The available strength, per unit width, of the plate is 3.3.

3 Base Plate Flexural Yielding at Tension Interface

t 2p With the moment such that e ≤ ecrit, there will be no tension

φb Rn = φb Fy (LRFD) (3.3.13a) in the anchor rods and thus they will not cause bending in the
4
base plate at the tension interface. Therefore, bearing at the
Fy t 2p interface will govern the design of the base plate thickness.
Rn
= (ASD) (3.3.13b)
Ω Ω 4 3.3.4 General Design Procedure
where 1. Determine the axial load and moment.
φb = strength reduction factor in bending = 0.90 2. Pick a trial base plate size, N × B.
Ω = the safety factor in bending =1.67 3. Determine the equivalent eccentricity,
To determine the plate thickness, equate the right-hand
sides of Equations 3.3.11 or 3.3.12 and 3.3.13 and solve for e = M r/P r ,
tp(req):
and the critical eccentricity,
For Y ≥ m:
N P
ecrit = − r
  m 2  2 2 qmax
4  f p  
  2 
t p( req ) =   = 1.5m f p (LRFD) (3.3.14a)
If e ≤ ecrit, go to next step (design of the base plate with
0.90 Fy Fy small moment); otherwise, refer to design of the base
plate with large moment (Section 3.4).
  m 2 
4  f p   4. Determine the bearing length, Y.
  2 
t p( req ) =   = 1.83m f p (ASD) (3.3.14b)
Fy / 1.67 Fy 5. Determine the required minimum base plate thickness
tp(req).

For Y < m: 6. Determine the anchor rod size.

 Y
f p Y m −  3.4 Design of Column Base Plates with Large Moments
 2
t p( req ) = 2.11 (LRFD) (3.3.15a)
Fy When the magnitude of the bending moment is large rela-
tive to the column axial load, anchor rods are required to
connect the base plate to the concrete foundation so that the
 Y base does not tip nor fail the concrete in bearing at the com-
f p Y m − 
 2 (3.3.15b) pressed edge. This is a common situation for rigid frames
t p( req ) = 2.58 (ASD)
Fy designed to resist lateral earthquake or wind loadings and is
schematically presented in Figure 3.4.1.
where As discussed in the previous section, large moment condi-
tions exist when
tp(req) = minimum plate thickness
N P
Note: When n is larger than m, the thickness will be gov- e > ecrit = − r (3.3.1)
2 2 qmax
erned by n. To determine the required thickness, substitute n
for m in Equations 3.3.14, and 3.3.15. While this approach
3.4.1 Concrete Bearing and Anchor Rod Forces
offers a simple means of designing the base plate for bend-
ing, when the thickness of the plate is controlled by n, the The bearing pressure, q, is equal to the maximum value, qmax,
designer may choose to use other methods of designing the for eccentricities greater than ecrit. To calculate the total con-
plate for flexure, such as yield-line analysis or a triangular crete bearing force and the anchor rod forces, consider the
pressure distribution assumption, as discussed in Appendix B. force diagram shown in Figure 3.4.1.

DESIGN GUIDE 1, 2ND EDITION / BASE PLATE AND ANCHOR ROD DESIGN / 25
 Vertical force equilibrium requires that
 f + N  ≥ r (
 2 2 P e + f )
(3.4.4)
∑ Fvertical = 0  2  q max

will the quantity under the radical in Equation 3.4.3 be posi-

T = qmaxY − Pr
where T equals the anchor rod required tensile strength.
Also, the summation of moments taken about the point B
must equal zero. Hence,
(3.4.2)
tive or zero and provide a real solution. If the expression in
Equation 3.4.4 is not satisfied, a larger plate is required.
Substitution of the critical value of e from Equation 3.3.7
into Equation 3.4.3 results in the following expression for Y:

N Y    
qmaxY  − + f  − Pr ( e + f ) = 0 2 P  f +  N − Pr 
 2 2  2 r   2 2qmax 
 N  N   
Y =  f +  ±  f +  −
 2  2 qmax
After rearrangement, a quadratic equation for the bearing
length, Y, is obtained:
Rearranging terms:
N  2 Pr (e + f )
Y 2 − 2  + f Y + =0  N  2    2
 2  qmax Y =  f +  ±  f + N  − 2 Pr  f + N  +  Pr 
 2  2  qmax  2   qmax 

and the solution for Y is  N   N P 

=  f +  ±  f +  − r 
 2    2  qmax 
 f + N  − r (
 N  2 2 P e + f )
Y =  f +  ± (3.4.3) Finally, use of the negative sign before the last term gives
 2  2  qmax
the value for Y:
The concrete bearing force is given by the product qmaxY. The Pr
Y=
anchor rod tensile force, T, is obtained by solving Equation q max
3.4.2.
For certain force, moment, and geometry combinations, a
3.4.2 Base Plate Yielding Limit at Bearing Interface
real solution of Equation 3.4.3 is not possible. In that case,
an increase in plate dimensions is required. In particular, For the case of large moments, the bearing stress is at its
only if the following holds limiting value:
fp = fp(max)
The required plate thickness may be determined from either
Equation 3.3.14 or 3.3.15:
If Y ≥ m:

f p(max)
t p( req ) = 1.5m (LRFD) (3.3.14a)
Fy

f p(max)
t p( req ) = 1.83m (ASD) (3.3.14b)
Fy

If Y < m:

 Y
f p(max)Y m − 
 2
t p( req ) = 2.11 (LRFD) (3.3.15a)
Fy

Figure 3.4.1. Base plate with large moment.

26 / DESIGN GUIDE 1, 2ND EDITION / BASE PLATE AND ANCHOR ROD DESIGN