This paper presents the experimental tests on cyclic behaviour of the base
plate connections that are connected to the foundation with and without fully post
tensioned anchor rods. The main aim is to evaluate these connections that are designed
with available design procedures from the low damage aspect. Also, the effect of post
tensioning on the seismic performance of this type of connection is presented. To
characterize the base plate connection damageability, each column base was designed for
a particular major inelastic deformation mode such as anchor rod yielding, yielding of the
column, or column and base plate yielding. It is shown that considered joints are not able
to be categorized as “a low damage”. Also, post tensioning of the base plate increases the
rotational stiffness of the base, and results in more ductility of the column with low axial forc
