Comparitive Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Square and Circular Steel Base Plate on Leveling Nuts Using Ansys

Abstract

Base plates are used to connect structural members to their foundations. They are routinely used in cantilevered structures supporting traffic utilities like overhead cantilevered direction signboards, traffic signals, speed cameras and high mast roadway light poles as well as in industrial warehouses and garages. These poles are usually supported on concrete footings by means of steel base plates on levelling nuts. The purpose of the leveling nuts is to adjust alignment of the supported member. Currently, there are no simple design methods in the relevant structural codes. Therefore, the objective of the proposed study is to compare the square and base plate of same thickness under same type and magnitude of loadings. To accomplish the stated objective, the base plates of different thicknesses and subjected to three types of loading: Concentric loading, Uniaxial loading and Biaxial loading were analysed using ANSYS software. The results of total deformation, equivalent stress, maximum principal stress, minimum principal stress and maximum shear stress were obtained from ANSYS software. These results were finally obtained and comparative study between square base plate and circular base plate was conducted. It was observed that circular plate showed better results for above parameters under similar loading, thickness and plate area.