Base Plate Connection Calculator

Enter the column dimensions, axial load, concrete strength, and your proposed base plate and anchor rod details, to check bearing pressure, plate thickness, and rod shear against AISC 360.

Standards used on this page:ANSI/AISC 360-22, Section J8 (bearing strength) · Section J3.6 (bolts in shear) · AISC Design Guide 1 (cantilever method for plate thickness) · LRFD (Strength Design) throughout.
Scope of this tool - please read before relying on this result:
  • The concrete bearing capacity assumes A2 = A1 (no benefit from a larger concrete pad) - a conservative simplification.
  • If the load eccentricity exceeds the plate's "kern" (L/6), this tool will flag it and stop - that case needs anchor rod tension design, which is not yet implemented.
  • Anchor rod tension from uplift is NOT checked - only rod shear is checked here.
  • Anchor rods are assumed to be ASTM F1554 Grade 36.
Note on accuracy: as with the other modules, this tool assumes sharp (unfilleted) corners for the column profile.
Column
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Concrete and plate
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Anchor rods
ASTM F1554 Grade 36
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This calculator provides preliminary, indicative structural calculations only, intended to assist with initial sizing and understanding. It is not a substitute for assessment by a qualified structural engineer, and cad-steel.com accepts no responsibility for its use in any final design.