NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

This NCCI provides the rules for the design of fixed column base joints. The rules are
limited to covering the design of symmetric un-stiffened base plate joints of I section
columns subjected to normal force, shear force and moment about the column major axis.
The design of a shear nib, if required, is covered by NCCI SN021. The rules given can be
easily extended to bases of other types of column sections.

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Contents
1.

Introduction

2.

Parameters

3.

Design model and limitations

4.

Design situation 1: Dimension a base plate for the loading at the base of a given
column section

5.

Design situation 2: Determine the design resistances of a given base plate

12

Page 1

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

1.

Introduction

This NCCI covers the design of fixed bases of I section columns transmitting a normal force,
a shear force and a moment. The rectangular base plate is welded to the column section in a
symmetrical position so that it has projections beyond the column flange outer edges on all
sides (see Figure 1.1). Anchor bolts rows, normal to the column major axis, are symmetrically
placed about the column minor axis. The base plate may be located eccentrically on the
concrete foundation.
In practice, the following two design situations are encountered:
1.

The column section and the concomitant design normal force, shear force and moment
are known. The dimensions of the required base plate and anchor bolts are to be
determined.

2.

The column section, base plate and foundation dimensions in a particular structure are
known. It is required to check that the different combinations of axial force, shear force
and moment that arise can be safely resisted.

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

The design procedures for these two situations are given in Sections 4 and 5 respectively.
Noting, in particular, the importance of the intrinsic relationship between the values of the
design moment and the concomitant normal force, the satisfactory determination of the
fundamental characteristics of the joint components (i.e. grout/foundation bearing resistance,
base plate area, base plat thickness, anchor bolt dimensions and anchor bolt positions) usually
requires separate checking of all joint components for the concomitant forces and moments
resulting from a number of different load combination cases acting on the structure.
The shear force resistance of the base plate joint is either covered by SN037 and, if the
friction resistance is insufficient, by SN043. The shear force is not considered to have any
effect of the joint resistance to a combination of a normal force and a moment.
The stiffness of the base plate joint is obtained using SN045.

Page 2

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

1
5

2
3

df

bp

bf

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

hp

hf

Key :
1. I section column
2. Base plate
3. Grout
4. Concrete foundation
5. Anchor bolt

Figure 1.1

Typical fixed column base plate joints

Page 3

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

2.

Parameters

Table 2.1

Parameters
Definition

beff

Effective width of a base plate T-stub in

compression.

Definition
As

Additional bearing width (measured from the

column section perimeter) for a compression
T-stub.

Ft,Rd

eN

Effective normal load eccentricity expressed

by the ratio, MEd/NEd , of the applied
concomitant moment MEd and axial load NEd

Ft,bond,Rd

Width, length and depth of the foundation.

Ft,anchor,Rd

bf, hf, df

Sectional area of an anchor bolt

Design resistance in tension of an anchor bolt
section
Anchorage bond design resistance of an anchor
bolt
Design resistance of an anchor bolt in tension

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

= min(Ft,Rd: Ft,bond,Rd)
fyb

Yield strength of the anchor bolt.

FT,l,Rd

Design resistance in tension of the left-side anchor

bolt row T-stub.

fyp

Yield strength of the base plate.

FT,r,Rd

Design resistance in tension of the right-side

anchor bolt row T-stub.

fjd

Design bearing strength of the foundation

joint.

FC,l,Rd

Design resistance in compression of the left-side

compression flange T-stub.

fcd

Design compressive strength of the concrete

according to EN 1992-1-1.

FC,r,Rd

Design resistance in tension of the right-side

compression flange T-stub.

bfc, tfc, twc,

hc

Flange width, flange thickness web thickness

and depth (height) of an I section column

LB

bp, hp, tp

Width, length and thickness of the base plate.

MEd
Mj,Ed

beff, leff

Effective length of a T-stub in tension.

m, n, e

Tension T-stub geometric parameters

Partial factor on the base plate bending

resistance.

Lever arm between the left-side force and the

right-side force induced on the column base
to foundation joint.

zT,r

Distance of a right-side anchor bolt row from

the column major axis.

zT,l

Distance of a left-side anchor bolt row from

the column major axis.

zC,l

Distance of a left-side T stub centre of

compression from the column major axis.

zC,r

Distance of a right-side T stub centre of

compression from the column major axis.

