Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
(OP)
Hi ALl,
I was confronted with a situation in the field. The contractor wants to cut the anchor bolts extending past the base plate and weld them to the base plate. I have never heard of this condition.
This base plate is carrying / supporting moment. Very little but has only 4 bolts.
Can any one suggest if welding is acceptable and if there are any AISC guidelines.
I was confronted with a situation in the field. The contractor wants to cut the anchor bolts extending past the base plate and weld them to the base plate. I have never heard of this condition.
This base plate is carrying / supporting moment. Very little but has only 4 bolts.
Can any one suggest if welding is acceptable and if there are any AISC guidelines.






RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
Your anchor bolts and baseplate are most certainly not of the same grade of steel. As such, their carbon content probably varies significantly. The carbon content greatly influences weldability. Even if both are weldable, it does not necessarily mean that they can be welded to each other.
Then you have heat input. Each material will probably require a different amount of heat to achieve a sound weld to each material.
Now for the detail, what does that look like?
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
BA
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
As others have noted, much will depend on what the detail is and the reasons for the contractor wanting to do this. If this is a situation where the connection is being proposed to be made using a plug weld over a short bolt, I wouldn't recommend that.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
The holes are 1/8" oversized. So I am not comfortable with welding. As kootK has suggested to use a heavy washer then its an option. But stll that plate washer sticks from the base plate and that we need additional length of bolt to do fillet weld.
I also got a response from a Portland bolt group. see below. still
************
If the anchor bolts are F1554 Grade 36 or Grade 55 S1, they can be welded to A36 or A572 Grade 50 plates. The chemistries of these products would allow it. From an engineering perspective, we do not have the expertise to know whether this welding will provide the anchoring strength you require.
Thanks,
Greg Lindsay
General Manager | Portland Bolt & Manufacturing Company
[p] 800.599.0565
[e] greg@portlandbolt.com
[w] www.portlandbolt.com
********************************************
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH, MA)
American Concrete Industries
www.americanconcrete.com
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
Thanks again all.
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate
If that's true, 1/8" is nothing. Go ahead and weld it.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Welding Anchor bolts to base plate