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MST 6
MST 6
Users Manual
Engineering Systems
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
(C) Copyright Engineering Systems (EEC) Limited 1997-2008. All rights are reserved. The copyright applies to
this manual and to the corresponding software (together referred to herein as the licensed material).
DISCLAIMER
Subject to limitations imposed by law, Engineering Systems (EEC) Limited makes no warranty of any kind in
connection with the licensed material. Engineering Systems (EEC) Limited shall not be liable for any errors
contained in the licensed material nor for any incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use of the
licensed material. Engineering Systems (EEC) Limited is not engaging in the provision of consulting services in
supplying the licensed material. Users of the licensed material are advised that output from computer software
should be subjected to independent checks. Engineering Systems (EEC) Limited reserves the right to revise and
otherwise change the licensed material from time to time without notification, or provision of revised material.
SOFTWARE LICENCE
The software is supplied to the user under licence. It may be installed on as many computers as required but the
number of concurrent users must not exceed the number of licences held. For network licences, use is permitted
only in the country for which the licence was supplied. The software may not be sub-licensed, rented, or leased to
another party. The licence can only be transferred to another party at the discretion of Engineering Systems (EEC)
Limited.
Preface
MStower is a software package for the analysis and design of towers, masts, and poles. This software
incorporates the very latest in Windows technology to make it easier to use and improve your
productivity.
1:Introduction provides an overview of the capabilities of MStower. Whether you are installing
MStower for the first time or updating an existing system, you will find all the necessary information
in 2:Getting Started. 3:Menus & Toolbars provides a summary of the commands available and
other chapters provide reference and technical information.
This manual is available to the MStower user on-line, together with pop-up help for toolbar buttons
and dialog boxes. The on-line Help system provides a synchronized table of contents and powerful
methods of searching for topics.
If the file Readme.txt is present in the MStower program folder after installation, you should read it
for information that became available after the manual was printed. The file is automatically displayed
during installation but it may be displayed in Notepad at any time by double-clicking the file in
Windows Explorer.
Contents
1:Introduction
General...................................................................................................................................... 1
Responsibility ........................................................................................................................... 4
Acknowledgement .................................................................................................................... 5
Enhancement Record ................................................................................................................ 5
2:Getting Started
21
Layout..................................................................................................................................... 21
File Menu Commands............................................................................................................. 22
View Menu Commands .......................................................................................................... 23
Tower Menu Commands ........................................................................................................ 24
Member Checking Menu Commands ..................................................................................... 24
Structure Menu Commands .................................................................................................... 25
Analyse Menu Commands...................................................................................................... 26
Results Menu Commands ....................................................................................................... 27
Reports Menu Commands ...................................................................................................... 27
Show Menu Commands.......................................................................................................... 28
MSTower V6
Contents i
4:Operation
39
5:Tower Data
43
General ....................................................................................................................................43
The Tower Data (TD) File ......................................................................................................44
Title Block ................................................................................................................45
Component Block .....................................................................................................45
Profile Block .............................................................................................................46
Supports Block..........................................................................................................53
Guys Block ...............................................................................................................54
Sections Block ..........................................................................................................55
Material Block ..........................................................................................................58
Bolt Data Block ........................................................................................................58
Guy Library.............................................................................................................................61
Steel Poles ...............................................................................................................................62
TD File Examples ...................................................................................................................65
Example 1 .................................................................................................................65
Example 2 .................................................................................................................66
Example 3 .................................................................................................................67
Example 4 .................................................................................................................68
Example 5 (Plan Bracing) .........................................................................................70
6:Standard Panels
71
General ....................................................................................................................................71
ii Contents
MSTower V6
7:User-Defined Panels
117
General.................................................................................................................................. 117
The UDP File........................................................................................................................ 118
Making A UDP Using Graphics Input.................................................................................. 122
UDPs for Poles ..................................................................................................................... 122
Modifying An Existing UDP ................................................................................................ 123
Towers With Unequal Length Legs...................................................................................... 123
Creating a UDP from a Microstran Job ................................................................................ 124
UDP File Names ................................................................................................................... 125
127
General.................................................................................................................................. 127
Basic Drawing ...................................................................................................................... 128
The Drawing Snap Mode...................................................................................................... 130
The Drawing Plane ............................................................................................................... 131
Automatic Removal of Duplicate Nodes and Members ....................................................... 131
Cursors.................................................................................................................................. 132
Shortcut Keys ....................................................................................................................... 133
Selecting Nodes and Members ............................................................................................. 133
Right-Clicking on Nodes and Members ............................................................................... 134
The Node Properties Dialog Box.......................................................................................... 135
The Member Properties Dialog Box ..................................................................................... 135
Properties Dialog Boxes with Multiple Selection................................................................. 136
Extrusion............................................................................................................................... 136
Interrupting Commands ........................................................................................................ 136
The Stretch Command .......................................................................................................... 137
The Limit Command............................................................................................................. 138
Removing an Intermediate Node .......................................................................................... 139
UDP Graphical Example ...................................................................................................... 140
MSTower V6
Contents iii
9:Tower Loading
147
General ..................................................................................................................................147
The Tower Loading (TWR) File ...........................................................................................148
Parameters Block ....................................................................................................148
Damping .................................................................................................................152
Basic Velocity.........................................................................................................152
Terrain Block ..........................................................................................................153
Velocity Profile Block ............................................................................................159
Named Node Block.................................................................................................160
Guy List Block........................................................................................................161
External Factor Block .............................................................................................162
Loads Block ............................................................................................................162
Wind Load Cases ....................................................................................................163
Cross-arms and Similar Members External to the Main Tower Body ....................165
Guyed Mast Patch Loadings ...................................................................................165
Dead Loads .............................................................................................................166
Ice Loads.................................................................................................................166
Miscellaneous Loads...............................................................................................167
Additional Node Loads ...........................................................................................167
Additional Member Temperatures ..........................................................................167
Eathquake Load Cases ............................................................................................168
Combination Load Cases ........................................................................................170
Panel Block .............................................................................................................170
Ancillary Block.......................................................................................................171
Output....................................................................................................................................178
Computation of Wind Resistance..........................................................................................179
BS 8100 ..................................................................................................................179
AS 3995 ..................................................................................................................180
AS 1170 ..................................................................................................................180
Malaysian Electricity Supply Regulations 1990 .....................................................180
EIA/TIA-222-F .......................................................................................................181
TIA-222-G ..............................................................................................................181
Computation of Deflections ..................................................................................................182
BS 8100 ..................................................................................................................182
Other Codes ............................................................................................................182
Dynamic Amplification of Wind Loads ................................................................................183
BS 8100 ..................................................................................................................183
AS 3995 ..................................................................................................................183
AS 1170 ..................................................................................................................184
iv Contents
MSTower V6
10:CAD Interface
191
General.................................................................................................................................. 191
Exporting a CAD DXF ......................................................................................................... 191
Exporting a Steel Detailing Neutral File............................................................................... 192
Section Alias File.................................................................................................................. 193
Windows Clipboard Operations............................................................................................ 193
11:Analysis
195
General.................................................................................................................................. 195
Method ................................................................................................................... 196
Consistency Check ................................................................................................. 196
Accuracy................................................................................................................. 196
Linear Elastic Analysis ......................................................................................................... 197
Non-Linear Analysis............................................................................................................. 197
Second-Order Effects ............................................................................................. 198
Running a Non-Linear Analysis ............................................................................. 200
Troubleshooting Non-Linear Analysis ................................................................... 203
Elastic Critical Load Analysis .............................................................................................. 204
Selecting Load Cases for ECL Analysis................................................................. 205
Analysis Control Parameters .................................................................................. 205
Why ECL Analysis May Give High k Factors ....................................................... 206
Dynamic Analysis................................................................................................................. 207
Analysis Control Parameters .................................................................................. 207
Dynamic Modes ..................................................................................................... 208
Response Spectrum Analysis................................................................................................ 209
Defining Load Cases .............................................................................................. 209
Running a Response Spectrum Analysis ................................................................ 209
Response Spectrum Curves .................................................................................... 212
Errors .................................................................................................................................... 213
12:Member Checking
215
General.................................................................................................................................. 215
Operation .............................................................................................................................. 216
Loading Parameters .............................................................................................................. 216
BS 8100 Part 3........................................................................................................ 216
BS 449 .................................................................................................................... 216
MSTower V6
Contents v
229
General ..................................................................................................................................229
Section Library......................................................................................................................229
Section Library Manager.......................................................................................................233
Compiling a Library..............................................................................................................236
Editing a Library with a Text Editor .....................................................................................236
Library Viewer ......................................................................................................................237
14:Reports
239
15:Examples
243
General ..................................................................................................................................243
TWEX1 .................................................................................................................................246
vi Contents
MSTower V6
15:Ancillary Programs
253
CTIDATA............................................................................................................................. 253
Index
MSTower V6
255
Contents vii
1:Introduction
General
MStower is a specialized program that assists in the analysis and
checking of latticed steel communication and power transmission towers
and guyed masts and steel monopoles. MStower contains options for
defining the geometry, loading, analysis, plotting of input, results, and
member checking.
Loading may be computed in accordance with:
AS 3995-1994
AS/NZS 1170.2:2002
EIA/TIA-222-F-1996.
TIA-222-G-2005.
ANSI/ASCE 7-95
MSTower V6
BS 8100 Part 3
BS 449
AS 3995-1994
EIA/TIA-222-F-1996
TIA-222-G-2005.
1:Introduction 1
Large ancillaries, mounted out from the face of the tower and
consisting of large dishes whose wind resistance is significant
compared with that of the structural members of the tower.
2 1:Introduction
MSTower V6
ice, and its projected area and a drag coefficients for a range of angles of
incidence.
Six aerodynamic coefficients are specified for each angle of incidence to
enable antenna forces and moments to be computed automatically.
The use of ancillary libraries simplifies the preparation of the data
needed to compute the loads on the tower. To fully describe an antenna
its library reference, its location on the tower, and its bearing are
required. MStower will extract all other data from the library, compute
the forces acting on the antenna (dead load, ice-load, and wind loads)
and transfer them into the tower as a set of statically equivalent forces.
To assist in checking of input data MStower displays the tower and all
linear and large ancillaries. As well as the visual display, any ancillary
may be queried by picking with the graphics cursor to obtain its
identification, location, library reference, and other pertinent data.
The strength of members may be checked against the rules of the codes
listed above, with the results available as a summary report giving the
critical load case and condition or a larger detailed report suitable for
checking the computations for each member. The results of the member
check may be shown as a graphical display with the color in which a
member is displayed depending on its maximum load/capacity ratio.
Foundation reactions and ancillary rotations may also be reported.
MSTower V6
1:Introduction 3
Responsibility
MStower is intended to assist designers in performing the necessary
calculations for checking and designing towers, guyed masts, and steel
monopoles. Users must have an understanding of these structures and a
good knowledge of the codes of practice to which they are working.
MStower cannot replace sound and responsible engineering judgement
and practice.
The interpretation of the output from MStower and the application of
this data is solely the responsibility of the user.
Good engineering practice requires fully triangulated bracing systems in
towers. Tower design codes do not check for bending stresses in
members or their bending stiffness, so members in bending should not be
used to restrain compression members. Features to check for include:
MStower is not able to detect automatically the lack of restraint in nontriangulated arrangements. If non-triangulated bracing is used,
additional manual checks to the relevant design code must be made to
ensure that there is sufficient strength and stiffness to provide adequate
restraint to other members.
Designers should consider the safety of any temporary arrangements
during construction.
4 1:Introduction
MSTower V6
Acknowledgement
Initial development of sections of MStower was done under contracts
with the Independent Broadcasting Authority, Eastern Electricity, British
Telecom, and the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Particular recognition is due to Mr M J Lambert of the Independent
Broadcasting Authority who initiated this work.
Enhancement Record
Version 3.1
New menu introduced.
TWR file format revised.
Terrain blocks introduced.
Linear and large ancillary libraries introduced.
32 bit version of programs introduced.
Additional standard panels introduced.
GUST and MEAN keywords added to TWR file.
Graphical input of UDPs introduced.
Version 3.15
Screen querying of linear ancillary, large ancillary, and ancillary groups
introduced with graphical representation of larger ancillaries.
Ancillary libraries extended to include Andrew information.
HP LaserJet printers now supported for plotting.
PostScript format available for output files.
Ancillary deflections and rotations calculated.
Foundation reactions calculated.
CROSS and BARE keywords added.
Total mass and additional mass of ancillaries in TWR file.
XIP, plan bracing at intersection point of face bracing.
Optional Velocity Profile.
Version 4
Masts including catenary cables to BS 8100 Part 4 and AS 3995.
Additional standard panels.
Named node block introduced.
Supports block.
MSTower V6
1:Introduction 5
Version 4.1
EIA/TIA-222-F-1996.
ASCE 10-90 1991 (Manual 52).
Bolt checking to DD133/BS5950.
Deflections/rotations.
Version 4.15
Manual re-set in Microsoft Word.
Examples revised.
Partial safety factors for materials now applied at member checking
stage.
Database utilities added.
Bolt data file included.
Version 4.20
Shade factor introduced for linear and large ancillaries.
Job.out file enhanced for results checking.
Version 4.21
Tension-only members now available in UDPs; non-linear analysis
module required.
Version 5
New 32-bit Windows version. Ancillary display improved; split view
with ancillary labelling. Database recognition and automatic loading
from CSV files. Enhanced metafile export of views. Non-linear analysis
convergence parameters added. Smear loading for wind on guys. UDP
input completely revised. Support for DOS discontinued.
Generation of TD and TWR files. Multi-segment guys and guy
insulators supported. Asymmetrical ice loading added. Bolt checking to
AS 3995, EIA-222, and ASCE 10-90 added.
Version 6
Rectangular towers may be generated directly from standard panels.
Different bracing patterns and sizes may be generated on X and Y faces
of four sided towers using standard panels.
Loading to AS/NZS 1170.2:2002, IS 875, BNBC, ASCE 7-95,
Philippines NBC.
Earthquake loading.
6 1:Introduction
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
1:Introduction 7
8 1:Introduction
MSTower V6
2:Getting Started
Installing MStower
The Setup program will install MStower on your computer. Usually,
Setup will begin when you insert the CD. If Setup does not begin
automatically you must perform these steps:
Setup will guide you through the installation process, prompting you for
a name for the program folder (the default is C:\Mstower), and then
copying the required files to the hard disk. Necessary fonts will be
installed.
Hardware Lock
MStower is normally supplied with a USB hardware lock that must be
attached to the computer before you can start the program. Additional
set-up procedures are required for systems with a network lock. These
are described on a separate data sheet.
MSTower V6
2:Getting Started 9
Folders
The Setup program will establish a number of folders under the specified
MStower folder. If you use the default name the folders as displayed in
Windows Explorer will look like this:
MSTOWER FOLDERS
Folder Name
Comment
Mstower
.....Data
.....Examples
.....Program
.....Service
10 2:Getting Started
MSTower V6
Starting MStower
The Setup program creates an MStower item on the Windows Programs
menu (click Start, then Programs). Click on this item to start MStower.
If you have not previously used MStower you should start with some of
the examples supplied with MStower to familiarize yourself with the
operation of the principal menu and toolbar items (see
Chapter 15:Examples on page 243). To run an example, use the File >
Open command and click on the required file in the dialog box.
You may open any existing MStower job with the File > Open
command. To start a new job based on an old job, open the old job and
save a copy with another name using the File > Save Copy As
command. You may now close the old job and open the new copy by
selecting its name from the most recently used list on the File menu.
Note the following powerful Help features, which make it easier for you
to use MStower:
There are tooltips on all toolbar buttons. Move the mouse cursor
over the button for a moment and a little pop-up window displays
the function of the button.
There is a prompt displayed on the left side of the status bar (at the
bottom of the MStower window) whenever the cursor is positioned
over a toolbar button or a menu item. Look here for prompts while
you are performing input operations.
Use the Help > MStower Help Topics command to display the Help
Topics dialog box. With this, you can browse the table of contents, look
through an index, or search all Help topic keywords.
MSTower V6
2:Getting Started 11
Commands
MStower commands are available from:
Toolbar buttons.
Generally, all the commands are available on the main menu, while, for
convenience, some of them are also available on toolbar buttons or the
context menu. Commands selected from the main menu are referred to in
this manual as shown in this example:
View > Zoom > Window
Commands selected by clicking a toolbar button are referred to by the
name of the button, as shown in the tooltip.
This provides a very convenient alternative to the main menu for many
commands. In effect, you can perform some operations in three different
ways. For example, you can display the section number on all members
by clicking a button on the Display toolbar, by selecting the View >
Display Options command, or by right-clicking and then selecting
Section Numbers.
