ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS, USE AND MAINTENANCE — technical document
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www.palicampion.it – Instruction for anchoring column/mast to the foundation plinth – rev06/2026– Pag. 1 di 5
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANCHORING COLUMN/MAST TO THE
FOUNDATION PLINTH
GENERAL INFORMATION
The following instructions describe the procedures for erecting the column (whether circular,
octagonal, or polygonal in cross-section) in the case of direct embedding into the foundation plinth
and in the case of columns with a base plate and anchor bolts. IN ADDITION TO THE
FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS REFER TO THE
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS PROVIDED AT THE TIME OF ORDERING, WHICH
MAY CONTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO SPECIFIC CASES
Before erecting the column, it is essential to wait until the foundation block has fully set.
DIRECT BURYING OF COLUMNS INTO THE FOUNDATION BLOCK
To insert the column into the foundation block, carry out the following steps:
− Insert the base of the column into the socket of the foundation block
− Spread crushed gravel (pressing it down firmly) and sand around the column in the proportions
shown in the drawing below.
− Place 4 wooden wedges (preferably knotty) around the column, arranged at 90° angles; adjust
the wedges to level the column
− Compact the sand thoroughly (adding more if necessary to maintain the proportions shown in
the drawing)
− Seal with concrete, which must be of the same strength class as that used to construct the plinth
(class C25/30)
− Subsequently, remove the wedges and fill the hole left by the wedges with concrete of the same
type as that used to construct the plinth
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COLUMNS WITH BASE PLATE AND ANCHOR BOLTS
For columns with base plates, the erection process must be preceded by the embedding of anchor
bolts into the base plinth. To ensure the correct positioning of the anchor bolts, use a blank steel
template, that is, a plate pre-drilled with holes spaced at precise intervals.
The assembled anchor bolts-template assembly must be perfectly level and secured (with straps) to
the plinth reinforcement to prevent any unwanted movement during concrete pouring.
Carry out the following steps:
− Insert the column onto the protruding anchor bolts and rest it against the nuts below
− Screw, without tightening, the nuts above
− Adjust the plumb line by turning the nuts below
− Tighten the nuts above
− Seal with expanding fluid mortar
NOTE: When embedding anchor bolts in the foundation plinth, care must be taken to ensure that
the entire threaded part remains outside the concrete. In addition, to prevent the threads from getting
dirty or damaged, it is good practice to protect them by covering them with adhesive tape.
Once the concrete has set, it is possible to unscrew the nuts and remove the template, which can
then be used for installing other anchor bolts.
www.palicampion.it – Instruction for anchoring column/mast to the foundation plinth – rev06/2026– Pag. 4 di 5
WARNING NOTE
TIGHTENING OF BOLTS FOR JOINTS NOT SUBJECT TO PRE-LOAD
The provisions of Ministerial Decree of 14 January 2008, “Technical Standards for Construction”,
specify a pre-load force for bolted joints such as to prevent slippage between the parts to be joined,
thereby creating a friction-based joint. In this case, a force equal to 70% of the bolt’s ultimate
tensile strength is assumed, in accordance with the following formula:
f ⋅A
F p ,Cd = 0.7 ⋅ th res
γ M7
To which it is associate a tightening torque equal: M = k ⋅ d ⋅ F p ,Cd
where:
f th = tensile strength of the bolt
Ares = the load-bearing area of the bolt (excluding the thread)
γ M 7 = safety factor (equal to 1.1 for pre-loaded high-strength bolts)
k = safety factor specified by the manufacturer
d = nominal diameter of the bolt
The purpose of a friction joint is to bring the parts to be joined into contact in such a way that they
do not slide relative to one another, thereby inducing a tensile stress in the bolt shank up to values
close to the yield strength. n fact, considering an 8.8-grade bolt [yield strength 640 MPa, tensile
strength 800 MPa], the pre-load force is equal to:
f th ⋅ Ares f yh Ares
Fp ,Cd = 0.7 ⋅ = 0 .7 ⋅ ⋅ ≅ 0.8 ⋅ f yh ⋅ Ares
γM7 0 .8 1 .1
where f yh = yield strength
Therefore, values close to 80% of the yield strength are reached.
In the case of structures on a base plate, the connection between the plate and the plinth is not a
friction-fit bolted joint that operates under pre-load. In fact, the purpose of anchor bolts is to transfer
the stresses from the superstructure to the foundation plinth, that is, to keep the structure in place
and prevent it from toppling over.
Furthermore, we would like to point out that applying the pre-load torque to the anchor bolts can be
counterproductive, as this would pre-stress the anchor bolts themselves with a force already
amounting to approximately 80% of the yield strength (leaving only 20% as a reserve for external
loads)..
For the reasons set out above, in general, THE PRE-TENSIONING TORQUE MUST NOT BE
APPLIED to the nuts on the anchor bolts or fasteners generally used in our products (unless
otherwise explicitly stated in the workshop drawings for any special cases).
THE BOLTS MUST BE TIGHTENED USING STANDARD SPANNERS AVAILABLE IN
STORES, WITHOUT EXTENSIONS OR SIMILAR DEVICES, USING A FORCE THAT CAN
BE APPLIED BY AN AVERAGE PERSON
The applied torque values can be estimated on the basis of the following assumptions:
www.palicampion.it – Instruction for anchoring column/mast to the foundation plinth – rev06/2026– Pag. 5 di 5
• Considering that these are bolted joints that must not be preloaded.
• Considering that tightening the bolts using normal human strength is sufficient.
• Considering that the maximum force a normal person can safely exert is defined as 25 kg
(Legislative Decree 81/08 – ISO 11228)
• Considering the length of standard open-ended spanners available on the market
The following formula can be used to calculate the tightening torque: M = F ⋅ L , where F =
applied force (max 25 kg ~ 245 N) e L = length of the spanner
The table below provides, for guidance, the lengths of standard single-ended open-end spanners.
Open-ended
spanner
Spanner L [mm]
dimens.
10 120
13 145
17 160
19 175
21 175
22 196
24 196
26 216
27 216
30 240
32 270
35 300
36 300
38 300
41 340
42 340
45 376
46 376
50 420
55 450