BASE PLATE DESIGN

Featuring Two Base Plate Design Methods

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
• The purpose of this presentation is to highlight and explain two different methodologies for base plate design
and analysis.
• We start by answering the simple question “Why do we need baseplates”?
• WE then briefly look at how the externally applied forces are transferred to anchors in the absence of
baseplate design checks. This is the case where the baseplate is not a part of the load path.
• That leads us to our first type pf Baseplate design methodology, based on AISC Design Guide1. WE dive in
detail into this method, look at assumptions that help simplify the design and analysis of baseplates using
this method.
• We end this first part with a design example using software and then hand calculations for validation.
• This helps us transition to the second type of baseplate design methodology based on Finite Element
Analysis. We start with some nomenclatures and talk about some limitations of a non linear plate behavior.
• This takes us to a quick brush up of the fundamentals of FEA and leads into Component Based FEA. Here
we talk in detail about all the parameters that define a non-Rigid baseplate and how to interpret the results of
a FEA baseplate analysis. The session ends with a few non rigid baseplate design examples using FEA.

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AGENDA

What is the purpose of a base plate?

Current base plate calculations using Anchor Design software

AISC Design Guide 1, 2nd Edition based RIGID Base Plate Solution
Finite Element Analysis (FEM) based non-RIGID solution

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BASE PLATE COMPLETES THE LOAD PATH
• Base plate is the interface of the steel structure to the
foundation.

• Completes the load path.

• Last piece of the steel system to be designed but the first

one to go on the jobsite.

• Distributes the load to the foundation.

• Conforms to the same shape as the concrete below it.

• base plate takes the load from the column (welds) and
distributes it to the anchor bolts.

• Behaves as a beam in 2D. Designed per strength in

flexure.

• Thickness of plate is key in determining adequacy in load

transfer.

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AGENDA

What is the purpose of a base plate?

Current base plate calculations using Anchor Design software

AISC Design Guide 1, 2nd Edition based RIGID Base Plate Solution
Finite Element Analysis (FEM) based non-RIGID solution

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BASE PLATE NOT CHECKED CURRENTLY IN PROFIS

• Current Anchor Design Software distributes applied

forces and moments to the anchors without checking the
base plate.

• Strain compatibility method used to transfer applied

loads to anchor bolts.

• Triangular force distribution assumed under the

compression side of the plate.

• Results in an over design/ conservative solution of

anchorage.

• Since base plate is not a part of the calculations, so no

relevance to any steel design code can be established.

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AGENDA

What is the purpose of a base plate?

Current base plate calculations using Anchor Design software

AISC Design Guide 1, 2nd Edition based RIGID Base Plate Solution
Finite Element Analysis (FEM) based non-RIGID solution

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SIGNIFICANCE OF AISC DESIGN GUIDE

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AISC DESIGN GUIDE 1, DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

Elastic base plate behavior = Linear base plate behavior = RIGID base plate

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PLATE BENDING AS DEFINED IN AISC DESIGN GUIDE 1

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 UNDERSTANDING AISC DESIGN GUIDE 1 PROCEDURE

• An analytical (algebra based) solution to determine the required base plate thickness for the given loading
condition and calculate the forces on anchors.
• Design Guide 1, provides design guidelines under the following types of loading condition:

• Design Guide 1 methodology can be expanded to encounter any anchoring situation.

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BASE PLATE DESIGN WITH CONCENTRIC COMPRESSIVE
AXIAL LOADS AND MOMENTS - STEP BY STEP DESIGN
• Axial Load and a Small Moment • Axial Load and a Large moment

• Step1. Calculate factored loads and select a Bpl size per • Step1. Calculate factored loads and select a Bpl size per
OSHA guide line. OSHA guide line.
• Step2. Determine (e) and (ecrit) • Step2. Determine (e) and (ecrit)

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 AXIAL LOAD AND A SMALL MOMENT
Axial Load and a Small Moment Axial Load and a Large Moment

• Step 2 (contd.) • Step 2 (contd.)

• , , , , ,

, where, e< ecrit , where e > ecrit

• Step 3. Determine bearing length Y, • Step 3. check the inequality 3.4.4 for a real solution for Y

verify bearing pressure

< qmax from Step 2.