12 2:Getting Started
MSTower V6
In Explorer select the View > Folder Options or View > Options
command.
In the list box search for the MStower job file type, which may be
shown as MST File or MStower Document. If found, select this
file type and click the Remove button. Close the dialog box.
The Open With dialog box appears. Click on the Other button and
browse to Mst.exe in the MStower program folder.
In the Description box type MStower Job File and click OK.
In Explorer select the View > Folder Options or View > Options
command.
Select the File Types tab, then select MStower Job File in the list
box and click the Edit button.
Click the Change Icon button and then select the second icon.
Now, check that you have successfully set up your system by browsing
to an MStower job file and double-clicking.
MSTower V6
2:Getting Started 13
Configuration
The first time you start MStower it will run in a partial screen window.
Maximize the Window (use the button next to the X button at the top right
of the MStower window) and the system will thereafter start in a fullscreen window.
Toolbars may be activated or de-activated using the View > Toolbars
command and they may also be floated or moved to different locations
on the main window if desired (docked). Toolbar buttons may be
dragged from one toolbar to another while the Alt key is held down.
Chapter 3 contains more information on how you can customize the
toolbars.
The File > Configure command allows you to set program parameters
such as colors, default library files and design codes, and maximum job
size. The default settings for maximum job size will be sufficient for the
majority of jobs. Increasing limits unnecessarily can result in slightly
reduced operating speed.
14 2:Getting Started
MSTower V6
Printing in MStower
Print and Print Preview Commands
MStower differs from many standard Windows application in that there
is a requirement to print both files (reports) and pictures. As in a
standard Windows application, MStower has a Print command on the
File menu (File > Print File). This is for printing files and reports. Also,
there is a Print command on the View menu (View > Print View) and
this is used for printing pictures of the structure. The File menu is shown
in File Menu Commands on page 22 and the View menu is shown in
View Menu Commands on page 23.
In addition to Print commands on the File and View menus, MStower
has Print Preview commands on each of these menus. The print preview
shows an exact image on the screen of the printed page. File > Print
Preview shows you how a report will be printed while View > Print
Preview is for MStower graphics.
The main toolbar, usually located right under the menu, contains a Print
button,
, and a Preview button,
. These buttons are for MStower
graphics, not files or reports. Thus, they correspond to the Print and
Preview commands on the View menu notice that the tooltip for the
Print button is Print View. The main toolbar is shown in Main
Toolbar Commands on page 31.
2:Getting Started 15
Preview commands, File > Print Preview, View > Print Preview, and
the Preview button, all do not display the Windows Print dialog box. The
preview is always for the current printer. When you see a print preview
on the screen, you will notice a Print button at the top left of the preview
window. Clicking this will initiate printing on the current printer. If you
want to change the target printer after seeing a preview, close the
preview window and then select the Print command on either the File or
the View menu. When previewing a multi-page report file, the Print
button prints the whole file. If you want to print less than the full report
use the File > Print File command and select the pages to be printed in
the Windows Print dialog box.
Text Size
The text size, in points, for both reports and graphical output. There are
72 points to the inch. The default value is 8.
16 2:Getting Started
MSTower V6
Orientation
Mstower does not use the orientation setting stored with the printer
properties. These two settings, one for reports and one for graphics, are
used instead.
Margins
Margins may be set independently for reports and graphics.
Logo
Check this box if you want MStower to print a logo at the top of each
page of printed output. When the box is checked you may choose one of
the available bitmap files from the adjacent combo box. See
Configurable User Graphic on page 18.
Report Style
When the number of columns is greater than 1 MStower will print multicolumn reports, as long as there is room on the page. When there is
insufficient room for the number of columns selected the number of
columns is automatically reduced, as required. To increase the density of
printing in a report you may increase the number of columns and reduce
the text size and margins.
Graphics Style
MSTower V6
No color
Heavy lines
Legends
Scale
2:Getting Started 17
MStower allows you to have a small graphic at the top of each page of
printed output. Any valid Windows bitmap file existing in the program
folder may be selected in the Page Setup dialog box. With this option
selected the graphic is printed on each page. If the option is not selected
no graphic will be printed and no space will be allowed for it. On
installation MStower is configured to use the graphic shown below. You
can unselect the option in Page Setup if you do not want a graphic.
DEFAULT GRAPHIC
Colors 256
Bitmaps that do not match these requirements are not shown in the Page
Setup dialog box. MStower prints the graphic in a space 50.8 mm wide
by 8.5 mm high.
Note: The Windows drivers for some printers do not support the
printing of bitmaps.
18 2:Getting Started
MSTower V6
Technical Support
Click the Check Version
button in the Help About
MStower dialog box to
determine whether your
software needs updating.
MSTower V6
2:Getting Started 19
Web Update
From time to time, minor updates are provided without charge on the
MStower website. You may use the web update facility to determine
when an update is required. While your computer is connected to the
internet, clicking the Check Version button in the Help About dialog box
displays the dialog box shown below. This shows the dates of your
MStower software and dates of the current web downloads, making it
very easy to see whether an update is required.
You can connect to the MStower website by clicking the Downloads hot
link in the Help About dialog box. Here, you will recognize the
components you need to download. Each download is an executable file
run it to unpack the update files. If prompted for a password when this
executable runs you must e-mail MStower Support to obtain it. A new
CD may be purchased as an alternative to using the internet download
facility.
When new versions (or major upgrades) become available they are not
available on the MStower website they must be purchased on a CD.
20 2:Getting Started
MSTower V6
Layout
The diagram below shows the layout of the MStower screen. Commands
may be initiated from the main menu, any toolbar, or a context (pop-up)
menu. The main menu comprises a menu bar, each item of which gives
access to a drop-down menu. Some items on drop-down menus lead to
sub-menus. Each toolbar button usually corresponds to a command
accessible from the main menu. Context menus, which appear when you
click the right mouse button, contain a selection of commands from the
main menu. This chapter lists all the commands available on the main
menu and all toolbars.
FILE MENU
Command
Action
New
Open
Close
Save
Save As
Save Copy As
Delete
List/Edit File
Opens the selected file with the MsEdit text editor for
viewing or editing.
Page Setup
Print Preview
Print File
Import
Export
Configure
MSTower V6
Exit
Exits MStower
VIEW MENU
MSTower V6
Command
Action
Toolbars
Status Bar
Redraw
Viewpoint
Zoom
Pan
Limit
Full
Copy
Print Preview
Print View
Display Options
Ancillary Sort
Order
Virtual Reality
TOWER MENU
Action
Build Tower
Load Tower
Analyse
Gust Factor
Build/Load/Analyse
MSTower V6
Action
BS 8100 Part 3
BS 449
ASCE 10-90
ASCE 10-97
EIA-222-F
TIA-222-G
AS 3995
IS 802
ASCE Manual 72
BS 5950
AS 4100
EIA-222-F
TIA-222-G
STRUCTURE MENU
MSTower V6
Command
Action
Draw Members
Erase Members
Select All
Drawing Settings
Attributes
Move
Copy
Sub-divide
Insert Node
Intersect
Renumber
ANALYSE MENU
Command
Action
Check Input
Linear
Non-Linear
Dynamic
Response Spectrum
MSTower V6
RESULTS MENU
Action
Undisplaced Shape
Member Actions
Natural Modes
Animate Modes
Buckling Modes
Design Ratios
REPORTS MENU
MSTower V6
Command
Action
Input/Analysis
SHOW MENU
Command
Action
Section
Material
Member Type
Member Class
Members
Panels
Wind Panels
Nodes
Master Nodes
Slave Nodes
Node Masses
Design Members
Cancel
MSTower V6
QUERY MENU
Action
Node Data
Node Displacements
Support Reactions
Master Node
Slave Node
Member Data
Member Displacements
Member Forces
Node Loads
Member Loads
Design Member
Linear Ancillary
Large Ancillary
Ancillary Group
MSTower V6
WINDOW MENU
The Window menu offers the following commands, which enable you to
arrange multiple views in the application window:
Command
Action
Cascade
Tile Horizontally
Tile Vertically
Output Window
Window
MSTower V6
HELP MENU
Action
Whats This?
About MStower
MAIN TOOLBAR
MSTower V6
Print the view; i.e. print a picture showing the current view of the
structure. Use the File > Print command to print a file.
Print preview; i.e. display exactly how the graphics will be printed.
Use the File > Preview command to preview a file.
VIEW TOOLBAR
Zoom in.
Zoom out.
Pan.
MSTower V6
DISPLAY TOOLBAR
Display supports.
Display pins.
HELP TOOLBAR
MSTower V6
DRAW TOOLBAR
Draw members.
Erase members.
Move members.
Copy members.
Reflect members.
Sub-divide members.
Rotate members.
ATTRIBUTES TOOLBAR
MSTower V6
RESULTS TOOLBAR
Display member actions. You must turn on this switch before you
are able to select member forces for display.
OK/CANCEL TOOLBAR
MSTower V6
Polar copy.
Intersect members.
Insert node.
Redraw (F5).
Any toolbar that has been customized may be reset to the original
configuration by selecting it and then clicking the Reset button.
MSTower V6
Customizing Toolbars
As well as being dockable, toolbars in MStower are customizable in two
ways.
Firstly, while pressing the Alt key you may drag any button to any
position on the same or another toolbar. If you drag a button to a new
position not on a toolbar, it will disappear.
Secondly, you may click the Customize button in the Toolbars dialog
box (View > Toolbars command). This displays the Customize property
sheet. Clicking the New button creates a new empty toolbar with any
specified name. On the Commands tab you may now select any existing
toolbar and drag its buttons onto the new toolbar (or any other toolbar).
CUSTOMIZING TOOLBARS
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
4:Operation
Data Files
The tower is described in data files by the minimum number of key
dimensions and a description of the types of panel in the tower. Panel
types are described by mnemonics of one to four characters. Panels may
be selected from a set of built-in face, plan, hip, and cross-arm patterns
or may be defined by the user.
The following data files are used:
Job.td
The tower data file.
Job.udp
An optional file containing the description of non-standard or userdefined panels.
Job.twr
The tower loading file.
When a job is saved the above files and others associated with the job
are copied into the job.mst file.
It may be convenient to copy the data files from an existing MStower job
and edit these, rather than creating them from the beginning. This may
be done by opening the existing job and selecting the File > Save Copy
As command to create the new job.
The data files are text files, usually created and edited with the built-in
text editor, MsEdit. Data is set out in blocks identified by keywords.
Blank lines may be used as required to improve the readability of the
file. The $ character may be used to introduce comments; the $
character and all text following on that line are ignored as input data.
Individual items of data may be separated by one or more blank spaces.
Each line of data must be no longer than 80 characters.
MSTower V6
4:Operation 39
Braces are used to indicate where a choice must be made from a list of
items. Items may be shown vertically, or horizontally when separated by
vertical bars. For example:
...{ item 1 }...
{ item 2 }
{ item 3 }
or
...{ item 1 | item 2 | item3 }...
Units
MStower accepts two sets of units:
Entries in the ancillary and guy libraries are required in metric units.
Coordinate Systems
The vertical axis of the tower is parallel to the global Z axis. The X and
Y axis of the tower lie in the horizontal plane and do not need to be
aligned with the geographic north. The X axis is always normal (in plan)
to one face of the tower.
Each member in MStower has its own set of member or local axes. The
local x axis is aligned along the member while the local y and z axes
correspond to the rectangular section axes. The reference node or axis
defines the plane of the local y axis.
40 4:Operation
MSTower V6
Sections
All sections in the tower must be described in an MStower section
library file. Dimensions and properties are automatically extracted to
compute surface and projected areas when calculating ice and wind loads
and for determining member capacities.
Member Checking
You must ensure that wind velocities and other factors used to compute
loads are consistent with the code method chosen to check member
strengths.
BS 8100 Part 3, AS 3995, ASCE10, TIA-222-G, and IS-802 are limit
states codes, whereas EIA/TIA-222-F uses permissible stresses.
Errors
After assembly of the tower, MStower checks for the following
conditions:
Overlaid Members and Unconnected Nodes
These occur when a node is coincident with a member but not connected
to it. When this occurs it is usually at the junction between panels and
happens either because a horizontal has not been deleted or because of
an incompatibility between panels. For example if a PL1 plan brace is
used with an X face brace the PB1 member will overlay the H1 member.
The duplicated member will not be detected by the assembly process
because of the mid-side node in PB1. A list of such members will be
displayed.
Floating Members
These are members that are not connected to the structure. If not
removed they will result in errors during analysis. They can result if
members are deleted; for example if PL1 plan bracing is used with XO
face bracing and the PB1 member is deleted, the internal plan bracing
members will not be connected to the tower. A list of such members will
be displayed.
You may readily locate overlaid and floating members using MStower
screen plots. Select the Show > Members command and then enter the
list of offending members. The full tower will now be displayed with the
listed members highlighted. You may zoom to inspect the members
more closely and determine the reason for the error. The TD or UDP file
should be modified as necessary.
MSTower V6
4:Operation 41
Section Checks
The tower builder does a number of sensibility checks as the tower is
assembled and reports on the following:
You may inspect the above reports by clicking the Build tab on the
Output window.
42 4:Operation
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data
General
Data describing the tower geometry is entered into a free-format text file
called Job.td, where Job is the job name. A prototype tower data file
may be generated by selecting the Tower > Build Tower > Make
Tower Data File command. The dialog box shown below appears for
you to enter the basic geometric parameters.
You may then enter details for each panel in this dialog box.
The resulting tower data file is shown below. It must now be customized
for the particular tower you are modelling. The file will be displayed in
the MsEdit text editor when you select the File > List/Edit File
command and then choose TD.
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 43
$ 1.00
BOLTDATA
$ TODO - bolt data goes here - format of bolt data:
$
[ X x Y y Z z NSP nsp LJ lj ]
END
END
PROTOTYPE TOWER DATA FILE
44 5:Tower Data
1.
Title block.
2.
Component block.
3.
Profile block.
4.
Supports block.
5.
Guys block.
6.
Sections block.
7.
Material block.
8.
Bolts block.
MSTower V6
Title Block
TITL1
TITL2
UNITS
titl1
titl2
units
where:
TITL1
Keyword.
titl1
TITL2
Keyword.
titl2
UNITS
Keyword.
units
Component Block
Although MStower provides a comprehensive range of panel types, there
may be times when you wish to define additional panel types. This block
allows you to reference a file containing panel data to be included in the
tower.
COMPONENT
udp [file]
..
END
where:
MSTower V6
udp
file
5:Tower Data 45
Profile Block
This block provides the data used to generate the node coordinates and
member connectivity of the tower. Panels are described in order, from
the top of the tower.
The block contains descriptions of the face bracing, plan bracing, hip
bracing, and cross-arms. Section property numbers may be assigned to
the various types of members in each panel; the property number for a
member type need not be specified again unless there is a change. Panel
widths need to be input only at the bend points; intermediate widths will
then be interpolated automatically.
PROFILE
FACES
WBASE
DBASE
RLBAS
nface
wbase
dbase
rlbas
where:
46 5:Tower Data
FACES
Keyword.
nface
WBASE
Keyword.
wbase
Base width of tower; i.e., the base width of the lowest panel.
DBASE
dbase
Base depth of tower; i.e., the distance between the legs at the
bottom of the tower for the face normal to the Y axis. Used to
generate rectangular towers.
RLBAS
Keyword.
MSTower V6
rlbas
PANEL
Keyword.
nn
Panel number.
HT
Keyword.
hpanl
Panel height.
TW
Keyword.
tw
Width at top of panel, for the face normal to the X axis. If not
given, this value will be interpolated.
TD
tw
Width of the top of the panel, for the face normal to the Y axis.
If not given, it will be interpolated.
scale
BOLT
Keyword.
class
nbolt
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 47
bolt_id
BOLTY
Keyword, optional.
The data required for BOLTY is similar to that for BOLT. Used
to describe the bolting on the faces of the tower normal to the Y
axis if it differs from that on the faces normal to the X axis.
FACE
Keyword.
ftype
SPACE
Keyword.
s1..sn
List of spacings for XM, DM, DLM, DRM, DMH, KXM, and
XDM type face bracing.
ns@sm
48 5:Tower Data
F1,F2
Keywords.
f1,f2
Factors used to locate nodes for some bracing types. The use of
these factors is shown on the individual bracing diagrams.
NTR,ND
Keywords.
ntr,nd
NPL
Keyword.
npl
LEFT
INV
LEG
Keyword.
leg
BRn
Keyword.
brn
Hn
Keyword.
MSTower V6
hn
Rn
Keyword.
rn
LA,LB,LC, Keywords.
