AU2017100324B4 - A Method for Bolstering a Monopole - Google Patents

Abstract

-12 Abstract A method of bolstering a monopole (12) including the steps of: clamping a clamping arrangement (14) to the monopole (12) by seating a plurality of couplings (26) at spaced apart intervals on an external surface (18) of the monopole (12) with lateral rods (28) extending between the couplings (26), the lateral rods (26) being adapted to apply a clamping pre-tension load thereto to clamp the clamping arrangement (14) to the monopole (12); Fitting a base arrangement (20) to a base section (22) of the monopole by coupling a support member (46) in a lengthwise direction to the base section and securing an anchor member (48) between the support member and a foundation (50) of the monopole (12); and arranging a plurality of lengthwise rods (24) in a lengthwise direction so as to be coupled between the base arrangement (20) and the couplings (26) of the clamping arrangement (14), the plurality of lengthwise rods (24) being adapted to apply a lengthwise pre-tension load thereto between the base arrangement (20) and the clamping arrangement (14) thereby bolstering the monopole (12).

Description

Technical Field [002] The invention relates to a method for bolstering or reinforcing a monopole such as a monopole utilised for a telecommunications, power, lighting or any other such like structure.

Background [003] Monopole structures are often used for telecommunication structures to support a variety of telecommunications equipment such as antennas. This telecommunications equipment is often located toward the tip end of the structure. Each structure has a design maximum load capacity at which the structure deflects within a predetermined angle at the design load capacity in response to a predetermined design wind loading criteria. The deflection angle may be, for example, about 1 degree or less. Each structure also has a design strength capacity including a base anchoring strength in respect of resistance to overturning and sliding.

[004] To expand the telecommunications capacity of a structure it is desirable to add further telecommunications equipment to the structure. However, adding further telecommunications equipment may exceed the design maximum load capacity and result in the deflection angle being increased, for example, above 1 degree in response to the design wind loading. Accordingly, to increase the rigidity of a monopole structure, various types of reinforcement apparatuses have been proposed.

-22017100324 20 Mar 2017 [005] US 6,694,698 discloses such a reinforcement apparatus for a monopole structure including a plurality of square support bars and at least two adjustable mounting clamps having guide tubes extending along and in close proximity to the outer skin of the pole. The plurality of square support bars has first and second ends and each of the respective first and second ends of the square support rods are received by one of the plurality of guide tubes of the mounting clamps. The base of the monopole structure is disclosed being modified to include an outrigger structure that is distinct and not connected to the reinforcement apparatus including the at least two mounting clamps and plurality of square support bars.

[006] Problems with known reinforcement apparatuses include adaptability to different sized, tapered and shaped structures (such as those having 8, 16, 24 side or being round). Further problems with known reinforcement apparatuses include that the structure may not be reinforced in a manner so as to have even load distribution and also load distributed from the reinforcement apparatuses to the base or ground on which the structure is supported. Still further problems with known reinforcement apparatuses include cost effectiveness and safety of installation.

[007] The invention disclosed herein seeks to overcome one or more of the above identified problems or at least provide a viable alternative.

Summary [008] In accordance with a first main aspect there is provided, a method of bolstering a monopole, the method including the steps of: Clamping a clamping arrangement to the monopole by seating a plurality of couplings at spaced apart intervals on the external surface of the monopole with lateral rods extending between the couplings, the lateral rods being adapted to apply a clamping pre-tension load thereto to clamp the clamping arrangement to the monopole; Fitting a base arrangement to a base section of the monopole by coupling a support member in a lengthwise direction to the base section and securing an anchor member between the support member and a foundation of the monopole; and arranging a plurality of lengthwise rods in a lengthwise direction so as to be coupled between the base arrangement and the couplings of the clamping arrangement, the plurality of lengthwise rods being adapted to apply a lengthwise pre-32017100324 20 Mar 2017 tension load thereto between the base arrangement and the clamping arrangement thereby bolstering the monopole.

[009] In an aspect, the method includes: tensioning the anchor member so as to apply tension between the support member and the foundation of the monopole.

