[TowerTalk] (Repost) Engineering advice on above ground foundation

[David Gilbert]

And what does your gut feeling tell you about the fluidity of the soil 
under the base since you've never seen it?  That's what will determine 
whether his tower tips over or not.  It isn't even possible to "do the 
math" until someone checks out that soil.

This whole discussion amazes me.  If any part of ham radio screams for 
proper engineering, it is tower and antenna installation.  Why would 
anyone invest that much money in a project involving health and safety 
(i.e., liability) based upon "gut feel"?

I'm surprised nobody has brought up the probable hassles in getting 
zoning inspection buyoff for a tower foundation so far removed from the 
specified requirements.

Dave   AB7E


Steve Maki wrote:
> My gut feeling is that your 90,000lb 11' x 11' base, sitting on top of 
> the ground, is enough to hold up your 90' tower, if the concrete doesn't 
> break, and you don't mind the tower shifting a bit due to frost.
>
> You should have had it engineered, and my gut feeling may be wrong (I'll 
> leave it to the engineers to due the math), but there you go...
>
> Steve K8LX