LD
la,lb,lc, Section property numbers for leg A, B, C, and D, respectively.
ld
Leg A is in the positive X-Y quadrant and the other legs are
identified in sequence, anti-clockwise from leg A when viewed
in plan. The properties of the leg members of the tower may be
assigned individually if they are not symmetrical. In any case, a
non-zero property must follow the LEG keyword.
XDISC
FACEY
Optional keyword.
The data required for FACEY is similar to that for FACE. It is
used to describe the bracing on the faces of the tower normal to
the Y axis if it differs from that on the faces normal to the X
axis.
FACEY may be omitted, in which case:
Square towers will have the pattern defined in FACE on all
faces.
Rectangular tower will have no bracing on the Y face; the panel
must be made into a UDP and the bracing added manually.
MCAP
Keyword.
class
c1,c2,c3
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 49
PLAN
Keyword.
ptype
PBn
Keyword.
pbn
F1,F2
Keywords.
f1,f2
Factors used to locate nodes for some bracing types. The use of
these factors is shown on the individual bracing diagrams.
locn
50 5:Tower Data
NORST
Keyword.
list
HIP
Keyword.
htype
NTR, ND
Keywords.
ntr, nd
HPn
Keyword.
hpn
NORST
Keyword.
list
Keyword.
ctype
X,Y
SPAN
Keyword.
span
SL
Keyword.
sl
SR
Keyword.
sr
RL
Keyword.
rl
RR
Keyword.
rr
CRn
Keyword.
crn
Each panel must have one set of face braces and optionally one set of hip
bracing and one or two sets of plan and/or cross-arm braces.
Redundant members are pin-ended. All other members are assumed to
be rigidly connected.
Any member assigned a property number of zero will be deleted. For
example an X face panel with H1 = 0 is identical to an X0 panel.
You must ensure that the deletion of members does not result in an
unstable structure.
When inverting panels, it may be necessary to delete the horizontal
member in either the inverted panel or the panel on which it is mounted,
if the two horizontals are not sub-divided in identical fashion.
C nodes (reference nodes), which define member orientation, are
allocated in the plane of the face or hip for all members except H1 and
H2 type members, where the C node is in the direction of the global
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 51
Z axis; i.e. for face members apart from H1 and H2, and hip braces,
the member y axis lies in the plane of the hip or face. Orientation
keywords may be applied to the section definition (see Sections Block,
below) if the section is to be rotated.
If a member class mnemonic is used without a numeric suffix all
members of the class will have the number of bolts (or member
capacities) specified. For example, if all redundants in a panel use the
same bolting, specify: BOLT R nbolt [bolt-id]
Bracing patterns and the location of different member types are shown
on the bracing diagrams. Some face panels, such as XTR and KTR, are
shown with asymmetrical redundants. In these cases, the arrangement of
redundants on the left-hand part of the diagram applies to the X faces of
the tower while that on the right-hand side applies to the Y faces.
Note: The number of bolts in the ends of members is used in strength
checking modules to determine buckling curves or effective slenderness
ratios. If the number of bolts is not specified MStower will assume that
all members are single-bolted except for legs, face bracing, and
horizontals that are assumed to have two or more bolts. Normally, the
bolt specification will be entered in the first panel; it is only necessary to
enter changes (if any) in subsequent panels. The bolts themselves will
not be checked unless bolt_ids are defined in BOLT statements and
bolt information is defined in a BOLTDATA block.
52 5:Tower Data
MSTower V6
Supports Block
This block is optional and may be used to modify the default support
conditions of full fixity for all supports except for masts where the legs
join at a single pinned support point.
SUPPORTS
{COORD x y z | LEG abcd}...
{PINNED|FIXED [BUT {releases|springs}]}
..
END
where:
COORD
Keyword.
x y z
LEG
Keyword.
abcd
PINNED
FIXED
BUT
releases
springs
MSTower V6
KFY kfy
KMZ kmz
KFZ kfz
KMX kmx
5:Tower Data 53
Guys Block
This block pertains to guyed masts only and is used to specify the library
containing the properties of guy wires and their arrangement on the mast.
GUYS
LIB lib
XB xb YB yb ZB zb XT xt YT yt Zt zt NO no ANGL angl...
TO to KT kt LIB guy_id
END
where:
54 5:Tower Data
LIB
Keyword.
lib
XB
Keyword.
xb
YB
Keyword.
yb
ZB
Keyword.
zb
XT
Keyword.
xb
YT
Keyword.
yb
ZT
Keyword.
zb
NO
Keyword.
no
ANGL
Keyword.
angl
TO
Keyword.
to
KT
Keyword.
kt
LIB
Keyword.
guy_id
The first guy in the group will span between (xb, yb, zb) and (xt, yt, zt),
and if no is greater than 1, additional cables will be automatically
generated at an angular increment of angl anti-clockwise about the
vertical axis of the mast. Guys can be generated only where they are
radially symmetrical about the vertical axis of the mast. For example,
guys that have their anchor points at different levels because of a sloping
site have to be input singly.
Usually, guys are input as single members. A guy may also be input as a
number of segments to accommodate changes in properties or to allow
an insulator to be positioned along its length. In this case, you should
input the segments of guy sequentially, commencing at the anchor point
and working up to the mast shaft with the coordinates of the lower end
of one segment being set equal to those of the upper end of the preceding
segment. The segments of guy may be generated as described above.
Sections Block
This block specifies the section library and nominates the section to be
used for each section property number.
SECTIONS
LIBR libr IFACT fact
n sname [X|Y] [CONNECT con] [BH bh] [FY fy] [FU fu]
..
END
where:
LIBR
Keyword.
libr
IFACT
Keyword.
fact
sname
X Y
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 55
Keyword.
con
BH
Keyword.
bh
FY
Keyword.
fy
56 5:Tower Data
FU
Keyword.
fu
MSTower V6
ORIENTATION OF SECTION
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 57
Material Block
This block is optional. It is used to change the default values of the
material used for the tower or the shaft of a mast.
MATERIAL
E e PR pr
END
DENS dens
ALPHA alpha
where:
E
Keyword.
PR
Keyword.
pr
DENS
Keyword.
dens
ALPHA
Keyword.
alpha
where:
58 5:Tower Data
bolt_id
grade
Keyword.
AS
Keyword.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
as
FY
Keyword.
fy
FU
Keyword.
fu
FV
Keyword.
fv
FV_EIA
Keyword.
fv_eia
FV_ASCE
Keyword.
fv_asce
FV_TIA
Keyword.
fv_tia
Keyword.
Keyword.
Keyword.
NSP
Keyword.
nsp
LJ
Keyword.
lj
Keyword.
fyp
FUP
Keyword.
fup
TP
Keyword.
tp
TENS
AT
Keyword.
at
FT
Keyword.
ft
PR
Keyword.
pr
MSTower V6
Guy Library
The guy library is a text file containing data giving the dimensions and
structural characteristics of wire ropes used as guys. The guy library
supplied with MStower is MS_Guy.lib, which may be modified if
required.
The structure of the guy library file is:
GUYS
guy-id
..
END
ac
alpha
fu
ntype
where:
GUYS
Keyword.
guy-id
ac
alpha
fu
ntype
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 61
Steel Poles
A steel pole may be input using the following menu command:
Tower >
Build Tower >
Make Tower Data File >
Steel Pole Data
In the Steel Pole Data dialog box you may choose parameters to define
the pole. Permitted shapes include circular, square, or polygonal sections
with 8, 12, 16, or 20 sides. Each panel is assumed to be a single length of
circular cylinder or a tapered tube made up of a single width of steel
plate. These panels will be further sub-divided before output to the tower
data file.
Note: Not all pole shapes available in MStower are covered by the
various codes that deal with poles.
In the next dialog box, data is input for each panel starting at the top of
the pole. You may change panel heights, plate thicknesses, and yield
strengths. Diameters have to be entered for the top of the pole and at
bend points only. All other diameters are interpolated by MStower.
62 5:Tower Data
MSTower V6
Once the data has been accepted MStower generates a TD file complete
with a SECTION block and a section library for the pole. The menu
command:
Tower >
Build Tower >
Edit Tower Data
may be selected to inspect the generated data file. Note that for poles
FACES 1 is specified in the TD file.
The TD file for a tapered pole made up of two 6m high pieces is shown
below:
TITL1 Pole Example
TITL2
UNITS
1
PROFILE
FACES 1
WBASE
0.600
RLBAS
0.000
PANEL
1 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
2 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
3 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
4 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
5 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
6 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
7 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
8 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL
9 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 10 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 11 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 12 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 13 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 14 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 15 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 16 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 17 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 18 HT
FACE SH1 LEG
PANEL 19 HT
MSTower V6
0.6000
1 R1
0.6000
2 R1
0.6000
3 R1
0.6000
4 R1
0.6000
5 R1
0.6000
6 R1
0.6000
7 R1
0.6000
8 R1
0.6000
9 R1
0.6000
10 R1
0.6000
11 R1
0.6000
12 R1
0.6000
13 R1
0.6000
14 R1
0.6000
15 R1
0.6000
16 R1
0.6000
17 R1
0.6000
18 R1
0.6000
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
22
TW
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
0.6000
5:Tower Data 63
64 5:Tower Data
MSTower V6
Poles may also be input directly with the text editor. There should be a
large enough number of panels to accurately represent the wind load,
which is modelled by node forces applied to the axial nodes.
TD File Examples
Example 1
The example below shows the TD file statements required to generate a
pyramidal face panel with two sets of cross-arms.
PANEL 1
FACE
CROSS
CROSS
HT
X0
CT
CT
1.372 TW 0
LEG 1 H1 0 BR1 0
SPAN 6 RISE 7 CR1 10 CR2 12
SPAN 8
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 65
Example 2
A square tower with different bracing patterns on the X and Y faces is
created in the example below. The legs of the tower are sub-divided
automatically to suit the bracing. Only members at the front are
rendered.
PROFILE
FACES 4
WBASE 4.0
RLBAS 0.0
PANEL 1 HT 3.5
FACE K1
FACEY K2
END
TW
66 5:Tower Data
MSTower V6
Example 3
This example shows a rectangular tower with different bracing patterns
on the X and Y faces. Only members at the front are rendered.
PROFILE
FACES 4
WBASE 4.0
DBASE 3.0
RLBAS 0.0
PANEL 1 HT 6 TW 3.5 TD 2.5
BOLT BR1 3
FACE XO LEG 1 BR1 2
BOLTY BR1 4
FACEY K1 H1 0 BR1 3
PLAN PL2
END
RECTANGULAR TOWER EXAMPLE
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 67
Example 4
The example below is a single circuit tower; the upper part of the tower
is rectangular while the lower section is square. The upper panels do not
have bracing defined for the Y faces and are thus incomplete. They must
be converted to UDPs and edited graphically.
PROFILE
FACES 4
WBASE 8.0
DBASE 8.0
RLBAS 0.0
PANEL 1 HT 3.0 TW 18.0 TD 0.0
FACE KMGD ND 2 F1 0.667 INV
PANEL 2 HT 2.0 TW 14.0 TD 1.0
FACE SCBR F1 0.667 F2 0.667
CROSS CT1 SPAN 22.0 CR1 1 CR2 2 CR3 3
PANEL 3 HT 7.5 TW 14.0 TD 1.0
FACE KMGD ND 2 F1 0.667
PANEL 4 HT 6.5
FACE XM23 INV
PANEL 5 HT 3.25 TW 4.0 TD 4 $ square below here
FACE XTR F1 0.5
PLAN PL2A
PANEL 6 HT 3.25
$ TW is interpolated
FACE M1
PANEL 8 HT 3.25
FACE K1
END
SINGLE CIRCUIT TOWER EXAMPLE
68 5:Tower Data
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
5:Tower Data 69
This example shows part of a tower with plan bracing at the top and at
the level of the X bracing intersection points. Only the members forming
the plan bracing are rendered.
PROFILE
FACES 4
WBASE 4.0
DBASE 4.0
RLBAS 0.0
PANEL 1 HT 6 TW 3.5 TD 3.5
BOLT BR1 3
FACE XO LEG 1 BR1 2
BOLTY BR1 4
FACEY XO H1 0 BR1 3
PLAN PL2 TOP
PLAN PLX XIP
END
PLAN BRACING EXAMPLE
70 5:Tower Data
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels
General
This chapter shows the standard panels available in MStower. Many of
these have been included to assist in modelling existing towers or to give
the starting geometry for making a UDP. The inclusion of any particular
panel pattern should not be construed as a recommendation for its use.
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 71
72 6:Standard Panels
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6:Standard Panels 73
74 6:Standard Panels
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6:Standard Panels 75
76 6:Standard Panels
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MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 77
78 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
X Face Panels
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 79
80 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 81
82 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 83
K Face Panels
84 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 85
86 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 87
88 6:Standard Panels
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MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 89
90 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 91
92 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 93
M Face Panels
94 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 95
W Face Panels
96 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 97
98 6:Standard Panels
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
6:Standard Panels 99
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
SH3, SH4
MSTower V6
Plan Bracing
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Hip Bracing
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Cross-Arms
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
7:User-Defined Panels
General
While MStower has an extensive set of standard panels, there will be
times when some variant will be required to model a particular panel.
MStower allows you to create your own panels user-defined panels, or
UDPs, for just this purpose. Unlike standard panels, which are scaled to
the dimensions specified in the tower data file, UDPs once created are of
fixed size.
Although data for the UDP is contained in a text file which may be
edited, the most expeditious way of creating a UDP is to start by
building a tower with standard panels that are as close to the final
configuration as possible, and then to extract and graphically edit a panel
as required. MStower has facilities (see 8:Graphics Input for UDPs on
page 127) that allow UDPs to be created and manipulated using a CADlike interface. For most UDPs you will never need to edit the text file.
MSTower V6
udp HT ht TW tw BW bw
{PLANE | HALF | QUART | ADJA | 3DIM}
NODE
n x y z
..
MEMB
m ia ib ic mp mm pina pinb class [subclass]
..
END
where:
UDP
Keyword.
udp
HT
Keyword.
ht
TW
Keyword.
tw
Top width of the panel; i.e. the width of the panel at the level at
which it attaches to the panel above. If not given, the width of
the tower at this level will be interpolated.
BW
Keyword.
bw
Base width of the panel; i.e. the width of the panel at the level
at which it attaches to the panel below. If not given, the width
of the tower at this level will be interpolated.
PLANE
HALF
QUART
ADJA
3DIM
Keyword indicating that the data applies to a full threedimensional section of the tower.
MSTower V6
NODE
Keyword.
Node number.
X coordinate of node.
Y coordinate of node.
MEMB
Keyword.
Member number.
ia
ib
ic
mp
mm
pina
pinb
class
subclass
panel widths are used to locate the UDP in the tower and to allow any
standard panels that are above or below the UDP to be correctly scaled.
Unlike standard panels, user-defined panels cannot be scaled.
Wind-only members attract wind load and are included in the analysis
but are not regarded as providing any structural restraint to other
members. The strength of wind-only members is not checked.
UDPs
MSTower V6
UDPs
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Select the UDP File to Graphics command and the dialog box below
will be shown. Select the UDP to be edited and proceed as if part way
through making a UDP.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Step 6
* Edit tower data file, add UDP to COMPONENT block in usual way,
and rebuild tower.
* Fix any problems that are apparent.
* Save.
Step 7
* Repeat steps 5 and 6 to extract further UDPs from the Microstran
archive.
While step 5 could be repeated without step 6, it is usually better to
check each UDP by building the tower as in step 6.
Here, the name of the file containing the UDPs is omitted and MStower
assumes them to be in a file named Job.udp, where Job is the name of
the job. When the job is saved the UDP file will be saved automatically
with it. Also, if the job is renamed in a Save As operation the UDP file
will be renamed.
It is not mandatory for the UDP file to be named after the job. For
example, if you have a number of towers all with a particular panel that
is a UDP you may place the UDP in a file not named after the job and it
may then be referenced by any number of jobs. The main advantage of
this is that the UDP needs to be created only once. Any changes to the
UDP will apply to all jobs that use the panel when those jobs are rebuilt.
If the changes are not required for all towers referencing the UDP you
must make the changes in a copy of the UDP file and change the
references in the COMPONENT block of each tower that is to use the
modified UDP.
Note: Only UDPs in a file named after the job are automatically saved
when the job is saved.
MSTower V6
General
Graphics Input is the most efficient input method of inputting a userdefined panel. It involves drawing a structure on the screen using the
mouse or keyboard, and it includes many simple graphical operations,
such as copying, moving, rotating, sub-dividing, and erasing. More
powerful graphical operations include intersection, extrusion, and
transforming coordinates. In effect, MStowers graphical input capability
is an intelligent CAD system customized for the task of entering
structure data.
