IE20100176A1 - Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers - Google Patents
Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers Download PDFInfo
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- IE20100176A1 IE20100176A1 IE20100176A IE20100176A IE20100176A1 IE 20100176 A1 IE20100176 A1 IE 20100176A1 IE 20100176 A IE20100176 A IE 20100176A IE 20100176 A IE20100176 A IE 20100176A IE 20100176 A1 IE20100176 A1 IE 20100176A1
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- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 19
- 238000009420 retrofitting Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 5
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000010267 cellular communication Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004035 construction material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005404 monopole Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004570 mortar (masonry) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011150 reinforced concrete Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
- E04G23/00—Working measures on existing buildings
- E04G23/02—Repairing, e.g. filling cracks; Restoring; Altering; Enlarging
- E04G23/0218—Increasing or restoring the load-bearing capacity of building construction elements
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
- E04G23/00—Working measures on existing buildings
- E04G23/02—Repairing, e.g. filling cracks; Restoring; Altering; Enlarging
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H12/00—Towers; Masts or poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods of erecting such structures
- E04H12/02—Structures made of specified materials
- E04H12/08—Structures made of specified materials of metal
- E04H12/10—Truss-like structures
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a method of strengthening an existing antenna tower using 3-dimensional modelling software, to determine one or more potential areas of weakness within a latticed structure of the antenna tower. A retro-fitting bracing plan comprised of a plurality of bracing bars to be applied to the antenna tower to strengthen the areas of weakness within the latticed structure is calculated and applied using U-bolts and complementary backing plates. The present invention has allowed a relatively simple bracing plan to be implemented on existing antenna towers which is relatively cheap for network operators to implement, allows existing telecommunications equipment to remain intact and operational, extends the service lifetime of the antenna towers, is relatively environmentally friendly in comparison to replacing the existing tower with a new antenna tower. <Figure 2a>
Description
"Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers" Introduction iST cl άεφ-— E&4U jijoo This invention relates to a method of strengthening an antenna tower.
Due to the increased usage of cellular communication networks, many antenna towers have been erected to service the high demand for antennas and other telecommunications equipment. The service lifetime of an antenna tower is usually in the region of 15-20 years. Up until recently, it was common for network operators to erect their own antenna towers for their own exclusive use, hoping to provide their network with better coverage, and hence a better service, than competing network operators. Thus, there are a large number of antenna towers which were erected at the beginning of the cellular network era, which are now coming to the end of their service lifetime. These antenna towers need to be replaced.
Moreover, many antenna towers which are still within their service lifetime are having to carrying greater loads of telecommunications equipment than was originally envisaged. This is partly due to increasingly restrictive practices from local councils and regulatory authorities, who have made the process of obtaining a planning certificate to erect an antenna tower more difficult. As a consequence, network operators have been seeking to mount their antennas and telecommunications equipment on a competing network operator's existing antenna tower, Furthermore, the development of modern antennas has resulted in telecommunications equipment, such as power amplifiers and the like, being located very close to the antenna so as to reduce the amount of signal loss which typically occurred along the link between the antenna and the power amplifier located at ground level. As a result, heavier equipment is being mounted on the existing antenna towers.
Heretofore, it was industry practice to replace or reinforce existing antenna towers which had reached the end of their service lifetime or that could not safely support the telecommunications equipment required of them with brand-new antenna towers.
There are several problems associated with replacing an antenna tower with a brandII 10017® -2new antenna tower.
There is a large financial cost associated with obtaining new materials to build the new antenna tower. Moreover, the telecommunications equipment that is mounted on the old, existing antenna tower has to be carefully disconnected and removed, stored, and subsequently re-mounted on the new antenna tower. This will lead to a service downtime for customers, which will cause a weakening or complete loss of cellular network coverage in a certain area. This disruption to the network operator’s service could fast for several working days as the old, existing antenna tower is torn down and the new antenna tower is erected in its stead. Furthermore, there will be transportation and installation costs associated with the materials for the new antenna tower. As the new antenna tower will most likely be supporting more telecommunications equipment than the old, existing antenna tower, the new antenna tower will be of a different design to the existing antenna tower and additional work will be required to ensure that the new antenna tower complies with guidelines laid down by a regulatory body concerning the design and construction of antenna towers. Lastly, there will also be a financial cost associated with the safe disposal of materials from the antenna tower which was torn down.
