PARAMETRIC COMPARISON OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS WITH DIFFERENT BRACINGS

Recent advances in communication engineering have posed a challenge on Civil Engineers with respect to economical design of communication towers. Communication towers are generally pin jointed space frames built of steel sections for holding transmitters and receivers. In addition to self-weight, wind forces are critical for these towers. In this study, the towers are analysed for 6 different basic wind speeds that are considered according to IS 875: 2015 (PART 3). This project is aimed at comparing a four legged communication towers with different bracing systems for different wind zones in India. Towers are designed as per IS: 800-2007 using STAAD.Pro and the wind forces are calculated as per IS: 875 Part-III. From this study, it can be concluded that for a 24m height four legged tele-communication tower, angular cross section with Kbracing pattern is found to be most effective and economical among all considered basic wind speeds (i.e. 33 m/sec, 39 m/sec, 44 m/sec, 47 m/sec, 50 m/sec and 55 m/sec).