Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh.

Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Column Base Plate

Column base plates are shop welded to the bottom of a column
in order to
- To provide bearing for the column
- To help in transferring the column axial loads to the concrete
pier or footing
- To help prevent crushing of the concrete underneath the
column
- To provide temporary support to the column during steel
erection by allowing the column (in combination with anchor
bolts) to act temporarily as a vertical cantilever.

The thickness of base plates varies from (1⁄2'' to 6'') and they are more commonly available
in ASTM A36 steel.
The base plate is usually larger than the column size (depending on the shape of the column)
by as much as 2'' to 4'', in order to provide a drill hole for the anchor bolt holes outside of
the column outline and it's usually connected to the column with fillet weld (up to 3/4'' in
size) on both side of the web and flange and usually shop welded.

There are three type of column base plate divided inti the load condition applied

1-Base plate under axial load

Deals with the a column base subjected to a compressive axial load

2- Base plate under axial load plus moment

Deals with the a column base subjected to a compressive axial load plus moment

3-Base plate under axial load plus shear load

Deals with the a column base subjected to a compressive axial load plus shear load
Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

COLUMN BASES AND BEARING ON CONCRETE (J8 P.P 114 M2)

Proper provision shall be made to transfer the column loads and moments to the footings
and foundations. In the absence of code regulations, the design bearing strength, θcPp, and
the allowable bearing strength, Pp/Ωc, for the limit state of concrete crushing are permitted
to be taken as follows:

θ=0.65 (LRFD)
Ω =2.31 (ASD)
A1
1- The nominal bearing strength, Pp, is determined as follows:
(a) On the full area of a concrete support: A2
A1= A2
Pp =0.85 f′c A1

b) On less than the full area of a concrete support:

A2>A1
A2 A1
Pp =0.85 f′c A1 √A ≤1.7f'c A1
1
A2
A 2≤ 4 A1
Where:-
𝐹′𝑐 = the 28 day comp. strength of the concrete. (ksi)
A1 = area of steel concentrically bearing on a concrete support (B x N), in2. Footing Area (A2)
A2 =maximum area of the portion of the supporting surface that is
Effective area
geometrically similar to and concentric with the loaded area, in.2
A1
A2
1≤√ ≤ 2
A1
A1= N x B

2- Thickness of base plate

There are two models to distribute the load from the column to base plate:

A-model (1): The load is transfer into equivalent area equal to (0. 8bfx0. 95d)

𝑁−0.95𝑑
𝑚= 2
𝐵−0.8𝑏𝑓
𝑛= 2
B-model (2): The load is transfer into equivalent distance equal to (𝛌𝐧′)
√𝑑𝑏𝑓
𝑛′ = 4
2√𝑥
λ = 1+ 1−𝑥 ≤ 1
√
4𝑑𝑏𝑓 𝑃𝑢
𝑋 = [(𝑑+ 𝑏𝑓)2 ]𝜃𝑐𝑃𝑝 θc=0.65 LRFD
4𝑑𝑏𝑓 𝑃𝑎𝛺𝑐
𝑋 == [ ] Ωc=2.31 ASD
(𝑑+ 𝑏𝑓)2 𝑃𝑝

Note: for W shape the value of λ is always greater than (1 then use λ=1 ) Model 1

Now take the larger value from the three values:- λ𝑛′

m
λ𝑛′
n take the larger value (ℓ)
λn′ λ𝑛 ′ λ𝑛

Model 2
Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

∑M@A=0 w

𝑤 ℓ2
𝑀𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 = 2
A

ℓ (Max. value)
𝑃𝑢 𝑃𝑢
𝑤𝑢 = = (𝐿𝑅𝐹𝐷)
𝐴 𝐵𝑥𝑁
𝑃𝑎 𝑃𝑎
𝑤𝑎 = = (𝐴𝑆𝐷)
𝐴 𝐵𝑥𝑁

M=resisting moment (Mp)

Mp= Fy x Z

Where:

Z= plastic section modulus (in3)

θ = 0.9 LRFD

Ω = 1.67 ASD b
𝑏𝑥𝑑2
Z= t
4

𝑏𝑥𝑡 2
Z=
4

𝑏𝑥𝑡 2
𝜃𝑀𝑝 = 𝑥0.9 𝑓𝑦 (𝐿𝑅𝐹𝐷)
4

𝑀𝑝 𝑏𝑥𝑡 2 𝑓𝑦
= 𝑥 (𝐴𝑆𝐷)
𝛺 4 1.67

Assume b=1 in.

