MODELING, LOADING, AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR TALL GUYED TOWERS

The inherent nonlinearity in the structural behavior of guyed towers leads to difficulties in their structural analysis, and prevents the formulation of a general-purpose design methodology. As a result, simplifying analysis assumptions regarding the loading and the modeling of structural behavior have to be made, and approximate design methods are used, that are often unjustified, and can lead to disastrous failures. In this paper, the authors first summarize the results of an investigation they carried out on the collapse of a 1900 ft tall guyed tower under ice and wind loads. Based on this investigation, they then proceed to present some structural analysis recommendations relating to loading and modeling concerns. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of ice loading, and on the level of accuracy required in modeling the nonlinear response behavior. Finally, the conclusions drawn from this study are used to formulate preliminary design guidelines. This facilitates a systematic approach for the design of tall guyed towers.