GRAPHICS INPUT
You may find that the few hours required to become proficient at
graphical input will be well rewarded by much increased productivity in
creating and editing UDPs.
MSTower V6
Note: Many MStower commands involve the use of the context menu.
This is a menu, which is specific to the current operation, that appears
when you right-click (press the right mouse button). For example, when
you are drawing a series of members, after clicking on the Draw
Members button (the one with the pencil), you click the location of each
node, and to finish the operation, you right-click and select Break Line
or End Line on the context menu. Also, after you have selected nodes or
members for any operation, you right-click and choose OK or Cancel on
the context menu.
Basic Drawing
Graphics Input is started by selecting Tower > Build Tower > UserDefined Panels > Graphics Edit. You will also be in Graphics Input
mode when you import an existing UDP by selecting Tower > Build
Tower > User-Defined Panels > UDP To Graphics.
To start drawing a UDP, click on the
toolbar button. This is the same
as selecting the Structure > Draw Members command from the main
menu. Notice the tooltip Draw Members that appears when the mouse
cursor crosses this button.
As you initiate the Draw command several things happen:
1.
2.
3.
The prompt area of the status bar (on the left) displays the
instruction Click on first point or enter coordinates.
4.
You may now click anywhere in the main window or enter coordinates
from the keyboard to locate the A node of the first member. Notice
that once the first point is specified the prompt changes to Click on end
point or enter coordinates; press SPACE BAR to break line. Select
another point and you will have drawn the first member. This point is the
B node of the first member and the A node of the next member. You
may continue selecting points to define new members.
MSTower V6
Coordinate Systems
You may input coordinates in rectangular, cylindrical, or spherical
coordinate systems, using standard syntax or AutoCAD syntax. The
format of the coordinate string is described below for each syntax.
STANDARD SYNTAX
Rectangular coordinates
X Y Z, where X, Y, and Z are respectively, the X, Y, and Z
coordinates of the point.
Cylindrical coordinates
C radius theta h, where radius, theta, and h are respectively,
the radius, horizontal angle, and height of the point.
Spherical coordinates
S radius theta phi, where radius, theta, and phi are
respectively, the radius, horizontal angle, and vertical angle of the
point.
Rectangular coordinates
X Y Z, where X, Y, and Z are respectively, the X, Y, and Z
coordinates of the point.
Cylindrical coordinates
radius < theta h, where radius, theta, and h are respectively,
the radius, horizontal angle, and height of the point. The last two
values must be separated by a space or a comma.
Spherical coordinates
radius < theta < phi, where radius, theta, and phi are
respectively, the radius, horizontal angle, and vertical angle of the
point.
Initially, the status bar displays NONE for the snap mode. This means
that the coordinates of any node defined by clicking the mouse will be
indeterminate to some extent, because the degree of accuracy with which
you can position the mouse is limited. Practically, therefore, the snap
mode NONE is rarely used. The first few nodes are usually specified by
grid points or entry of coordinates. Thereafter, the Mid/End snap mode is
usually used.
Grid Snap Mode (GRID)
In Grid mode the status bar displays GRID. Grid spacing is initially 1
unit in each global axis direction but you may change it with the
Structure > Drawing Settings > Grid Spacing command. When the
grid is displayed the cursor snaps to the nearest grid point. Thus, with
the mouse, you can only draw members from one grid point to another.
Enter coordinates to specify a point that is not on the grid.
Mid/End Snap Mode (MEND)
When drawing in this mode the cursor snaps to a nearby member end or
mid-point. Most graphical input is done in this snap mode. When starting
a new structure you cannot enter Mid/End snap mode because there are
no members to snap to.
Intersection Snap Mode (INTR)
When drawing in this mode the cursor snaps to a nearby intersection of
two or more members. A new node is automatically introduced at the
intersection point if there is not already a node there. When starting a
new structure you cannot enter Intersection snap mode until there are at
least two members.
Perpendicular Snap Mode (PERP)
In this mode the cursor snaps to the point on a target member that makes
the new member perpendicular to the target member. When starting a
new structure you cannot enter Perpendicular snap mode until there is at
least one member.
Orthogonal Snap Mode (ORTH)
In this mode you can only draw members in a global axis direction.
Nearest Snap Mode (NEAR)
In this snap mode the cursor snaps to the point on a target member that is
nearest to the cursor location.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Cursors
Key concept.
MSTower V6
Shortcut Keys
MStower permits the use of shortcut keys to some commands. Shortcut
keys are also known as accelerator keys. Below is a complete list of
MStowers shortcut keys:
Shortcut Command
Ctrl+C
Copy
Ctrl+X
Cut
Ctrl+V
Paste
Ctrl+Z
Undo
Ctrl+Y
Redo
F5
Redraw
Ctrl+A
Select All
Delete
Erase Members
Home
Zoom Extents/Limits
Viewpoint Left
Viewpoint Right
Viewpoint Up
Viewpoint Down
Space
Break Line
MSTower V6
In MStower, when you choose a command, you usually select the nodes
or members that are the object of the command. This may be done in
several ways:
MSTower V6
The OK button in this dialog box is disabled. You may use the dialog
box to check properties but you will not be able to change them.
The OK button in this dialog box is disabled. You may use the dialog
box to check properties but you will not be able to change them.
MSTower V6
You may select several nodes or members, then right-click and choose
Properties on the context menu. The dialog box will display common
properties of the selected group of nodes or members. Blank edit boxes
indicate that the corresponding value is not the same for all of the
multiple selection.
Extrusion
Key concept.
There is a check box for Extrude nodes in each of the Linear Copy,
Polar Copy, and Reflect dialog boxes. When you perform a copy
operation you may extrude each copied node into a series of members
in other words, there will be a string of new members lying on the path
traced out by each node involved in the copy operation. The member x
axis is aligned with the direction of extrusion.
Interrupting Commands
The diagram below shows the View toolbar, normally docked at the top
of the MStower window.
VIEW TOOLBAR
DRAW TOOLBAR
MSTower V6
Select nodes
An example is illustrated below, where the top chord nodes of a truss are
stretched to introduce a uniform slope from one end to the other.
Firstly, a member is added to represent the stretch vector. All the nodes
to be transformed are highlighted. Node 2 is selected as the fixed node.
Nodes 12 and 13 are selected to define the stretch vector. The diagram
below shows the truss on completion of the command.
If you inadvertently click on the wrong node when selecting the fixed
node or the start of the stretch vector, you can abort the command by
selecting the start of the stretch vector as the end point also.
The Stretch command could be used to input tower cross-arms as a
parallel chord truss, which is later tapered, as in the example above.
MSTower V6
The commands on the View > Limit menu allow you to restrict activity
to a selected part of the structure. The rest of the structure may be greyed
out or hidden from view. This has the advantage that the view you are
working on is uncluttered by irrelevant detail and the rest of the structure
is inaccessible while Limit is in effect.
The Limit > Window command,
, was used to select one segment of
the tower in the diagram below. To hide the rest of the structure rightclick and uncheck Show Outside Limits.
MSTower V6
2.
3.
Select Move Node on the context menu the node should now be
attached so you can drag it.
4.
Drag the node to one end of the member containing it and click.
MSTower V6
* Check the box to provide a skeleton block for UDPs and remove
checks from all other options. The tower width must be defined at bend
points only. In this case, input a top width of 2m for the first panel and
zero for the remaining panels. MStower interpolates all intermediate
widths.
MSTower V6
TODO:
Remove '$' and replace '?' with appropriate
section numbers in following PANEL blocks.
MSTower V6
BUILT TOWER
Note that the Draw and Attributes toolbars on the right of the screen are
disabled at this stage.
* Click the
button.
* Click and drag to create in turn two selection boxes as shown below.
Note that the top box is a crossing window, dragged from right to left
to select all members either inside or crossed by the box, while the
bottom box is dragged from left to right and only selects members
wholly within it.
MSTower V6
* Click the right mouse button to confirm the selection. Only the
members of panel 3 should now be displayed.
Note: If you are unsure about methods of selection and graphical input
you should review material at the beginning of this chapter.
* Add members to the panel so that it looks like a K1 panel. This is done
by drawing the members in the top right corner of the view and then
copying the new members to the other corners.
* Click the
and
for easy identification.
* Click the
MSTower V6
The panel should now appear as shown below (for clarity, node and
member numbers are not shown). Notice that when the cursor hovers
over a node or member a data tip will be displayed. On the original
members the data tip has an indication of member class (LEG, HOR,
etc.) but on the new members this is absent.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
* The UDP file is displayed in the text editor, MsEdit, so you can make
the necessary changes:
COMPONENT
P3
END
PANEL 3 HT 4.000
$ FACE K $ LEG ?
FACE @P3
BR1 ?
H1 ?
R1 ?
Here, the FACE K line has been commented out with the $ character but
retained in the file to indicate the panel type used as the basis for the
UDP.
* Save the edited TD file and close MsEdit.
* Rebuild the tower and inspect to ensure that the UDP is as required.
* If the UDP must be modified select the command
Tower > Build Tower > User Defined Panels > UDP File to Graphics
and select the UDP to be modified (P3 in this case).
* After making any necessary modification select the command
Tower > Build Tower > User Defined Panels > Graphics to UDP File
If the UDP file already exists a message box is displayed
MSTower V6
9:Tower Loading
General
This chapter describes the operation of the MStower loading module in
computing loads on the tower and ancillaries in accordance with the
requirements of:
AS 3995-1994
AS 1170.2-2002
EIA/TIA-222-F-1991
TIA-222-G-2005
ASCE 7-95
Loading types include dead load, ice load (with and without wind), node
loads, wind loading on the structure, its ancillaries, feeders, and
attachments, and temperature loads.
Tower loading represented as node loads are computed for wind acting
at any angle to the tower, with and without icing of members, as well as
gravity loads due to self weight and icing. Additional node forces may
be specified for any primary load case. Combination load cases may also
be defined.
Code partial safety factors may be specified directly or as factors in
combination load cases.
MSTower V6
Tower Faces
The faces of the tower are numbered 1, 2, 3 (and 4 for rectangular
towers) in an anti-clockwise direction with face 1 normal to the positive
X axis. The locations of face ancillaries are specified by reference to the
face numbers.
Towers With Cross-Arms
The wind resistance of a tower is generally computed as a function of the
solidity of the faces of the tower. Members internal to the body of the
tower are ignored in the determination of solidity. Members external to
the body of the tower, such as cross-arms may be taken into account by
adding face ancillaries to appropriate panels or by specifying an
EXTERN factor for wind load cases.
The weight of the all members, including cross-arms and any encrusting
ice is taken into account in DL and ICE load cases respectively.
PARAMETERS block
2.
TERRAIN block
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Loads block
8.
9.
Ancillaries block
Parameters Block
PARAMETERS
ANGN an
[CODE code]
148 9:Tower Loading
MSTower V6
[ICE RO ro RW rw]
[ALTOP alt]
[PSF-V gamma-v]
[PSF-M gamma-m]
[PSF-M2 gamma-m2]
VB vb vtype
VICE vi
CLASS-G class
TOPCAT-G topcat
[OVERLAP n]
[GRAV grav]
[RHO rho]
[RPSERV rpserv]
[SDAMP sdamp]
[ADAMP adamp]
[TDAMP tdamp]
[FREQ freq]
[DMULT dmult]
[CDMIN cdmin]
END
where:
ANGN
Keyword.
an
CODE
Keyword.
code
MSTower V6
ASCE795
Use the rules of ASCE 7-95. These wind rules are the same as
those in Philippines NSCP C101-01.
IS875
Use the rules of IS 875 Part 3 1987.
BNBC
Use the rules of the Bangladesh National Building Code.
If omitted, the rules of BS 8100 Part 1 will be used. Unless
specified otherwise all code references are to BS 8100.
ICE
Keyword.
RO
Keyword.
ro
RW
Keyword.
rw
ALTOP
Keyword.
alt
PSF-V
Keyword.
gamma-v
PSF-M
Keyword.
gamma-m
Partial safety factor on design strength (BS 8100 Fig. 2.1). For
BS 8100 and ILE TR7.
PSF-M2
Keyword.
gamma-m2
VB
Keyword.
vb
vtype
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
VICE
Keyword.
vi
CLASS-G
Keyword.
class
TOPCAT-G
Keyword.
topcat
OVERLAP
Keyword.
GRAV
Keyword.
grav
RHO
Keyword.
rho
RPSERV
Keyword.
rpserv
SDAMP
Keyword.
sdamp
ADAMP
Keyword.
adamp
Aerodynamic damping.
TDAMP
Keyword.
tdamp
FREQ
Keyword.
freq
DMULT
Keyword.
dmult
CDMIN
Keyword.
cdmin
Damping
British codes BS 8100, BS 6399, and ILE TR7 use the logarithmic
decrement of damping, . Other codes use the ratio of the actual
damping to the critical damping, , where
= 2 / (1 2)
Basic Velocity
The definition of the basic velocity vb depends on the code being used.
AS 1170.2
AS 3995
Vu, basic wind speed for ultimate limit state Fig. 2.2.
VR and VU are not the same.
BS 8100 Part 1
BS 8100 Part 4
BS 6399
ILETR7
ASCE 7-02
EIA-222-F
TIA-222-G
IS 875 Part 3
BNBC
It is important that the basic velocity used in the tower data file is
consistent with the specified code. The figures and tables referred to
above are in the particular code. Meteorological specialists may need to
be consulted for sites for sites in other locations.
It is also important that the wind speeds conform to the requirements of
the code being used. Non-standard descriptions of wind speeds such as
operational, survival, or extreme are not used in any code
152 9:Tower Loading
MSTower V6
Terrain Block
This block is used to specify the variation of terrain factor with wind
direction around the tower. The data required depends on the loading
code being used.
The TERRAIN block for BS 8100 Part 1 is as follows:
TERRAIN
ANGLE angle TCAT tcat [Kd kd] [KR kr] [HH hh]...
[BETAH betah] [XLEE xlee]
END
where:
MSTower V6
ANGLE
Keyword.
angle
TCAT
Keyword.
tcat
KR
Keyword.
kr
KD
Keyword.
kd
HH
Keyword.
hh
BETAH
Keyword.
betah
XLEE
Keyword.
xlee
ABT
Keyword.
abt
DTWN dt...
X x]
where:
ANGLE
Keyword.
angle
SD
Keyword.
sd
DSEA
Keyword.
ds
DTWN
Keyword.
dt
XO
Keyword.
xo
HO
Keyword.
ho
HE
Keyword.
he
LU
Keyword.
lu
Keyword.
DTWN dt...
X x] [ABT abt]
where:
ANGLE
Keyword.
MSTower V6
angle
SD
Keyword.
sd
DSEA
Keyword.
ds
DTWN
Keyword.
dt
XO
Keyword.
xo
HO
Keyword.
ho
HE
Keyword.
he
LU
Keyword.
lu
Keyword.
ABT
Keyword.
abt
where:
MSTower V6
ANGLE
Keyword.
angle
TCAT
Keyword.
tcat
reg
MD
Keyword.
md
Keyword.
LU
Keyword.
lu
Keyword.
MSH
Keyword.
msh
MLEE
Keyword.
mlee
TCAT tcat
[MD md]
[H h
LH lh
X x]
where:
ANGLE
Keyword.
angle
TCAT
Keyword.
tcat
MD
Keyword.
md
Keyword.
LH
Keyword.
lh
Keyword.
MSTower V6
The wind velocity multiplier may be used to modify the specified basic
wind velocity if the site conditions are such that the basic wind velocity
is judged to vary with direction. The basic wind velocity for a particular
direction will be determined as the product (md vb). If not defined in
the terrain block md will be taken as 1.0.
The wind specification in the Philippines code NSCP C101-01 is the
same as that in ASCE 7-95.
The TERRAIN block for TIA-222-G is as follows:
TERRAIN
ANGLE angle
END
TCAT tcat
[MD md]
[H h]
where:
ANGLE
Keyword.
angle
TCAT
Keyword.
tcat
MD
Keyword.
md
Keyword.
The wind velocity multiplier may be used to modify the specified basic
wind velocity if the site conditions are such that the basic wind velocity
is judged to vary with direction. The basic wind velocity for a particular
direction will be determined as the product (md vb). If not defined in
the terrain block md will be taken as 1.0.
Note that the importance factor, Table 2-3 p. 39, is computed
automatically by MStower.
The TERRAIN block for IS 875 (Part 3):1987 is as follows:
TERRAIN
ANGLE angle
END
TCAT tcat
[MD md]
[Z z
LU lu
X x]
where:
ANGLE
MSTower V6
Keyword.
angle
TCAT
Keyword.
tcat
MD
Keyword.
md
Keyword.
