Analysis of Communication Tower under Wind Load

Abstract

With the rapid and widespread expansion of long distance broadcasting and communication in last two decades, the structural engineers have been faced with the problem of support of antennas at great heights, which is necessary to broadcast signals over long distance. In addition, the field of power transmission also requires the high tension conductors to be installed at reasonable heights. The present study focus on analysis of communication towers for strength and stability to withstand the lateral force because of wind as the tower are affected by lateral force like wind as a result tower deflect laterally to maximum extent and thereby it can affect the cost of the project as well as communication broad systems, therefore, the primary aim of investigation was to provide minimum deflection for the high communication tower. In the present analytical study, the number of towers with different bracing have been modeled and analysis with SAP 2000 computer package. The principal influencing parameter in the study where type of bracing (X, XB, K, XB K and K XB), base width and height of tower. The study reviewed that the height, base width and type of bracing are the significant influencing parameter on the strength and stability of tower. As the base width and height increases, deflection also increases significantly. However, the result shows that X and XB bracing are more suitable for all height more than 55 m whereas all type of bracing suitable up to 55 m.

Keywords: Communication Tower, SAP 2000 software, Wind Load, Strength, Stability