ABSTRACT
This paper describes the results of the experiments conducted for establishing design and construction methods which enable proper fixity, strength and ductility of steel square tubular column bases to be easily achieved. The column end is embedded in a concrete footing to rather a small depth. The experiment parameters comprise baseplate sizes, anchor bolt layout, embedment depths and width-to-thickness ratios of the column sections. Each specimen was subjected to repeated bending and shear force under a predetermined condition of axial compression. The experiment results clearly indicate that restoring force characteristics of the column bases and strain behaviours of their components are greatly influenced by the axial force acting on the columns and that the column bases of this type may be expected to have mechanical properties featured by high energy-absorbing capacity if the column bases are carefully detailed.
