[TowerTalk] Guying a self-supporting tower - Yes

[Steve Maki]

David Robbins K1TTT wrote:

>> This is the question I'm interested in. Because if it turns out
>> that it's difficult to design even a ridiculous structure that is
>> weakened by guys, some good light will be shed.

> I am good at the ridiculous.. just use the example of a very weak
> tube, like a cardboard paper towel
tube.
> It will stand upright very nicely by itself... but then add a couple
> of strong cords pulling down at a steep angle and it will crush even
without an
> added load of wind.


Err, no. Keep in mind the concept of "sensible guying"


> Or take a piece of balsa or other light wood, put guys to the top of
it and
> tension to just about the breaking point, then give the wood a bit of
> 
a push
> in the middle and it will snap... extend the wood above the guys a
> bit and give it a push up there and it will pivot around the guy
> point and break below the guys the same way.
> 
> There are lots of ways to apply guys to something that can't handle
> the extra down force that will make it buckle and collapse.


Again, this isn't sensible guying.

Steve K8LX