Two of the members of the Engineering Specialties Group, Steve Dorau and Joel Deis, had the opportunity to judge the University of Colorado Denver Student Design Competition on behalf of ACEC. The competition is held at the end of both the fall and spring semesters and it gives the students an opportunity to showcase their […]
Read More ACEC, Student Design Competition, UCD
As consultants to the telecommunications industry, we often hear, “What, we can’t add any more dishes to that tower?” It is unfortunate how often this occurs. It is also unfortunate how much it costs to increase a tower’s capacity once the tower has been installed versus the small additional cost initially. As technology evolves, so […]
Read More Capacity, Cost, Engineering, Structural, Tower
Are your structures compliant with the Standard? The Telecommunications Industry Association’s Structural Standard for Antenna Supporting Structures and Antennas (TIA-222-G) is the industry guide for design and use of communication structures. Many structures are designed by manufactures to meet a specification without the designer ever seeing the project site or fully understanding the owner’s needs. […]
Read More Analysis, Modification, Specifications, Tower
Have you ever wondered, “What is the leading cause of structural demise for communication structures and how can I prevent it from wreaking havoc on my infrastructure?” Probably not, but us structural-engineering-types amuse ourselves with this type of question. The answer, you ask? Weep holes. What? Well, let’s take a step back. Many structures, and […]
Read More Assesment, Inspection, Maintenance, Tower, Weep Holes
The design of telecom infrastructure relies on a thorough knowledge of engineering principals, knowledge of the Standard and a good understanding of the project site. When implementing an infrastructure build-out project, the designer should ask a number of questions. Is the structure on a hill or ridge? What is an appropriate wind speed for the […]
Read More Analysis, Engineering, Structural, TIA, Tower, Wind
It is all too common for equipment to be installed on communication towers without a structural analysis being conducted. It is also very common for towers, several decades old, to support equipment that they were never designed to carry. Equipment evolves over time and towers must also evolve. The Telecommunications Industry Association’s Structural Standard for […]
Read More Analysis, Modification, Revision G, Structural, TIA, Tower
In most cases, communication systems are the critical links that allow municipalities to function. Whether the systems are required for emergency response or for agency functions, the reliability of the systems should match their importance. An often overlooked fact is that a communication system is only as reliable as the structures that support the system. […]
Read More Assesment, Inspection, Maintenance, TIA, Tower
Specializing in civil engineering, transportation planning & design, environmental & urban planning, landscape architecture & design and public outreach.