LU
Keyword.
lu
Keyword.
The wind velocity multiplier may be used to modify the specified basic
wind velocity if the site conditions are such that the basic wind velocity
is judged to vary with direction. The basic wind velocity for a particular
direction will be determined as the product (md vb). If not defined in
the terrain block md will be taken as 1.0.
The TERRAIN block for BNBC is as follows:
TERRAIN
ANGLE angle
END
TCAT tcat
[MD md]
[H h
LU lu
X x]
where:
ANGLE
Keyword.
angle
TCAT
Keyword.
tcat
MD
Keyword.
md
Keyword.
LU
Keyword.
lu
level half the height below the crest, in m or ft. See Fig 6.2.9 in
BNBC.
X
Keyword.
The wind velocity multiplier may be used to modify the specified basic
wind velocity if the site conditions are such that the basic wind velocity
is judged to vary with direction. The basic wind velocity for a particular
direction will be determined as the product (md vb). If not defined in
the terrain block md will be taken as 1.0.
No TERRAIN block is required for the Malaysian Electricity Supply
Regulations.
Terrain factors for up to eight directions may be entered. If necessary,
intermediate values will be obtained by interpolation. If there is no
variation in terrain with angle, enter a single set of values for angle zero.
The TERRAIN block may be omitted, in which case a terrain category of
1 will be assumed (tcat = 1). The TERRAIN block will be ignored if a
user-defined velocity profile is specified.
where:
ZF
Keyword.
VF
Keyword.
vfact
..
END
PVEL_GUY
ZF z VF vfact
..
END
VELOCITY PROFILE
where:
160 9:Tower Loading
MSTower V6
ZREF
Keyword.
zref
name
Keyword.
Keyword.
Keyword.
The node list establishes node number aliases that may replace a node
number anywhere in the TWR file. The aliases may be useful where
modifications to the geometry results in node numbers changing, for
example, when the tower is being studied for strengthening or a number
of different bracing patterns are being considered. If a family of
transmission towers is being designed the node list could define the
loading points with only the ZREF parameter being changed as
extensions are added.
where:
MSTower V6
name
g1..gn
ZT zt
EXTFACT f1..fn
where:
name
ZB
Keyword.
zb
Height from.
ZT
Keyword.
zt
Height to.
EXTFACT
Keyword.
f1..fn
Any EXTERN factor defined with wind load data will take precedence
over factors defined in an EXTERNAL block.
Loads Block
This block describes the load cases that are to be computed. Each
primary load case consists of a CASE description, a specification for a
wind, dead, or ice load, and optionally, additional node loads that are to
form part of that load case. Combination load cases consist of a CASE
description and a number of load case references and factors.
All loads on the tower should be described in the LOADS block.
LOADS
CASE..
162 9:Tower Loading
MSTower V6
lcase
title
where:
lcase
title
where:
MSTower V6
ANGLX
Keyword.
wangx
ANGLE
Keyword.
wangn
ICE
NOICE
BARE
CROSS
NOPATCH
UNICE
Keyword.
list
EXTERN
Keyword.
extern
ZGUST
Keyword.
z1
ZGUST2
Keyword.
z2
GFACT
Keyword.
gf
If the MEAN wind speed is being used the basic wind load case lcase
contains the loads due to the mean hourly wind applied to the equivalent
bare tower. This is followed by sequentially numbered sub-cases, the
first containing the fluctuating component of the wind load on the large
ancillaries, and the second the sum of the mean hourly loads on the
tower and ancillaries.
The CROSS wind load cases are required additional sub-cases containing
the loads due to cross-wind on the equivalent bare tower and the
fluctuating component of the cross-wind on the ancillaries are generated.
If the GUST wind speed is being used, the along-wind loads on the large
ancillaries are accumulated into the basic wind load case and no
additional sub-loads are formed. You must leave gaps in the numbering
of wind load cases to accommodate the sub-cases; a difference of 10
between successive cases is sufficient and convenient.
The SMEAR keyword used in previous versions to compute the uniform
load on guys for BS 8100 Part 4 patch load cases is no longer required.
The optional data item ZGUST z1 .. GFACT gf may be used to:
Modify the wind loads over a section of the tower when dealing
with a tower that is Eiffelized.
Model the variation of the gust response factor with height for
dynamically sensitive towers when computing wind loads to
AS 3995 or AS 1170.
= density of air
Cd
= drag coefficient
= member length
= width
psi
MSTower V6
1.
On each span of the mast column between adjacent guy levels (and
on the span between the mast base and the first guy level).
2.
3.
4.
5.
From the mid-height of the span between the penultimate and top
guy to the top guy if no cantilever is present, but including the
cantilever, if relevant.
9:Tower Loading 165
For BS 8100, the patch loads are derived from equivalent velocity
profiles derived from the equations in Cl. 5.3.2.2 and Cl. 5.3.2.3 for the
mast and guy, respectively.
If specified, the various wind profiles needed to form patch load cases
will be obtained as follows:
VELOCITY
PVEL_MAST
PVEL_GUY
Dead Loads
DL
[BARE]
[GUYS]
where:
DL
BARE
GUYS
Ice Loads
ICE
DENS dens
{WIND|NOWIND}
[BARE]
[UNICE list]
where:
ICE
DENS
Keyword.
dens
WIND
MSTower V6
NOWIND
BARE
UNICE
Keyword.
list
Miscellaneous Loads
Load cases not falling into one of the above categories may be included
as miscellaneous loads. These could include construction, maintenance,
or similar loads.
MI
NDLD
..
list
FX fx
FY fy
FZ fz
where:
MI
Keyword.
NDLD
list
FX fx
FY fy
FZ fz
where:
NDLD
Keyword.
list
FX FY FZ
fx fy fz
MTMP
list
TEMP
where:
MTMP
Keyword.
list
TEMP
Keyword.
uniform acceleration,
{ACCEL|GACCEL}
X x
Y y
Z z
where:
EQ
Keyword.
ACCEL
GACCEL
Keyword.
Keyword.
Keyword.
ELF1
X x
Y y
VSM vsm
[KE ke]
[FT ft]
where:
EQ
Keyword.
ELF1
X Y
Keywords.
x y
VSM
Keyword.
vsm
KE
Keyword.
ke
FT
Keyword.
ft
The total seismic shear, Vs, is obtained as the product of vsm and the
weight of the structure.
The seismic force at the top of the structure is (ft Vs) with the
remainder of the seismic force being distributed over the height of the
structure according to the formula:
Fsz = wz hz ke / Sum (wi hi ke ) Vs (1 ft)
Equivalent Modal Analysis
EQ
EMA2 X x
SDS sds
Y y F1 f1...
SD1 sd1 [I i]
[R r]
where:
MSTower V6
EQ
Keyword.
EMA2
X Y
Keywords.
x y
eathquake.
F1
Keyword.
f1
SDS
Keyword.
sds
SD1
Keyword.
sd1
Keyword.
Keyword.
The equivalent modal analysis procedure uses the equations of Cl. 2.7.8
of EIA-222-G.5.
Each earthquake load case will normally be used in at least two
combination load cases with positive and negative factors.
lcase
factor
where:
COMBIN
Keyword.
lcase
factor
Panel Block
The panels into which the tower is divided are defined by listing nodes at
the panel boundaries in order from the top of the tower. The Z
coordinates of these nodes will be used when determining the panel to
which projected areas of member and ancillaries are allocated. The list of
nodes may extend over one or more lines. If the PANEL block is not
specified panel heights will be obtained from the Job.TWM file,
generated by the tower builder. The PANEL block is not usually
required.
MSTower V6
Ancillary Block
This block is used to describe the ancillaries attached to the tower. Data
for each ancillary is given on a separate line as a series of keywords and
numeric items. Ancillary libraries, containing the dimensions and other
properties of ancillaries, are used to reduce the amount of data required.
Ancillaries are sub-divided into the following types:
Linear ancillaries.
Face ancillaries.
Large ancillaries.
Insulators.
ANCILLARIES
MSTower V6
ANCILLARY AXES
Linear Ancillaries
Linear ancillaries are items such as wave-guides, feeders and the like.
Usually they are either attached to the face of the tower or contained
within the body of the tower. The following data is required:
LINEAR LIB libr
name XB xb YB yb ZB zb [XT xt] [YT yt] ZT zt...
[SELF] LIB lname [FACT fact] [SHADE shade]...
[SHADY shady] ANG anga
..
where:
LINEAR
Keyword.
LIB
Keyword.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
libr
name
XB
Keyword.
xb
YB
Keyword.
yb
ZB
Keyword.
zb
XT
Keyword.
xt
YT
Keyword.
yt
ZT
Keyword.
zt
SELF
LIB
Keyword.
lname
FACT
Keyword.
fact
SHADE
Keyword.
shade
SHADY
Keyword.
shady
SHEFF
Keyword.
sheff
ANG
Keyword.
9:Tower Loading 173
ang
Face Ancillaries
These are ancillaries mounted on the faces of the tower and consisting of
small items whose wind resistances will be added to that of the panel of
the face to which they are attached.
FACE
name FACE flist ZA za MASS mass
AREA area AICE aice {FLAT|CYL}
..
CN cn...
where:
FACE
Keyword.
name
FACE
Keyword.
flist
ZA
Keyword.
za
MASS
Keyword.
mass
CN
Keyword.
cn
AREA
Keyword.
area
AICE
Keyword.
aice
FLAT
CYL
MSTower V6
Large Ancillaries
These are discrete ancillaries too large to be considered as facemounted ancillaries, usually positioned on the face of the tower or
external to the tower.
LARGE LIB libr
name XA xa YA ya ZA za LIB lname...
[FACT fact] [SHADE shade] ANG ang...
[{AMASS|TMASS}] [ATTACH nlist]
..
where:
MSTower V6
LARGE
Keyword.
LIB
Keyword.
libr
name
XA
Keyword.
xa
YA
Keyword.
ya
ZA
Keyword.
za
LIB
Keyword.
lname
FACT
Keyword.
fact
SHADE
Keyword.
shade
SHEFF
Keyword.
sheff
ANG
Keyword.
ang
AMASS
Keyword.
9:Tower Loading 175
TMASS
Keyword.
mass
ATTACH
Keyword.
nlist
Resistances
Resistance, either additive or total, may be used to model the loading on
sections of the tower. For example if a section of a tower is completely
clad in panels, it may be more accurate to use an overall resistance for
this section that to use a sum of the loads on individual panels and
section of the tower. The data required is:
RESISTANCE
name ZB zb ZT zt [ARES|TRES|BRES] res
..
where:
MSTower V6
RESISTANCE
Keyword.
name
ZB
Keyword.
zb
ZT
Keyword.
zt
ARES
TRES
BRES
res
Insulators
These may be used to separate sections of a multi-segment guy. They are
described as:
INSULATORS
name NODE node AREA area
MASS mass CN cn
..
AICE aice...
where:
MSTower V6
INSULATORS
Keyword.
name
NODE
Keyword.
node
AREA
Keyword.
area
AICE
Keyword.
aice
MASS
Keyword.
mass
CN
Keyword.
cn
Note: You may obtain the node number for an insulator from the data
tip that appears when the cursor is placed on it, with the Query > Node
Data command, or by double-clicking on it.
Output
The following tables of intermediate results computed by the loading
module are written to a loading log file and may be viewed by selecting
the File > List/Edit > Loading Log command or printed by selecting
the File > Print > Loading Log command.
Velocity Table
The input and computed parameters used in computing the velocity
profile and the variation of velocity with height above the base of the
tower are reported.
Member/Face Table
Each member is allocated to a tower face and its projected length in the
face is reported. Leg members will belong to two faces while internal
members, such as hip and plan bracing, will not belong to any face. The
length of bracing members that intersect leg members is adjusted for the
overlap between the IP and the edge of the leg member if the overlap
flag in the PARAMETERS block is set to 1.
Face Results
The area of each panel, its solidity ratio, and drag coefficient, the
resistance of ancillaries, shielding factor, Sf, and the normal resistance of
the face as a single frame are reported for each face.
Resistance Table
The effective resistance, Re1 and Re2, and the total wind resistance,
Rwt, for the specified wind angle are reported, along with the total mass
(structural and ancillary) of each panel. The factor determining whether
the equivalent static method is valid is also reported.
MSTower V6
BS 8100
The velocity, VB, should be specified as MEAN.
MStower uses the general method of BS 8100 for computing the wind
resistance of towers. This method allows for towers with faces that are
asymmetrical, either structurally or due to their complement of
ancillaries. It also allows the resistance to be computed for any wind
incidence angle. When using the general method, the resistance of the
single frame comprised in each face is computed, along with shielding
factors and Kth. The resistance of the complete tower is built up from
these values. Methods of computing drag coefficients of panels made of
flat and circular sections (both sub-critical and super-critical) are also
given. BS 8100 also uses a simpler method for symmetrical towers,
whereby the resistance for the complete tower can be determined from
drag factors for the overall tower.
If a panel contains ancillaries, the projected area of the ancillary is used
when computing panel solidity ratios and single panel drag coefficients.
The wind forces on the ancillary are then computed using the drag
coefficients from the ancillary library and a statically equivalent set of
node loads is applied to the nodes to which the ancillary is attached.
Gust Factor Correction
If BS 8100 Part 1 is specified with a mean hourly wind speed, each wind
load case will consist of:
MSTower V6
1.
2.
3.
A sub-load case containing the sum of the mean wind loads on the
tower and ancillaries.
9:Tower Loading 179
MStower computes and applies gust factors to member forces for the
cases of wind on the bare equivalent tower, adds in the member forces
due to gust wind on the ancillaries, and then recomputes the combination
cases.
Note: The above applies only where mean wind speeds are used. If gust
wind speeds are used the loads on large ancillaries will be computed
separately and added to the loads on the equivalent bare tower before
output. No additional sub-cases will be produced.
AS 3995
When AS 3995 is specified MStower uses the general method as
described above but with single frame drag coefficients that give overall
drag coefficients equal to those in Table 2.2.8.2 of AS 3995. This allows
the program to maintain the ability to deal with towers that are
asymmetrical or composed of mixed section shapes. It also allows wind
forces to be computed for angles of incidence other than face and corner.
For a tower carrying large dishes, the critical wind may occur at some
other angle, which may vary from member to member.
AS 1170
When AS 1170 is specified wind forces are computed as the sum of the
wind load on the tower structure and that on the linear and large
ancillaries. The area of face ancillaries is added to that of panels in
computing solidity ratios. The drag force on ancillaries is multiplied by
an interference factor, KIN, whose magnitude depends on the solidity of
the tower and location and type of ancillary.
MSTower V6
EIA/TIA-222-F
The wind velocity, VB, should be the fastest mile wind speed. No
modifying keyword (MEAN or GUST) is required. Unless a user-defined
profile is used, the velocity profile will be computed in accordance with
Cl. 2.3.3. A TERRAIN block is not required.
When EIA-222 is specified, MStower uses the general method as
described above but with modifications to coefficients that give overall
drag coefficients equal to those derived from Section 2.3 of EIA/TIA222-F for the wind directions specified in Table 2. This allows the
program to maintain the ability to deal with towers that are asymmetrical
or composed of mixed section shapes. It also allows wind forces to be
computed for any incidence angle instead of just face and corner wind.
For a tower carrying large dishes, the critical wind may occur at some
other angle, which may vary from member to member.
All wind loads, including any NDLD forces specified in a WL case, are
multiplied by a gust response factor determined in accordance with Cl.
2.3.4.
TIA-222-G
The wind velocity, VB, should be the 3-second gust wind speed. No
modifying keyword (MEAN or GUST) is required. MStower computes the
solidity of each face from the projected area of members and those linear
ancillaries that are within the face zone. The solidity of the most
windward faces is then used in computing the EPA (equivalent projected
area or resistance) of each panel of the tower.
All wind loads, including any NDLD forces specified in a WL case, are
multiplied by a gust response factor determined in accordance with Cl.
2.6.7.
MSTower V6
Computation of Deflections
BS 8100
Cl. 5.2.5 of BS 8100 Part 1 gives two serviceability criteria that may be
used. The gust-factoring process in MStower V6 modifies the
deflections for wind load cases and sub-load cases to provide deflections
that may be used in clauses (a) and (b) of Cl. 5.2.5. After gust-factoring
the deflections for towers are:
Base WL case (see 1 above):
[ (1 + GB) DTE + (1 + GA) DAW ] (SP / V )2
Mean wind load case (see 3 above):
DMW (SP / V)2
where:
GB
DTE
GA
DAW
SP
DMW
The gust-factored deflections from the base wind load case will be used
to update any combination load case that references a wind load case.