There are also several problems associated with reinforcing an existing antenna tower.
US Patent Publication Number US2005001131 (Stevens at al.) discloses a bracing assembly for an existing latticed antenna tower. The bracing assembly comprises reinforcing legs that are attached to and surround the outside of each upright on the existing antenna tower. These reinforcing legs are cross-braced to one another using reinforcing cross members. As the bracing assembly is attached around the outside of the existing antenna tower, the overall dimensions of the antenna tower are increased, and this may result in the antenna tower no longer complying with the guidelines laid down by the regulatory body concerning the design and construction of that antenna tower. Furthermore, existing telecommunications equipment on the antenna tower may have to be removed while this outer bracing structure is attached around the existing antenna tower. The telecommunications equipment that has to be removed must be carefully disconnected, removed, stored, and subsequently reI£ 10 0176 -3mounted on the antenna tower. This will lead to a service downtime for customers, which will cause a weakening or complete loss of cellular network coverage in a certain area. Lastly, the cross-members and struts of the existing antenna tower are not strengthened by connecting the cross-members or struts to any bracing bars. The bracing bars are simply used to clasp the reinforcing legs towards one another to alleviate pressure on the cross-members or struts but do not strengthen the crossmembers or struts of the existing antenna tower.
Japanese Patent Publication Number JP2005350954 (Kanden Engineering K.K.) discloses the use of individual struts which are used to replace struts on a lattice tower which have become corroded or damaged. The struts do not reinforce the tower as they are merely used to replace existing damaged Struts and the overall strength of the tower is not significantly increased. Japanese Patent Publication Number JP2008261145 (Kansai Electric Power Co.) discloses filling existing hollow pipes, which serve as uprights and struts on an existing antenna tower, with mortar. Whilst this may strengthen the uprights, struts and cross-members of the antenna tower, it will also significantly increase the weight of the existing antenna tower that must be supported by the support base of the antenna tower, and this may cause problems for the support base of the antenna tower. Japanese Patent Publication Number JP2006336371 (Tokyo Electric Power Co.) discloses a temporary replacement tool which is used to alleviate the pressure on an existing cross-member which needs to be replaced on an antenna tower. The replacement tool, which is essentially a clamp, is mounted on the antenna tower adjacent the strut which needs to be removed. The replacement tool may be adjusted to compress or extend the spacing between the uprights held by the strut whish is to be replaced so that any pressure on the strut is alleviated thus allowing a worker to easily loosen and remove bolts on the strut. The replacement tool Is unwieldy to mount on the antenna tower I would not serve as a permanent solution to reinforcing the antenna tower.
It is a goal of the present invention to provide a construction method that overcomes at least one of the above mentioned problems.
Summary of the Invention JE 1 0 0 1 7 6 -4The present invention is directed to a method of strengthening an existing antenna tower having a latticed structure formed from a plurality of uprights, struts and cross members, the method comprising the steps of surveying the antenna tower and the site upon which the antenna tower is located; measuring the size and condition of a support base used to support the antenna tower; measuring the size and condition of the uprights, struts and cross members of the latticed structure of the antenna tower; determining the range of wind conditions found at the site of the antenna tower; generating a model of the antenna tower using 3-dimensional modelling software; generating a representation of loads placed on the uprights, struts and cross members of the model of the antenna tower by existing and planned telecommunications equipment over the range of wind conditions measured at the site; analysing the model of the antenna tower with respect to the load placed on each of the uprights, struts and cross members to determine one or more potential areas of weakness within the latticed structure of the antenna tower; calculating a retro-fitting bracing plan comprised of a plurality of bracing bars to be applied to the antenna tower to strengthen the areas of weakness on the latticed structure of the antenna tower; checking the retro-fitting bracing plan to determine if the retro-fitting bracing plan complies with guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; altering the retro-fitting bracing plan by relocating one or more of the bracing bars if the bracing plan does not comply with the guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; drawing up a list of instructions for installers outlining how the retro-fitting bracing plan is to be implemented on the antenna tower; implementing the retro-fitting bracing plan on the antenna tower by attaching a plurality of verticai bracing members to an inner face on each side of the antenna tower, wherein, each vertical bracing member is substantially equally spaced between adjacent uprights of the antenna tower; attaching corner anchor plates to each existing upright of the latticed antenna tower; and, attaching a plurality of substantially horizontal bracing struts between adjacent comer anchor plates such that the horizontal bracing struts are connected to vertical bracing members of the bracing plan thereby forming a second internal structure within the existing antenna tower.