Design moment applied by the column (positive if

clockwise) to the base joint, in conjunction with
NEd.

Mj,Rd

Design resistance moment of the column base

joint for a given effective eccentricity, eN = MEd/NEd
of the normal load NEd = Nj,Rd

NEd

Design normal force (positive if in tension) applied

by the column to the base joint, in conjunction with
the moment MEd.

Nj,Ed
M0

Length of anchor bolt submitted to tensile

elongation.

Nj,Rd

Design normal force resistance of the column base

at an effective eccentricity of eN = MEd/NEd =
Mj,Rd/Nj,Rd

Page 4

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

3.

Design model and limitations

3.1

Design model

The design model for a fixed column base plate joint for a combined normal force plus a
moment about the major column axis is given in 6.2.8 of EN 1993-1-8.
The most common load distributions in a fixed column base joint, shown in Figure 3.1 a), b)
and c) respectively, are as follows:
Compression on both sides of the joint due to a dominant axial compression load
combined with
- either a clockwise moment
- or an anticlockwise moment.
Tension on the left hand side and compression on the right hand side due to a dominant
clockwise moment combined with
- either a compressive axial load
Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006
This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

- or a tensile axial load (uplift) .

Compression on the left hand side and tension on the right hand side due to a dominant
anticlockwise moment combined with
- either a compressive axial load
- or a tensile axial load (uplift).
In the design formulae given Table 6.7 of EN 1993-1-8 a distinction made between the latter
two cases which permits the use of parameters, symbols and a sign convention which
facilitate treating non symmetric joints subjected to multiple load cases. An additional load
distribution case with tension on both sides of the joint (Figure 3.1d)), for which an axial
tensile load is dominant, completes the theoretical possibilities for the load distributions.
While having tension throughout a fixed column base is uncommon in typical buildings, it
could arise in vertical members of bracing sub-structures required to transmit high lateral
loads, for instance in industrial buildings in which cranes operate or in buildings under
significant seismic loading.
A simplified mechanical model is adopted which considers that the possible reaction force on
any one side of the joint can be either tension in a single anchor bolt row or compression on
the foundation joint over a bearing area centred under the column flange. The design
resistance of the critical joint component (T stub in compression or in tension) determines the
design resistance moment acting in concomitance with the given normal force.
The formulae given in Table 6.7 of EN 1993-1-8 are derived from the equilibrium between
the applied moment - normal force combination and the reaction forces induced on the base
plate. They cover each of the four possible and distinct load distribution scenarios for the
basic configuration of column base plate joint shown in Figure 3.1.

Page 5

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

M
N

a)

b)
M

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

c)

d)

Key :
a)

Compression on both sides of the joint

b)

Compression on the right hand side and tension on the left hand side

c)

Compression on the left hand side and tension on the right hand side

d)

Tension on both sides of the joint (rare situation)

Figure 3.1

3.2

Load distribution

Resistance in bearing

For the compression side of a joint the design approach is to ensure that the bearing stresses
under the base plate neither exceed the design bearing strength of the foundation joint
material nor lead to excessive bending of the base plate.
The design model assumes that the bearing resistance is provided by one or both of the
column flange T-stubs in compression, depending on whether compression reigns over part or
all of the column base plate respectively as shown in Figure 3.1. For a flange T-stub in
compression the bearing stresses are assumed to be uniformly distributed over the T-stub area
centred beneath the flange as shown in Figure 3.2. In the simplified approach given in
EN 1993-1-8 for the design of column base joints transferring moment, no direct account is
taken for any compression force that may be transferred through a column web T-stub in
compression.
In this NCCI, reference is made to SN037 for the design resistance of T-stubs in compression.

Page 6

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

3.3

Resistance in tension of an anchor bolt row

The design model for an anchor bolt row in tension is similar to that for a bolt row of an end
plate connection transmitting moment. Therefore, the design approach is to ensure that the
tensile force in the anchor bolt row does not exceed either of the following;
The design tensile resistance of the base plate tension T stub. This involves the
consideration of the three basic tension T stub failure modes as identified in
Table 6.2 of EN 1993-1-8. If relevant, the single mode replacing modes 1 and 2 shall be
considered (see Table 6.2 EN 1993-1-8). The latter mode is possible if the prying effect
disappears with the loss of contact between the base plate edge and the foundation
because of anchor bolt elongation.
If necessary, i.e. for anchor bolt rows between the column flanges, the design resistance
in tension of the column web component of the T stub.