[0010] In another aspect, the method includes: securing the anchor member at least partially within an aperture of the foundation formed laterally outwardly of the monopole.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the tensioning of the plurality of lengthwise rods includes adjusting a length of one or more of the plurality of lengthwise rods such that the applied lengthwise pre-tension load is sufficient to substantially maintain the plurality of lengthwise rods in pre-tension when the monopole is deflected to a pre-determined angle being in range of about 0.5 to 1.5 degrees from the vertical.

[0012] Advantageously, the base arrangement may be self-supporting to the existing pole base section and anchoring system, allowing further load distribution without impeding the existing monopole base plate and anchor bolts.

[0013] In an aspect, the lengthwise pre-tension load is sufficient to maintain the plurality of lengthwise rods in tension when the monopole is deflected to a predetermined angle. In some examples, the pre-determined angle being in range of about 0.5 to 1.5 degrees from the vertical.

Brief Description of the Figures [0014] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0015] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a section of a monopole fitted with a bolstering apparatus;

[0016] Figure 2 is a side view illustrating a clamping arrangement and plurality of

-42017100324 20 Mar 2017 lateral tension rods of the bolstering apparatus;

[0017] Figure 3 is a top view illustrating the clamping arrangement of the bolstering apparatus;

[0018] Figure 4 is a detailed side view of a coupling of the clamping arrangement and lateral and lengthwise tension rods coupled thereto;

[0019] Figure 5 is a side view illustrating a base section of the monopole fitted with a base arrangement of the bolstering apparatus;

[0020] Figure 6 is a detailed front view illustrating the base arrangement removed from the monopole;

[0021] Figure 7 is a sectional top view illustrating the base arrangement of the bolstering apparatus; and [0022] Figure 8 is a perspective side view illustrating the base arrangement of the bolstering apparatus.

Detailed Description [0023] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an apparatus 10 for bolstering or reinforcing a monopole 12, such as a monopole 12 used in an existing monopole structure, in a fitted condition. The apparatus 10 includes a set of clamping arrangements 14 adapted to clamp to and skirt a girth 16 of an external surface 18 of the monopole 12, a base arrangement 20 adapted to be attached to a base section 22 of the monopole 12 and a plurality of tension lengthwise rods 24 respectively extending between the base arrangement 20 and a lower most one of the clamping arrangements 14 and also between the clamping arrangements 14. The set of clamping arrangements 14 may be provided in any number and may be spaced apart in the vertical direction from one another and extend toward a tip of the monopole 12. The plurality of tension lengthwise rods 24 are generally parallel to one another, but may be slightly inwardly angled to follow the taper of the monopole 12.

-52017100324 20 Mar 2017 [0024] In more detail, and referring additionally to Figures 2 to 4, the clamping arrangements 14 each include a plurality of couplings 26 arranged to seat on the external surface 18 of the monopole 12 and lateral tension rods 28 extending between the couplings 26. The rods 28 preferably threaded rods or have threaded ends 39 and coupled to the coupling via fasteners 30 in the form of nuts so as to be adjustable to apply a clamping pre-tension load to the clamping arrangement 14 in the fitted condition. The rods 28 may be elongate and circular in cross section. In this example, two spaced part parallel rods 28 pass between each adjacent coupling 26.

[0025] The couplings 26 include an open trapezoidal body 32 having opposing sides 34, opposing ends 36 and feet 38 that seat the coupling 26 on the external surface 18 of the monopole 12. The opposing sides 34 are parallel and each includes two spaced apart apertures 40 to through which respective one of the plurality of tension rods 24 is passed and couple to in the fitting condition. The opposing ends 36 each include spaced apertures 41 through which the two parallel rods 28 are received and coupled via the respective nuts 30. The couplings 26 may be formed form plate steel or metal and the rods 28 may be formed from steel or metal. Other suitable materials may also be used.

[0026] As best shown in Figure 3, the opposing ends 36 are each outwardly angled such that the opposing ends 36 of adjacently located couplings are about parallel with one another as this allows the two parallel rods 28 extending between the adjacently located to be maintained relatively straight and reduce non-axial loading. This allows the two parallel rods 28 between each of the couplings 26 to be placed under a relatively high axial pre-tension load to clamp the clamping arrangement 14 to the monopole 12.

