J. Construct.

Steel Research 27 (1993) 37-54

Baseplate Column Connection under Bending:

Experimental and Numerical Study

R. Targowski, D. Lamblin & G. Guerlement

Service de M6canique des Mat6riaux et des Structures,
Facult6 Polytechnique de Mons, rue de Houdain, 9, B-7000, Mons, Belgium

ABSTRACT

In the past baseplate column connections have not received much attention from
scientists. Only very simple elastic or plastic models are in common use for
moment resisting bases. The aim of this paper is to present some experimental
and numerical study for such a connection. Unstiffened rectangular baseplates
with constant shape have been welded to different types of columns with
square, rectangular, circular, channel and I cross-section. The assembly was then
connected to a concrete foundation with four anchorage bolts and submitted
to pure bending till the baseplate failed. Experimental applied bending moment
curves versus deflections were recorded and the plastic behaviour of the base-
plate was identified. The failure mechanism was approximated by yield-line
analysis and the plastic moment was obtained. The kinematic study was com-
pleted by a static study with a non-linear finite element program taking into
account:

- - material and geometrical non-linear behaviour of the baseplate;

- - non-linear contact with concrete foundation.

Comparison between theory and experiment is made and practical conclusions are
obtained.

1. INTRODUCTION
Column bases are no doubt very important structural elements affecting
the real structural behaviour of a very large category of structures
including building frames and supports (especially in the piping industry).

37
J. Construct. Steel Research 0143-974X/93/$06.00 © 1993 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd,
England. Printed in Malta
38 R. Taroowski , D. Lamblin, G. Guerlement

The actual semi-rigidity of the bases, which is traditionally disregarded, in

the same way as the semi-rigidity of beam-to-column joints, largely
influences frame response. This includes cases in which the column bases
classified as hinges often possess fairly significant rotational stiffness, and
cases in which the column bases classified as rigid may exhibit consider-
able deformation. Among the main different types of bases, the baseplates
are extensively used in engineering practice. This is due to the relatively
simple manufacture (especially if they are unstiffened) and assembly of
these bases. However, the structural and technological simplicity in their
use is in radical contradiction with the difficulties from their behaviour
under loads. The baseplate welded to the end of the column, the bolts and
the concrete foundation are deformable structural elements transmitting
acting forces by the mutual and varying unilateral contact. Thus, it is quite
obvious that the only hope for overcoming all complications concerning
unilateral multi-body contact, geometrical non-linearity and metal plastifi-
cation is to employ sophisticated numerical methods. On the other hand,
we have to remember that, even with very efficient numerical techniques,
the real state of a connection is always very difficult to analyse due to the
variable conditions in th~: real structures. The initial geometrical imperfec-
tions, non-uniform distribution of material properties in the elements of a
real connection, initial and manufacture (welding) fields of residual stresses
are the main difficulties in the way of all theoretical analyses. Due to these
facts several simplified models which incorporate important assumptions
without necessarily reflecting real behaviours of the structure are found in
the not extensive literature.
The main groups of these assumptions may describe the linear (elastic)
properties or the physically non-linear (plastic) properties of the connec-
tion.Xa In the second option the help of simple or conventional yield-lines
mechanisms 4'5 is appreciated.
Some similar problems are discussed in the much more extensive
literature on the beam-to-column steel joints. In this case we also have
many simplified models typical of the conventional design approach. 6 9
Recently, several numerical studies were carried out in this field in order
to analyse more precisely the load distribution among bolts, the stress and
strain field of elements and unilateral contact forces. 71° But despite a
more realistic idealisation considered in these studies, the analysis is not
always very representative because it is limited to a small part of a
beam-to-column joint neglecting the influences of the all spatial effects.
Moreover the results presented are generally restricted to some character-
istic curve describing the external loads as a function of some generalised
displacements.
 Baseplate column connection under bending 39