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

The design approach is identical to that for a bolt row of an end plate except that when
determining the resistance of the anchor bolt in tension one must also consider that the
anchorage bond resistance may be more critical.
In the simplified mechanical model the resistance in tension is presented for the case of there
being one anchor bolt row only. To permit the direct application of the design rules given for
the case of anchor bolt rows on both sides of the column flange, it is recommended to use an
equivalent single row having a total tensile resistance of the two rows acting together at the
centroid. It is not recommended to consider that other rows than those about the column
flanges contribute to the resistance of a fixed column base subjected to a moment combined
with an axial load.

3.4

Limitations

The design rules provided are limited to applications for the types of un-stiffened column base
plates shown in Figure 1.1 subjected to axial load in combination with moment acting about
the column major axis only. The rules cover the case of two anchor bolts in a row.
EN 1992-1-1 does not provide design rules for the bond anchorage resistance of plain bars. It
is also believed also that the rules provided for the bends and hooks of the ribbed bars should
not be applied to plain bars. No rules are given for the design of anchored bolts, such as with
anchor plates or special heads. These issues may the subject of provisions in the National
Annexes.
In the present NCCI the design basic anchorage length of plain anchor bolts is taken as that
for a ribbed bar divided by a factor of 2,25. This is in accordance with some existing national
rules for reinforced concrete and with initial drafts for Eurocode 2. It is to be noted that,
according to EN 1993-1-8 6.2.6.12(5) that the yield strength of the steel for bent or hooked
anchor bars should not exceed 300 N/mm.

Page 7

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

1
NEd
2

MEd

la

FT,l

FC,r

zT,l

zC,r
z

c tfc c

c tfc c

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

beff,c

beff,c

6
c
2

zT,l

zC,r

zT,l

zC,r

z
z

Key:
1

Both the normal force and the moment applied by the column to the column base plate joint are shown acting in the
positive sense as defined by EN 1993-1-8, i.e. tensile axial forces are positive and positive moments act clockwise.

Left-side of the base plate joint when the anchor bolts are in tension: the tensile force is resisted by the T stub formed by
the base plate and the anchor bolt row.

Right side of the base plate joint when in compression: foundation joint offers bearing resistance on the underside of the
base plate T stub which is acting in bending off the column flange.

Lever arm between the tension force in the anchor bolts and the compression force under the base plate.

Anchor bolts.

Compression T stub area.

Figure 3.2

Compression and anchor bolt tension induced by the normal force and moment

4.
Design situation 1: Dimension a base plate for
the loading at the base of a given column section
4.1

Choice of base plate type

It is recommended that the base plates be of the long projection type of sufficient width so
as to allow having an anchor bolt row situated on the projection on each side of the column.
This facilitates providing adequate compression resistance and, by increasing the lever arm
between the compression and the tensile zones, reduces the mechanical resistance
requirements on the anchor bolts in tension.
Page 8

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

In the following the dimensioning of a symmetric base plate joint is presented. A long
projection type of base is used, as shown in Figure 4.1, with anchor bolts
with a single row on the extended part of the base plate
or in two rows, one each side of the flange.
Each row has two anchor bolts symmetrically placed about the column minor axis.
hc
1
mx e x
w

bp

tfc

1
e

m2

m
bp

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

e
m2

Key:
1.
2.
3.

mx ex

Column flange
Column web
Column base plate

Figure 4.1

4.2

Geometrical parameters for the tension T-stub

Choice of materials

It is necessary to choose the concrete class, the base plate steel and the anchor bolt class. For
typical buildings, in some countries it has been usual practice to recommend class 4.6 anchor
bolts while elsewhere class 8.8 plate ended anchors have become common. The base plate is
not necessarily of the same steel grade as that of the column section.

4.3 Estimation of maximum compression and tension

forces on the foundation
Considering all the various combinations of axial load and moment (NEd, MEd) at the column
base, the following expressions provide estimates of the maximum compressive force and
maximum tensile force acting on the foundation:
-

max(FC,Ed ) compression: maximum value for FC,Ed =

max(FT,Ed ) tension: maximum value FT,Ed =

M Ed
N
Ed
hc tfc
2

M Ed
N
+ Ed
hc tfc
2
Page 9

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Note: while the expressions above give the absolute values for the two forces, the sign of the
axial load NEd (positive if tensile, negative if compressive) is to be used in them. In order to
simplify the notation NEd , MEd , NRd , and MRd are written for N j,Ed , Mj,Ed , Nj,Rd and Mj,Rd
respectively.