Strengthening an existing antenna tower by retro-fitting a number of bracing bars may appear, prima facia, to be a simple solution, and indeed, it is not suggested that IE 1 Ο Ο 1 7 6 -5retro-fitting bracing bars to existing structures is not already known. However, up to this point, industry practice in the field of telecommunication antenna towers would never have dictated that an existing antenna tower be strengthened using bracing means such as bracing bars. The prevailing convention in the telecommunications industry has been to tear down the existing antenna tower and replace it with a new antenna tower for a number of factors outlined below.
They are numerous reasons which have deterred the strengthening of an existing antenna tower. Each antenna tower is customised for specific telecommunications equipment requirements, location, prevailing wind conditions, grounds terrain, and consequently, has a unique construction profile to support the loads imposed on the tower by the telecommunication equipment. Each tower is therefore constructed differently having, for example, a monopole structure, a triangular lattice structure, a rectangular lattice structure or a stayed structure. Furthermore, the loading on each antenna tower is non-uniform as the telecommunications equipment is typically mounted on one side of the antenna tower to provide cellular network coverage on one side of the antenna tower. Each antenna tower has its own unique load profile.
As a result of the complex and unique constructions of each antenna tower, and due to the uniquely placed load profile on each antenna tower, the complexity and cost of strengthening an antenna tower has always been considered to be too great, and has been avoided in the past.
The present invention has allowed a relatively simple bracing plan to be implemented on existing antenna towers which overcomes many of the prejudices of the standard industry practice. The advantage of strengthening an existing antenna tower with this simple, yet highly effective bracing method is that the financial burden to network operators has been greatly reduced, and the cost of retro-fitting bracing bars to an existing antenna tower is up to 75% less than the cost of replacing the existing antenna tower with a new antenna tower.
As the bracing method is relatively quick and simple to implement, existing telecommunications equipment can remain intact and in operation on the antenna tower as the bracing plan is being implemented, and customers will not suffer from IE 1 Ο Ο 1 7 6 -βany service downtime.
Also, the service lifetime of the antenna towers can be extended by up to 10-15 years by using this retro-fitting bracing technique, which will increase worth of these fixed assets for the network operators; and, from an environmental viewpoint, the carbon footprint of strengthening the existing antenna tower will be less than that for replacing an existing antenna tower with a new antenna tower.
An advantage of altering the retro-fitting bracing plan if the bracing plan does not 10 comply with the guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers is that it will obviate the need to completely re-design a new bracing plan is the bracing plan does not conform with the guidelines. Such an approach has been found to reduce the time required to brace an existing antenna tower will be significantly as the network operators or antenna tower owners do not have to go through any certification, or planning process phase, or guideline compliance procedure.
The bracing plan is advantageous as the bracing bars form an internal structure with in the existing antenna tower. Thus, existing equipment will not need to be removed from the antenna tower as the cross-members and struts on the existing antenna tower can remain in place while the bracing plan is implemented with in the tower. Furthermore, the overall dimensions of the existing antenna tower will not be increased and it is therefore more likely that the reinforced antenna tower will still comply witii the existing guidelines set by the regulatory body for that antenna tower.
In a further embodiment, the method further comprises the step of piling the support base for the antenna tower to support for the second internal structure and the existing and planned telecommunications equipment.
The advantage of piling on the existing support base of the antenna tower is that the existing antenna tower can remain in place whilst their support base is strengthened. As mentioned above, this has many beneficial effects for the customer and network operator.
