This study deals with the evaluation of stress distribution under a base plate connection and examine the validity of the empirical formula provided by the American Institute of Steel Construction, AISC code. Finite element analysis is used to determine the performance of the designed base plate. The stress distribution obtained from the numerical analysis is compared with the assumed formulae in the AISC code. The numerical analysis revealed the failure mode of the designed connection, which either be through tensile yielding of the anchor bolt or bending failure of the steel plate. The concrete base is assumed to be rigid, as its influence on the behavior of the base-plate connection is beyond the scope of the current study.