[0027] Couplings 26 and respective rods 28 may be added or removed from the clamping arrangements 14 to suit the circumferential girth of the monopole 12 and, once fitted, the nuts 30 may be advanced on the threads of the rods 28 to further adjust the circumferential size and apply the clamping pre-tension load.

-62017100324 20 Mar 2017 [0028] The plurality of lengthwise tension rods 24 are arranged to extend between each of the couplings 26 and either the base arrangement 20 for the lower most tension rods 24 or between the couplings 26 of vertically spaced apart clamping arrangements

14. The tension rods 24 may be elongate slender metal or steel rods having a circular cross sectional shape. Other suitable materials may also be used.

[0029] The tension rods 24 may have threaded ends 42 that couple with respective fasteners 44 in the form of nuts. This allows the tension rods 24 to be adjustable and have a pre-tension load applied thereto. Each coupling 26 is coupled with two tension rods 24 with one of the tension rods 24 extending downwardly and one of the tension rods 24 extending upwardly. This allows the transmission of axial tension and loading lengthwise along the external surface 18 of the monopole 12 and between the vertically spaced apart clamping arrangements 14 and the base arrangement 20. It is also noted that, as shown in Figure 3, the couplings 26 and tension rods 24 may be arranged to have pairs or sets of adjacent tension rods 24 extending on the same direction on the adjacent couplings 26 and these sets of mirror on the opposing side of the monopole 12 as is indicated by set “U” and set “D” (for upwards and downward extending) as shown in Figure 3.

[0030] This allows the overall axial load to be balanced between the lengthwise tension rods 24 and the clamping arrangements 14. It is noted that the pre-tension load applied to the lengthwise tension rods 24 is sufficient to maintain the plurality of rods in tension when the monopole 12 is deflected to a pre-determined angle or, in other words, sufficient to inhibit the tension rods 24 from any compressive load and thereby avoiding buckling. The pre-determined angle may be about 0.5 to 1.5 degrees from the vertical.

[0031] Referring now additionally to Figure 5 to 8, the base arrangement 20 includes a plurality of support members 46 adapted to be coupled to the base section 22 of the monopole 12 and an anchor member 48 adapted to be coupled between the support member 46 and a foundation 50 of the monopole 12 in the fitted condition.

[0032] Each of the support members 46 includes a flat bar shaped body 52 that is at least one of welded or fastened via fasteners 53 vertically along the external surface 18

-72017100324 20 Mar 2017 of the base section 22. The support member 46 includes an upper bracket 54 located at or toward an upper end 56 thereof, a lower bracket 58 located at or toward a lower end therefor and the flat bar shaped body 52 extends between the upper bracket 54 and the lower bracket 58. In this example, eight support members 46 are provided at spaced apart intervals around the base section 22 as best shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0033] The upper brackets 54 include an aperture 62 arranged to receive a free end of the lower most plurality of tension rods 24 and the tension rods 24 are coupled to the brackets 54 by the fasteners 44. The upper brackets 54 space the tension rods 24 apart and away from the external surface 18 of the monopole 12 and align with tension rods 24 with the couplings 26 to which the opposing ends of the tensions rods 24 are coupled.

[0034] The anchor members 48 extend between the lower brackets 58 and are secured within the foundation 50 of the monopole 12. The foundation 50 is typically concrete and the anchor member 48 may be a “ChemSet” or chemical anchor bolt that is fixed between the lower bracket 58 and foundation 50. The lower bracket 58 includes an aperture 66 arranged to receive and allow the generally vertical alignment in anchor member 48. The anchor member 48 may be fixed to the lower bracket 58 by a fastener 68 provided here in the form of a nut.

[0035] The base arrangement 20 enables the transmission of the load between the monopole 12 via the plurality of tension rods 24 and the clamping arrangement 14 to the foundation 50. The base anchor member 48, in particular, increases the existing monopole 12 base anchoring capacity by distributing the load into the foundation 50.

[0036] In use, the apparatus 10 is typically fitted to an existing monopole structure 12 in need of reinforcement or bolstering. A method of use may include the apparatus 10 fitted to the existing monopole structure 12 by securing the clamping arrangements 14 at predetermined spaced apart intervals along the lengthwise direction of the monopole 12. Couplings 26 may be added and removed from the clamping arrangements 14 as need be and the lateral tension rods 28 between the couplings 26 may be tensioned to clamp each of the clamping arrangements 14 to the monopole 12 with the couplings 26 seated on the external surface 18 of the monopole 12.

