Size or check a steel base plate under centered axial compression using ASD or LRFD. Supported sections are Wide Flange, Channel, MC Channel, and square, rectangular, or round HSS.
Quick start
- Select the column section and choose ASD or LRFD.
- Enter plate yield strength and concrete compressive strength in psi.
- Select Design to size the plate, or Check to evaluate specified plate dimensions and thickness.
- Choose the anchor diameter, edge distance, and available anchor layout and clearance options.
- Open Loads and Combinations and enter centered axial compression loads in pounds.
- Run the model and review concrete bearing, required thickness, governing combination, and the plate diagram.
Plate geometry and bearing
B and N are plate plan dimensions in inches and must contain the full section footprint. In Check mode, select the provided plate thickness. Optional support width and length define the supporting concrete area used for bearing enhancement; enter both or leave both blank for no enhancement. The support must contain the full plate.
Design mode sizes the plate without bearing enhancement. Anchor layout inputs control fit and clearance; they do not calculate anchor strength. The program checks the selected edge distance and applicable web/flange clearances.
Loads, results, and scope
Enter all axial forces explicitly; automatic member self-weight is not included. The module accepts centered axial point loads only. Net uplift in an enabled combination, applied moments, distributed loads, and eccentric loading are outside this check.
The calculation compares the governing compression with concrete bearing capacity and calculates the required plate thickness. The suggested thickness rounds up to the next quarter inch. In Check mode, the selected thickness is compared with the calculated requirement. A bearing failure must be resolved by changing the bearing design; increasing thickness alone does not resolve it.
Channels use the wide-flange plate method, as noted in the results. The module does not design anchor strength, welds, shear transfer, or a complete base connection. Review the final plate and anchor geometry after automatic sizing.