In a further embodiment, the plurality of vertical bracing members, corner anchor IE 10 0176 -7plates and substantially horizontal bracing struts are attached to the antenna tower and one another using a plurality of U-bolts and complimentary co-operating backing plates, each backing plate being substantially rectangular in shape and comprising a diagonally aligned groove across one face of the backing place which is dimensioned to fit partially around one of the uprights, struts or cross members of the existing antenna tower.
The advantage of attaching the bracing bars using U-bolts and complimentary cooperating backing plates is that the retro-fitting bracing plan can be implemented in a relatively simple, quick and efficient manner. The bracing bars are attached to the outer face of the antenna tower, and can be mounted in a manner such that no new planning certificate need be issued for the antenna tower. The use of bolts is seen as a particularly advantageous connection method as the bolts will allow a certain amount of natural movement and sway along the strengthened antenna tower which is vital in order to minimise wear and tear on the strengthened tower due to the use of an overly rigid strengthening structure which does not allow the tower to move in light wind conditions.
The advantage of providing a diagonally aligned groove across one face of the backing place is that the U-bolt and backing place will fit snugly in abutment against an upright, strut or cross-member on the existing antenna tower. This will securely and safely hold the bracing bars to the existing antenna structure.
The present invention is further directed to a method of strengthening an existing antenna tower having a latticed structure formed from a plurality of uprights, struts and cross members, the method comprising the steps of surveying the antenna tower and the site upon which the antenna tower is located; measuring the size and condition of a support base used to support the antenna tower; measuring the size and condition of the uprights, struts and cross members of the latticed structure of the antenna tower; determining the range of wind conditions found at the site of the antenna tower; generating a model of the antenna tower using 3-dimensional modelling software; generating a representation of loads placed on the uprights, struts and cross members of the model of the antenna tower by existing and planned telecommunications equipment over the range of wind conditions measured at the ΙΕ 10 ο 1 7 6 -8site; analysing the model of the antenna tower with respect to the load placed on each of the uprights, struts and cross members to determine one or more potential areas of weakness within the latticed structure of the antenna tower; calculating a retro-fitting bracing plan comprised of a plurality of bracing bars to be applied to the antenna tower to strengthen the areas of weakness within the latticed structure of the antenna tower; checking the retro-fitting bracing plan to determine if the retro-fitting bracing plan complies with guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; altering the retro-fitting bracing plan by relocating one or more of the bracing bars if the bracing plan does not comply with the guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; drawing up a list of instructions for installers outlining how the retro-fitting bracing plan is to be implemented on the antenna tower; implementing the retro-fitting bracing plan on the antenna tower by attaching a plurality of vertical bracing members to an inner face on each side of the antenna tower, wherein, each vertical bracing member is substantially equally spaced between adjacent uprights of the antenna tower; and, attaching a plurality of substantially horizontal bracing struts between adjacent uprights of the antenna tower and vertical bracing members of the bracing plan in an interweaving manner between existing struts and cross members on the antenna tower thereby forming a second internal structure predominately inside the existing antenna tower.
Detailed Description of Embodiments The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a strengthened antenna tower comprising a plurality of bracing bars in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2a is a side elevational view of a U-bolt and complementary backing plate attaching a bracing bar to a strut of the antenna tower of Figure 1; Figure 2b is a front elevational view of the U-bolt of Figure 2a; IE 10 0176 •9Figure 2c is a front elevational view of tiie complementary backing plate of Figure 2a; Figure 3a is a cross-sectional plan elevational view of the strengthened antenna 5 towerof Figure 1; and, Figure 3b is a cross-sectional plan elevational view of a further embodiment of a strengthened antenna tower.
Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure 1 thereof, there is provided an antenna tower indicated generally by the reference numeral 100. The antenna tower 100 comprises a plurality of uprights 102, struts 104 and cross-members 106. The antenna tower 100 is constructed using a latticed structure from these uprights 102, struts 104 and cross-members 106. Telecommunications equipment 108, such as an antenna or amplifier, is mounted on one side of the antenna tower 100.
A plurality of vertical bracing members 110 are attached to cross-members 106 of the antenna tower 100 in a substantially vertical manner at a plurality of mounting points 112 along each face of the antenna tower 100.
