18.02: Optimisation of masts and towers

Abstract

ABSTRACTWithin the last decades the need for tall structures has accelerated with the requirements for effective communication especially the advent of radio, radar and television. Latest the exponential growth in the use of cellular phones has meant a new era for towers and masts.There are many challenges for the engineers associated with these tall and slender structures especially when it concerns guyed masts. Many experts have stated that “a guyed mast is one of the most complicated structures an engineer may be faced with”. This statement is unfortunately underlined by the fact that the number of collapses of masts is relatively far greater than for other types of structures.The overall layout of telecommunication masts and towers is governed by the requirements to the transmission and receiving conditions. Added hereto the access and working conditions for installation and service are important issues for the design.A total optimising of towers and masts to the functional, economical and environmental requirements is a job for specialists, and it should normally take into account the total lifetime of the structure. However the optimising is often only focused on minimising the direct costs for the establishment of the structure, neglecting the many other factors influencing the “correct” optimisation.The extensive increase in the number of new masts and towers in the last few years, especially due to the expansion in the cellular telephones, has resulted in increased concern of the aesthetic appearance of these structures and this is an additional challenge to the designers.This paper gives an introduction to the optimisation of these structures and examples of designs are presented.