the Otherpower.com Discussion Board || Testing thrust loads on a tower

Front Page - [Homebrewed Electricity-- (wind) (solar) (hydro) (steam) (controls) (storage) (mechanical)] - Classifieds - Site News
Everything - Newbies - [Remote Living-- (housing) (heat) (light) (water)] - Rants & Opinion - Diaries - Our Products

Testing thrust loads on a tower
By Old F, Section Homebrewed Electricity Posted on Mon Dec 8th, 2003 at 12:20:19 PM MST
Will this work?

Testing thrust loads on a tower
Will this work?
To test a tower could you take a tower that laying on the ground and prop up
both ends and pile weight at the center till it collapses .
Or would I have to stand it up an anchor the base and use a cable at the top
using an strain gage to measure the force needed to collapse it.
I am trying to work out what it will take to handle 400 pound of thrust load
That a 8 foot dia. blade in a 60 mph wind.
Many thanks
Old F

Testing thrust loads on a tower | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: Testing thrust loads on a tower (none / 0) (#1)
by jubalearly on Mon Dec 8th, 2003 at 12:26:39 PM MST
(User Info)

You will have a combined thrust and weight load, so I don't think either of your approaches will work. A lot of the pole manufacturers have info on wind load calculations on their sites. These would be for sign and light poles where the exact load varies. I don't have any URLs for you but you might try the Rohm tower site and a google search for wind load etc. mentioned above. Good luck, HTH, - Russ H

Re: Testing thrust loads on a tower (none / 0) (#5)
by desertratjack on Tue Dec 9th, 2003 at 11:07:56 AM MST
(User Info)

I think it is Rohn.

[ Parent ]

Re: Testing thrust loads on a tower (none / 0) (#2)
by DanB (danb@*no spam*otherpower.com) on Mon Dec 8th, 2003 at 01:25:59 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.otherpower.com/

I'd think there are some tests you could do to get a rough idea pretty easily. Is it a free standing tower? My thought is that you'd want to test it with quite a bit more weight so you know you have some safety factor. I think that some of the forces in a turbulant wind could be quite a bit greater than just the max thrust forces on the prop. Also considering time, and metal fatigue.

Re: Testing thrust loads on a tower (none / 0) (#3)
by Old F on Mon Dec 8th, 2003 at 05:13:45 PM MST
(User Info) http://www.oldf.homestead.com

Dan

My goals are to have a tower ridged enough that you can raise tower and genny.
With out the guy wires being a critical part of the structure. Like they are with 2inch water pipe during the lift.

They would be safeties for the lift and provide the bulk of the thrust load carrying when the lift is done and they are tighten down.

I am thinking that with a 3foot on a side base. Then tapeperd to 6 inches at the top I can set the guy at 10 feet from the base and still carry the thrust load while keeping the tower foot print small .
I guess you could call it a hybrid cabled free stander.

This will be for the wind generator from Hugh Piggotts plans.
And will be shooting for a 30 foot tower.

I have been kicking around the idea for a counter weighted gin pole to make the lift and lower
easier.
And lastly do all the above on a low budget this could be a tall order but I think it is doable.

Old F

Have so much fun it should be illegal : )

[ Parent ]

Re: Testing thrust loads on a tower (none / 0) (#4)
by Norm (peppysue@suite224.net) on Tue Dec 9th, 2003 at 07:25:15 AM MST
(User Info)

OldF: Speaking of counterweights...We've got this old drawbridge with the counterweight, lifts up so the one end is about 6 or 7 stories high...keep thinking what a neat tower that would make eh? Hey what's to worry with somethin like that? wind gets too strong ....just lower it! (:>) Norm.
( :>) Norm
[ Parent ]

Testing thrust loads on a tower | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 editorial)

Menu

� create account
� How to use the board
� FAQs
� search the board
� Google search the board
� Old Otherpower Board

Login

Make a new account

Username:

Password:

Total Views

��89 Scoop users have viewed this posting.

Related Links

� Also by Old F

You must be a registered user to post here. It's easy and free, and the link is on the upper right side of your page.
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective companies. Postings are owned by the poster, but may be deleted or moved at the ADMIN's sole discretion. The Rest � 2003 Forcefield.
You can Email the board ADMIN here. PLEASE include the username you signed up with!