Topology optimisation of lattice telecommunication tower and performance-based design considering wind and ice loads

Abstract

With increasing demand of infrastructure to support power transmission and telecommunication systems, the need of erecting more towers has also been rising significantly. For many years, these towers were designed by using a conservative approach and the opportunities lying in the design optimisation of the towers were not leveraged. This paper presents the application of structural topology optimisation to lattice self-supported telecommunication towers in developing an improved solution in terms of weight-to-stiffness ratio. 2D and 3D topology optimisation studies were performed with highly optimised bracing systems reducing the amount of steel material used, thus its carbon footprint. The new exoskeleton structure is representing a lattice tower composed of 'high-waisted' bracing type and elliptical hollow sections (EHS). Comparative modal analyses demonstrated the structural performance of the optimised tower models. In addition, a research-led design was carried out for optimising the geometric cross-sectional properties of the optimised lattice tower subjected to quasi-static analysis followed by regression analysis. The cross-sectional parameters were progressively changed; explicitly the diameter and thickness of the members. The performance-based analysis and design of a topologically optimised lattice tower present alternatives to onerous approaches such as wind tunnel testing or finite element modelling. The results were further analysed to understand their viability in different loading design cases and the effect of cross-sections. Conclusions highlighted the benefits gained by introducing the structural topology optimisation process in the design of slender support structures.

The Influence of Uncertain Loading on Topology-Optimized Designs

“…[25][26][27], though dictates a design of lattice like members. e SIMP approach has seen use for tower-like structures [26,28] and will be used here.…”

Topology Optimisation in Structural Steel Design for Additive Manufacturing

“…Recent works with alternating loads include Alkalla et al's Revolutionary Superposition Layout (RSL) method [468], as well as Lógó and Pintér contributions, [459,467]. Furthermore, Tsavdaridis et al managed to use a method to examine and overly stress paths and compose comprehensive layouts, optimized for several sets of loads [341], [469].…”

Development of Monitoring Tower Using Gyroscope Sensor Based on Esp32 Microcontroller

“…This tool is supported by a steel pole called a telecommunication tower. Telecommunication tower is a telecommunication building structure that uses a combination of steel frames as its construction material (Seran, 2017;Malviya & Jamle, 2019;Tsavdaridis et al, 2020).…”