Structural Analysis of Cuban Typical Model of Telecommunication Self-Supporting Towers under Seismic Load

Abstract

Self-supporting lattice towers are slender structures with low damping and high flexibility. They are sensitive to dynamic loads such as wind and earthquake. In the West of Cuba, structures should be analyzed under extreme winds and seismic effects, which raised their frequency during 2010 year. Self-supporting towers do not have the same dynamic behavior as buildings under seismic loads. Their specific structure features are not developed at design seismic codes, for that reason it is necessary to study methods of seismic analysis for self-supporting towers. The methods selected in this research are Modal Analysis Method proposed by Cuban Seismic Code (NC-46:1999) and modal superposition lineal dynamic analysis named Time History. It was selected for the study two self-supporting towers designed in Cuba, Versalles Model (3-legged) and Najasa Model (4-legged). Comparative analysis between both methods is realized with extreme values of internal forces at element towers.

Keywords

• torres autosoportadas de telecomunicaciones
• análisis sísmico
• análisis modal