shimming column

[Rubberdown]

So I have 4 columns I will be setting tomorrow I noticed that due to welding there is a little bit of cupping to the base that will bolt to the floor. I was just going to throw a 1/2 washer on the bolts to compensate where needed t, but is there a better solution? Its 3/8 plate so Im not thinking it will pull flat when I snug everything down.

 

[Old tool guy]

Maybe put a spacer under the baseplate at each bolt, create a void. Get everything plumb & square, snug the bolts, then fill the void with high strength baseplate grout, like what is used in industrial applications.

 

[GrayFlattop]

I would use a non-shrinking structural grout. If you just use washers, you will shift the design from on larger point load to 4 smaller point loads. Amazon link

Home depot carries this as well.

 

[nadogail]

How about mixing an Epoxy Mixture that will be squeezed to fill in the variations and present a solid surface after curing?

 

[readhead]

The base plate rolled up when you welded it. The center under the column is bearing on the concrete. This is a very common condition. Just tighten the nuts down. With 3/8" plate the nuts should pull down pretty well. Nothing to worry about.

 

[AC-WC]

Here's what I put under my lift columns. I have a boat load left.

Body Shim Assortment, 144 Piece

Amazing deals on this Body Shim Asst. 144Pc at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[LopezBart]

If you welded these, next time bolt the plate to something stiff before welding.... what happens is that the weld solidifies when pretty hot, and then the weld metal shrinking bends the piece if it's unrestrained. Constraining the piece from bending during welding works pretty well, since the hot metal yields pretty easily. Sometimes I weld on the reverse side to bring it back if I forget to clamp it adequately.

 

[Monza Harry]

What about heat shrinking the convex side with a suitably large torch to flatten out the bulbous base plate? Clamping while hot to a substantial flat fixture would help enormously as well. Some of the nonshrink compound listed above would be a great idea aswell. Harry Thanx to: @GrayFlattop @lopezbart

 

[readhead]

Having set thousands of steel structural columns over the years the minimum space for non-shrink grout is 1" and even that is difficult to jamb the grout under to the center of the base plate. Plans usually call for a 1 1/2" space for grout which will fluctuate with concrete irregularities.

At 3/8" the base plate is not providing much extra bearing over just the column. I see this in light construction for pipe racks, equipment housings, free standing mezzanines etc. In such cases the base plate is simply providing a means to bolt the column down to the concrete. Complete bearing of the base plate is not required.

The deformation on light base plates from welding is why structural base plates are usually 3/4" and up. You are worried about a non-issue. Bolt them down and finish up.

 

[Rubberdown]

Well based on all the replies I tightened them up and they sucked down. I wouldnt have thought 3/8 would **** down but it did. Thanks fellas!