The gust-factored deflections are in a form that may be more readily
used in Cl. 3.3.2 of the code.
For masts, the gust-factored deflections are the deflections from the
analysis multiplied by the factor (SP / V)2.
Other Codes
If the wind speed for serviceability differs from that used in member
checking, additional serviceability combinations will be required. In
these load cases the load factor applied to the wind load component must
be multiplied by the square of the ratio of the service wind speed to the
basic wind speed.
MSTower V6
BS 8100
There is no codified method of taking dynamic effects into account. The
code recommends a spectral analysis if the equivalent static factor is
above 1.0. This type of analysis requires specialist knowledge and
experience. It is not available in Mstower. If necessary, such effects may
be accounted for by applying increased factors to wind loads in
combination load cases.
AS 3995
For towers, dynamic effects are taken into account by applying gust
response factors, GS, specified in Cl. 2.3.8 of the code, to the wind forces
obtained by applying the design mean wind speed. The gust response
factor varies over the height of the tower. A number of load cases may
be required for each wind direction to model the variation in gust
response factor. The codified method is not applicable to guyed masts.
The following data is required in the PARAMETERS block:
FREQ freq
TDAMP tdamp
The program computes the value of the gust response factor at the height
of each panel top and for each WL case outputs a table of these factors in
the loading log and also in the file Job.gfa, where Job is the job name.
To use them you will need to create sufficient WL cases for each wind
direction to model the variation of the gust response factor with height:
CASE
WL
CASE
WL
CASE
WL
..
n WL direction1
ANGLX ang1 .. ZGUST zgust1
n+1 WL direction1
ANGLX ang1 .. ZGUST zgust2
n+2 WL direction1
ANGLX ang1 .. ZGUST zgust3
GFACT gfact1
GFACT gfact2
GFACT gfact3
The program will multiply all wind forces above level zgust by
gfact.
Each combination load case that references a wind load will have to be
expanded in a similar fashion.
MSTower V6
AS 1170
For towers, dynamic effects are taken into account by applying dynamic
response factors, CDYN, specified in Section 6 of the code to the wind
forces from applying the design wind speed. The dynamic response
factor varies over the height of the tower. A number of load cases may
be required for each wind direction to model the variation in the dynamic
factor. The codified method is not applicable to guyed masts.
The following data is required in the PARAMETERS block:
FREQ freq
TDAMP tdamp
The program computes the value of the dynamic response factor at the
height of each panel top and for each WL case outputs a table of these
factors in the loading log and also in the file job.GFA. To use them you
will need to create sufficient WL cases for each wind direction to model
the variation of the gust response factor with height:
CASE
WL
CASE
WL
CASE
WL
..
n WL direction1
ANGLX ang1 .. ZGUST zgust1
n+1 WL direction1
ANGLX ang1 .. ZGUST zgust2
n+2 WL direction1
ANGLX ang1 .. ZGUST zgust3
GFACT gfact1
GFACT gfact2
GFACT gfact3
The program will multiply all wind forces above level zgust by
gfact.
Each combination load case that references a wind load will have to be
expanded in a similar fashion.
EIA-222-F
There is no codified method of taking account of the dynamic
amplification of wind loads. If necessary, such effects may be accounted
for by applying increased factors to wind loads in combination load
cases.
TIA-222-G
There is no codified method to take account of the dynamic
amplification of wind loads. If necessary, such effects may be accounted
for by applying increased factors to wind loads in combination load
cases. If the fundamental frequency and total damping are defined in the
PARAMETERS block, the gust effect factor will be computed in
accordance with 6.7.8 of SEI/ASCE 7-02.
ASCE 7
For towers, dynamic effects may be taken into account by applying a
gust effect factor, G, that allows for a resonant effect in the response as
MSTower V6
set out in the Commentary of the code. The codified method is not
applicable to guyed masts.
The following data is required in the PARAMETERS block:
FREQ freq
TDAMP tdamp
The program will compute and use a gust effect factor that takes account
of the dynamic effects.
IS 875
For towers, dynamic effects may be taken into account by applying a
gust factor, G, specified in Section 8, to the mean load. The codified
method is not applicable to guyed masts.
The following data is required in the PARAMETERS block:
FREQ freq
TDAMP tdamp
The program will compute and use a gust effect factor that takes account
of the dynamic effects.
BNBC
For towers, dynamic effects may be taken into account by applying a
gust factor, Gbar, specified in Section 8, to the load computed from the
fastest mile wind speed. The codified method is not applicable to guyed
masts.
The following data is required in the PARAMETERS block:
FREQ freq
TDAMP tdamp
The program will compute and use a gust effect factor that takes account
of the dynamic effects.
ILE TR7
The loads from the design wind are multiplied by a factor that is a
function of the pole natural frequency, height, and damping ratios.
The following data is required in the PARAMETERS block:
[FREQ freq]
SDAMP sdamp
[ADAMP adamp]
[TDAMP tdamp]
The program will compute and use a gust effect factor that takes account
of the dynamic effects. The parameters enclosed in square brackets are
optional; if not input they will be computed by the program.
MSTower V6
Ancillary Libraries
Ancillary libraries are text files containing blocks of data giving the
dimensions and drag characteristics of ancillary items. Separate libraries
are used for large ancillaries and linear ancillaries. The libraries remain
text files and unlike the section library, do not require further processing
before use.
The libraries supplied with MStower are called Ms_lin.lib and
Ms_anc.lib. Because of the wide variety of ancillaries, there is no doubt
that you will have to add information to the libraries. It is recommended
that the distribution libraries are not modified. Instead, for each project,
you may copy the distribution versions to libraries with names of your
choice. All changes should then be made to the project libraries.
Note: Ancillary libraries use metric units.
The structure of an ancillary library file is:
ANCILLARY
where:
name
coeff
dim
mass
af
asf
aice
zref
Z dimension from the antenna origin for wind loads and the
level of the antenna in the TWR file, in m. Usually, either the
centerline of radiation or the mounting level of the antenna.
xcg
xicg
fcx
fcy
fzm
ishape
sx,sy,sz
Cfz
Cmx
Cmy
Cmz
where:
MSTower V6
coeff
FACT
Keyword.
fact
ang
afact
Cfx
Cfy
Cfz
Cmx
Cmy
Cmz
The forces and moments at the origin of the antenna are given by:
Fx
= 0.5 Cfx Af V2
Fy
= 0.5 Cfy Af V2
Fz
= 0.5 Cfz Af V2
Mx
= 0.5 Cmx a Af V2
My
= 0.5 Cmy a Af V2
Mz
= 0.5 Cmz a Af V2
where a is a lever-arm.
If necessary, the coefficients for the angle of wind incidence are
interpolated from the coefficients table. All dimensions and forces for an
antenna are measured in the ancillary axes, a set of right-handed
orthogonal axes (see diagram in Ancillary Block on page 171).
coeff
mass
af
asf
aice
shape
where:
name
coeff
mass
af
asf
aice
Surface are of the antenna that may be coated with ice, in m/m.
Used in computing the weight of ice on an iced antenna.
shape
MSTower V6
Drag Coefficients
The drag coefficients are contained in the ancillary library in a separate
COEFFICIENTS block, which may contain any number of sets of
coefficients:
COEFFICIENTS
coeff FACT fact...
ang afact Cfx Cfy
..
END
where:
coeff
FACT
Keyword.
fact
ang
afact
Cfx
Cfy
The forces and moments at the origin of the ancillary are given by:
FX
= 0.5 Cfx Af V
FY
= 0.5 Cfy Af V
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
10:CAD Interface
General
The CAD interface is an integral part of MStower that offers the
capability of exporting 3-D data to a CAD system, forming the basis for
a CAD drawing. This function is selected with the File > Export > CAD
DXF command. Structure information is exchanged by means of an
AutoCAD DXF.
Note: You can use the Windows Paste command to transfer any part of
an MStower image into CAD.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
250
300
350
C250
C350
C450
C450L0
43A
50B
SECTIONS
$ AS sections
$ MStower
690UB140
690UB125
610UB125
610UB113
610UB101
530UB92.4
530UB82.0
460UB82.1
460UB74.6
460UB67.1
410UB59.7
410UB53.7
Xsteel
UB690*140
UB690*125
UB610*125
UB610*113
UB610*101
UB530*92
UB530*82
UB460*82
UB460*74
UB460*67
UB410*60
UB410*54
MSTower V6
11:Analysis
General
MStower offers a number of static and dynamic analysis options, each of
which employs exhaustive consistency checking and highly efficient
equation solution procedures. The analysis engines used in MStower are
derived from those used in Microstran, a widely-used and extremely
versatile program for analysing and designing structural frameworks in
steel and reinforced concrete.
Linear Elastic Analysis is a first-order elastic static analysis in which
non-linear effects are ignored and the stiffness equations are solved for
only the primary load cases. Solutions for combination load cases are
obtained by superposition of the solutions for the primary load cases.
Non-Linear Analysis is a second-order elastic analysis, which enables
you to take into account the non-linear actions arising from the
displacement of loads (the P- effect), the change in flexural stiffness of
members subjected to axial forces (the P- effect), and the shortening of
members subjected to bending (the flexural shortening effect). Nonlinear analysis is an iterative procedure in which the behaviour at each
step is controlled by a number of parameters. Each selected case,
whether a primary or combination load case, must be solved separately,
as superposition of results cannot be used. Members defined as tensiononly will be checked at each iteration and included or excluded
accordingly.
Elastic Critical Load Analysis calculates the frame buckling load
factor, c, for selected load cases and computes the corresponding
member effective lengths for each load case.
Dynamic Analysis computes the natural vibration frequencies of the
structure and the associated mode shapes. The dynamic loads on the
structure due to earthquake or other support acceleration may then be
assessed using the response spectrum method.
The Profile Optimizer is used in all analyses to minimize analysis time
and storage requirements. Nodes and members can therefore be
numbered for maximum convenience in data generation and
interpretation of results.
MSTower V6
11:Analysis 195
Method
MStower uses the well-documented direct stiffness method of analysis in
which the global stiffness matrix, [K], is assembled from the stiffness
contributions of individual members. For large structures, [K] can be
quite large and is stored on disk in blocks sized to maximize the use of
available memory and to minimize solution time. Load vectors, P, are
formed from the applied loads and node displacements, u, are
determined by solving the equation:
P = [K] u
The forces in each member are then determined by multiplying the
member stiffness matrix by the appropriate terms of the displacement
vector, resolved into member axes.
Consistency Check
MStower performs an automatic check of all input data prior to analysis.
The consistency check will detect a range of modelling problems related
to geometry and loading. Data errors and warnings are shown in the
Output window and are also written to the error report, which can be
listed and printed using options on the File menu.
Accuracy
All analyses use double-precision arithmetic to minimize the loss of
precision inherent in the many arithmetic operations required for solving
large, complex structural models. After the decomposition of the [K]
matrix MStower reports the maximum condition number, a measure of
the loss of precision that has occurred during the solution. For wellconditioned structural models (those in which little numerical precision
is lost) the condition number will be less than 104. If the condition
number exceeds this value you should treat the results with caution and
look for evidence of ill-conditioning. For example, the large
displacement of a node or group of nodes may indicate that the structure
is acting, to some extent, as a mechanism, and the results could be
meaningless.
An important independent check on the accuracy of the solution is
provided by the node equilibrium check. At unrestrained nodes the sum
of all the member end actions is compared to the sum of external forces
acting on the node. Any difference is a force residual, the out-of-balance
force. The maximum residual is reported to the screen after the analysis.
The maximum residual should be considered in conjunction with the
magnitudes of the applied loads in assessing the adequacy of the
solution.
Note: A satisfactory equilibrium check, by itself, is not sufficient to
ensure an accurate solution the condition number must also be
satisfactory.
196 11:Analysis
MSTower V6
MStower will choose the appropriate method of analysis when Tower >
Analyse is selected. Linear analysis will be used unless the tower
contains tension-only members or guys (cables).
Non-Linear Analysis
Non-Linear analysis (also called second-order analysis) performs an
elastic analysis in which second-order effects may be considered. The
different second-order effects are described below.
Non-linear analysis uses a multi-step procedure that commences with a
linear elastic analysis. The load residuals, computed for the structure in
its displaced position and with the stiffness of members modified, are
applied as a new load vector to compute corrections to the initial
solution. Further corrections are computed until convergence occurs.
There is no single method of iterative non-linear analysis for which
convergence is guaranteed. It may therefore be necessary to adjust the
analysis control parameters in order to obtain a satisfactory solution.
The solution may not converge if the structure is subject to gross
deformation or if it is highly non-linear. This may be the case as the
elastic critical load is approached.
Note: You should not attempt to use non-linear analysis to determine
elastic critical loads. Results of non-linear analysis should be treated
with caution whenever the loading is close to the elastic critical load.
MSTower V6
11:Analysis 197
Second-Order Effects
The most important second-order effects taken into account in non-linear
analysis are the P-Delta effect (P-) and the P-delta effect (P-). These
are discussed in detail below.
P- AND P- EFFECTS
198 11:Analysis
Node
Coordinate
Update
Axial
Force
Effects
NO
NO
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
Analysis Type
MSTower V6
Flexural Shortening
Flexural shortening, also called bowing, is the reduction in chord length
caused by bending. If the ends of the member are completely restrained
against axial movement very high tensions may develop with transverse
MSTower V6
11:Analysis 199
Non-Linear Members
Analysis of structures containing tension-only, or cable members
requires non-linear analysis. At the conclusion of each analysis step, all
members nominated as tension-only or compression-only are checked
and either removed from or restored to the model for the next analysis
step, according to their deformation. If the removal of non-linear
members causes the structure to become unstable, no solution is
possible.
MSTower V6
The ability to use different analysis types is used for obtaining results for
both linear and non-linear analysis in a single pass. This may be
necessary where the model includes members to be designed to different
codes with different analysis requirements.
In general, only realistic load cases should be selected for non-linear
analysis there is no point in analysing a wind load case because this
load will never exist in isolation. This is particularly important for
structures containing cable elements where realistic loads including self
weight are required to determine the equilibrium position of each cable,
and a solution may not be possible for load cases containing only some
load components.
Note: The settings in this dialog box will be lost if you subsequently
perform a linear analysis. In this case, the analysis type flag (S/L/N) will
be unconditionally set to Linear. You must reinstate the analysis type
flag if you revert to non-linear analysis.
.
NON-LINEAR ANALYSIS PARAMETERS
MSTower V6
Residual / displacement
Specifies the criterion to be used for convergence of the solution.
11:Analysis 201
202 11:Analysis
Displacement control
Increasing the setting of this control will assist convergence in
situations where displacements appear to diverge with successive
analysis iterations, or for structures that are initially unstable but
become stable as they displace under load. You normally leave this
control at minimum and only increase the setting if difficulties are
encountered in solution.
Convergence tolerance
This value determines when the analysis has converged, determined
by checking the change in the convergence criterion between
successive analysis cycles. Too small a value will prolong the
solution time and may even inhibit convergence. The default value
is 0.0005. Do not attempt to achieve convergence by increasing
the tolerance.
Relaxation factor
The relaxation factor is applied to incremental displacement
corrections during analysis. The optimum value for the relaxation
factor depends on the type of the structure. As a general rule,
structures which soften under load (i.e., displacements increase
disproportionately with load) have an optimum relaxation factor
between 1.0 and 1.2 while structures which harden under load
have an optimum relaxation factor as low as 0.85. Caution is
recommended in changing the relaxation factor from the default
value of 1.0; if the relaxation factor is too far from optimum the
analysis may require an excessive number of iterations for
convergence or it may not converge at all.
Oscillation control
This control facilitates convergence when the solution oscillates
MSTower V6
Is a full non-linear analysis necessary? If the only significant nonlinear effect is the presence of tension-only or compression-only
members, set the analysis type to L for these load cases. In other
cases, a successful analysis may result if either node coordinate
update or axial force effects are excluded.
Instability
Instability detected during linear analysis is usually due to modelling
problems and some of the common causes of these are discussed
elsewhere.
Because a non-linear analysis considers the effects of axial force on
member stiffness it is able to detect a range of instability that linear
analysis cannot. For example, non-linear analysis may detect buckling of
individual members or of the whole frame. The manner in which a
structure is modelled and the analysis parameters used can have some
MSTower V6
11:Analysis 203
204 11:Analysis
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Initial analysis
The initial analysis determines the distribution of axial forces to be
used for the elastic critical load analysis. It is normally Linear but
11:Analysis 205
Tolerance
The tolerance is the relative accuracy to which the load factor is
required. Too small a value will prolong the solution time. The
default value is 0.01.
