Technical Guidance Note Level 2, No. 21: Design and detailing of base plates to steel columns

The primary means by which steel-framed structures transmit vertical loads into their foundations is via base plates. A base plate spreads the load from a column into the foundation. This Technical Guidance Note describes the design and detailing of such plates. The note only covers simple connection base plates, i.e. those that do not transmit a bending moment. Two types of action are applied to such plates: compressive axial forces; and, in some cases, shear forces due to lateral forces within braced bays.