1 [on the full area of concrete support] ASIC Eq. J8.1

The above equation is used when the supporting surface is not larger than the base
plate. When the supporting surface is wider on all sides than the loaded area, the

design bearing strength above is permitted to be multiplied by 1 2,
2
therefore

PP = 0.85fcA1 [ ] 1.7 fcA1 ASIC Eq. J8.2

Where
fc - is the 28 days compression strength of concrete
A1 = area of the base plate, in.2, and not less than the depth of the column times its
flange width (A1, min. = bf .d)
A2 = maximum area of the portion of the supporting surface that is geometrically
similar to and concentric with the loaded area, in.2
These equations are multiplied by the resistance factor, , for LRFD or divided by
the safety factor, , for ASD. Section J8 stipulates the and factors (in the
absence of Code Regulations) for bearing on concrete as follows:

= 0.65 (LRFD) = 2.31 (ASD)

Therefore the required base plate area is

LRFD with = 0.65 ASD with = 2.31

Pu = PP = (0.85fcA1 [ )] .

= =

=

(. )
=

.

After controlling the value of A1 is determined as described above, the plate
dimensions B and N are selected to the nearest inch so that the values of m and n
shown in figure below are equal, such procedure will make the cantilever moments
in both directions are approximately equal. This will enable us to keep the plate
thickness to a minimum.

The condition m=n can be approached if the following equations are satisfied

1 +
Here A1 = Area of the plate = B x N

(0.95 0.80 )
=
2
1
=

Base Plate Thickness

To determine the required plate thickness, t, moments are taken about the two
directions as though the plate were cantilevered out by the dimensions m and
consider the figure shown.
The moments in two direction per
one inch width are,
 2
( ) () ( )=
2 2

2
( ) () ( ) =
2 2

In general, the required strength of

the base plate can be determined
as
2
= ( ) for LRFD [1-a]
2
2
= ( ) for ASD [1-b]
2
Where the critical base plate cantilever
dimension, l, is the larger of m, n,
and n,

0.95
=
2
0.8
=
2

=
4
Where
N = base plate length, in.
B = base plate width, in.
bf = column flange width, in.
d = overall column depth, in.
n= yield-line theory cantilever distance from column web or column flange, in.

2
= 1.0
1 + 1
4
=[ ] for LRFD
(+ )

4
=[ ] for ASD
(+ )
where
Pu = the required axial compressive load (LRFD), kips
Pa = the required axial compressive load (ASD), kips

PP = 0.85fcA1 [ 2 ]
1
The resisting moment for plates from the flexural formula is

2
for LRFD [2-a]
4

2
for ASD [2-b]
4

With b = 0.9 and b = 1.67

If these resisting moment in equations 1 and 2 are equated to the maximum
bending moment, the resulting expression may be solved for the required thickness
of the plate, therefore, for b= 1 in.

LRFD with b = 0.9 ASD with b = 1.67

2 2 2 2
= =
4 2 4 2
2 3.33
. = . =
0.9

For HSS columns, adjustments for m and n must be made. For rectangular HSS,
both m and n are calculated using yield lines at 0.95 times the depth and width of
the HSS. For round HSS and Pipe, both m and n are calculated using yield lines at
0.8 times the diameter. The term is not used for HSS and Pipe.

Example 1
Design a base plate of a 36 steel, Fy = 36 Ksi, for a W12x65 column (Fy = 50 Ksi)
that supports the loads PD = 200 Kip. and PL = 300 Kip. The concrete has a
compressive strength f/c = 3Ksi, and the footing has the dimensions 9 ft x 9 ft.

Solution:
From the steel manual Table 1 , for W12x65 ,d= 12.1 in ,bf = 12.0 in
1- LRFD
Pu =1.2 PD + 1.6PL = 1.2(200) +1.6(300) = 720 K
A2 = Footing area = 12(9) x12(9) = 11664 in2

Determine the base plate area A1 , but 1 2,
2

Take 1 = 2,
2

1 = =(.)(.)()() = 217.2 2

(0.85fc 2 )
1

The base plate area must be larger than the column base area d.bf = 12x12.1 =
145.22 < 217.2 2 OK
Optimize the base plate dimensions to make m and n approximately equal , refer to
the figure below .

1 +
Here A1 = Area of the plate = B x N

(0.950.80 ) (0.9512.10.8012)
= = = 0.947 in
2 2
 1 + = 217.2 + 0.947 = 15.7 say 16 in
1 217.2
= = = 13.6 in
16

Choose a square plate, say 16 in x16 in,

Now check the bearing strength of concrete,

2
Pu = PP = (0.85fcA1 [ )] = (0.65) (0.85) (3) (16x16) (2)
1

= 848 .6 Kips > 720 Kips OK

Compute the required base plate thickness
0.95 160.9512.1
= = = 2.25 in
2 2

0.8 160.812
= = = 3.20 in
2 2

1212.1
= = 1.0 x = 3.01 in
4 4
l is the larger of m ,n and
l= 3.2 in
2 2720
. = = 3.2 = 1.33
0.9 0.9361616
Use PL 1 12 1616

2 ASD

Pa =PD + PL = 200 +300 = 500 K

A2 = Footing area = 12(9) x12(9) = 11664 in2

Determine the base plate area A1 , but 1 2,
2

Take 1 = 2,
2

2.31500
1 = = = 226.5 2
0.85(3)(2)
0.85fc 2
1
The base plate area must be larger than the column base area d.bf = 12x12.1 =
145.22 < 226.5 2 OK
Optimize the base plate dimensions to make m and n approximately equal, refer to
the figure below.