The vertical bracing members 110 are formed from bracing bars and are mounted on the existing antenna tower 100 using a simple, highly efficient yet effective method at the mounting points 112.
With reference to Figures 2a to 2c, each mounting point 112 comprises a U-bolt 202 and complementary backing plate 204. The U-bolt 202 comprises a pair of spacedapart free ends 202A, 202B joined by a curved section 202C. The backing plate 204 is substantially rectangular in shape comprising two longer sides 205A, 205B that are in parallel with one another and two shorter sides 205C, 205D that connect the two longer sides 205A, 205B to one another respectively. A diagonally aligned groove 210 is provided across one face of the backing place 204. The diagonally aligned groove 210 is dimensioned to fit partially about a portion of the outer curved surface of an upright 102, a strut 104, a cross-member 106 or a bracing member 110. The backing plate 204 for further comprises two through holes 212A, 212B which are ft 10 0176 -10spaced apart and dimensioned to allow the spaced-apart free ends 202A, 202B of the U-bolt 202 to pass therethrough.
In use, an existing antenna tower is modelled uniquely in 3-dimensional modelling 5 software taking cognisance of tower height, tower width, tower construction materials, foundation materials, foundation depth and the like. Loads on the tower are also modelled taking note of the location and weight of telecommunications equipment and wind conditions affecting the telecommunications equipment.
With particular reference to Figure 2a, the bracing member 110 is aligned in a substantially vertical direction and in abutment against one or more diagonally arranged cross-members 106 on the antenna tower 100. The U-bolt 202 is fit over the cross-member 106 and bracing member 110 and the complimentary co-operating backing plate 204 is fit over the U-bolt 202 by passing the through holes 212A, 212B over the free ends 202A and 202B of the U-bolt 202. Care is taken to ensure that the diagonally aligned groove 210 on the backing place 204 fits partially around the cross-member 106. A pair of washers 206 and screw bolts 208 secures the bracing member 110 to the cross-member 106.
With reference to Figure 3a, substantially horizontal bracing struts 114 are connected between adjacent uprights 102 of the antenna tower 100 to strengthen the antenna tower 100. Vertical bracing members 110 are arranged to be substantially equally spaced between adjacent uprights 102 of the antenna tower 100 and connected to the horizontal bracing struts 114 connected between the adjacent uprights 102. The vertical bracing members 110 are arranged on an inner face of each side of the antenna tower 100 and connected to the mid-point of cross-members 106 on the antenna tower 100. Corner anchor plates 116 are connected to each of the uprights 102 of the antenna tower 100, and the horizontal bracing struts 114 are connected to these comer anchor plates 116. This is particularly advantageous as such a mid-point connection point is particularly suited to strengthening the antenna tower 100. In effect, the bracing plan causes a miniature lattice tower to be constructed within the existing antenna tower 100, thereby increasing the service lifetime of the antenna tower 100 and allowing further telecommunications equipment (not shown) to be installed on the antenna tower 100.
IE 10 0176 -11 With reference to Figure 3b, wherein like parts previously described have been assigned the same reference numerals, there is shown a further embodiment of an existing antenna tower 100 which is strengthened by connecting substantially horizontal bracing struts 114 between adjacent vertical bracing members 110. Vertical bracing members 110 are arranged to be substantially equally spaced between adjacent uprights 102 of the antenna tower 100. As before, this embodiment of the bracing plan causes a miniature lattice tower to be constructed within the existing antenna tower 100.
In this second embodiment, it can be seen the miniature lattice tower is angularly offset relative to the existing antenna tower 100. It has been found that a particularly optimum angle of offset can be given by 180° = ~~N~’ where N = numl3er vert'cal bracing members Thus, for the triangular antenna tower of Figure 3b, the miniature lattice tower is offset at an angle of 60° relative to the antenna tower 100.
In this manner, installers having relatively little experience may quickly and efficiently attach a number of vertical bracing members 110 and substantially horizontal bracing struts 114 to the antenna tower 100.