M applied =M resisting
2
𝑃𝑢 ℓ 𝑏𝑥𝑡𝑝2
= 𝑥0.9 𝑓𝑦 𝐿𝑅𝐹𝐷
𝐵𝑥𝑁𝑥 2 4

2𝑃𝑢ℓ2 2𝑃𝑢 2.222𝑃𝑢

𝑡𝑝 = √ = ℓ√ = ℓ√ 𝐿𝑅𝐹𝐷
0.9𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁 0.9𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁 𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁

2
𝑃𝑢 ℓ 𝑏𝑥𝑡𝑝2 𝑓𝑦
= 𝐴𝑆𝐷
𝐵𝑥𝑁𝑥 2 4 𝛺
2𝛺𝑃𝑎ℓ2 2𝑥1.67𝑃𝑎 3.333𝑃𝑎
𝑡𝑝 = √ 𝑓𝑦 𝐵𝑁 = ℓ√ 𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁
= ℓ√ 𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁
𝐴𝑆𝐷
Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

General Design Procedure for column base plate under axil load

LRFD Method ASD Method

1- Steel fy fu 1-Steel fy fu
2- Section bf d 2- Section bf d
3- Pu=1.2Pd.l +1.6Pl.l (𝜃 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟓) 3- Pa =P d.l +P l.l (𝛺 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟏)
4- find base plate area(A1) 4- find base plate area(A1)
𝑃𝑢 𝑃𝑎𝛺
A1= A1=
𝐴2 𝐴2
𝜃0.85𝑓𝑐√ 0.85𝑓𝑐√
𝐴1 𝐴1
Amin= bf x d Amin=bf x d

A1 Take the larger value A1

Take the larger value
Amin Amin
5- Design of Base Plate 5- Design of Base Plate

0.95𝑑−0.8𝑏𝑓 0.95𝑑−0.8𝑏𝑓
-Δ= 2
- - Δ= 2
-Find the base plate dimension -Find the base plate dimension
𝑁 = √A1 + Δ ≥ d+(2''to 3'') 𝑁 = √A1 + Δ ≥ d+ (2''to 3'')

A1 A1
𝐵 = 𝑁 ≥ bf + (2''to 3'') 𝐵 = 𝑁 ≥ bf + (2''to 3'')
A1=N x B A1=N x B
6- Check the bearing stress 6- Check the bearing stress

A2 Pp 0.85f′ c A A2 1.7f′c A
θPp =θ 0.85 f′c A1 √ ≤ θ1.7f' c A1 √ ≤
1 1

=
A1 𝛺 𝛺 A1 𝛺
Pp
θPp ≥ Pu ….. OK
𝛺
≥ Pa …..OK

if not increase A1(Area of base plate) if not increase A1(Area of base plate)

7- Find the thickness of Base Plate 7- Find the thickness of Base Plate
𝑁−0.95𝑑 𝑁−0.95𝑑
𝑚= 2
𝑚= 2
𝐵−0.8𝑏𝑓 𝐵−0.8𝑏𝑓
𝑛= Take the larger value (ℓ) 𝑛= Take the larger value (ℓ)
2 2
√𝑑𝑏𝑓 √𝑑𝑏𝑓
λ𝑛′ = 4 λ𝑛′ = 4
2√𝑥
λ = 1+ 1−𝑥 ≤ 1 For W shape λ > 𝟏 2√𝑥 For W shape λ > 𝟏
√ λ= ≤ 1 Use λ = 𝟏
Use λ = 𝟏 1 + √1 − 𝑥
2.222𝑃𝑢
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√ 3.333𝑃𝑢
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁 𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁

Use P (tp xNxB) Use PL (tp xNxB)

Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Example

Design an A36 base plate for W12x65 which that supports a service dead load (Pd.l =200 kips)
and service live load (Pl.l =300 kips). The concrete has compressive strength (3ksi), the
footing area has dimension (9x9) ft., used LRFD design method

Solution
Steel fy fu
W12x65
A36 36 58
Section bf d
W12x65 12 12.1 A1 ?
Pu=1.2x200+1.6x300= 720 kips
𝑃𝑢 A2(9'x9')
A1= -
𝐴2
𝜃0.85𝑓𝑐√
𝐴1