4.4 Dimension the base plate for the estimated maximum

joint compression force
To dimension the base plate, apply the procedure in Section 4 of SN037, assuming that the
axial compressive load is.
Nj,Ed = 2 max(FC, Ed.)
A long projection base plate is chosen from the outset of the procedure. The values for the
plate base plan dimensions (bp, hp) and plate thickness (tp) are obtained.

4.5 Dimension the base plate thickness and the anchor

bolts for the estimated maximum joint tensile force
Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006
This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

4.5.1 Axial tensile resistance of an anchor bolt

Anchorage bond resistance and tensile section resistance of anchor bolts
When considering the failure modes of a T stub in tension the design tensile resistance of an
anchor bolt in tension is to be taken as the least of the following two values:
Design bond anchorage resistance (assuming that good bond conditions pertain):
o

Bolt diameter 32 mm: Ft,bond,Rd =

1
(lb f bd ) ,
2,25

Bolt diameter > 32 mm: Ft,bond,Rd =

(132 ) / 100
( lb f bd ) .
2,25

Where lb is the basic anchorage length of the anchor bolt (starting from the bottom
surface of the grout down into the foundation) and fbd is the design bond strength of the
concrete (8.4.2(2) of EN 1992-1-1).
-

Note: EN 1992-1-1 provides design bond strengths for ribbed bars only. It is
assumed in the present NCCI that the design value for a plain bar is the value given
in 8.4 of EN 1992-1-1 (i.e. the design value for a ribbed bar of the same diameter in
similar concrete and conditions) divided by 2,25. The relevant National Annex may
provide guidance.

design tensile resistance of the anchor bolt section, Ft,Rd =

0,9 f ub As

Mb,traction

Annex A of this NCCI gives the design bond anchorage resistance of often used diameters of
class 4.6 anchor bolts as a function of the basic anchorage length for typical foundation
concrete.
A reduced anchorage depth into the foundation is required if bent or hooked anchor bolts are
used. However the equivalent bond anchorage length for bends and hooks of plain bars is not
Page 10

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

provided by EN 1993-1-1 so that it is necessary to adopt other rules such as those in existing
national standards or international recognised recommendations to provide them.
The final choice of the anchor bolt details, in particular those concerning anchoring, usually
requires knowledge of the foundation depth.
The design resistance of a single anchor bolt Ft, anchor, Rd is taken as:
Ft,anchor,Rd = min [Ft,bond, Rd ; Ft,Rd ]

Anchor bolt size

Assume that one anchor bolt row on the base plate projection will be adequate. To avoid
anchor bolt failure (mode 3) the resistance of the anchor bolts of the chosen class must satisfy
the following condition:

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

2Ft,anchor,Rd max(FT,Ed)
As a first estimate, it is assumed that the full tensile resistance of the anchor bolt section can
0,9 f ub As
. The required bolt section is given as follows:
be attained: Ft,anchor,Rd =

M2

As FT,Ed ( M2 ) from which the bolt diameter can be obtained.

1,8 f ub
Two rows of anchor bolts
If one row of the anchor bolt size available is not adequate, decide to use two rows of anchor
bolts (i.e. four anchor bolts of section As). The dimensioning of the bolt size becomes:
As FT,Ed (

M2
3,6 f ub

The latter assumption about the anchor bolt tensile resistance needs to be checked when the
final details of the bond anchorage lengths are established. Experience with standard
foundation design and construction practice in a particular region will guide the designer in
the choice of a suitable anchor bolt. If full anchorage for any given diameter and class of
anchor bolt cannot be assured, it is necessary to adopt a lower resistance than the design
tensile resistance of the section.

4.5.2 Design resistance of T-stub in tension with a two bolt anchor

row
Base plate thickness

The base plate thickness tp obtained for the compression design of the base plate may not be
adequate.
Based on the mode 1 resistance (full plastic mechanism) the following estimate of the plate
thickness is obtained (see Figure 4.1 for the parameters):
Page 11

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

One anchor bolt row: tp

Two anchor bolt rows: tp

4.6

FT, Ed M0
f yp 2
FT, Ed M0
f yp 4

Check of the fixed base plate joint

Design resistance checks given in Section 5 below should be carried out, modifications being
made if necessary to the base plate and/or anchor bolt dimensions.