No. modes
The number of buckling modes to be computed for each selected
load case. Normally, only the first mode is required, though higher
modes may be of interest if lower modes are inhibited or represent
localized buckling behaviour.
MSTower V6
Dynamic Analysis
Dynamic analysis computes the frequencies and mode shapes of the
natural vibration modes of the structural model. Only the mass and
stiffness of the model are considered in computing natural frequencies
and mode shapes. Static load cases are ignored. The frame mass is
computed automatically and modelled as node masses. Member masses
are computed automatically as the product of the cross-sectional area and
the mass density. The masses of ancillary equipment are taken into
account by masses lumped at attachment nodes.
Select the Analyse > Dynamic command to start dynamic analysis.
MSTower V6
No. modes
The number of natural frequencies and mode shapes that can be
computed is limited by the number of dynamic degrees of freedom,
and, for large structures, by the amount of available memory.
Solving for a large number of modes is usually not warranted.
Tolerance
This is the tolerance to be used in determining the convergence of
eigenvalues. If the value is too small, convergence may not be
possible or an excessive number of iterations may be required. If the
value is too large, the eigenvalues found may not be the lowest. The
default value is 0.00001.
Verify eigenvalues
Check this box if you wish to verify that no eigenvalues have been
skipped in the computation (see above).
Dynamic Modes
After completing a dynamic analysis it is important to check the mode
shapes to ensure that you have the required dynamic modes. MStower
computes all dynamic modes, including torsional modes. The easiest
way to examine the results is to display an animated view of the
computed mode shapes.
The diagram below shows the mode shape computed for the first mode
in dynamic analysis of the TWEX5 example.
208 11:Analysis
MSTower V6
Note that no node loads (NDLD lines) are defined for these cases.
Messages displayed during processing that these cases contain no loads
may be ignored.
The primary cases that are to contain the RSA results may be referenced
in combination cases in the usual way.
MSTower V6
1.
Set up load cases and perform the static (linear) analysis. The
earthquake load cases are empty results from the response
spectrum analysis will be added automatically.
2.
Select dynamic analysis, set the number of modes, and check Verify
eigenvalues and Response spectrum analysis.
3.
Select the first RSA primary case (105 in the above example).
11:Analysis 209
210 11:Analysis
4.
5.
For each earthquake load case damping ratios are specified. The
Complete Quadratic Combination method (CQC) for combining
modal responses is used to determine the peak response. This is
equivalent to the Square Root of the Sum of Squares (SRSS)
method if all modal damping ratios are zero.
6.
7.
After Steps 3-6 have been completed for each earthquake case, the
dynamic analysis proceeds. On completion, select the Analyse >
Response Spectrum command to scale the computed actions and
combine them with the static analysis results (note that this item is
greyed out on the menu until all the necessary preconditions for
response spectrum analysis have been completed). The total
reactions (base shears) are displayed for each earthquake case and
you now enter scale factors for each case. The spreadsheets referred
to above will assist you in computing scale factors to comply with
code requirements.
MStower now adds the results from the response spectrum analysis to
the static analysis results. Earthquake load cases may now be treated as
any other load case for the display and reporting of results and for
design.
If loads are computed to BS 8100, select Tower > Gust Factor to apply
gust factors to wind loads.
The complete procedure must be repeated if either the static or dynamic
analysis is re-run.
Note: The displaced shape represents the peak values of the
displacement during the earthquake event. There are no negative values.
Interpretation of the results should take this into account.
Response Spectrum Scale Factor
The scale factor used in Step 6, above is used to multiply the spectral
acceleration values to give the actual support acceleration to be used in
the analysis. Many codes give spectral accelerations in a normalized
MSTower V6
11:Analysis 211
Sa(1)
Sa(2)
Sa(3)
Sa(n)
where:
212 11:Analysis
Name
T(n)
Sa(n)
Spectral acceleration for the nth point on the curve. The spectral
accelerations may be in normalized form or as absolute
accelerations with a scale factor, described previously, being used
to effect any required conversion.
END
MSTower V6
Errors
There are some types of error that only become evident during analysis
and it is not possible for the consistency check to warn of this type of
error before the analysis commences. For example, if a structure is
unstable because some part of it actually forms a mechanism, analysis
will be terminated and an error message will be displayed on the screen.
The error message is of the form:
STRUCTURE UNSTABLE AT NODE nnnnn DOF f
where:
nnnnn
MSTower V6
11:Analysis 213
214 11:Analysis
MSTower V6
12:Member Checking
General
This chapter describes the MStower modules for checking the strength
of members in latticed towers and masts in accordance with the rules set
out in the following codes.
Towers and Masts
BS 8100 Part 3
BS 449
ASCE 10-90
ASCE 10-97
EIA-222-F
TIA-222-G
AS 3995
IS 802
Monopoles
Institution of Lighting Engineers Technical Report 7 (ILETR7)
ASCE Manual 72
BS5950 Part 1
AS 4100
EIA-222-F
TIA-222-G
The member checking modules use data generated by the tower builder,
loading modules, and the results of the static analysis.
Important Note:
Good engineering practice requires fully triangulated bracing in tower
structures. Non-triangulated bracing relies on the flexural stiffness of the
brace in one tower face to provide restraint to the brace in an adjacent
face. In some cases this may be satisfactory but in general it will not
provide the same degree of restraint offered by a fully triangulated
system; in particular, under corner winds the braces in adjacent faces can
have approximately equal compression forces and they will provide little
or no mutual restraint.
MSTower V6
Operation
Start the code checking module by selecting the appropriate code from
the Member Check > Towers/Masts or Member Check > Poles
menus.
The report may be limited by selecting classes of members to be checked
and setting the report limit on the ratio of design load/capacity.
Two forms of report are produced, a summary report and a detailed
report. They may be viewed or printed by selecting File > List/Edit and
File > Print, respectively.
The utilization ratios may be displayed graphically by selecting
Results > Design Ratios.
Loading Parameters
It is of the greatest importance to use loading parameters that are
consistent with the code being used for checking the capacity of
members. Loading parameters required for each design code are listed
below. These lists are not exhaustive and should not be used as a
replacement for the relevant code.
BS 8100 Part 3
CODE
VB
PSF-V
PSF-M
BS 449
CODE
VB
PSF-V
PSF-M
BS8100
3 sec. gust (GUST)
1.0
1.0
MSTower V6
ASCE795
3 sec. gust (GUST)
EIA-222-F
CODE
VB
EIA222
Fastest mile
TIA-222-G
CODE
VB
TIA222G
3 sec. gust (GUST)
AS 3995
CODE
VB
AS1170
3 sec. gust (GUST)
IS 802
CODE
VB
IS875
3 sec. gust (GUST)
ILE TR7
CODE
VB
PSF-M
SDAMP
ILETR7
Mean hourly from BS 6399 Part 2
1.15
Logarithmic decrement of damping for structure
MSTower V6
ILETR7 is for cantilevered (unguyed) poles only. The wind loads will
incorporate the response factor and size factor from Figures 1 and 2 in
ILETR7. Guyed poles should be checked using BS 5950, see below.
BS 5950
CODE
VB
PSF-M
SDAMP
BS6399
Mean hourly from BS 6399 Part 2
1.0
Logarithmic decrement of damping for structure
AS 4100
CODE
VB
SDAMP
AS1170
3 sec. gust (GUST)
Damping ratio for structure
Design Loads
Axial loads are taken from the results of the analysis (and any
subsequent gust-factoring) for legs, braces, and horizontals.
Secondary or redundant members are used to stabilize primary load
carrying members. Codes specify hypothetical forces that the redundant
system should be able to resist, usually as a percentage of the load
carried by the member being stabilized. The percentage may be fixed, or
it may be dependent on the slenderness of the stabilized member.
Previous versions of MStower checked all redundant members for the
full stabilizing force. For face members MStower V6 applies the
stabilizing force transversely to the member and distributes it through
the redundant systems using a truss analysis. No distribution is done for
redundants, such as hip and plan bracing that are not part of the tower
faces. Stabilizing forces are determined as follows:
BS 8100 Part 3
Two cases are considered, as described in Section 5.4 (a) and (b) of
Part 3.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Bolts
Bolts are checked for shear on the bolt and bearing on the member using
the rules in accordance with Section 8. If any of the dimensions x, y, and
z are not specified or set to zero, the checking module assumes that these
are equal to or greater than the minimums specified in the code to allow
an ultimate bearing strength of 2.0 (D.T.fy) to be attained.
Report
For each panel in the tower, the report lists the member number, the
classification (leg, brace, etc.), the section size and yield strength, the
most critical load case, the K value, the slenderness ratio, and whether it
is about the x-x, y-y, v-v axes, the axial design force, the capacity and
the ratio of design load to capacity.
An expanded version of the report, more suitable for detailed checking
of the results for particular members is available. This report may be
quite large.
Restrictions
This version of MStower has the following restrictions:
MSTower V6
most critical load case, the effective length factor, the slenderness ratio
and whether it is about the x-x, y-y, v-v axes, the axial design force, the
actual and permissible stresses (and whether a wind overstress factor is
included), and the ratio of the actual to permissible stresses.
An expanded version of the report more suitable for detailed checking of
the results for particular members is available. This report may be quite
large.
Restrictions
This version of MStower has the following restrictions:
Report
For each panel in the tower, the report lists the member number, the
classification (leg, brace, etc.), the section size and yield strength, the
most critical load case, the sub-clause of Section 3.3.4 of AS 3995 used
in determining the effective slenderness ratio, the effective slenderness
ratio and whether it is about the x-x, y-y or v-v axes, the axial design
force, the capacity, and the ratio of design load to capacity.
NOTE: In conformity with common international practice, the
rectangular axes for ALL sections are nominated as x-x and y-y. For
symmetrical sections these axes are also the principal axes. For angles
the minor principal axis is nominated as v-v.
An expanded version of the report more suitable for detailed checking of
the results for particular members is available. This report may be quite
large.
Restrictions
This version of MStower has the following restrictions:
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Members are checked for axial force only in structures other than
poles.
12:Member Checking 225
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Use the Results > Design Ratios command to display design results
with members color-coded to show the percentage of member
capacity actually utilized in the critical load case. With this display,
all members that have failed a design check are shown in a shade of
red.
The design reports may be previewed with the File > Print Preview
command and may be printed with the File > Print File command.
Note that there are extensive facilities for formatting the design
report using the File > Page Setup command.
The report files are automatically deleted when the job is closed.
The member check reports are created in the data folder and are named:
Job.rpt summary report
Job.rp2 detailed report,
where Job is the job name. You may save a steel design report file by
dragging it to another folder using Windows Explorer.
See 14:Reports on page 239.
Steel Detailing
Information may be exported in SDNF format for transfer to third-party
steel detailing programs (e.g. Xsteel). Refer to Exporting a Steel
Detailing Neutral File on page 192.
MSTower V6
General
MStower refers to one or more steel section libraries for information
required for analysis and checking of members. Section library files may
be in the program folder, the data folder, or in an optional designated
library folder (see Folders on page 10). The library name is prefixed in
TD files with P:, D:, and L:, respectively, for these folders. The File >
Configure > General > Library File Folder command allows you to
select the library folder.
You may edit any steel section library using the File > Configure >
Section Library Manager command or the File > Configure > Edit
Section Library command. New section libraries may also be created.
The File > Configure > Library Viewer command is convenient for
viewing library contents files, in addition to ancillary and guy library
files.
Section Library
MStowers library files must have no more than 8 characters in their file
name and have the file name extension lib (e.g. As.lib, Uk.lib). They
cannot be listed, printed, or edited. For each library file there is a
corresponding source file, an ordinary text file having a file name
extension asc. Library source files may be manipulated by the Section
Library Manager or a text editor.
Section Name
Each section has a unique section name with up to 15 characters. Blanks
are not permitted. The section name must have one contiguous
alphabetic group between 1 and 4 characters long. This is the section
mnemonic.
Section Mnemonic
The section mnemonic is used in MStower for specifying sections to be
chosen automatically in design. It is embedded in the section name and,
apart from X, is the only part of the name that may be alphabetic. An
X character contiguous with the section mnemonic is part of the
MSTower V6
TFB
UB, WB
UC, WC
RHS
SHS
CHS
PFC
BT, CT
Tee section
EA, L
Equal angle
10
UA, L
Unequal angle
11
DAL
12
DAS
16
STA
Starred angles
22
QAN
Quad angles
13
UBP
17
TFC
18
ROD
Round
19
BAR, FLAT
Rectangular bar
20
CTT
21
CBB
MSTower V6
24
CA
25
POLY
26
POLY
27
POLY
28
POLY
29
POLY
30
31
POLY
32
POLY
37
ASX
60 (Schifflerized) angle
38
VU
60 channel
Steel Grades
MStower does not use steel grades. The library contains two yield stress
values for each section if the second is not used it is input as zero.
Residual Stress Code
Some design codes (e.g. AS 4100) require information about the level of
residual stresses in a section. This is provided by the parameter
designated f. It is also used to distinguish between cold-form and hotrolled sections with the same design type (e.g. Schifflerized angles).
f
Section Type
Stress relieved
Hot-rolled
Cold-formed
Lightly welded
Heavily welded
60 (Schifflerized) Angles
MStower section libraries may contain both cold-formed and hot-rolled
Schifflerized angles but member checking may not be available for these
sections in all design codes. Section Library Manager allows you to
change any equal angle to a Schifflerized angle. You may right-click on
any of these sections in the destination library and choose the
Schifflerize command on the pop-up menu.
60 Channels
The VU section is a cold-formed channel whose flanges are bent through
60, rather than 90. This section may appear in MStower section
libraries but member checking may not be available for these sections in
all design codes.
MSTower V6
60 SECTIONS
Compound Sections
Compound sections made up of angles or channels are available as
shown in the diagram below. Section Library Manager allows you to
change an angle or channel to a compound section. You may right-click
on any of these sections in the destination library and choose the
required compound section type in the pop-up menu.
COMPOUND SECTIONS
MSTower V6
Then you enter the name of a new library in this folder or choose the
name of an existing library. Valid library source files have no more than
8 characters in the file name (excluding the .asc file name extension).
MSTower V6
After you have selected the destination library, either an existing library
source file or a new one, the dialog box below is displayed. A tree view
of the destination library, empty if new, is shown on the right while all
available library source files are shown on the left. Each library may be
expanded to show the sections contained.
You may select any library or section on the left and click the arrow
button to send it to the destination library on the right. Double-clicking a
section on the right will display a dialog box in which you may alter any
value.
When the section library manager combines sections from existing
libraries units are automatically converted to those of the destination
library.
Example
In the following example an angle section from the UK library is added
to a pole library.
1.
Start the section library manager and select the existing pole
library as the destination file.
2.
3.
Click on the green arrow button to add the angle section to the
pole library.
4.
MSTower V6
Section property dialog boxes for some sections have an Ax, Ay button,
which computes shear areas. For an I section Ax is computed as the nett
web area and Ay is computed as 5/6 of the flange area. For SHS, RHS,
and box sections, Ax is the nett web area where the web is considered
to include both sides. Similarly, Ay is the nett area of the top and bottom
flanges this does not include overhang in the case of the box section.
Note: Shear areas are usually set to zero, causing MStower to ignore
shear distortion.
MSTower V6
Compiling a Library
When you click the Save button you can initiate the compilation of the
library source file into an MStower library. Click Yes in the dialog box
below to do this.
The library compiler reads and interprets the library source file and
writes an MStower library file. The value of any section property value
input as zero is computed automatically provided sufficient dimensions
for the calculation have been input.
The File > Configure > Edit Section Library command may be used
instead of the Section Library Manager to edit section library source files
directly. This command allows you to add section properties to library
files or to generate new library files using a text editor, MsEdit.
MSTower V6
Library Viewer
The File > Configure > Library Viewer command allows you to see
several library files simultaneously. This is helpful when editing TD
files, allowing you to refer to section, ancillary, and guy libraries in
several locations.
The Library Viewer window displays the names all text files in the
Program, Data, and Library folders. To open any of the listed files in a
new MsEdit window, double-click on its name.
LIBRARY VIEWER
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
14:Reports
Report Types
MStower can create report files at several stages during the building,
loading, analysis, and checking of a tower. Commands for printing or
displaying reports show the dialog box below, in which there is a button
for each available report. If the button is disabled it means that the report
file does not yet exist. Each report is discussed in this chapter. Input
files, such as the TD and TWR files may also be displayed or printed
from this dialog box.
MSTower V6
14:Reports 239
Input/Analysis Report
The Input/Analysis report is obtained at any stage by selecting the
Reports > Input/Analysis command. The dialog below then allows you
to select the items you require in the report.