In the preceding embodiments, the antenna tower has been shown to be triangular in shape; however, it will be appreciated that the tower could be a triangular pyramid, causing a smaller triangular pyramidal shaped tower to be constructed within the existing triangular pyramidal tower. In such an arrangement, each cross section of the pyramidal tower would have a similar form to that shown in Figure 3a. It will also be readily appreciated that the tower may be square, square pyramid or rectangular in shape, and in such a scenario, the strengthening bracing plan would form a diamond, or substantially diamond-shaped structure within the existing tower.
It will be understood that the term "network operator should encompass any type of antenna tower owner, and is not limited to entities that are actually operating a •12cellular network.
In the preceding specification reference has been made to guideline for designing and constructing an antenna tower as may be given by a local regulatory authority. It will be understood that the term "guidelines may refers to guidelines issued by the Irish Department of Environment in 1996, which relate to the standard of antenna towers, In a further interpretation, the term "guidelines may refer to the British standard of BS8100 for Wind load, and, the standard BS5950 for design of antenna towers. The term should be accorded a wide interpretation and could include planning permission certificates as required in some jurisdictions.
The antenna towers hereinbefore described can range from 12m to 60m in height although most typically they will be between 20m and 40m. They are normally fixed to reinforced concrete raft foundations, will incorporate ladder and anti-climbing devices and suitable arrangements for bringing cables from antennae to an equipment cabinet. The height wilt be a function of the terrain, the cell size and coverage requirements and it should be noted that there is a trade-off between the height of any given mast and the number of masts required for network coverage. The most usual support structure will be a tripod lattice construction.
Such support structures will typically measure up to 4m at the base and the antennae are mounted on platforms at the top, as described in the previous paragraph. Sites should be surrounded by safety fencing and the masts/towers should be equipped with lockable trap-doors or other anti-climbing devices, The terms "comprise and include", and any variations thereof required for grammatical reasons, are to be considered as interchangeable and accorded the widest possible interpretation.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.
Claims (5)
1. A method of strengthening an existing antenna tower having a latticed structure formed from a plurality of uprights, struts and cross members, the 5 method comprising the steps of: surveying the antenna tower and the site upon which the antenna tower is located; 10 measuring the size and condition of a support base used to support the antenna tower; measuring the size and condition of the uprights, struts and cross members of the latticed structure of the antenna tower; determining the range of wind conditions found at the site of the antenna tower; generating a model of the antenna tower using 3-dimensional modelling 20 software; generating a representation of loads placed on the uprights, struts and cross members of the model of the antenna tower by existing and planned telecommunications equipment over the range of wind conditions 25 measured at the site; analysing the model of the antenna tower with respect to the load placed on each of the uprights, struts and cross members to determine one or more potential areas of weakness within the latticed structure of the 30 antenna tower; calculating a retro-fitting bracing plan comprised of a plurality of bracing bars to be applied to the antenna tower to strengthen the areas of weakness on the latticed structure of the antenna tower; IE 10 0176 -14checking the retro-fitting bracing plan to determine if the retro-fitting bracing plan complies with guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; altering the retro-fitting bracing plan by relocating one or more of the bracing bars if the bracing plan does not comply with the guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; 10 drawing up a list of instructions for installers outlining how the retro-fitting bracing plan Is to be implemented on the antenna tower; implementing the retro-fitting bracing plan on the antenna tower by attaching a plurality of vertical bracing members to an inner face on each 15 side of the antenna tower, wherein, each vertical bracing member is substantially equally spaced between adjacent uprights of the antenna tower; attaching corner anchor plates to each existing upright of the latticed 20 antenna tower; and attaching a plurality of substantially horizontal bracing struts between adjacent corner anchor plates such that the horizontal bracing struts are connected to vertical bracing members of the bracing plan thereby forming 25 a second internal structure within the existing antenna tower.
2. A method of strengthening an existing antenna tower as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the method further comprises the step of piling the support base for the antenna tower to support for the second internal structure and the 30 existing and planned telecommunications equipment.
3. A method of strengthening an existing antenna tower as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein, the plurality of vertical bracing members, corner anchor plates and substantially horizontal bracing struts are attached to the antenna tower IE 1 Ο ο 1 Ί 6 -15and one another using a plurality of U-bofts and complimentary co-operating backing plates, each backing plate being substantially rectangular in shape and comprising a diagonally aligned groove across one face of the backing place which is dimensioned to fit partially around one of the uprights, struts 5 or cross members of the existing antenna tower.