5.
Design situation 2: Determine the design
resistances of a given base plate

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

5.1

Joint type

It is assumed below that the joint is symmetric with one row or two rows of anchor bolts (two
per row) on each side of the joint (see Figure 5.1).
Note: For a symmetric joint the distances z T,l = z T,r = z T and z C,l = z C,r = zC.
c tfc c

c tfc c

c
beff,c

beff,c

zT,l

zC,r

zT,l

zC,r
z

Figure 5.1

5.2

Compression and anchor bolt tension induced by the applied normal force and
moment

Check the resistance of the anchor bolts

The design tensile resistance of an anchor bolt, Ft,anchor,Rd, is obtained from 4.5.1 above:
Ft,anchor,Rd = min [Ft,bond,Rd ; Ft,Rd ]

5.3

Determine the axial compressive resistance

Refer to Section 5 of SN037 to provide the axial compressive resistance of the joint. This
value is valid when the concomitant applied moment is zero.

Page 12

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

It provides a first indication of the possible (NEd, MEd) combinations that can be applied to the
joint.
It should be noted that if a part of the axial compression is transferred through a column web
T-stub, the resistance obtained will exceed the sum of the resistances for the two column
flange T-Stubs in compression. In the EN 1993-1-8 simplified model, the axial resistance in
compression reduces to the latter value when the applied moment is zero.
The resistance of each flange T-stub in compression is written here as FC,Rd .The axial
compressive resistance is then given as:
NC,Rd = -(2 FC,Rd) , the negative sign indicating that the load is compressive.

5.4

Determine the tensile axial load resistance

The resistance in tension of the anchor bolt rows on both sides of the joint are obtained.

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

T stub effective lengths

The possible modes of failure of a T-stub in tension are shown schematically in Figure 5.2.
The effective T stub length is as follows (see Figure 4.1 for the definition of the geometric
parameters):
Outer anchor bolt row :
o

Circular mechanism: leff,cp = min[( 2 m); ( mx + w), ( mx + 2e)]

Non circular mechanism:

leff,nc = min[ 0,5bp ; ( 4m + 1,25ex ); (e + 2mx + 0,625ex ); (0,5w + 2mx + 0,625ex )]
Mode 1 effective T-Stub length: leff,1 = min(leff,cp : leff,nc )
Mode 2 effective T-Stub length: leff,2 = leff,nc

Inner anchor bolt row

o

Circular mechanism: leff,cp = 2 m

Non circular mechanism leff ,nc = ( 4m + 1,25e)

Mode 1 effective T-Stub length: leff,1 = min(leff,cp : leff,nc )
Mode 2 effective T-Stub length: leff,2 = leff,nc

For the special mode indicated in Figure 5.2 e), the T stub length is that given above for
mode 1.

Page 13

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Ft

Ft
m

e
Ft

a)

b)

Ft

Ft
e)

c)

d)

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Key:
a)

Full plastic mechanism (failure Mode 1),

b)

Partial plastic mechanism with anchor bolt failure (failure Mode 2),

c)

Anchor bolt failure (failure Mode 3),

d)

Web yielding in tension (failure Mode 4),

e)

Failure by flexural yielding of the flange in conjunction with separation of the base plate from the foundation due to
anchor bolt elongation (the prying force becomes null). It replaces failure Modes 1 and 2

Figure 5.2

Possible failure modes for a T stub in tension

The special failure mode replacing mode 1 and mode 2 is possible only when the following
condition on the anchor bolt length is met:

8,8 As
Lb > L =
leff,1

m

t p

Where the distance m is as shown in Figure 5.2 and the effective T stub length leff is
determined above.
T stub resistance in tension

Determine the resistance of the T stub in tension for the bolt row. The design resistance of a
bolt row will be the least value for the failure modes shown in Figure 5.2. When considering
the failure modes of a T stub in tension the design tensile resistance of an anchor bolt in
tension is to be taken Ft, anchor, Rd.
The plastic hinge flexural resistance is given by: M pl,Rd = leff mpl,Rd = leff

t p2 f y
4 M0

This value may be differ between mode 1 (with leff,1 ) and mode 2 (with leff,2 ).
The value of the resistance of a T-stub in tension Ft,Rd is taken as the least of the following
resistances as relevant:
Page 14

