Tower Design and Engineering-Books

[Jim508]

Hello,

I'm a structural engineer with 6 years of experience in general building design. Recently I have been interested in learning about tower design and engineering for wind turbine towers and communication towers. I would like to read up on this area of structural engineering but I have not been able to find any books on Amazon.

Does anyone know of some good books for lattice towers, guy wire towers, or mono pole towers? And where I can find them at?

Best Regards,

Jim P.E.

 

[PhuzzYLogiK]

Hi Jim,

I don't know about turbines, but for telecom the reason you can't find books on the topic is that they really don't exist. There are two primary sources of information:
1. TIA-222-G ("Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas")
2. AISC Manual of Steel Design

The TIA code is probably what you're looking for, as it includes all telecom-specific criteria and design requirements. Unfortunately, it will run you ~$500 for a copy. If the price doesn't scare you away, make sure you get a copy that has Addendum 2 (the 2009 update). Also, be aware that Revision H of the code currently being written, and is due out in the next few years. It could (read: probably will) make significant changes.

Some parts of the country do still use the 1996 Revision (TIA/EIA-222-F). Rev F is referenced in the 2006 IBC and earlier. The big difference is that Rev F is ASD and Rev G is LRFD.

Last, note that the standard only applies to steel towers. And while it does have tower information, it does not include specific design criteria for some things like base plates/flanges/etc. Currently, the industry has developed generally accepted standards of design and analysis, but the topic is supposed to be addressed in the code by Revision H.

Hope that helps!

 

[briancpotter]

There's three ASCE Publications which may be of interest.

ASCE 10 - Design of Latticed Steel Transmission Structures (available here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/150109697/ASCE-10-97)

ASCE 48 - Design of Steel Pole Transmission Structures (available here:

http://manganow.org/asce/1211-asce-48-2005.html)

ASCE/AWAE RP2011 - Recommended Practice for Compliance of Large Land-Based Wind Turbine Support Structures (available here:

http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/I..._(TAC)/ASCE-AWEA RP2011 (Public Release).pdf)

Brian C Potter, PE
Simple Supports - The history and practice of structural engineering.
ConstructionPic - Send annotated jobsite photos.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

The others have covered most of the publications that I know about (and introduced me to a couple of new ones). But, there is one other resource I would point towards as well.... Some publications on the Tower Numerics web site:

http://www.towernx.com/resources.html

The one that I have found most useful is the one for the design of monopole bases. Though there is a presentation on current design issues related to monopole design that I think might be useful for you.

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Forgot to add in my normal caveat about ERI/RISA/TnxTower:

My post was focused entirely on the engineering merits of the resources mentioned. However, my company used to own the Tower Numerics program before one of our employees (the primary TnxTower programmer) purchased the program the program and set off on his own.

Therefore, at one point in time, I would have had a vested interest in promoting the software. Today, I'm not sure that makes me any more "biased" than anyone else on Eng-Tips. But, I am also not just another random engineer who works in the industry.