Ehresmann Engineering  provides exceptional structural analysis services. A structural analysis goes deeper than just a visual inspection. The visual inspection of a tower will show the physical condition of a tower such as rusting, cracking of welds, bent members, etc. but it will not show whether a tower is overstressed by the loads it is supporting. A structural analysis uses mathematical engineering formulas for stress, along with known behavior of different materials under stress, to determine if any one point on the tower is stressed beyond safe limits. By using state-of-the-art computer software, we can create a mathematical model of any steel structure, and quickly determine the stresses at hundreds of points on the tower.

If you wish to determine if an existing tower is already overloaded or if it can accommodate additional antennas, we can provide a computer analysis in accordance with applicable codes. When our analysis is completed, we will provide you a complete report showing both the existing and alternative tower configurations. We will also provide recommended modifications to the tower if it can be safely modified to accept additional loads.

Key Benefits

  • Determine if existing tower is already overloaded.
  • Determine if existing tower can accommodate additional antennas.

Cost of Analysis

  • The price varies with the size, type and complexity of the tower.
  • Ehresmann Engineering will quote you a firm price in advance on any structure.
  • A re-analysis of the same tower is provided at a reduced cost to consider various options in antenna loading.

Required Information

  • Tower Location: needed to identify tower and to determine the TIA/EIA recommended wind speeds.
  • Tower Make/Model: gives us the information needed to determine tower construction.
  • Tower Height.
  • Compass orientation of tower face.
  • As-built drawings.
  • Tower leg, diagonal and girt sizes with type and grade of steel.
  • Quantity, size and grade of bolts used in construction.
  • Accurate antenna loading on tower (antenna type, elevation on tower, azimuth.)
  • Location and type of other loads on tower (lights, platforms, ice shields, etc.)
  • Soils analysis at tower base and at guy anchors.
  • Elevation of guy anchors as compared to the elevation of the tower base.
  • Location and sizes of antenna feed lines.
  • Location and size of stabilizers.
  • Guy anchor radii (distance of guy anchors from base of tower.)
  • Type of tower base (pivot or fixed.)
  • Foundation design for tower and anchors.
  • Proposed antenna loading, if the tower is to be analyzed considering loads other than the existing tower load.
  • Photographs of the tower.
  • Any unusual climatic conditions. (For example, are prevailing wind and ice conditions at the tower site higher than normal?)

NOTE: Absence of the above information will cause the tower to be analyzed based on certain assumptions such as soil conditions, manufacturers’ specifications, and professional engineering experience and judgment. The analysis results will represent conditions as provided to Ehresmann Engineering by the client. Ehresmann Engineering can provide an on-site inspection of your tower to obtain required information.