Towertalk
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [TowerTalk] How much concrete to set a pole?

To: w8ji@contesting.com, towertalk@contesting.com, kb4t@arrl.net
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] How much concrete to set a pole?
From: DMartin560@aol.com
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 18:52:19 EST
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I agree with Tom.
I would just guy it to the earth anchors.
Dwayne,  KG4ADM

> To fill the holes (2 x 2 x 5 feet) most concrete
calculations dictate 30 80
> lb bags of concrete. (2400 lb of concrete)

That's a bunch of concrete to hold a very weak pipe. I can't
imagine you needing that much.

> To fill the holes to the 4 foot level (2 x 2 x 4 feet)
most concrete
> calculations dictate 24 80 lb bags of concrete. (1920 lb
of concrete)
> A suggestion has been made to use only 15 bags of concrete
(1200 lb) to
> secure the base of the pipes.

Don't know where advice like that would come from. Most of
the bending moment would be where the pipe leaves the solid
ancoring. I can't imagine why you would move the only
reliable thing supporting the pipes down lower!

> Question 1: Given the size and type of pipe being used,
what would be the
> ideal dimensions of the hole (and thus the amount of
concrete required)?

My guess would be two foot diameter or more extending up to
nearly the top of the pipe. In other words, I think you have
the wrong material for the pipes. I think you have far too
much pipe out of the ground, the pipe is too weak, and
especially that the pipe is too small in diameter.

> The tower will not be heavily loaded. It is hope that a 3
element SteppIR
> yagi and a single dual band VHF/UHF base station antenna
will be installed
> at the top. A pipe for a pulley to support the center of a
135 foot wire
> antenna will also be installed at the top of the tower.

I've seen many installations with TV receive antennas fail
with larger and shorter pipes to support guys. I'd look at
the breaking strength rating Rohn specifies for guy lines on
a tower like yours. I'd then calculate the bending moment
and look at the yield of the pipe when the guys are at the
angle they say. Every good long lasting installation I've
seen used large steel I-beam for posts. IMO a 2.5 inch pipe
16 feet out of the ground will be like a noodle, and back
guying it won't make the noodle much better.

73 Tom
_______________________________________________

See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather 
Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions 
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.

_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>