Thus, in conclusion, an adequate analysis and a fundamental under-

standing of the mechanical behaviour of the baseplate column connec-
tions, as a basis for assuming engineering rational future simplifications,
are not found today in the literature. Of particular interest are the nature
of the interaction between connected members, the change in boundary
conditions (area of bearing surfaces) as the load level increases and the
identification of the elastic stiffness and of the limit and post limit state
of the connection. When considering a slab base as a part of a real frame
(or supporting structure), the answers to all the above mentioned prob-
lems are a first requirement for predicting the joint actual behaviour
which is necessary for an adequate and precise analysis of all the
structures. The present study is not so ambitious and is just a first step in
that general trend. It is restricted to monoaxial pure bending and focuses
mainly on:
- - identification of the limit state of an unstiffened base plate
connection for various column sizes and analysis of associated
yield lines distribution;
- - analysis of unilateral contact between the baseplate and the
concrete foundation.
For the second aim, non-linear sophisticated finite element analysis will be
used with some assumptions. For the first aim and due to our special
interest in biaxial bending of rather large baseplates under external
monoaxial bending moments applied around the major axis of a small
sized column, experimental information was judged necessary. Our inter-
est in such a problem is justified by two practical uses:
- - One is in relation to realisation of a semi-rigid connection with
a rather thick unstiffened baseplate. Economically such a
connection may be much more interested than a very stiff
connection obtained with expensive welded added stiffeners.
- - The second applies currently in piping technology. A very large
number of pipes supporting structures are connected to slabs
or foundations with special bolted anchorages localised in bore
holes. The development of maximum performance, for a given
connection, is considered dependent on some critical distance
between two proximate or successive connections. So baseplate
dimensions are generally rather large in comparison with the
dimensions of column profiles.
These two kinds of connections are strongly influenced at the limit state by
the plastic behaviour of the baseplate itself.
40 R. Tarfowski, D. Lamblin, G. Guerlement

2. Q U A L I T A T I V E D E S C R I P T I O N O F T H E
BASEPLATE BEHAVIOUR UNDER THE LOAD

In general, all of the connections studied behave in a similar manner. At

the initial state, without loading, the lower surface of the baseplate is in
contact with the concrete foundation and some parts of the upper surface
are in contact with the heads of the bolts. The shanks of the bolts are
usually separated from the baseplate material.
When external loading is initiated and the baseplate begins to bend,
some regions of the lower surface of the plate lift up and lose contact with
the foundation. The area and distribution of these regions are variable and
depend on the load level. This yields the first source of initial non-linearity
in the problem by changing the boundary conditions in the system.
When the load increases, the material linearity is being lost and some
regions of plastic material are identified. These regions are localised near
the tension bolts and theoretically predicted yield lines. At the next stages
of loading the continuous bending and lifting up of the baseplate caused a
changing load distribution in the system. The second order effects such as,
for example, membrane forces due to a pressure between the bolts shanks
and baseplate material, distortion of the bolts, prying effect and localised
compressions appear in the plate. All these effects cannot be neglected
when the load-carrying behaviour of the slab base is being analysed
realistically.

3 EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

3.1 General description of test rig

The representative baseplate specimen analysed in the present study

consists of a 400 × 300 m m steel plate welded to the end of variously sized
steel columns and founded on a specially constructed concrete square
foundation (with 1 m of side) clamped to the laboratory strong floor
(Fig. 1). The plate was bolted to the foundation by four high quality steel
bolts, 24 m m in diameter except in the neighbourhood of the plate where
the diameter of threaded part was 16mm. The bolts were placed in
reserved holes in the concrete with the internal diameter equal to
28 mm and were provided with suitable washers and nuts. The initial
clearance between bolts and holes in concrete does not favour develop-
ment of the membrane effect at beginning of loading. Before the tests,
anchorages were manually bolted by the same person (only muscle power
 Baseplate column connection under bending 41

_' -I-
~' .=el ~ plates1 .J.~cc~umn jac_k.~.
"

"arm
• .~o!

.... , , i I1'¢ i:1 f

////2.2~//////4.', 2//)~.'?,
/ / i / /i /i / ~
F i g . 1. Schematicview of the test rig.

applied to a standard spanner) without any precise control of the installed

prestressing load.
Strain gauges on the bolts recorded during tests only to control the
elasticity of bolts. No mortar layer was prepared between the steelbase
plate and footing concrete. The loading was restricted, as previously
explained, to a one dimensional pure bending moment applied around the
major axis of the column in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the
baseplate. Generally (except for a ] profile) the plane of bending is also a
plane of symmetry of the column. The loading moment is transferred to
the column and the baseplate by a rigid horizontal girder fixed to the free
end of the column. The connection is made with the help of bolted circular
plates.
Small hydraulic jacks with a common oil alimentation pump and built
in long hinged arms of equal length were used to introduce the loading
moment. The eventual rotation of the concrete foundation during tests
was not recorded but our feeling is that such a rotation is very negligible.
Approximate dimensions are indicated for the girder and the arms
showing that the usual rotation of a column axis does not give unaccept-
able errors to the value of the applied bending moment calculated with
initial geometry and recorded loads of the jacks.
Let us remark that this testing system permits the following:

- - to test a sufficient number of plates for a given sized column. After

each test the deformed baseplate is cut from the column for which
42 R. Targowski D. Lamblin. G. Guerlement

the end is prepared before welding of a new plate. The packing

under the arms of the jacks makes it easy to insert modifications
before a new test;
to apply biaxial pure bending with relative rotation of the two
bolted circular plates. Such bending will be examined in the future.

