Baseplates for structural steel hollow sections subject to axial tension

Design recommendations for baseplates for structural steel hollow sections subject to axial tension were examined. Current methods are based on adaptations of formulae developed for baseplates of hot-rolled I sections using yield line methods. A testing programme was carried out to verify the existing theory on hot rolled I sections and then to examine baseplates for square hollow sections (SHS) with four bolts, in two different configurations. Both configurations used gave distinct and repeated yield line patterns. Analysis of results showed that the current design recommendations were non-conservative for the bolt configuration most commonly used in practice.