Building Construction Handbook, Eighth Edition

Types ~
Slab or bloom base.
Gusset base.
Steel grillage (see page 225).

The type selected will depend on the load carried by the column
and the distribution area of the base plate. The cross sectional
area of a UC concentrates the load into a relatively small part of
the base plate. Therefore to resist bending and shear, the base
must be designed to resist the column loads and transfer them
onto the pad foundation below.
SLAB or BLOOM BASE

universal column

bolt hole

fillet weld

relatively thick

steel base plate

SLAB BASE WITH ANGLE CLEATS

UC

bolt hole

angle cleat welded to UC and

base plate

GUSSET BASE

UC

angle cleat

angle cleats to both

sides of UC

gusset

BOLT BOX

EPS moulding

to be removed

before placing

concrete

chipboard or plywood

template with holes spaced to

match base plate

large steel

plate washer

bolt thread,

nut and rough

washer

Bolt Box ~ a template used to accurately locate column holding
down bolts into wet concrete. EPS or plastic tubes provide space
around the bolts when the concrete has set. The bolts can then be
moved slightly to aid alignment with the column base.

Structural Steelwork--Column Base Connections