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Re: [TowerTalk] Concrete tower fountains plans...some questions

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Concrete tower fountains plans...some questions
From: David Gilbert <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:24:57 -0700
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
1.  Concrete is porous as all get out and water moisture will get to 
your rebar no matter how integral it is.  It's the alkalinity in 
concrete that keeps the rebar from rusting.  Typically a piece of 
concrete like a portion of a CMU block is used to support the rebar off 
the bottom of the hole so that the coefficients of expansion are similar.

2.  Yes, suspending the rebar with steel wire works.  Just make sure 
it's strong enough to withstand the force of the pour, and string the 
wires in a trapezoidal fashion so that the rebar can't swing side to side.

3.  Yes .. bond the rebar to the tower base and its ground system.  In 
most jurisdictions that is required by code.

4.  Best to stay with the Rohn recommendations, but I'd go with six 
inches clearance from ground just to make sure there was never any 
standing water around my tower base.

5.  Makes sense, but I don't see any downside to it so why not do it on 
general principle?

73,
Dave   AB7E



On 6/11/2012 9:31 AM, Missouri Guy wrote:
> Hi Gents,
>
> I'm planning to erect a new 68' self-supporting BX tower and I'm
> going over Rhon's specifications for the concrete foundation.
> (I have NO desire to deviate from those specs.)
>
> A few questions:
>
> 1.  There's a grid of 3/8" rebar about 3" up from the bottom
> and is about 4ft square and flat.  What's the best
> way to support that off the bottom of the hole while
> the concrete is being poured around it?  And will
> the supports allow water to enter and corrode the rebar?
>
> 2.  There's also a grid of 3/8" rebar about 3" below the
> TOP surface of the foundation.  The rebar is placed at 12" centers.
> I'm *thinking* that the grid can be suspended from the wooden
> jig I'll build to hold the anchor bolts firmly in place while the
> concrete is being poured.  From your experience, would
> that be the best/easiest way?
>
> 3.  I've read/heard somewhere that rebar in concrete
> tower foundations should be connected/bonded to the tower
> ground system.  Seems logical, but is that true?
>
> 4.  The Rohn spec sheet shows the TOP of the fountation
> 6" above grade.  Why the 6"?...to allow for "growth" of the
> soil around it?  Why not, say 3" and dig the foundation
> hole a little deeper?
>
> 5.  The 1-inch anchor bolts have a nut and washer above
> and below the U-brackets that support the tower.  Is it
> customary to place some anti-sieze compound on the
> threads to easily allow minor adjustments due to any settling
> of the foundation...say in 5-10 years or so?
>
> 73 and thanks for your input,
>
> Charlie, N0TT
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