[TowerTalk] Less Than Optimum Guys

[Grant Saviers]

I think Wilson is correct that maximum 4 guy tension occurs when wind is 
aligned with that guy.  That will also be minimum downforce on the tower.

However, when wind is splitting the angle between the 4 guy anchors, 
maximum download force on the tower occurs, the sum of downforce from 
both guys. 40% more than directly on one guy for the 4 guy example, 
while the tension in each guy is reduced by 30%.

As the angle between the guy anchors increases, the total guy tension 
needed to counteract the wind increases.  At 120 degrees (3 guys) both 
the tension per guy and downforce are higher than with 4 guys when the 
wind splits the guy angle, the worst case.

I think some towers fail in buckling which is a downforce loading.
A very simplified model is the top guy counteracts the antenna wind 
load, and the intermediate guys keep the tower from buckling or from 
bending that exceeds the leg yield stress.

All of this ignores the wind load from guys, the preloads, and their 
dead weight adding to tower downforce.

Well, that's at least how my ancient memory of vector mechanics figured 
this out.  Plus some prior posts.

Grant KZ1W



On 12/9/2022 12:45, Wilson Lamb via TowerTalk wrote:
> I don't think having four guys has anything to do with wire size.
> Yes, at some angles wire load is lower with four BUT max load occurs when the wind is aligned with one wire.
> WL
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