This program performs column base plate design for W, S, or HP sections. The designer can :

 

This program follows the design procedure detailed in the AISC specification as an absolute minimum plate thickness, and provides an extended plate analysis when moments are applied to the plate.

 

Both axial loads and moments about the X-X axis of the column can be applied. The analysis procedure checks for different resultant force locations, and uses an appropriate analysis technique considering anchor bolt location, plate thickness, column flange and web dimensions, and concrete strengths.

 

 

Basic Usage

 

Unique Features

This program provides a thorough analysis of the iteration of plate and bearing surface. Four separate zones are define depending upon the position of the force resultant in relation to the plate, bolt, and column dimensions for use in calculating stresses.

 

Assumptions & Limitations

 

 

 

Steel Section Database

Built into the software is a complete database of common rolled sections available from various mills in the United States. On each tab labeled #1, #2, etc. there will be a button that looks like this:

                                                         

This button displays the steel section database as shown below.

 

 

On this window there are various controls and options.....

 

Steel Database : Allows you to select between several common shapes databases.

 

Section Type to Display: Allows you to select which steel section designation to display in the list. These shapes conform to the American Institute of Steel Construction shape designations. To make your selection simply move the mouse over the letter(s) and when the highlight activates left-click once with your left mouse button.

 

Depth Range: This item allows you to specify depth limits to be used for selecting which sections to display in the list. When the checkbox to the left is not checked the selection wording and entries will not appear and all sections will be displayed. These dimensions are compared to the "Depth" dimension of the sections.

 

Class Range : This item allows you to specify the limits in "Depth Class" to be displayed in the table. The "Depth Class" of a section is the first numeric number in the sections name. For instance a wide flange W14x22 is in depth class "14".  a channel C9x15 is in depth class "9", and a L5x3x1/4 is in depth class "5".

 

Equal & Unequal Legs : These two buttons appear when you have selected section type "L" which are single angles. The limit the display of the list to angle with equal dimension or unequal dimension sides.

 

Equal Legs, Long Leg Vertical,  Short Leg Vertical: These three buttons appear when you have chosen to display section type "LL". These control the display of sections between pairs of angles with both sides of equal length, of unequal side length angles paired with the LONG side together, and unequal side length angles paired with the SHORTside together.

 

Square & Rectangular Tubes: These two buttons appear when you have chosen section types TS or HSS-T. These are square tubular sections. You can choose to display only square tubes or alternately tubes with unequal sides.

 

Sort Tabs for Database Table : Immediate above the database list of sections you will see tabs looking like this....

 

When selected each tab will sort the list in the order described by the text on that tab.

 

 

Sort order : These two buttons allow you to chose the list order of the sections. The sorting order will be according to the sort tab selected and shall be in ascending or descending order.

 

Database Table Itself : The main area on the window will be where the steel sections are displayed as a result of all of your choices as described above.

 

[Select] : This button is displayed when you have clicked on the [Section] button when you press [Select] the section in the list that is currently highlighted will be selected and the name and data brought into your calculation.

 

[Insert]: Use this button to add a steel section to the database. When pressed you will see the following window:

 

 

The only really important item to enter is the "Type" item. This specifies what standard rolled section type your section is. This item is used internally by the program to decide which stress analysis method to use for determining the sections allowable stress, how to consider unstiffenned elements, and many other code checking items.

 

 

[Change]: Will display the same window as above but allow you to change section properties.

 

[Delete] : Will enable you to delete sections. Note: No sections in the supplied database can be deleted. Only Sections that you ad can be later deleted.

 

[Cancel]: Exit the steel database window.

 

 

 

ASD & LRFD Design Modes

Allowable Stress Design and Load & Resistance Factor Design as specified by the American Institute of Steel Construction is provided by this program.  Only screen captures and descriptions for ASD are presented in this book.  More detailed LRFD documentation will be added and will be available in the electronically delivered versions of this book. Check these locations for electronic media:

 

 

 

 

Example

The data entry for this example is shown in the screen captures that accompany the Data Entry Tabs and Results & Graphics Tabs sections to follow.

