Filling the annular gaps is not logistical for the design, however the software will not allow me to run the model without selecting "Fill holes with SOFA". The gap below the baseplate is to be grouted, which will pick up the shear force through the anchors, so I do not see why this is a requirement.
Thank you for your question, Eurocode and ETAG are limited in their anchor layouts. To go beyond this limitation in anchor layouts, and calculate applications with circular layouts, 4x2 anchor layouts, 4x4 anchor layouts, 5x1 anchor layouts, etc. the user of PROFIS Engineering can choose to fill the annular gap between the anchor and the base plate and use SOFA 1.0 (solutions for fastenings) or amend the anchor layout.
In cases where it is not possible to change the arrangement then the solution is an engineering judgement, based on the formulas of ETAG (see design method on the first page of the design report).
When performing shear verifications near an edge, Eurocode requires that all shear load is distributed to the front rows. However, regulation "fib design bulletin 58" goes beyond the Eurocode, and allows that shear is also distributed to the back row.
In this case, the solution is NOT an engineering judgement, but is fully based on fib guideline --> that's SOFA 1.0 based on fib. fib is limited to 3x3 anchor arrangements.
It is also worth noting that the Eurocode does not consider any shear resistance coefficient between the baseplate and concrete with the shear load applied to the anchor(s)