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

4 M pl,Rd,1

Mode 1: Plastic mechanism: Ft,1,Rd =

Mode 2 : Mixed failure mode: Ft,2,Rd =

Mode 1-2: If the condition requiring adopting the special mode is met, the resistances
for modes 1 and 2 are replaced by
o : Ft,1/2,Rd =

2 M pl,Rd,1
m

2 M pl,Rd,2 + 2nFt,anchor,Rd
m+n

, n = min(e;1,25m)

Mode 3 : Anchor bolt failure Ft,3, Rd = 2Ft, anchor,Rd

Mode 4: Column web in tension for inner anchor bolt rows -: Ft,wc,Rd = beff,t,wct wc

f y,wc

M0

The resistance of all the anchor bolt rows present are calculated. The design resistance for the
side in tension is taken as:

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

FT,Rd = Ft,Rd
The summation sign allows considering having either one bolt row on each side of the joint or
two bolt rows on each side of the joint.
Axial resistance in tension of the joint

The axial tensile resistance of the symmetric joint is given as follows:

NT,Rd = 2 FT,Rd
Which is valid only when the concomitant moment is null.

5.5

Moment resistance

If the axial load is zero the moment resistance of the symmetric joint is given as the least of
the following two values:
M0,Rd = min ( z FT,Rd : z FC,Rd), where the lever arm z = zT + zC

5.6

Case of a given load combination

When the check is limited to verifying that the joint can resist a given (MEd, NEd) combination,
the checks can be limited to the following steps:
a) The distribution of stresses in the column section will provide a direct indication as to
which load distribution reigns in the base plate joint. This information can be used to
identify the load distribution case to be examined in table 6.7 of EN 1993-1-8.
M Ed
for the applied
N Ed
combination is (MEd, NEd). It should be noted that the eccentricity value may be
positive or negative depending on the signs of the forces and moments.

b) The effective eccentricity of the axial load is determined as eN =

Page 15

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

c) The resistances of the bolt row T stubs in tension, FT,Rd, are obtained in 5.3 above.
Because the joint is symmetric the design resistances on both sides in tension will be
equal. (This calculation is not required if the entire section is in compression).
d) The resistance of the column flange T stub in compression, FC,Rd can be obtained from
5.2 above, the value being taken as that for one column flange T-stub only. Because
the joint is symmetric the design resistances on both sides in compression will be
equal. (This calculation is not required if the entire section is in tension).
e) The geometric parameters, in particular the various lever arms, are obtained as shown
in Figure 5.1. Because of the joint symmetry z T,l = z T,r = z T and z C,l = z C,r = zC.
f) From the distribution of stresses in the column identify the case to be examined. The
Mj,Rd moment resistance, applied simultaneously with the axial load, NEd , is obtained
by the direct application of the relevant formulae given in Table 5.1 (see
table 6.7 of EN 1993-1-8).
g) Check that the moment, MEd and MRd , are of the same sign and that M Ed M Rd . If
so, the joint is adequate to resist the load combination given.

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

The formulae given in Table 5.1 are for symmetric joints and have been adapted from those in
table 6.7 of EN 1993-1-8.
Table 5.1

Checking the design moment resistance MRd of fixed column bases

Loading

Lever arm z

Moment resistance MRd

Left side in tension

z = zT,l + zC,r

NEd > 0 and

Right side in
compression

z = z T + zC

The smaller of

Left side in tension

z = zT,l + zT,r

NEd > 0 and

Right side in tension

z = z T + zT

The smaller of

Left side in
compression

z = zC,l + zT,r

NEd > 0 and

Right side in tension

z = z C + zT

The smaller of

Left side in
compression

z = zC,l + zC,r

NEd 0 and

Right side in
compression

z = z C + zC

The smaller of

MEd > 0 is clockwise, NEd > 0 is tension, e =

e > zT,l

NEd 0 and

e -zC,r

FT, Rd z
FC, Rd z
and
zC / e + 1
zT / e + 1

0 < e < zT,l

NEd > 0 and

-zT,r < e 0

FT, Rd z
FT, Rd z
and
zT / e + 1
zT / e 1

e -zT,r

NEd 0 and

e > zC,l

F z
FC, Rd z
and T, Rd
zT / e + 1
zC / e 1

0 < e < zC,l

NEd 0 and

-zC,r < e 0

FC, Rd z
FC, Rd z
and
zC / e + 1
zC / e 1

M Ed
N Ed

The formulae above are those for a symmetric joint so that: z T,l = z T,r = z T and z C,l = z C,r = zC
If it is found that M Ed M Rd the joint is adequate.