240 14:Reports
MSTower V6
Error Report
The Error report file, containing a list of geometry errors, is created
automatically when errors are detected prior to analysis. The
Analysis > Check Input command will also create this report file when
errors are detected.
Error Report File
Microstran consistency check
Job: "XM3H" checked on 31-OCT-05 12:48:44
-----------------------------------------Error: member 1 property 111 undefined
Error: member 2 property 111 undefined
Error: member 3 property 111 undefined
Error: member 4 property 111 undefined
Error: member 25 property 8 undefined
Error: member 26 property 8 undefined
Error: member 41 property 111 undefined
Error: member 42 property 111 undefined
Error: member 43 property 111 undefined
Error: member 44 property 111 undefined
Shortest member: 25, length: 1.2673
Longest member: 126, length: 3.5830
24 error(s), 0 warning(s)
----- end of report -----
Static Log
The static log is a file created during linear or non-linear analysis that
lists several analysis parameters, including the condition number, a
measure of the numerical quality of the analysis.
Dynamic Log
The dynamic log is a file created during dynamic analysis that lists
several analysis parameters, including the natural vibration mode
frequencies.
Design Summary
The design summary report file contains a summary of the results of any
member checking operation including those performed by the
Member Check > Reactions and
Member Check > Ancillary Rotations commands.
It reports the critical load case and condition for the various member
classes in each panel. It also contains a table of quantities and may note
any geometric or other problems encountered during the checking
process. Where possible, symbols similar to those in the particular code
of practice to which the check is done are used in the report.
MSTower V6
14:Reports 241
Reaction Report
The reaction report file is created by the
Member Check > Reactions command and appended to the Design
Summary report. It contains the reactions at the tower supports in the
global axes and also transformed into the direction of the individual leg
axes.
Rotation Report
The rotation report file is created by the
Member Check > Ancillary Rotations command and appended to the
Design Summary report. It is in two sections:
The rotation of each large ancillary for each selected load case. The
rotations are computed by considering the displacement of a plane
through the first three attachment nodes and are given in the axes of
the ancillary.
The tabulated rotations are those due to deflection of the tower. They do
not account for any deflection in the ancillary mounting items.
242 14:Reports
MSTower V6
15:Examples
General
Use the following procedure to run an MStower job:
1.
2.
Select the File > Open command and in the dialog box browse to
the Examples folder (see Folders on page 10). Choose one of the
example jobs, say TWEX1, and then click the Open button. The
tower should now be displayed if not, select the Tower > Build
Tower > Process Tower Data File command
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Select the Results > Design Ratios command and the structure will
be displayed with overstressed members colored red.
8.
To display the results of the member checking select the File >
List/Edit command and then click either the Summary or Detailed
button. The selected report file will now be displayed in the MsEdit
text editor. You may use the File > Print Preview command to see
each page of the report, exactly how it will appear when printed.
To run a mast job, proceed as set out above but when the Analysis Load
Cases dialog box appears select Case 100 and all combination load
cases. When the Non Linear Analysis Parameters dialog box is displayed
click OK to accept the default values. The non linear analysis required
for masts takes longer than linear analysis.
To run an existing MStower Version 4 job select the File > New
command, confirm the job file folder, enter the job name and then
proceed from Step 3, above.
MSTower V6
15:Examples 243
244 15:Examples
MSTower V6
EXAMPLE TOWERS
MSTower V6
15:Examples 245
TWEX1
This example is a plain tower for checking to BS 8100.
TWEX1
246 15:Examples
MSTower V6
TD File TWEX1
TITL1 TWEX1
TITL2
UNITS 1
$ Metric units ---------------------------PROFILE
FACES 4
WBASE 2.000
RLBAS 0.0000
$ Section 1 -----------------------------------------PANEL 1 HT 1.000 TW 1.500
FACE DR
LEG 1 BR1 5 H1 4
BOLT BR 1 M16-8 H 1 M16-8
PANEL 2 HT 1.000
FACE DL0 LEG 1 BR1 5
PANEL 3 HT
FACE DR
PLAN PL1A
BOLT LEG
1.000
LEG 1 BR1 6 H1 6
PB1 0 PB2 4 PB3 0
4 M16-8 BR 1 M16-8 H 1 M16-8 PB 1 M16-8
END
SECTIONS
LIBR P:UK IFACT .001
$ LEGS
1 EA80X80X8
Y FY H
2 EA100X100X10 Y FY H
3 EA120X120X12 Y FY H
BH 35
BH 35
BH 35
$ BRACING
4
5
6
7
8
EA50X50X6
EA60X60X8
EA50X50X5
EA60X60X10
EA60X60X6
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
FY
FY
FY
FY
FY
N
N
N
N
N
BH
BH
BH
BH
BH
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
17.5
CONNECT
CONNECT
CONNECT
CONNECT
CONNECT
L
L
L
L
L
M24-82 GR8.8 D 24
M22-82 GR8.8 D 22
M20-82 GR8.8 D 20
AS 452
AS 380
AS 314
FY 628
FY 628
FY 628
FU 785
FU 785
FU 785
M24-8
M22-8
M20-8
M16-8
AS
AS
AS
AS
FY
FY
FY
FY
FU
FU
FU
FU
END
BOLTDATA
GR8.8
GR8.8
GR8.8
GR8.8
D
D
D
D
24
22
20
16
452
380
314
201
628
628
628
628
785
785
785
785
NSP 2
NSP 2
NSP 2
END
END
MSTower V6
15:Examples 247
$
$
$
$
STATION
HEIGHT
NGR SP
MAP No
$ STRUCTURE
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
TYPE:MANUFACTURERS:ANCILLARIES Drg
Amendments
CAD REF
STRUCTURAL DRAWINGS :-
PARAMETERS
ANGN
CODE
ICE
ALTOP
PSF-V
PSF-M
VB
OVERLAP
45.0
BS8100
RO 0.0
0
1.20
1.20
30.0
1
RW 0.0
MEAN
END
TERRAIN
ANGLE 0 TCAT 2
END
LOADS
CASE 100 Weight of tower plus ancillaries
DL
$ TODO - any additional NDLDs go here
CASE 200 wind at 180 to X axis
WL ANGLX 180.0 NOICE
CASE 220 wind at 225 to X axis
WL ANGLX 225.0 NOICE
CASE 240 wind at 270 to X axis
WL ANGLX 270.0 NOICE
CASE 500 Max. tower weight
COMBIN 100 1.050
CASE 520 TENSION: wind at
COMBIN 100 0.900
COMBIN 200 1.000
180 to X axis
180 to X axis
225 to X axis
225 to X axis
270 to X axis
270 to X axis
END
ANCILLARIES
LARGE
LIBR P:MS_ANC.LIB
DISH-1 XA
LINEAR
248 15:Examples
LIBR P:MS_LIN.LIB
MSTower V6
fdrs
$ FDRSds
XB .5 YB .5 ZB 0 XT .5 YT .5 ZT 11 LIB FDRS-SMALL
XB 00.0 YB 00.0 ZB 00.0 XT 00.0 YT 00.0 ZT 00.0 LIB FDRS-SMALL
FACE
$ SCREEN6 FACE 1234
ZA 00.0
MASS
00 CN 0.0
AREA 0.0
FLAT
END
END
MSTower V6
15:Examples 249
250 15:Examples
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
15:Examples 251
252 15:Examples
MSTower V6
15:Ancillary Programs
CTIDATA
CTIDATA generates a tower data (TD) file from a prototype TWR file
and Cti.csv database file.
To run CTIDATA from the main menu select the
Tower > Load Tower > Process Ancillary DB File command.
This command will not be available unless a tower geometry has been
built and the CSV file exists in the data folder.
The prototype TWR file, Ctistd.twr must be present in the data folder
and the geometry of the structure must have been created.
A tower loading file is output.
When CTIDATA is run a number of dialog boxes are presented for you
to choose codes and enter parameters that will be substituted into a copy
of the prototype TWR file.
A set of wind angle and load combinations is entered for generation of a
new LOADS block. All wind load directions are referred to the tower X
axis, simplifying the generation of face and corner winds. Any or all face
or corner wind directions may be chosen. In addition, for triangular
towers, winds parallel to faces may also be chosen.
Any large ancillary data in the prototype file is replaced with data
derived from the CSV file.
If the tower loading file exists before CTIDATA is run, only the large
ancillary data will be replaced. The PARAMETERS and LOADS blocks
will be unchanged and previously existing ancillary loads will be
commented out and remain in the file for possible future reference.
Arrangements may be made to customize this program to user
requirements.
MSTower V6
MSTower V6
Index
A
ACCEL keyword 168
Accelerator keys 133
Additional member temperatures
167
Additional node loads 167
AICE keyword 174, 178
ALTOP keyword 150
AMASS keyword 175
Analyse menu 26
Analysis
Buckling 204
Dynamic 207
Elastic critical load 204
Linear 197
Non-linear 197
Response spectrum 209
Second-order 197
ANCILLARY block 171, 186, 188
Ancillary libraries 186
Ancillary rotations 242
ANGLE keyword 153, 154, 155,
156, 157, 158, 163
ANGLX keyword 163
ANGN keyword 149
Archive file 41
AREA keyword 174, 177
ARES keyword 177
ATTACH keyword 176
Attributes toolbar 34
AutoCAD 192
Axes 40
B
BARE keyword 167
Basic velocity 152
BH keyword 56
Blocks
ANCILLARY 171
BOLTDATA 58
MStower V6
COMPONENT 45
EXTERNAL 162
GUYLIST 161
GUYS 54
LOADS 162
MATERIAL 58
NODENAME 160
PANEL 170
PARAMETERS 148
PROFILE 46
PVEL_GUY 160
PVEL_MAST 160
SECTIONS 55
SUPPORTS 53
TERRAIN 153
Title 45
VELOCITY 159
BOLT keyword 47
BOLTDATA block 58
Boundary 139
Break line 129
BRES keyword 177
Buckling 204
C
Cable 200
CAD DXF 191
CN keyword 178
CODE keyword 149
COEFFICIENTS block 187, 189
Colors 14
COMBIN keyword 170
Combination load cases 170
Compiling a library 236
COMPONENT block 45
Condition number 241
Configuration 14
CONNECT keyword 56
Connections 60
Context menu 12, 128, 134
COORD keyword 53
Coordinate systems 40, 129
Coordinates 128
CROSS keyword 51, 163
Cross-arms 77, 115
Crossing window 133
Ctrl+A 133, 134
Ctrl+C 133
Ctrl+V 133
Ctrl+X 133
Ctrl+Y 133
Ctrl+Z 133
Cursor 132
Customize 37
Index 255
D
D & V face panels 78
Damping 152
Data tip 21
Dead loads 166
Deflections 182
Delete 133
DENS keyword 58, 166
Design summary 241
Design type 230
Detailed design report 242
Detailing 192, 228
Display toolbar 33
DLM face panels 102
DLM2 face panels 102
DM face panel 100
DM2 face panel 100
DMH face panels 101
DMH2 face panels 101
Double-click 13, 134
Draw toolbar 34
Drawing 128
Drawing plane 131
Duplicate members 131
Duplicate nodes 131
Dynamic amplification 183
Dynamic analysis 207
Dynamic log 241
E
E keyword 58
Earthquake loading 168
ECL 204
Editing a section library 236
Effective length 204
Elastic critical load analysis 204
ELF1 keyword 169
EMA2 keyword 169
E-mail 19
EMF 193
End line 130
EQ keyword 168, 169
Error report 241
Errors 41
Example 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 140
Examples 11
Explorer 13
Export
Archive file 41
DXF 191
SDNF 192
256 Index
F
F5 133
Face ancillaries 171, 174
FACE keyword 48, 174
Face panels 72
Face Panels
D & V 78
DLM 102
DLM2 102
DM 100
DM2 100
DMH 101
DMH2 101
K 84
KXM 103
KXM2 103
M 94
W 96
X 79
XDM 99
XDMA 99
XM 98
XMA 98
Face results 178
FACES keyword 46
FACT keyword 173, 175
File menu 22
File type 13
Fixed-end actions 199, 200
Folders 10
Frame buckling 203
FREQ keyword 151
G
GFACT keyword 164
Graphics input 122, 127, 140
GRAV keyword 151
Gust factor correction 179
Guy library 61
Guyed mast patch loadings 165
GUYLIST block 161
GUYS block 54
GUYS keyword 61
H
Hardware lock 9
MStower V6
I
ICE keyword 150, 163, 166
Ice loads 166
Icon 187
Import
Archive file 124
DXF 192
UDP 128
Input load case 21
Input/Analysis report 240
Instability 203
Installation 9
Insulators 171, 177
INSULATORS keyword 177
Interruptible commands 132
J
Job size 14
Joints 60
K
K face panels 84
KXM face panel 103
KXM2 face panel 103
L
Lambda 204
Large ancillaries 171, 175
LARGE keyword 175
Launch 13
LIB keyword 54, 172, 175
LIBR keyword 55
Library
Ancillary 186
Section 229
Library Viewer 237
Limit 138
Linear analysis 197
Linear ancillaries 171, 172
LINEAR keyword 172
Loads
MStower V6
M
M face panels 94
Main toolbar 31
Main window 21
MASS keyword 174, 178
MATERIAL block 58
MCAP keyword 49
MEMB keyword 119
Member axes 40
Member checking 41
Member Checking menu 25
Member orientation 51
Member properties 135
Member/face table 178
Members
Non-Linear 200
Menu bar 21
Menus 21
MI keyword 167
Miscellaneous loads 167
Modifying a UDP 123
Monopole 104
MsEdit 236
MTMP keyword 168
Multiple selection 136
N
NDLD keyword 167
NODE keyword 119, 177
Node properties 135
NODENAME block 160
NOICE keyword 163
Non-linear analysis 197
NOPATCH keyword 164
NOWIND keyword 167
O
OK/Cancel toolbar 35
Orientation 57
Output 178
Index 257
P
Page Setup 16
PANEL block 170
PANEL keyword 47
PARAMETERS block 148
PATCH keyword 164
P-delta effect 198, 199
P-Delta effect 198, 199
Plan bracing 70, 76, 105
PLAN keyword 50
Pole
SH3 104
SH4 104
Pop-up menu 12, 134
Printing in MStower 15
PROFILE block 46
Prompt 21
PVEL_GUY block 160
PVEL_MAST block 160
Q
Query menu 29
R
Reaction report 242
Rectangular coordinates 129
Reference axis 40
Reference node 40, 51, 57
Relative coordinates 129
Report
Design summary 241
Detailed design 242
Dynamic log 241
Error 241
Reaction 242
Rotation 242
Static log 241
Report files 228
Reports 239
Reports menu 27
Residual stress code 231
RESISTANCE keyword 177
Resistance table 178
Resistances 176
Response spectrum analysis 209
Results menu 27
Results toolbar 35
Right-click 128, 134
Rotation report 242
258 Index
Rotations
Ancillary 242
S
Schifflerized angles 231
SDAMP keyword 151
SDNF 192
Second-order analysis 197
Section alias file 193
Section axis 57
Section library 18, 229
Section Library Manager 233
Section mnemonic 229
Section name 229
Section properties 235
Sections 41
SECTIONS block 55
Select members 133
Select nodes 133
Selection box 133
SELF keyword 173
Serial number 19
SH3 pole 104
SH4 pole 104
SHADE keyword 173, 175
SHEFF keyword 173, 175
Shortcut 13
Shortcut keys 133
Show menu 28
SMEAR keyword 164
Snap mode 21, 130
Grid 130
Intersection 130
Mid/End 130
Nearest 130
Orthogonal 130
Perpendicular 130
Space 133
Spherical coordinates 129
Static log 241
Status bar 21
Steel detailing 192, 228
Steel grade 231
Steel poles 62
Stretch 137
Structure menu 25
Subset 138
Support 19
SUPPORTS block 53
T
TD file 39, 43, 44, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70
Technical support 19
MStower V6
Y
Yield stress 231
Z
ZF keyword 159
ZGUST keyword 164, 179
ZGUST2 keyword 164
ZREF keyword 161
U
UDP example 140
UDP file 39
UDP file names 125
UDP from Microstran 124
UDP keyword 118
Unequal leg length 123
UNICE keyword 164, 167
Units 40
V
VB keyword 150
VELOCITY block 159
Velocity table 178
View menu 23
View toolbar 32
W
W face panels 96
Web update 20
WIND keyword 166
Wind load cases 163
Wind resistance 179
Window 138
Window menu 30
X
X face panels 79
XDM face panel 99
XDMA face panel 99
XM face panel 98
XMA face panel 98
Xsteel 192, 228
MStower V6
Index 259
260 Index
MStower V6