3.2 Baseplates and columns

Detailed geometry of the twelve baseplates (6 of 6 mm and 6 of 10 mm

thickness) used for the tests is given in Fig. 2 (dimensions in ram). All
specimens for a set of tests, were cut from the same commercially graded
steel plate. The material properties needed for theoretical analysis or
interpretations were obtained from 22 traction tests on samples cut from
several free regions remaining in the steel plate after cutting the tested
specimens. Finally, it was decided to use only a mean value of the yield
stress for calculations, namely, 275 MPa for 6 m m thick baseplates,
311 M P a for 1 0 m m thick baseplates. The maximum difference between a
given experimental value and the used mean value may be +8°/,,.
Elongation before fracture was + 2 5 % , with + 2 5 % just before strain
hardening. The real thickness of tested specimens was found to be a
maximum difference of 0"1 mm less than the nominal value. So no
correction was applied to nominal values for theoretical calculations. The
cross-sections of the various sized columns are also given in Fig. 2. After
welding of a baseplate, the two axes of symmetry of the cross-section are
coincident with those of the baseplate. For profile, the weak axis of the
profile was in coincidence with the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the
plate. The maximum dimension of the cross-section of the profile was
always parallel to the maximum dimension of the baseplate. The vector
associated with the applied bending moment was always parallel to the
small dimension (300 mm) of the baseplate.

50,
t
5(
< J _..(~.. A 1

Fi-1 200/20o/6
I
L_x~.,I.~J
193,7 / 6,5 180/100//10

2__L i
4OO
I

TPE 2 0 0 HEA 200 U P N 20.0

Fig. 2. Geometry of the baseplate and cross-sections of columns under consideration.

 Baseplate column connection under bendin9 43

For a future easy definition of a yield mechanism, it is convenient to

associate with each cross-section a closed polygonal line (rectangular or
square) generated by some lines belonging to the real cross-section and by
some added dashed lines (see Fig. 2). The longitudinal dimension of this
polygonal line was for each case between 180 and 200 mm (70 or 66% of
the longitudinal distance between the bolts) but the transverse dimension
was between 75 and 200mm (37.5 or 100% of the transverse distance
between the bolts). These ratios are of interest for the biaxial bending of
the baseplate. The choice of thicknesses equal to 6 and 10 mm for the
baseplates is justified below. We intend to find yield line mechanisms in
the baseplate for which, roughly speaking, clear spans are 200 (300-100)
and 300 (400-100) ram. With a thickness equal to 10ram, the ratios
span/thickness are between 20 and 30. It is normally a correct field for
applying limit analysis. In some experiments, 6 mm was used with the
hope of seeing more clearly the scheme of the yield lines.
The baseplates were fillet welded to the end of the stub column with
continuous welds with throats equal to 6 mm. The welding work was done
by a qualified welder applying good field practice but no special pre-
caution was applied for avoiding deformation of the baseplate during
welding. So the flatness of the baseplate was affected. Such a deformation
of variable magnitude was not measured and its influence on the contact
area between the baseplate and the concrete foundation was totally
neglected. Our constant need was to make experimental evaluations in
very usual conditions totally similar to those in practice. Of course very
fine agreement between theory and experiments is not necessarily ex-
pected.

3.3 Sensors

Loads developed by the jacks and the bolts and dial gauges measuring the
baseplate uplift at several locations were continuously recorded during
tests. Such measurements are sufficient to control the elasticity of the bolts
and to plot, with minimal interpretation or transformation, graphics for
the applied bending moment versus uplift displacement. It was also
attempted to record rotation of the column axis but such measurements
were not necessary for our limited interpretation.

4 RESULTS AND COMMENTS

We give here only extended results for baseplates with thicknesses equal to
10 mm. For the six plates 6 mm thick the results were similar but second
44 R. Taryowski, D. Lamblin, G. Guerlement

order effects were much more pronounced. The general shape of the
graphics shows the complexity of all interacting phenomena (see Figs 3
and 4).
Our feeling is that the initial deformation due to welding (more
important for HEA and tube profiles) and varying contact between
baseplate and concrete are responsible of unexpected graphics such as
Figs 5 and 6. Nevertheless it seems that the existence of a limit state

20 l
lexp. I / ...... ~ /

I cm

11 30
10

Fig. 3. Loading moment versus vertical displacements of indicated points on the plate and
the limit load definition: experimental results.

