[TowerTalk] Tower grounding connections and foundation

[Jim Lux]

On 8/8/15 12:38 PM, Thomas Noel wrote:
> I suspect the important aspect is the surface area interfacing with soil, not the volume of dirt under or surrounding the grounding system. That 6x6x6 cube has far more surface area in contact with the soil than does even a dozen ground rods and a radial field. Even if you compare just the surface area of the bonded rebar in the concrete, it is probably more surface area for transfer. I’ve never heard of a tower base exploding from the energy of a strike. Has anyone?
>
> Thomas W Noel
> KF7RSF
>
There is a much cited photograph of concrete spalling at the base of a 
ski-lift tower in the Rockies. However, it turns out that in that case, 
the bolts in the concrete had rusted, so it's not representative of a 
Ufer ground.