 

Data Entry Tabs

This set of tabs provides entries for all input in this calculation. While you are entering data and switching between these tabs you can view the desired resulting information on the tabs on the right-hand side of the screen (calculated values, sketches, diagrams, etc.). A recalculation is performed after any entry data is changed. After each data entry you can view the results on the right-hand set of tabs.

 

 

General Tab

 

 

 

Axial Load

Vertical load applied to the base plate.

 

X-X Axis Moment

Moment applied to the baseplate via the column. Please note that only major axis bending is allowed.

 

Plate Height & Width

This item changes it's visible display depending on the "Usage Mode" specified on the tab at the bottom of the screen.

 

If usage mode is "Determine Size & Thickness" or "Determine Thickness Only" this item is not an entry....is it displayed as the calculated minimum plate height and width to satisfy stress limits.

 

If usage mode is "Check Plate for Plate Size Entered & Loading" then these items are shown as entries for you to specify the sizes.

 

"Height" dimension is measured along the Y-Y axis of the column.  "Width" dimension is measured along the X-X axis of the column.

 

Plate Thickness

This item changes it's visible display depending on the "Usage Mode" specified on the tab at the bottom of the screen.

 

If usage mode is "Determine Size & Thickness" or "Determine Thickness Only" this item is not an entry....is it displayed as the calculated minimum thickness to satisfy stress limits.

 

If usage mode is "Check Plate for Plate Size Entered & Loading" then this item is shown as an entry for you to specify the plate thickness.

 

Pier Height

Pier dimension measured along the Y-Y axis of the column.

 

Pier Width

Pier dimension measured along the X-X axis of the column.

 

Steel Section

This is the steel section name that you have specified, either by typing in the name and using the database search abilities (see above)

 

Usage Mode Tab

Select how the program should work :

 

 

Anchor Bolt Tab

 

Dist. From Plate Edge

Distance from the plate edge to the centerline of the anchor bolt.

 

Bolt Count Per Side

Number of bolts on each side of the column.

 

Tension Capacity

Tension capacity of one anchor bolt.

 

Bolt Area

Area of each anchor bolt.

 

 

Steel Shape Data Tab

This tab shows the dimensions of the selected steel section.

 

 

Allowable Stresses Tab

 

f'c

Allowable concrete compressive stress for support of the baseplate.

 

Fy

Allowable yield stress for steel baseplate.

 

Load Duration Factor

Allowable stress increase factor to be applied to steel and concrete stresses for determining allowable stresses.

 

 

Results & Graphics Tabs

This set of tabs provides the calculated values resulting from your input on the "Data Entry Tabs". Because a recalculation is performed with each data entry, the information on these tabs always reflects the accurate and current results, problem sketch, or stress/deflection diagram.

 

Results Tab

 

 

Actual Bearing Stress

Maximum bearing stress under the baseplate at the edge where axial load and compressive force due to bending is combined.

 

Allow. per ACI 318-02, A3.1

Absolute maximum baseplate capacity for the calculated maximum allowable bearing stress.

 

Allow per AISC J9

Maximum allowable concrete bearing stress considering load duration factor and ratio of pier area to baseplate area.

 

Actual fb

Actual bending stress in the plate.

 

Maximum Allowable Plate Fb

Allowable bending stress in plate.

 

Actual Bolt Tension

Calculated tension in anchor bolt on one side of the plate when a moment is present and there is tension forces in the anchor bolts.

 

Allowable Bolt Tension

Entered allowable bolt tension * Load Duration Factor

 

 

Sketch Tab

This tab provides a sketch of the beam with loads and resulting values shown. Using the [Print Sketch] button will print the sketch in large scale on a single sheet of paper.

 

 

 

Sample Printout