20

f11111 V

o i 2 3 4 ~ ~-
Fig. 4. Loading moment versus vertical displacements of indicated points on the plate:
experimental results.
 Baseplate column connection under bending 45

kN 3 1 ~ 2
exp

20_

I0.

nlnl V
-1

Fig. 5. Loading moment versus vertical displacements of indicated points on the plate:
experimental results.
M

3 I 2
exJ:

2O

10

mm V
' ~ ~ ~ ~ e
Fig. 6. Loading moment versus vertical displacements of indicated points on the plate:
experimental results.

associated with a deep modification in the slopes may be accepted.

Definition of the level of loading corresponding to the limit state is always
a more or less conventional problem to solve.
Generally the intersection point of straight lines generated as ap-
proximations of some parts (elastic and post limit states) of the real
curve may be adopted. This definition has been used to obtain the
experimental loads indicated on the graphics and in table 1 (see also
Fig. 3).
After the experiments, the deformed baseplates were carefully exam-
ined with a view to defining a scheme of yield lines. The 6 mm thick
46 R. Targowski, D. Lamblin, G. Guerlement

Table 1
The limit loads for the base plates

Column Baseplates (10 ram) Baseplates (6 ram) Type of

size mechanism
Experiment Theory E r r o r Theory Experiment Error
M(kN m) M(kN m) (0/o) M(kN m) M(kN m) (o~,)

180x 100 18.3 15.23 -16.8 4.85 6.47 -25 7v

200 × 200 23-6 23.32 - 1-2 7-42 10.12 -. 26.7 3 YL
IPE 21.3 19.92 -6.5 6.34 6.53 -2.9 7V
HEA 21.7 20.78 -4.2 6'62 7.9 - 16.2 3 YI.
UPN 19.7 18.48 -6.2 5.88 555 +6 7V
O1937 20.8 18.79 -9.7 5.98 6.39 -6.4 3 YL

baseplates were preferably used for this aim being more easily inter-
preted.
In the theoretical approach, two mechanisms suggested by experiment
will be used. The first is a very classical one with three yield-lines (3YL)
along the whole of the width of the baseplate and is expected for
monoaxial bending of the baseplate welded to a profile of similar width
(Fig. 7). The positions of the yield-lines are imposed by the column
profile and the bolts in tension. The other mechanism, much more
complicated, is used to express the biaxial bending of the baseplates
welded to narrow profiles (Figure 8). Despite the help given by experi-
ments this mechanism may not be defined very precisely and has to be
considered with parameters to be optimised (see the theoretical definition
below).

Fig. 7. Deformation of the plate with a three yield-line pattern.

 Baseplate column connection under bending 47

Fig. 8. Deformation of the plate with a complex yield-linepattern.

5 THEORETICAL APPROACH WiTH LIMIT ANALYSIS

5.1 Definition of the mechanism for biaxial bending of the baseplate

The kinematical theorem of limit analysis 11 gives a powerful and simple

method of obtaining an upper bound of limit bending moment applied to
the column and producing failure of the baseplate. Such a theorem may be
applied with a mechanism defined by a scheme of straight yield-lines
(hinge lines) as is customary in reinforced concrete.
It is well known that yield-lines between two rigid moving areas in the
mechanism go through the intersection point of the axis of rotation of these
areas. Another possibility is to have yield-lines as parts of the rotation axis.
Figure 9 shows a seven-variable mechanism (7 V). Such a mechanism
has six axes of rotation noted from (i), i = 1, 6 for which positions are
defined by the positions of the bolts and the parameters ~i, i = 1, 6. The
seventh parameter ~7 is related to the angular position of the yield line
between parts 2 and 3 of baseplate.
Axes 4, 5 and 6 were added to the first mechanism to permit a more
refined distribution of the strain around the bolts simultaneously with a
rotation of the strain triangular part 6 in the neighbourhood of the column
profile around axis 6. Areas denoted by O remain undeformed and are in
contact with the concrete foundation.

5.2 Numerical results

First let us remark that the displacement of an arbitrary point of the

baseplate or the relative rotation in a given yield-line may be determined
48 R. Targowski , D. Lamblin, G. Guerlement

I 1'
~3
1117

+_ (6)

® /I

OL6

Fig. 9. The 7 V yield-linepattern for the baseplate.