4. A method of strengthening an existing antenna tower having a latticed structure formed from a plurality of uprights, struts and cross members, the method comprising the steps of: surveying the antenna tower and the site upon which the antenna tower is located; measuring the size and condition of a support base used to support the 15 antenna tower; measuring the size and condition of the uprights, struts and cross members of the latticed structure of the antenna tower; 20 determining the range of wind conditions found at the site of the antenna tower; generating a model of the antenna tower using 3-dimensional modelling software; generating a representation of loads placed on the uprights, struts and cross members of the model of the antenna tower by existing and planned telecommunications equipment over the range of wind conditions measured at toe site; analysing the model of the antenna tower with respect to toe load placed on each of the uprights, struts and cross members to determine one or more potential areas of weakness within the latticed structure of the antenna tower; ft 1 ο ο 1 7 6 -16calculating a retro-fitting bracing plan comprised of a plurality of bracing bars to be applied to the antenna tower to strengthen the areas of weakness on the latticed structure of the antenna tower; checking the retro-fitting bracing plan to determine if the retro-fitting bracing plan complies with guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; 10 altering the retro-fitting bracing plan by relocating one or more of the bracing bars if the bracing plan does not comply with the guidelines for the design and construction of antenna towers; drawing up a list of instructions for installers outlining how the retro-fitting 15 bracing plan is to be implemented on the antenna tower; implementing the retro-fitting bracing plan on the antenna tower by attaching a plurality of vertical bracing members to an inner face on each side of the antenna tower, wherein, each vertical bracing member is 20 substantially equally spaced between adjacent uprights of the antenna tower; and, attaching a plurality of substantially horizontal bracing struts between adjacent uprights of the antenna tower and vertical bracing members of the 25 bracing plan in an interweaving manner between existing struts and crossmembers on the antenna tower thereby forming a second internal structure predominately within the existing antenna tower.
5. A method of strengthening an existing antenna tower as hereinbefore 30 described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20100176A IE20100176A1 (en) | 2009-12-08 | 2010-03-25 | Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20090924 | 2009-12-08 | ||
| IE20100176A IE20100176A1 (en) | 2009-12-08 | 2010-03-25 | Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| IE20100176A1 true IE20100176A1 (en) | 2011-06-08 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20100176A IE20100176A1 (en) | 2009-12-08 | 2010-03-25 | Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers |
| IE20100175A IES20100175A2 (en) | 2009-12-08 | 2010-03-25 | Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IE20100175A IES20100175A2 (en) | 2009-12-08 | 2010-03-25 | Improvements in and relating to strengthening antenna towers |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2476127A (en) |
| IE (2) | IE20100176A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110492227A (en) * | 2019-07-25 | 2019-11-22 | 惠州电力勘察设计院有限公司 | The communication antenna mounting bracket of electric force pole tower |
| CN117094044B (en) * | 2023-10-18 | 2024-01-30 | 中国铁塔股份有限公司 | Method and equipment for obtaining three-dimensional model of lattice tower |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2003074213A (en) * | 2001-08-30 | 2003-03-12 | Taisei Corp | Construction method for newly constructed tower and modification method for existing tower |
| DE50203265D1 (en) * | 2002-02-09 | 2005-07-07 | Sag Energieversorgungsloesunge | Process for the rehabilitation of steel pylons made of high voltage pylons |
| JP3988938B2 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2007-10-10 | 東京電力株式会社 | Raising the tower |
| US20050001131A1 (en) * | 2003-07-03 | 2005-01-06 | Stevens James A. | Method and apparatus for tower reinforcement system |
-
2010
- 2010-03-25 IE IE20100176A patent/IE20100176A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2010-03-25 GB GB1005028A patent/GB2476127A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2010-03-25 IE IE20100175A patent/IES20100175A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2476127A (en) | 2011-06-15 |
| IES20100175A2 (en) | 2010-12-08 |
| GB201005028D0 (en) | 2010-05-12 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FJ9A | Application deemed to be withdrawn section 31(3) |