A2
1≤√ ≤2
A1
A2
Max. Effective value A2= 4A1 then √A = 2 1

720
A1= 0.65𝑥0.85𝑥3𝑥2 = 217.195 𝑖𝑛2 Control A1=217.195 𝑖𝑛2
Amin = 12x12.1= 145.2 𝑖𝑛2

Design of Base Plate

0.95d−0.8bf 0.95𝑥12.1−0.8x12
Δ= = =0.9475 𝑖𝑛2
2 2
𝑁 = √A1 + Δ ≥ 𝑑 + (2′′ 𝑡𝑜3′′ )
𝑁 = √217.195 + 0.9475 = 15.68 = 16′′ ≥ 12.1 + 2 = 14.1′′ 𝑂𝑘
A1=N x B
B=217.195/16= 13.574 =14≥ 12 + 2 = 14′′ 𝑂𝑘
A1=16 x 14= 224 𝑖𝑛2
Check the bearing stress
A2
θPp =θ 0.85 f′c A1 √A ≤ θ1.7f' c A1
1

(9𝑥12𝑥9𝑥12)
θPp =0.65x 0.85 x3𝑥 224 √ 224
≤ 0.65x1.7x3x224
=2679.176 ≤ 742.56
Use θPp=742.56 kips≥ Pu (720 kips) OK

Find the thickness of base plate

𝑁−0.95𝑑 16−0.95𝑥12.1
𝑚 = 2
= 2
= 2.2525′′
𝐵−0.8𝑏𝑓 14−0.8𝑥12
𝑛= 2
= 2
= 2.2′′
Take the larger value (ℓ) =3.013
√𝑑𝑏𝑓
λ𝑛′ = λ , λ = 1 (W shape)
4
√12.1𝑥12
λ𝑛′ = 1𝑥 = 3.013 ′′
4
2.222𝑃𝑢 2.222𝑥720
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√ = 3.013𝑥√ = 1.3411 = 11/2 ′′
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁 36𝑥16𝑥14

Use PL (11/2 ′′ x16''x14'')

Homework / Re solve the above example by use ASD method

Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Example
Find the Max. Allowable load that can be applied on the design shown below use 𝑓′𝑐 =
3000𝑝𝑠𝑖, A36 steel material for base plate and A992 for column use LRFD method if (kly=10
ft., section W10x60, A1 (3/4''x14''x14'') and A2 (5'x5')

Solution
W10x60
Steel fy fu
A36 36 58 for base plate
A1 (3/4''x14''x14)
A992 50 65 for column
Section bf d
W10x60 10.1 10.2 A2A 2 (5'x5')
(9'x9'
) 𝒇′𝒄 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑷𝒔𝒊

1-From column
Kly =10
Section W10x60 Go to table (4-1) and find θPn=677 kips
Fy= 50

2-From bearing of base plate area

A2
θPp =θ 0.85 f′c A1 √ ≤ θ1.7f' c A1
A1
3000 5x12x5x12 3000
θPp =0.65x 0.85 1000 x14x14 √ 14x14
≤ 0.65x1.7x1000 x14x14
=1392.3≥ 649.74
θPp=649.74 kips

3- From the thickness of base plate

2.222𝑃𝑢
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁
𝑁−0.95𝑑 14−0.95𝑥10.2
𝑚 = 2
= 2
= 2.155′′
𝐵−0.8𝑏𝑓 14−0.8𝑥10.1
𝑛= = = 2.96′′
2 2
Take the larger value (ℓ) =2.96''
′ √𝑑𝑏𝑓
λ𝑛 = λ , λ = 1 (W shape)
4
√10.2𝑥10.1
λ𝑛′ = 1𝑥 = 2.537 ′′
4

2.222𝑃𝑢
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁

3 2.222𝑥𝑃𝑢
= 2.96𝑥√ = 𝑃𝑢 = 204 kips
4 36𝑥14𝑥14

Max. Allowable load that can be applied on this design is (Pu=204 kips)
Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Example
Check the adequacy of A36 steel material for base plate (1''x14''x14'') on footing area
(38''x38'') to support a service dead load (Pd.l =100 kips) and service live load (Pl.l =250 kips).
The concrete has compressive strength (𝑓′𝑐 = 3.5𝑘𝑠𝑖), used LRFD design method

Solution
Steel fy fu W12x65
A36 36 58
Section bf d
A1 (1'x14''x14)
W12x65 12.1 12

Pu=1.2 x100+1.6x250= 520 kips A2A(38''x38'')

