A simplified method for seismic analysis of rooftop telecommunication towers

Abstract

A simplified method is presented in this paper for the estimation of forces at the base of telecommunication towers mounted on building rooftops due to seismic excitation. Although some codes and standards propose simplified methods for the evaluation of base shear forces for towers founded on ground, no method yet exists for the evaluation of overturning moments. The proposed simplified method is based on numerical simulations using truncated modal superposition, which is widely used for seismic analysis of linear structures. The method requires the prediction of input seismic acceleration at the building–tower interface, the definition of an acceleration profile along the building-mounted tower, and the determination or evaluation of the mass distribution of the tower along its height. The method was developed on the basis of detailed dynamic analyses of three existing towers assumed to be mounted separately on three buildings. It was found that the method yields conservative results, especially for the overturning moments.Key words: self-supporting towers, earthquake, horizontal excitation, dynamic analysis, acceleration, modal superposition.