old base platesfootings

huangyhg

old base plates/footings
does anyone know of old construction techniques involving base plates and footings?
i have a building roughly 100 years old, and an original column schedule that is somewhat legible.  the loads are listed for each column (very nice) and at the bottom of each column is block that has a number of channels in the u position.  for example, a 14h107.5 column has listed (4)-15c33.9 x 4'-11" (but the c is in a u).  another example: a 14h165 has (4)-15u50 x 5'-7".
does anyone know what these c's (u's) are used for?  base plates?  footing reinforcing?  spreader beams in the footings?
pylko,
i happen to have the first edition of the aisc manual (no i am not that old!!!).my wife found it few years back in garage sale and she bought it for a buck. good bargain, don't you think?
it is in my office; i will review it and would let you know if they have anything on this subject.
i did a job in charleston, sc, in a historic building and i discovered that they used cotton bales under the foundation. i was told the reason were the presence of the water table and seismic activity. that building was built circa civil war and is still standing and occupied. it survived several hurricanes i should add. the old builders and engineers were pretty nifty, i would say. check for the practice in your area or the area where the building is. i have noticed in my years of experience, i am sure most of you have, that certain practices are limited to their locale.
i will keep you posted.
is it possible that there is a grillage footing under the column and the designation you see indicates the number and size of the grillage   
i think may the underpinning of these columns is done at some stage for some reasons