2(9'x9'

)
f'c=3.5 ksi

1-Check the bearing of base plate area A1 (NxB)

A2
θPp =θ 0.85 f′c A1 √A ≤ θ1.7f' c A1
1

38′′ 𝑥38′′
θPp =0.65x 0.85𝑥 3.5 x14x14 √ 14x14
≤ 0.65x1.7x3.5 x14x14
=1028.7> 758
θPp=758 kips >520 ok

3-Check the thickness of base plate

2.222𝑃𝑢
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁

𝑁−0.95𝑑 14−0.95𝑥12.1
𝑚 = 2
= 2
= 1.25255′′
𝐵−0.8𝑏𝑓 14−0.8𝑥12
𝑛= 2
= 2
= 2.2′′
Take the larger value (ℓ) =3.012''
√𝑑𝑏𝑓
λ𝑛′ = λ , λ = 1 (W shape)
4
√12.1𝑥12
λ𝑛′ = 1𝑥 = 3.012 ′′
4

2.222𝑃𝑢
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁

2.222𝑥𝑃𝑢
1 = 3.012√ = 𝑃𝑢 = 350.23kips < 520 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑘
36𝑥14𝑥14

The base plate dimension is not adequate

Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Example
For HSS 12"x12"x1/2" column carry a service dead load 50 kips and service live load 225 if
the base plate (16"x 16"). Determine the minimum pier size and thickness of base plate, the
compressive strength for concrete pier is 𝑓′𝑐 = 3𝑘𝑠𝑖 use ASD method?

Steel fy fu HSS 12’ x12’’ x1/2’’

A36 36 58

Section b=h t A1 (? x16’’x16’’)

HSS (12x12x1/2) 12 1/2
A2(9'x9'
𝒇′𝒄 = 𝟑. 𝟎 𝒌𝒔𝒊
)
Pa=50+225= 275 kips

1-minimum size of concrete pier is equal to base plate dimension A1 (16''x16'')

A2= (16''x16'')
A1=A2
Check the bearing of base plate area (A1(16x16))

Pp 0.85 f′c A1
=
𝛺 𝛺

Pp 0.85 x3x16x16
𝛺
= 2.31
= 282.59 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠

282.59 ≥ 275 …..OK

3-Find the thickness of base plate

3.333𝑃𝑎
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁

𝑁 − 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛(ℎ) 16 − 12

𝑚 = = = 2.0′′
2 2
𝐵−𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛(𝑏) 16−12 Take the larger value (ℓ) =3.''
𝑛 = = = 2.0′′
2 2
√𝑏ℎ √12𝑥12
𝑛′ = = = 3′′
4 4
3.333𝑃𝑎
𝑡𝑝 = ℓ√
𝑓𝑦𝐵𝑁

3.333𝑥275
𝑡𝑝 = 3𝑥√ = 0.946 = 1′′
36𝑥16𝑥16

Note: for estimate the thickness of base plate for HSS Section
𝑁−𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛(ℎ)
𝑚 =
2
Take the larger value (ℓ)
𝐵−𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛(𝑏)
𝑛 =
2
√𝑏ℎ
𝑛′ =
4
Design of Steel Structure Column Base Plate Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Homework

1- A 36 base plate is to be design, for a W12x152 column which that support a service dead
load (Pd.l =200 kips) and service live load (Pl.l =450 kips). The concrete has compressive
strength (3ksi), the base plate cover the entire area of footing, used LRFD design method

2-Design a base plate and select the minimum concrete pier size for a W12 x58 with a
factored axial compression load of 300 kips. Assume a 1 in. grout thickness, concrete
compressive strength of 4 ksi, and ASTM A36 steel for the steel plate

3-Design a base plate for an HSS 12’’ x12’’x1/2’’ column with a factored axial compression
load of 450 kips. Assume a 2-in. grout thickness, a concrete compressive strength of 4 ksi for
the pier, and ASTM A36 steel for the base plate. Determine the minimum, pier size for this
column

4- Design a base plate for an HSS 10’’ x8’’x5/8’’ column with a factored axial compression
load of 400 kips. Assume a 2-in. grout thickness with 𝑓′𝑐 = 4𝑘𝑠𝑖 and a concrete compressive
strength of 𝑓′𝑐 = 3 𝑘𝑠𝑖 for the pier, and ASTM A36 steel for the base plate. Determine the
minimum, pier size for this column