[TowerTalk] Pad and Pier for ROHN SSV. Pad and Pier Foundations

[isp@bnjcomp.com]

I still have to get and look at the cores done on my property.  Am hoping that they actually did a core at or real near where the proposed tower location is.  So I can compare where do I find what "normal" or "average" soil conditons means?

thanks terry

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Gates 
  To: isp at bnjcomp.com 
  Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2005 1:55 AM
  Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Pad and Pier for ROHN SSV. Pad and Pier Foundations


  Terry,

  From a structural standpoint, everything is pretty much in the Rohn catalog.  From the soils standpoint, only a registered Engineer can give you the answer. and I wouldn't begin to try and interpret the data myself.  The Rohn specs are based on "average" soil conditions.  Don't believe you ever mentioned where you live, but the comments on engineering costs came mostly from people in California and New Joisey, where engineering fees rival home costs. :)  I would think that, in most areas, you could get this done for a lot less than the $3000 mentioned.  

  You had another note about centering on the pad.  Take another look at your footings page in the Rohn catalog.  The three legs form a perfect equilateral triangle.  If the person you were talking to says his isn't, I'd say he has a problem.  As pointed out by others in more detail than I cared to read, if you use a circular pad, then, yes, each leg will be the exact same distance from the perimeter.  If you have a square pad, then the distance from any one leg to the edge can vary.  But, the center point of the intersection of a line drawn from each leg to the center point will indeed be in the center of the pad.  Keep on asking questions until you feel comfortable.  The only dumb question is the one not asked.

  73, Bob W7BJ




    Of couse like everyone else here on this list that puts up thier own tower I am trying to save money.  But also trying to stay safe.   The property I am putting this on was originally part of a piece of land that was hopeful that the city would get a large business to be on.  So for that reason they did core samples of the property.  So I am going to try to acquire a copy of the results of those core samples to see what they say.   So my question is I don't see in Rohn's book a spot for "if XXX sandy conditions then modify piers by doing this or that"  or "if XXX compactness with clay then modify piers by doing this or that".     Once I get that where do I look for those modifications.  Also I tried when I bought this tower to get engineering drawings from ROHN but after MANY calls was unsuccessful.  Does anyone have any new experience with new radian / rohn and think my ability to get those drawings would be better?  Better question is it seems all the information is in the Rohn Catalog and I am wondering what I will get off of those drawings that is not in the catalog (since the drawings will probable be for the original owners Soil conditions).?

    thanks terry