A comparison of the gust factor method and the patch load method of analysis of guyed towers

Abstract

The Canadian standard CAN/CSA-S37-94 "Antennas, towers and antenna supporting structures" (S37) has introduced as an appendix a quasi-dynamic method of analysis. This patch load method yields a more realistic pattern of forces in a guyed tower, but S37 contains no firm guidelines as to when this new method is required over the conventional static gust factor approach. This paper describes various comparative studies that were made to determine the conditions under which the normally used gust factor approach does not give sufficiently acceptable results so that patch load analyses are required. Results of the parametric studies and the analyses of a large number of actual towers showed that leg loads in the upper few spans tended to be about 15% larger on average in a patch load analysis. Face shears at the guy supports were also about 15% higher on average in the patch load method. The studies revealed no strong trends between the patch load and gust factor correlation and the tower parameters, although there were slight trends suggesting that a patch load analysis was warranted if the tower height was greater than 250 m, the aspect ratio was greater than 120, or the drag area exceeded 2.0 m2/m. The presence of a cantilever accentuated the margin between the results of the two methods. Key words: guyed towers, analysis, wind loading, dynamic effects, patch load, gust factor.