M~
kN
ext).
20

f c In

/ ,
/
rlllll

Fig. 10. Loading moment versus vertical displacements of indicated points on the plate:
experimental results.

versus the angle of rotation of the column axis arbitrarily taken equal
to unity and the parameters ~i identifying the mechanism. The best
upper bound M of the bending m o m e n t applied to the column and
producing the failure of the baseplate is obtained as the result of the
 Baseplate column connection under bending 49

M
kN

lolo + 4 " ~

V
2

Fig. 11. Loading moment versus vertical displacements of indicated points on the plate:
experimental results.

minimisation versus the parameters ~i of the power of dissipation in the

baseplate, t 1
The two mechanisms (seven variable and three yield-line mechanisms)
were used with a view to defining limit loads in relation to tested
baseplates. The mechanism with seven variables was the most efficient
(giving minimum values to the external bending moment) for narrow
column profiles as expected. Theoretical results are reported in Table 1
from which comparison with experimental loads is now possible.
Figures 10 and 11 also show optimal corresponding schemes with
yield-lines. For a ] profile, the polygonal dosed shape of which has the
axis of the baseplate as the symmetrical axis, only an approximate
theoretical result has been determined.

5.3 Discussion

Comparison of theoretical and experimental results may be made from

Table 1. The error is defined as the difference between the theoretical and
experimental results divided by the experimental result. Limit analysis
seems to appear as a safe guide for calculating limit bending moments.
Poor agreement is obtained for the first column profile without any
possibility of special justification.
Of particular interest may be the comparison between some experimen-
tal bending moments associated with the failure of the baseplate and the
calculated maximum bending moment obtained with a more classical
method largely used in engineering offices. 3 In the last method, the criteria
 50 R. Targowski, D. Lamblin, G. Guerlement

of failure is the equality of the maximum longitudinal bending stress in the

baseplate to the yield stress of the material. For column profiles like HEA
or IPE 200 (constant height of 200 mm--variable width) only a bending
moment of 7.4 kN m may be accepted. Moreover, even for such a small
moment, transverse bending of the baseplate is difficult to verify for an
IPE profile (narrow profile) giving most probably with an approximate
and may be unjustified method a new reduction factor. This brief compari-
son shows how important it may be to study more clearly in the future the
real baseplate behaviour.

6 FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

Preliminary numerical results for the baseplates welded to the square

cross-section column are contained in this section. The primary objectives
of this study were to assess the performance of the plate under the load
conditions, especially in a highly non-linear state, and predict the contact
force distribution between the lower surface of the plate and concrete
foundation.
Applying a fully non-linear description (materially and geometrically
non-linear formulation with unilateral constraints) and relatively exact
discretisation of the plate with the welded column, require a considerable
amount of both memory capacity and computing time. Due to these
reasons certain restrictions have to be made.
On the basis of the geometrical and load conditions of the specimen
there is a plane of symmetry which is perpendicular to the vector of the
external moment. So, the computation can be carried out on a half of the
tested specimen with the actual size of the column. After a detailed
numerical analysis of this specimen, the part of the column with uniform
linear stress distribution which is characteristic for simple bending was
selected. This part of the column was eliminated from the subsequent
analysis. The baseplate and the remaining part of the column was
rediscretised in the way which is shown in Fig. 12. The linear distribution
of external forces in this model corresponds with external bending moment.
Additionally, the following assumptions have been made:

- - the concrete foundation is considered as a rigid plate;

- - the bolts are considered in a simplified manner as a system of special
non-linear one dimensional elements and the thread and movement
of the bolts are ignored;
- - perfect adhesion between the upper surface of the baseplate and the
bolt head is assumed;
 Baseplate column connection under bending 51

,<;
/ ' -4--./ t ,"

Z 'i Z,#--,~/--z-/-, I/?Z,"

" IU--J__L i / ? i / / i/
,Id ,
k"L, ~[__,i f-Tx÷-V'.," /./ ,,q
// !_ .; l ~--.J_ ,' " / ,' h'
,,~,1',,"'t _ ,' / / .' -7! i / ,',
,D' / >' " /'--, -,< i t / ,?
--~ i,; "t / ~ --4',--/--d ; I "' ' I"l~'
~ '.'
".,'---~Z~:-V7 ,/,L / / I , " ,' ,' : ,[/
<:~.' ! l 7--,'--t--,<; , < / ;
' ; ; , - ~ - ~ .j ! ,, ~ ' - - , ' / i' ,/-.~.