-82017100324 20 Mar 2017 [0037] Before, during or after the fitting of the clamping arrangement 14, the base arrangement 20 may be fitted to the base section 22 of the monopole 12 by securing such as bolting or welding the support members 46 in place to the base section 22. The anchor members 48 may be secured to the foundation 50 and secured to the lower bracket 58 of the support members 46. The anchor members 48 may then be tensioned.

[0038] Next, the vertical tension rods 24 are secured between the couplings 26 of the respective clamping arrangements 14 and between the couplings 26 of the lower most of the clamping arrangements 14 and the upper bracket 54 of the base arrangement 20. The vertical tension rods 24 are then tensioned to a predetermined tension so that the vertical tension rods 24 are substantially maintained in pre-tension during deflection and loading of the monopole 12.

[0039] Advantageously, there has been described an apparatus and method for bolstering a monopole such as a telecommunications structure. The apparatus and method may be applied to variety of different sized and shaped monopole and provide a “universal” strengthening system for monopoles. The apparatus and method also provide for clearance and adaptability around existing structures or ancillary features of an existing monopole.

[0040] Further advantageously, the apparatus includes clamping arrangements, a base arrangement and a plurality of lengthwise rods that are adapted to be pre-tensioned in a fitted condition between the clamping arrangement and base arrangement so as to distribute load between the clamping arrangements to the base arrangement and ultimately into the foundation to which the base arrangement is anchored in the fitted condition. Accordingly, the pre-tensioning and base anchoring of the apparatus and method disclosed herein not only increase deflection resistance but also provide additional strength capacity to the monopole, base anchoring strength (resistance to overturning and sliding) and do so in a cost effective and safe manner.

[0041] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “monopole” will be understood to be monopole structure

-92017100324 20 Mar 2017 and/or a structure that includes a monopole structure such as, but not limited to, a telecommunications, power, lighting or any other such like structure.

[0042] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0043] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0044] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0045] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

-102017100324 20 Mar 2017

Claims (5)

1. The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

   1. A method of bolstering a monopole, the method including the steps of:

   Clamping a clamping arrangement to the monopole by seating a plurality of couplings at spaced apart intervals on an external surface of the monopole with lateral rods extending between the couplings, the lateral rods being adapted to apply a clamping pre-tension load thereto to clamp the clamping arrangement to the monopole;

   Fitting a base arrangement to a base section of the monopole by coupling a support member in a lengthwise direction to the base section and securing an anchor member between the support member and a foundation of the monopole; and

   Arranging a plurality of lengthwise rods in a lengthwise direction so as to be coupled between the base arrangement and the couplings of the clamping arrangement, the plurality of lengthwise rods being adapted to apply a lengthwise pretension load thereto between the base arrangement and the clamping arrangement thereby bolstering the monopole.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method includes:

   Tensioning the anchor member so as to apply tension between the support member and the foundation of the monopole.
3. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method includes:

   securing the anchor member at least partially within an aperture of the foundation formed laterally outwardly of the monopole.
4. 4. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the tensioning of the plurality of lengthwise rods includes adjusting a length of one or more of the plurality of lengthwise rods such that the applied lengthwise pre-tension load is sufficient to substantially maintain the plurality of lengthwise rods in pretension when the monopole is deflected to a pre-determined angle being in range of about 0.5 to 1.5 degrees from the vertical.

   -112017100324 19 Sep 2018
5. 5. The method according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the method further includes the steps of:

   Clamping a further clamping arrangement higher on the monopole relative to the clamping arrangement; and

   Arranging a further plurality of lengthwise rods to extend in the lengthwise direction so as to be coupled between the clamping arrangement and the further clamping arrangement, the further plurality of lengthwise rods being adjustable in length so as to apply a further lengthwise pre-tension load thereto between the clamping arrangement and the further clamping arrangement, the further pre-tension load being sufficient to maintain the further plurality of lengthwise rods in tension when the monopole is deflected to a pre-determined angle being in range of about 0.5 to 1.5 degrees from the vertical.

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