Learn how SkyCiv Base Plate Design simplifies base plate connections with step-by-step calculations, 3D visualization, code-compliant checks, and a free tool.
A Smarter Way to Design Steel Base Plates
Designing a steel base plate is more than picking a plate thickness or placing four anchor bolts. It is one of the most important steps in making sure forces from a steel column are transferred safely and efficiently into the concrete foundation below. A base plate must resist axial loads, shear, bending and uplift, and it must meet complex code requirements while remaining buildable and cost efficient.
In real projects base plates are everywhere: buildings, warehouses, equipment platforms, towers and industrial plants. Engineers use them every day, yet the design process often becomes slow, repetitive and error prone. Manual calculations can take hours and reviewing them takes even longer. Small mistakes quickly lead to oversized plates, unnecessary anchors, or costly fabrication changes.
SkyCiv Base Plate Design was built to solve this.
The SkyCiv Difference: Transparent, Affordable, and Built for Modern Engineers
SkyCiv Base Plate Design stands out because it focuses on what matters: clarity, speed, value, and engineering accuracy.
Transparent Calculations, No Black Box
Every check is shown clearly in the report with:
- Code references
- Equations
- Step-by-step calculations
- Diagrams and illustrations
Checkers love it. Clients trust it. Engineers rely on it.
Modern Interface, Zero Installation
SkyCiv runs instantly in your browser. No downloads, no licensing headaches, no setup time. Just open, design, and export.
Beautifully Simple, Surprisingly Powerful
A clean UI, real-time 3D rendering, instant recalculations, and intuitive controls make advanced base plate design feel effortless.
Engineered for Affordability
High-quality structural design software shouldn’t cost a lot. SkyCiv offers industry-leading value, making professional tools accessible to everyone, whether you are a student or part of a global firm.
What SkyCiv Base Plate Design Can Do
SkyCiv brings engineering-grade accuracy with the convenience of fast, intuitive modeling. The software supports numerous international standards including AISC & ACI, EN, AS, CSA and more. From column to foundation, it covers all steel, concrete, weld, and even anchorage design in one single software.
Capabilities at a Glance
- Full plate, anchor, concrete, and weld checks
- Real-time 3D visualization
- Automatic dimensioning and design-guide illustrations
- Demand vs. capacity summaries
- Detailing and constructability rules
- Exportable PDF/HTML detailed calculation reports
- Deep database of WF, HSS, anchors, and materials
Supported Design Codes
- Column and Base Plate Design Checks
- AISC 360-22, EN 1992-1-8:2005, AS 4100:2020, CSA S16:19, NSCP 2015
- Concrete Design Checks
- ACI 318-19 (Metric & Imperial), EN 1992-1-1:2004, AS 3600:2018, CSA A23.3:19, NSCP 2015
- Anchorage Design Checks
- ACI 318-19 (Metric & Imperial), EN 1992-4:2018, AS 5216:2021, CSA A23.3:19, NSCP 2015
- Additional Features:
- Adheres to AISC Design Guide 1 (3rd Edition) for base connection design
- Allows selection of Wide Flange (WF) and Hollow Structural Section (HSS) shapes
- Supports compression, tension, and shear loading (more load types coming soon)
- Advanced anchorage design checks with graphical representation of concrete failure modes
More on Anchorage Design
The following are the checks performed by SkyCiv Base Plate Design to check the strength of the anchorage:
- Anchor steel tension strength
- Anchor steel shear strength
- Also includes anchor rod bending due to eccentric shear (with lever arm)
- Anchor pull-out strength
- Concrete tension breakout strength
- Concrete side-face blowout strength
- Concrete shear breakout strength
- Concrete shear pryout strength
- Anchor interaction strength for tension and shear
- Concrete interaction strength for tension and shear
Designing Every Component with Confidence
SkyCiv allows engineers to fully model the key elements of a base plate connection with clarity and precision:
Column Design
Choose from wide-flange or HSS shapes using regional shape databases. Quickly switch between column shapes and update steel material properties, or input custom strengths as needed.
Base Plate Design
Define plate dimensions and thickness with ease. Adjust grout thickness based on project requirements, and specify custom material strengths when necessary.
Concrete Foundation Design
Set concrete strength and footing dimensions to match your design. Select between cracked or uncracked concrete depending on code requirements and project conditions.
Anchor Rod Design
Specify anchor rod diameter, embedment depth, and steel material. Switch between hooked ends and plate ends, and position anchor rods directly on the base plate. Layout and dimensional checks update instantly.
Weld Design
Verify column-to-plate weld sizes for both shear and tension. Switch between fillet welds and complete joint penetration (or full penetration butt welds) with a single click.
Current Limitations and Why They Matter
While SkyCiv Base Plate Design already handles the most common and practical connection scenarios, there are a few current limitations to note. The software presently supports only concentric loading, rectangular plate geometries, tension-zone anchor placement, limited load types (bending is in progress), and does not yet include stiffener design. These boundaries allow us to ensure accuracy, stability, and code-compliant behavior in every calculation.
We are actively working on expanding these capabilities, and several of these features are already in development. As they are released, they will make the software even more powerful and versatile. We take the time to verify each step carefully by prioritizing engineering quality over rushing features, so that every new addition continues to meet the high standards SkyCiv is known for.
Design Better, Faster, and More Transparently with SkyCiv Base Plate Design
SkyCiv Base Plate Design offers a modern, streamlined way to design steel base plate connections—affordable, accurate, and incredibly easy to use. Engineers save time, checkers gain confidence, and projects benefit from optimized, cost-effective base plate solutions.
Whether you’re designing a single base plate or managing dozens across a project, SkyCiv gives you the clarity, speed, and transparency you need to get it right.