F i g . 12. T h e finite element model of the baseplate.

-- the friction between the lower surface of the baseplate and the
foundation is neglected;
-- an elastic perfectly plastic model of material properties is assumed.

The SAMNL module of the Samcef program was applied to the analysis
with isoparametric eight-node solid elements. 12
The deformed state of the model, as a result of the analysis, is shown in
Fig. 13. It is evident from this figure that only a part of the plate is in
contact with the flat foundation. Very large longitudinal bending and
smaller transverse bending correspond very well with the experimental
results.
The distribution of the regions of contact between baseplate and the
foundation, which is show in Fig. 14 for the specimen analysed in the limit
state, explains the unexpected transverse deformation of the plate in the
compressed region. A localised, very high pressure in this region was
obtained. In our opinion, this is due to the transverse bending of the plate

L;
z; ,,~Q /,' / ,~</ 'n~ _/ "-----,4.
,'-7"~--,"/.,
' / " . . . . ,"
'~-~
/ / / ' / , " d ~ l"x--.z ,, i ,</,
,,: <. .... t ,i XW--.'-. 7 .' .' ~ .,
/ i, ," 7't'mZ._lf~,,~-','K--¢" 17 A,/
l? ?%/;.DL./7->d----/k/ ;//? ~;'
~___~ I .,,{,/1 -?<-v-q. / 7" '"' S:'
-UZ. .... , , ."-/ I .... ' ."
~.,~-~~j!J,i ,~-.'~i-~Ti,: <"TL,--z.... l..z<.i.".z,l,.y
-. t . . : . . s , - ~ . < z ~ 7 ~ X . , ~ . + ~ _ ~ _ . I ,< 1 ~ ,
"" ,----Z
~-~ ~ ~ - _ . c ~ ? ~ - - . >- -x' L - - ~ 2 ~ / " . b l,','-:=
~=~--:,
"~--:~'-,,%J,,,~,--_:t:-

Fig. 13. Deformed state of the finite elementmodel of the baseplate.

52 R. Targowski, D. Lamblin, G. Guerlement

• lllllllll

1
.... ill ili

iii j
MN/m=

Fig. 14. Distribution of a contact pressure between the baseplate and foundation.

as a result of contact forces between the upper surface of the plate and the
heads of the bolts. The problem has to be reanalysed with a more precisely
defined finite element model and unilateral constraints for bolts and the
neighbouring region of the plate.
The limit load defined on the basis of the numerical results, in the same
way as in experimental analysis (intersection of straight lines), is in a good
agreement with the tests. But, it has to be pointed out that the numerically
obtained load capacity of the assumed model is higher than recorded
during the test. This also needs additional consideration with more refined
discretisation.

7 CONCLUSIONS

In this paper preliminary experimental and theoretical results for the

baseplate connections have been presented. These elements are, equally as
with a beam-to-column joints, very important components of real frame
structures.
The study reported in this paper is a first investigation towards a better
and more realistic understanding of baseplate behaviour. The theoretical
analysis was based on the limit state description and finite element
approach.
Different yield-line patterns, obtained from experiments, were used in a
special minimisation procedure to detect the limit load. Here, emphasis
has been on identification of the limit state on the basis of optima and
comparison with theoretical results. It is important to note that usually it
is difficult to identify the limit state from the experimentally obtained,
characteristic curves in the presence of the large non-linear part with a
small curvature. In this study the intersection of two straight lines which
are tangent to the linear and non-linear parts of the characteristic curves
was used as limit state identification. It is in good agreement with the
 Baseplate column connection under bendinff 53

theoretical limit state results. But it has to be pointed out that it is not
evident from a numerical point of view.
A comparatively large finite element model of the structure which was
used in the numerical analysis gave quite interesting results. In this way we
detect the non-uniform distribution of the contact forces between the
baseplate and the foundation. It is not only the non-uniform prying forces
distribution but also the highly non-uniform distribution of the contact
forces in the compressed region of the plate. This was confirmed by the
unexpected transverse deformation of the tested plate in this region. To
study this problem more deeply it is necessary to change the finite element
model of the plate, especially in the regions of contact with the bolts.
The overall results indicate that the presented experimental and theor-
etical approaches for the baseplate connection analysis are viable methods
for correcting the structural performance of computational models of these
elements and that the approaches can be applied in a more detailed and
extended study.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors acknowledge the support of FNRS (National Funds for

Scientific Research) of Belgium.

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