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A stable platform resistant to aeolian blowout

S

steven.armstrong

Electrical
May 19, 2025
6
Hi All,

We have a tower in the desert to support an instrument that looks down at light intensity reflected from the sand. This is used to calibrate satellite instruments. For local cultural reasons we can't use screw piles into the ground. Our problem is to make a stable platform resistant to aeolian blowout.

Here are some pictures of our current effort.
Screenshot 2025-05-19 112027.png

Screenshot 2025-05-19 111629.png

Screenshot 2025-05-19 111454.png

Note the success of the jute matting used under the trailer. This can be replaced with commercially available UV stable geofabric. There is a preference to move to a guyed tower in order to get rid of the large trailer. It is in the field of view of the instrument. This is undesirable.

My inquiry is, can an 1000kg IBC full of water on a pad of geofabric form a stable anchor point for guy ropes? The geofabric would extend beyond the IBC. The IBC could be on a metal sheet. I would envisage that after some time the IBC/pad would look like a pillar protruding form the eroded surface.

download.jpg

The investigation is to last 15 years. Any thoughts most welcome.
 
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Gabion basket instead?

Fill it with sand ( there seems to be a lot about....)

That sort of sand looks like it will drift hugely over 15 years or even 15 months.

IBCs won't last 15 yrs in sunlight and the water will evaporate/ leak out.

Use rocks is my suggestion.
 
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LittleInch said:
Gabion basket instead?

Fill it with sand ( there seems to be a lot about....)

That sort of sand looks like it will drift hugely over 15 years or even 15 months.

IBCs won't last 15 yrs in sunlight and the water will evaporate/ leak out.

Use rocks is my suggestion.
Click to expand...
Thanks, hadn't thought of that. I'm an electronics person. I will investigate.
 
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steven.armstrong said:
My inquiry is, can an 1000kg IBC full of water on a pad of geofabric form a stable anchor point for guy ropes?
Click to expand...
Why don't you consider precast concrete cube each 1000 kg? It should not be big issue to fabricate 3 precast cubes , transport and install with a excavation depth say 500 mm.
 
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I think the transport is the challenge there HTURKAK.... but maybe not, if not concrete they'd have to get the water or rocks out to site.

Agreed that the concept is viable from a structural and geotechnical perspective (we use concrete "deadman" blocks all the time).
 
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I was thinking empty containers and a water tanker was a reasonable approach to the problem.
 
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HTURKAK said:
Why don't you consider precast concrete cube each 1000 kg? It should not be big issue to fabricate 3 precast cubes , transport and install with a excavation depth say 500 mm.
Click to expand...
This sort of thing might be available as a stock item?
 
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SG of sand, even dry sand is about 1.6, water is 1. What's not to like?

Rocks if they are in the surface area probably SG 2.5
 
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steven.armstrong said:
This sort of thing might be available as a stock item?
Click to expand...
Search your local market. In my zone there are precast blocks having different weights. Moreover , it is not a big issue to cast 1000 kg cubes near a ready mix concrete plant.
 
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I managed to have a chat to a geotech guy. He agrees with the use of a sand or rock weight. However he pointed out vibratory compaction of the sand would help and warned of the effects of rain on the whole arrangement.
 
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Rain?? Did he see the photo you posted?

Sand inside an IBC shouldn't need compaction, though add some water from the top will do the trick.
 
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