Base Plate can design column base plates that carry axial force, bi-axial moment, shear, and torsion. Both Sumo and Frame can transfer data to Base Plate via the Steel Connection Design Links once an analysis is completed
When using Frame to export data to Base Plate, you will notice a note which reads as follows: “Only the forces in the selected column are considered in the base plate design”. This means that only the reactions from the column and not the bracing members will be sent to Base Plate Design. If you have a diagonal element, i.e., a bracing member, and you want to consider the forces in both the diagonal member and the column, best practice is to attach the diagonal member to the column. This can be done by adding an additional node to the column a short distance above the support node and connecting the diagonal element to the additional node. When using this suggested layout, the column element above the support will have the same reaction forces as the support itself.
A suggested approach for a Base Plate design including a diagonal element
When using Sumo to export data to Base Plate, the program considers multiple element connections and their respective forces, no further adjustments to the support connection is required.
Note: The global axes orientation in Sumo and Frame is defined as follows:
- For the sake of this definition, the X-axis is chosen to the right.
- The Y-axis always points vertically upward.
- Using the right-hand rule, the Z-axis points out of the screen.
Gizmo in Sumo – showcases the global axes
The global axis system is used in the analysis output for deflections and reactions. In Base Plate the global X-and Z-axes swap out, meaning the orientation of the reactions transferred to Base Plate will adjust accordingly.