Base Plate Thickness

[BSVBD]

The larger the base plate (area), in general, the thicker the plate must be.

However,

If the bearing stress, on concrete, is acceptable, within an area smaller than the anchor bolt layout perimeter (square), I'm convinced that I do not need to increase the plate thickness just because I must increase the plate area to accommodate the anchor bolt quad.

In other words, whatever plate thickness i have when the bearing stress is acceptable, that is the max thickness my plate needs to be regardless of the anchor bolt layout, and thus, the base plate plan dimensions.

I feel this is elementary principles. But, a program i use requires increased plate thickness whenever the plan dimensions increase. And after all these years, i thought I'd seek a second opinion.

 

[kingnero]

Thx. Didn't know about this "green book", just googled it and it seems interesting. I always have my EN1993-1-8 at hand though...

 

[manstrom]

I agree. It's one of the things I try to teach the younger engineers when I see enormous baseplates. If an 8"x8"x1/2" baseplate works, then you add N and B dimensions to it at will.

Enercalc software has an option to design it like this. I call it the "magic button".

When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.

-R. Buckminster Fuller

 

[BSVBD]

manstrom - I use Enercalc. Where is this "button" you speak of?