[TowerTalk] Complex Guying Question

W2RU - Bud Hippisley W2RU at frontiernet.net
Mon May 9 18:00:38 PDT 2011


On May 9, 2011, at 8:01 PM, Dick Green WC1M wrote:

> I would guess that it doesn't matter as long as the tension on all
> three guys at a give level is the same.


I think I would modify that sentence slightly to say, "...as long as the horizontal component of the tension on all three guys at a given level is the same."

If the guys come off the tower at different angles with respect to the tower axis (because of sloping ground, inability to go out the same exact radius from the tower base for each guy anchor due to limited yard space, etc.), the total tension will be different in each guy when equilibrium (equal and opposing horizontal forces) has been established at each guy station.  Unless you have equal and opposing horizontal forces on the guy station, you will have undesired side loading of the tower at that point.  

Yes, unequal guy tensions result in unequal vertical down-pull on the tower, but the legs of a lattice tower are better able to resist vertical compressive force differentials than side loading.  Further, a guy bracket will tend to distribute the unequal loading to all three legs, so it will be "less unequal" than it would appear at first glance.

Bud, W2RU




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