Page 16

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

5.7

Interaction diagram for a column base joint

When the joint design resistance is attained under a combination (MEd, NEd) the following
holds:
MEd = MRd
NEd = NRd
e=

M Ed
M
= Rd
N Ed
N Rd

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

All of the latter parameters can have both positive and negative values. By varying the value
of the equivalent eccentricity within the range indicated for each loading situation (see
Figure 3.1, Table 5.1 and Table 5.2), the limiting design condition is found to be a boundary
plotted with, for instance, axial load NRd on the vertical axis and moment MRd on the
horizontal axis (see Figure 5.3).
It is found that the boundary for the type of base plate joint treated here is made up of linear
segments which can be plotted using the expressions between MRd and NRd given in Table 5.2.
The diagram shown in Figure 5.3 is for the particular case of a symmetric joint with two bolt
rows on each side for which it has been assumed that the distances from the column major
axis to the centroids of the compression T stub area under a flange and of anchor bolt tension
area, zC and zT respectively, are equal. When the latter distances are not equal, the enclosed
area differs slightly from the diamond shape.
The following type of interaction diagram is obtained. It allows rapid checking of any load
combination applied to the base plate joint. All allowable load combinations fall on or within
the surface defined by the boundaries corresponding to the relevant limiting design condition.
(1) : +NT.Rd

NEd

(3) : +M0,Rd
(4) : -M0,Rd
MEd

(5)

(2) : -NC,Rd

Key:

1) Axial resistance in tension

4) Negative moment resistance

2) Negative moment resistance

5) Allowable M and N combination

3) Positive moment resistance

Figure 5.3

Fixed column base plate joint: Typical M-N interaction diagram

Page 17

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Table 5.2

Interaction of design resistances NRd and MRd for fixed column bases

Loading

Lever arm
z

Left side in tension

0 NRd and e > zT

NRd 0 and

Right side in
compression

Compression side critical :

Compression side critical :

z
+ N Rd zT
2
Tension side critical :

z
+ N Rd zT
2
Tension side critical :

Dominant positive
z = z T + zC
moment with a
tensile or
compressive load (see
figure 5.1)

Both sides in tension

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Design moment resistance MRd corresponding to NRd

Dominant axial
tensile load with a
positive or negative
moment

z = 2 zT

Right side in tension

z = z C + zT

Both sides in
compression.
Axial compression
(negative) dominant,
with a positive or
negative moment

M Rd = N T, Rd

z
N Rd zC
2

NRd > 0 and 0 < e < zT

Left side in
compression

Dominant negative
moment with a
compressive or
tensile axial load

M Rd = N C, Rd

z = 2 zC

M Rd = ( N T, Rd N Rd )

z
2

e -zC

M Rd = N C, Rd

M Rd = N T, Rd

z
+ N Rd zC
2

NRd > 0 and

-zT < e 0

M Rd = ( N T, Rd N Rd )

z
2

0 NRd and e -zT

NRd 0 and

Compression side critical :

Compression side critical :

z
N Rd zT
2
Tension side critical :

z
N Rd zT
2
Tension side critical :

M Rd = N C,Rd

e > zC

M Rd = N C, Rd

M Rd = N T, Rd

z
+ N Rd zC
2

M Rd = N T,Rd

z
+ N Rd zC
2

NRd 0 and

0 < e < zC

NRd 0 and

-zC < e 0

M Rd = ( N C, Rd N Rd )

MEd > 0 is clockwise, NEd > 0 is tension, e =

z
2

M Rd = ( N C, Rd N Rd )

z
2

M Ed
.
N Ed

The values of NC,Rd and NT,Rd are obtained from 5.3 and 5.4 respectively.
The formulae are for a symmetric joint so that: z T,l = z T,r = z T and z C,l = z C,r = z C