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CALCULATION OF THE NEUTRAL AXIS

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BASE PLATE DESIGN WITH CONCENTRIC COMPRESSIVE
AXIAL LOADS AND MOMENTS - STEP BY STEP DESIGN
Axial Load and a Small Moment Axial Load and a Large Moment
• Step 4. (contd) Step 4. (contd)

Step.5 Anchor forces

______________________________________________

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LETS DO AN EXAMPLE
• Input Parameters:
• Column: HSS12x12x1/4 Fy = 36ksi, F.u=58ksi
• Base plate size : L=20.5in, W=20.5in, t (thickness)=1.5in , Fy = 36ksi, F.u=58ksi
• Concrete strength: 4 ksi
• Factored (LRFD) Loads :
1. P.u = 60 kip (Axial Compression)
2. V.uz = 20kip (Strong axis shear)
3. M.uz = 88 kip*ft (Strong axis moment)
• Anchor size:

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AGENDA

What is the purpose of a base plate?

Current base plate calculations using Anchor Design software

AISC Design Guide 1, 2nd Edition based RIGID Base Plate Solution
Finite Element Analysis (FEM) based non-RIGID solution

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WHY IS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BASE PLATE
IMPORTANT?
• Rigid base plate is a theoretical assumption, used to simplify calculation.
• However, in reality, the load distribution to anchors is highly influenced by factors such as loading, profile,
anchors, concrete and plates themselves.

base plate with NON- rigid behavior

base plate with rigid behavior

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POSSIBLE NON-RIGID BASE PLATES
• 1. Ledger Angle 2. HILTI MQP 2172 3. Non Structural Components (seismic)

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CONSEQUENCES OF A NON RIGID BASE PLATE ASSUMPTION

• Anchor design:
– US Steel Design Specifications (AISC 360) allow use of non-rigid base plates for obtaining anchor loads.
– ACI 318 only permits anchorage design based on rigid base plate assumptions only. Therefore the anchors of non-rigid
base plates cannot be designed per ACI 318.

• SLS considerations
– Non-rigid base plates tend to show more deflection than rigid base plates. Engineers need to consider this for designs
that are governed by a deflection criteria.
– Example: cantilever canopy

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INCREASED ANCHOR LOADS AS A RESULT OF NON RIGID
BASE PLATE
• Increase of anchor forces because of prying
– Prying forces can add significant additional tension on
the anchors
• Reduction of lever arm in case of bending
– Reduced lever arm leads to higher anchor forces
compared to rigid!
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NON RIGID VS RIGID BASE PLATE BEHAVIOR & TERMINOLOGY

Elastic base plate behavior = Linear base plate behavior = RIGID base plate

Inelastic base plate behavior = Non-Linear base plate behavior = Non RIGID/ flexible base plate

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HOW TO STUDY AND ANALYZE NON RIGID BASE PLATES?
• RIGID base plate behavior was linear and only algebra was needed to analyze the behavior.
• As plate behavior becomes non linear, it requires a non linear / complex solution to determine strength of the
plate.
• Non Linear behavior cannot be solved by simple beam equations. Finite element analysis (FEA or FEM) is
the preferred methodology.
• The structure/ plate is divided into discretized elements.
• Applied load is transferred from the point of application to the fixed
boundary via the elements.
• Load transfer takes place based on the STIFFNESS of elements.
• Elements transfer forces at NODES.
• Results are obtained in the form of Stress and Strains.
• The more the structure is discretized, the more exact the solution.
• Hand Calculation therefore impossible.

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VARIOUS TYPES OF ELEMENTS FOR FEM ANALYSIS

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MATRIX ALGEBRA BEHIND THE SCENES OF FEM

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EXAMPLE OF DISCRETIZATION

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FEM AND CBFEM
• CBFEM is your traditional Finite Element Analysis made easy.
• Traditionally FEM is used to perform load analysis. Beams and Columns are modeled using a 1D element
with the proper stiffness and forces are computed at the nodes. Nodes are the connections.
• A node is then detailed separately with the forces obtained from the FEM.
• Using CBFEM, connections are analyzed and detailed right then and there..
• No separate hand calc or extra analysis/ 2nd software is needed.

