Creating a Base Plate

You can create a base plate to disperse load from a steel column to a concrete foundation.

Before you begin: Open a building containing catalog columns.
  1. From the Steel Detailing section of the action bar, click Base Plate .
    The building is hidden, the catalog columns are shown as transparent, and their neutral axes are displayed.
  2. Select the neutral axis of a catalog column.
  3. In the Base Plate dialog box, select the shape of the base plate.
    • To create a rectangular base plate, perform the following steps:
      1. Select Rectangle .
      2. In the Length U and the Length V boxes, specify the lengths of the rectangle in the U and V directions.
      3. In the Rotation box, specify an angle to rotate the rectangle about its center in the same positioning plane.
      4. In the Chamfer length box, specify the chamfer length. Select the check boxes corresponding to the plate's corners that you want to chamfer.
      5. In the Thickness box, specify the thickness of the plate.
      6. Select the Cut host member check box to cut the end of the column at which the base plate is positioned.
        Note: You can click to swap the values of the Length U and Length V of the rectangle.
    • To create a square base plate, perform the following steps:
      1. Select Square .
      2. In the Length box, specify the length of the side of the square.
      3. In the Rotation box, specify an angle to rotate the square about its center in the same positioning plane.
      4. In the Chamfer length box, specify the chamfer length. Select the check boxes corresponding to the plate's corners that you want to chamfer.
      5. In the Thickness box, specify the thickness of the plate.
      6. Select the Cut host member check box to cut the end of the column at which the base plate is positioned.
    • To create a round plate, perform the following steps:
      1. Select Round .
      2. In the Diameter box, specify the diameter of the plate.
      3. In the Thickness box, specify the thickness of the plate.
      4. Select the Cut host member check box to cut the end of the column at which the base plate is positioned.
    • To create a plate of any other shape, perform the following steps:
      1. Select Profile .
      2. Select a closed profile.
      3. In the Rotation box, specify an angle to rotate the profile about its center in the same positioning plane.
      4. In the Thickness box, specify the thickness of the plate.
      5. Select the Cut host member check box to cut the end of the column at which the base plate is positioned.

    Tip: You can also use the dimension manipulators in the 3D area to modify the dimensions of the plate.

  4. To position the origin of the U, V axes of the base plate relative to the host column, select any one alignment point.

    Note: The alignment points that can be selected are displayed at the bottom of the catalog column.

  5. Align the plate in the U and V directions.

    Orientation V minus V center V plus
    U plus
    U center
    U minus

  6. Select the thickness orientation of the plate.
    OptionDescription
    Up Applies the thickness in the upward direction, normal to the UV plane.
    Down Applies the thickness in the downward direction, normal to the UV plane.
    Both Applies the thickness centered on the the UV plane.
  7. Click Base Plate Options and specify the offsets for the plate in the U, V, and W directions.

    Notes:
    • You can click to reset the offset values to zero.
    • You can select the Show additional alignment points check box to display the additional alignment points that can be selected.

  8. Click Ok .
    The base plate is created.