1 +
Here A1 = Area of the plate = B x N

(0.950.80 ) (0.9512.10.8012)
= = = 0.947 in
2 2
1 + = 226.5 + 0.947 = 16.0 say 16 in
1 226.5
= = = 14.2 in
16

Choose a square plate, say 16 in x16 in,

Now check the bearing strength of concrete,

0.85fcA1 2 0.85(3)(16)(16)(2)
1
= = = 565.2 Kips > 500 Kips OK
2.31
Compute the required base plate thickness
0.95 160.9512.1
= = = 2.25 in
2 2

0.8 160.812
= = = 3.20 in
2 2

1212.1
= = 1.0 x = 3.01 in
4 4
l is the larger of m ,n and
l= 3.2 in
3.33 3.33500
. = = 3.2 = 1.36 in
361616

Use PL 1 12 1616

Example 2
Design a base plate of a 36 steel, Fy = 36 Ksi, for a W12x152 column (Fy = 50 Ksi)
that supports the loads PD = 200 Kip. and PL = 450 Kip. The concrete has a
compressive strength f/c = 3Ksi. The base plate is designed to cover the entire
footing pedestal underneath.
Solution:

From the steel manual Table 1 , for W12x152 ,d= 13.7 in ,bf = 12.5 in
1- LRFD
Pu =1.2 PD + 1.6PL = 1.2(200) +1.6(450) = 960 K
Determine the base plate area A1
Since the base plate is designed to cover the entire footing pedestal underneath.
1 = 1,
2

960
1 = =(0.65)(0.85)(3)(1) = 579.2 2

(0.85fc 2 )
1

The base plate area must be larger than the column base area d.bf = 13.7x12.5 =
171.22 < 579.2 2 OK
Optimize the base plate dimensions to make m and n approximately equal,

1 +
Here A1 = Area of the plate = B x N

(0.950.80 ) (0.9513.70.8012.5)
= = = 1.51 in
2 2
1 + = 579.2 + 1.51 = 25.6 say 26 in
1 579.2
= = = 22.3 in say 23in
26

Choose a plate, 26in x 23 in ,

Now check the bearing strength of concrete,

2
Pu = PP = (0.85fcA1 [ )] = (0.65) (0.85) (3) (26x23) (1)
1

= 991.2 Kips > 960 Kips OK

Compute the required base plate thickness
 0.95 260.9513.7
= = = 6.49 in
2 2
0.8 230.812.5
= = = 6.5 in
2 2

13.712.5
= = 1.0 x = 3.27 in
4 4

l is the larger of m ,n and
l= 6.5 in
2 2960
. = = 6.5 = 2.05
0.9 0.9362623

Use PL 2 18 2623

Example 3
A HSS 10x10x5/16 with Fy = 46 Ksi is used to support a service dead load of 100
Kips and alive of 150 Kips .A spread footing underneath is 9ft x9ft and consists a
reinforced concrete of 4000 psi .Design a base plate for this column with A36
steel.

Solution-
Pu =1.2 PD + 1.6PL = 1.2(100) +1.6(150) = 360 K
Try a base plate extending 4 in. from the face of column in each side , that is an
18x18 in plate
Determine the available strength of concrete footing
A1 = (18) (18) = 324 in2
A2 = (9x12) (9x12) = 11664 in2

PP = 0.85fcA1 [ 2 ] 1.7 fcA1
1

PP = 0.85(4) (324) [11664324] = 6609.6 K

Since 11664324 = 6.0 > 2.0

PP = 1.7 fcA1 = 1.7 (4) (324) = 2203.2 K

Pp= 0.65 x 2203.2 = 1432.1 K

Determine plate thickness, since the plate is a squared plate

 0.95( ) 160.9510
== = = 4.25 in
2 2

Note that these values of m and n are both less than the distance from the center of
the base plate to the center of HSS walls. However, the moment in the plate outside
the wall is greater than the moment in the plate between the walls as shown in the
figure below,

2 2360
. = = 4.25 = 1.11
0.9 0.9361818

Use PL 1 14 1818
Beam Bearing Plates

The material used for a beam support can be concrete, brick, or some other
material, but it usually will be concrete. This material must resist the bearing load
applied by the steel plate. The nominal bearing strength specified in AISC J8 is the
same as that given in the American Concrete Institutes Building Code (ACI, 2008)
and may be used if no other building code requirements are in effect. If the plate
covers the full area of the support, the nominal strength is