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CBFEM FOR BASE PLATE DESIGN

PROFIS Engineering models the base plate using CBFEM – component based finite element method and a non-linear
analysis. The components – AISC Column section, stiffeners, welds, plate, anchors and concrete – are modeled as below:

Concrete modeled with compression

modeling of supports Finite element mesh spring

Anchor modeled with tension spring

Steel defined with shell elements

The mechanical properties of the individual

components are defined by:
• Concrete: EN1992
Don’t worry about the mesh definition: • Steel: EN1993
• PROFIS Engineering automatically calculates a mesh which leads to a
• Anchors: Hilti Technical Data, based on
convergent analysis with refinement in the anchors
laboratory tests
• If user wants, he is able to refined elements
*Component Based Finite Element Model

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 STEEL MODELED AS 2D SHELL ELEMENTS

• The material behavior is based on Von Mises yield criterion. ∗ 3∗

• Material is assumed to be elastic before reaching the yield strength Fy.

• When Fy is reached on the bilinear stress strain curve, a check of equivalent plastic strain must be
performed.
• AISC has no limit for this, but Eurocode suggests 5%. Software allows the user to set a custom limit.
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 ANCHOR MODELED WITH TENSION SPRING

• Bpl yielding elongates the anchor by an amount (x).

• Stiffness (k) of the anchor is built into the software
and is activated by choosing a certain anchor.
• F=k(x) is used to calculate the force on the anchor
as a result of the applied loads.

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 CONCRETE MODELED WITH COMPRESSION SPRING

• The connection between the concrete and the plate resists compression only.
• Stiffness (k) of the concrete block may be predicted as an elastic hemisphere.
• It is determined using modulus of elasticity of concrete and effective height of a
subsoil model:

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 MODELING OF WELDS
• Load is transmitted through welds using force –deformation constraints.. (like springs)
• This connection is called Multi Point Constraint (MPC).
• Relates the FEM nodes of one plate edge to another.
• These nodes are not connected directly.
• A midline surface of the connected plates is modeled with an offset.
• This represents the real weld configuration and throat thickness.
• Based on the load distribution at the connected plate, stresses are
calculated in the throat section.

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CBFEM – WELD EXAMPLES

Fillet weld around the profile Fillet weld on flanges – no welding on web
Concrete stress Concrete stress
fc fc

0MPa 0MPa

base plate subjected to compression - butt welding Fillet weld on web – no welding on flanges
Concrete stress Concrete stress
fc fc

0MPa 0MPa

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 MESHING

• Different mesh sizes may lead difference in calculation results.

• PROFIS Engineering users don’t need to worry about meshing.
• Ideal mesh size is automatically determined by PROFIS Engineering.
• Mesh is refined near the nodes.

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CONFIRM IF YOUR BASE PLATE IS CLOSE TO RIGID?

• ACI 318 Anchoring-to-Concrete provisions assume

the plate is RIGID.

• Are the anchor forces results similar to rigid?

A comparison of anchor forces considering a rigid base plate assumption

and the non-rigid base plate is done.

• Are prying effects observed?

Concrete compression forces concentrated near the anchors and/or base

plate edges are prying effects.
If prying effects are observed, also anchor forces will be higher.

• What is the maximum deformation of the base plate?

base plate deformation will be limited to default value of 5%

Engineering judgement: user to confirm

base plate is rigid.

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PLASTIC STRAIN LIMIT

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LETS DO AN EXAMPLE
• Input Parameters:
• Column: W 12 x 40 Fy = 36ksi, F.u=58ksi
• Base plate size : L=20in, W=20in, t (thickness)=0.5in , Fy = 36ksi, F.u=58ksi
• Concrete strength: 2.5 ksi
• Factored (LRFD) Loads :
1. P.u = 200 kip (Axial Compression)
2. V.uz = 0kip (Strong axis shear)
3. M.uz = 80 kip*ft (Strong axis moment)
• Anchor size:

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QUESTIONS?

Arif Shahdin
Software Product Manager

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 (877) 749-6337 – Technical Support Team
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