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  • 1.  Telecommunication steel Tower verticality

    Posted 02-05-2019 07:52 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 02-06-2019 10:15 AM
    What is the procedure to check verticality of square or triangular telecommunication steel towers?


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    Ammar Fakhoury P.E., M.ASCE
    Riyadh
    9665071 75857
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  • 2.  RE: Telecommunication steel Tower verticality

    Posted 02-06-2019 08:08 AM
    Edited by Shaun Merrill 02-07-2019 08:07 AM
    You could do a rough check using simple construction tools. If the structure has vertical sides put a level on it and check for plumb. If it has sloped sides attach a plumb bob to a member at a corner and measure the distance ​from the end of the bob to the structure and repeat at the other corners. If the structure is plumb then the measurements should match. In the very least these methods will tell you if it isn't vertical; they may not be accurate enough to tell you that it is perfectly vertical.

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    Shaun Merrill A.M.ASCE
    Design Engineer
    Wyoming MI

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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Telecommunication steel Tower verticality

    Posted 02-06-2019 10:43 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 02-06-2019 10:43 AM
    You may want to use a survey instrument to check for plumb.  Check in two directions perpendicular to each other.  Usually done at dawn so the tower is at a constant temperature and the winds are low.  Be careful taking measurements when the sun is shining on one side of the ​tower as the tower will bow due to the temperature differential.

    Another question is how plumb does the tower need to be?

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    Paul Blomberg P.E., M.ASCE
    Phoenix, AZ, United States
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Telecommunication steel Tower verticality

    Posted 02-06-2019 10:44 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 02-06-2019 10:44 AM
    Use surveying equipment.  Set up facing square on (perpendicular) to one of the faces and align on the center of that side at the base.  Then turn up to the top and see if it also aligns with something you know is at the center of the top; if there's not something obvious at the centerline, you may have to turn the instrument right and left to align with the top of each leg (the angles should be identical if it's centered and the legs are symmetrical, which they usually are).  You'll want to check all the sides.

    A good surveyor experienced in steel erection should be able to help.

    It should go without saying, but don't try climbing the tower - leave that to professionals with proper safety equipment.  Some telecom equipment also emits harmful rays (microwave, I think).  If you use a surveyor or surveying equipment, you should be able to do it all from the ground anyway.​

    There are codes that define the allowable plumbness tolerances (TIA, if I recall). If you try measuring on a windy day, the tower may be swaying.

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    Greg Thein, PE
    Cleveland, OH
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Telecommunication steel Tower verticality

    Posted 02-07-2019 07:44 AM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 02-07-2019 07:43 AM
    Greg, thank you for your input. Other members, yes, you are right. We are checking against TIA standard.

    Regards.

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    Ammar Fakhoury P.E., M.ASCE
    Riyadh
    9665071 75857
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Telecommunication steel Tower verticality

    Posted 02-08-2019 12:00 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 02-08-2019 12:00 PM
    Ammar, we have a climbing team. They use a digital theodolite.

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    Carole Mahady P.E., M.ASCE
    Fairfax VA
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    Original Message


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