Use of leveling/setting plates is one method of column erection that can be selected at the option of the erector. There are no specific requirements listed in the AISC Specification as to when this method (or another) is to be used or as to the size of the plates required.
When the method is used, setting plates are usually about ¼ in. thick and slightly larger than the base plate, and they are grouted in place in advance of column erection. A plate this thin has a tendency to warp when fabricated and thus, this method is typically limited to a maximum plate dimension of about 24 in. Individual preferences on
this limit—and the column erection method in general — will vary.