ABSTRACT
The basic function of a welded joint is to transfer the stress across a mechanical boundary and to maintain a geometrical relationship between the various components comprising a particular system. Welded joints can be designed, using either elastic or plastic methods. Welded connections can be developed to comply with various requirements using either elastic or plastic design methodologies. Welded connections, designed with the aid of a plastic theory, generally operate at higher stress levels than those sized on the basis of elastic methodology. The design of a fillet weld, however, is still largely empirical and it is related to the allowable shear strength across the smaller dimension defined as the theoretical weld throat. The column base plate of a structural joint presents a number of unique design problems. The common problem of a weld design for column base plates involves bearing pressure allowables and plate bending criteria.