Page 18

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Annex A: Design resistances of anchor bolts

The reinforced concrete standard EN 1992-1-1 gives design rules for anchorage bond
resistance for ribbed reinforcement bars only. No mention is made of anchor bolts or of
plain round bars, which is what most anchor bolts in use today are made of.
It is assumed in the present NCCI that the design value for a plain bar is the value given in
8.4 of EN 1992-1-1 (i.e. the design value for a ribbed bar of the same diameter in similar
concrete and conditions) divided by 2,25. The relevant National Annex may provide guidance
on the design for anchorage bond of plain bars.
The graphs below plot the basic anchorage bond length for class 4.6 and class 5.6 anchor bolts
of various diameters against the design tensile resistance for typical foundation concrete
classes.
Tensile resistance Ft,Anchor,Rd (kN)
110,0
100,0

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

90,0
80,0
M16
M18
M20
M22
M24
M27
M30
M33
M36

70,0
60,0
50,0
40,0
30,0
20,0
10,0
0,0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Basic anchorage bond length (mm)

Figure A.1

Anchorage bond resistance and tensile resistance of anchor bolts Steel 4.6 and
concrete C20/25

Page 19

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Tensile resistance Ft,Anchor,Rd (kN)

150,0
140,0
130,0
120,0
110,0
M16
M18
M20
M22
M24
M27
M30
M33
M36

100,0
90,0
80,0
70,0
60,0
50,0
40,0
30,0
20,0
10,0
0,0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Basic anchorage bond length (mm)

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Figure A.2

Anchorage bond resistance and tensile resistance of anchor bolts Steel 4.6 and
concrete C30/37

Tensile resistance Ft,Anchor,Rd (kN)

180,0
170,0
160,0
150,0
140,0
130,0
M16
M18
M20
M22
M24
M27
M30
M33
M36

120,0
110,0
100,0
90,0
80,0
70,0
60,0
50,0
40,0
30,0
20,0
10,0
0,0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Basic anchorage bond length (mm)

Figure A.3

Anchorage bond resistance and tensile resistance of anchor bolts Steel 4.6 and
concrete C40/50

Page 20

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Tensile resistance Ft,Anchor,Rd (kN)

110,0
100,0
90,0
80,0
M16
M18
M20
M22
M24
M27
M30
M33
M36

70,0
60,0
50,0
40,0
30,0
20,0
10,0
0,0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Basic anchorage bond length (mm)

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Figure A.4

Anchorage bond resistance and tensile resistance of anchor bolts Steel 5.6 and
concrete C20/25

Tensile resistance Ft,Anchor,Rd (kN)

150,0
140,0
130,0
120,0
110,0
M16
M18
M20
M22
M24
M27
M30
M33
M36

100,0
90,0
80,0
70,0
60,0
50,0
40,0
30,0
20,0
10,0
0,0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Basic anchorage bond length (mm)

Figure A.5

Anchorage bond resistance and tensile resistance of anchor bolts Steel 5.6 and
concrete C40/50

Page 21

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Tensile resistance Ft,Anchor,Rd (kN)

180,0
170,0
160,0
150,0
140,0
130,0
M16
M18
M20
M22
M24
M27
M30
M33
M36

120,0
110,0
100,0
90,0
80,0
70,0
60,0
50,0
40,0
30,0
20,0
10,0
0,0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Basic anchorage bond length (mm)

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Figure A.6

Anchorage bond resistance and tensile resistance of anchor bolts Steel 5.6 and
concrete C40/50

Page 22

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

SN043a-EN-EU

Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE

NCCI: Design of fixed column base joints

Reference(s)
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Name

Company

Date

Created by

Ivor Ryan

CTICM

06/02/2006

Technical content checked by

Alain Bureau

CTICM

06/02/2006

1. UK

G W Owens

SCI

07/04/06

2. France

A Bureau

CTICM

07/04/06

3. Sweden

B Uppfeldt

SBI

07/04/06

4. Germany

C Mller

RWTH

07/04/06

5. Spain

J Chica

Labein

07/04/06

G W Owens

SCI

18/08/06

Editorial content checked by

Created on Wednesday, November 08, 2006

This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

Technical content endorsed by the

following STEEL Partners:

Resource approved by Technical

Coordinator
TRANSLATED DOCUMENT
This Translation made and checked by:
Translated resource approved by:

Page 23