Often when steel framed buildings are designed, the frame member sizes are shown on the drawings, but the connection details aren't. Instead there is a list of all the forces for each type of joint, including the column bases.

With these forces we will prepare a detailed design for the column base plate, any necessary stiffeners and the holding down bolts. The number of designs needed will depend on the number of different bases.

This design is for a pinned column base. A pinned base will not have to resist any bending moment, so in the table of forces, the bending moment (often denoted simply by M) will be zero. For a moment column base connection, please use the fixed column base design.

We need the following information to design a pinned column base:

the forces for each base that needs designing (axial load and shear force)

details of the foundation thickness and concrete strength

the column section size and mass / m)

Design information

All design work is carried out in accordance with BS5950 (The structural use of steelwork)