Finite element

seismic analysis
of a guyed mast
Matthew Grey
Martin Williams
Tony Blakeborough
First European Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology
Geneva, September 2006
Paper 1189
Structural Dynamics Research Group
Department of Engineering Science
University of Oxford
Synopsis
Introduction
Key features of guyed masts
Objectives
Modelling
Cable properties
Loading
Results
Modal analysis
Seismic response
Comparison with static wind analysis
Conclusions

Key features of guyed masts
Support broadcasting equipment
at 100 600 m above ground
Slender lattice structure
supported by inclined,
prestressed cables
Cable supports may be 400 m
from base of mast
Mass of ancillaries is significant
Seismic loading normally
assumed less onerous than wind

Objectives
Assess magnitude and distribution of forces developed
under seismic loading
Compare forces due to seismic and design wind events
Identify trends and indicators for use in preliminary design
Evaluate effects of asynchronous ground motions
Assess significance of vertical seismic motions
Assess suitability of linear response spectrum analysis
Modelling
Four guyed masts with heights up to 314 m analysed using
SAP2000
This paper focuses on the shortest mast 99.88 m
Mast data supplied by Flint and Neill Partnership, UK,
masts designed according to BS8100
Analysed under:
indicative wind load using the equivalent static patch load
method
non-linear time-history analysis under earthquakes of varying
magnitudes
Structural model of a mast
Mast lattice modelled by
equivalent beam elements
0 500
Mass distribution (kg/m)
Mast
Mast + ancillaries
Cable catenary modelled by
~80 beam elements
Prestress applied by iterative
procedure of applying
temperature loads
Cable properties
0
10
20
30
40
0 0.1 0.2 0.3
Displacement (m)
R
e
a
c
t
i
o
n

(
k
N
)
SAP2000
Goldberg
Davenport
Sparling
Zero Sag
EC8
Axial force-displacement
characteristic of catenary cable
and comparison with theory
Lateral force-displacement
characteristic of a stay cluster
Cables in this case are prestressed
to approx. 90% of max stiffness
Loading
Wind loading BS8100 patch load method wind speeds
of 20, 23 and 28 m/s
Earthquake records scaled to PGA of 2.5 4.0 m/s
2
El Centro 1940
Parkfield 1966
Artificial accelerogram compatible with EC8 type 1 spectrum,
ground type C
3D motion used
Non-linear time history analysis using Newmarks method
Linear mode shapes

1 2 3 4 5 6 Mode:
0.60 Period (s): 0.55 0.49 0.46 0.40 0.39
Modes occur in orthogonal pairs
Numerous mast modes in period range of interest
Also numerous cable modes
Bending moment envelopes
0
100
200
300
400
500
0 30 60 90
Height (m)
B
e
n
d
i
n
g

m
o
m
e
n
t

(
k
N
m
)
3 m/s
2
2.5 m/s
2
3.5 m/s
2
4 m/s
2
Wind 23 m/s

Wind 20 m/s

0
100
200
300
400
500
0 30 60 90
Height (m)
B
e
n
d
i
n
g

m
o
m
e
n
t

(
k
N
m
)
3 m/s
2
2.5 m/s
2
3.5 m/s
2
4 m/s
2
Wind 23 m/s

Wind 20 m/s

El Centro:
EC8:
0
50
100
0 30 60 90
Height (m)
S
h
e
a
r

F
o
r
c
e

(
k
N
)
0
50
100
0 30 60 90
Height (m)
S
h
e
a
r

F
o
r
c
e

(
k
N
)
Shear force envelopes
3 m/s
2
2.5 m/s
2
3.5 m/s
2
4 m/s
2
Wind 23 m/s

Wind 20 m/s

3 m/s
2
2.5 m/s
2
3.5 m/s
2
4 m/s
2
Wind 23 m/s

Wind 20 m/s

El Centro:
EC8:
Base forces
0
20
40
60
2 3 4
PGA (m/s
2
)
M
a
s
t

B
a
s
e

S
h
e
a
r

(
k
N
)
100
200
300
2 3 4
PGA (m/s
2
)
T
o
t
a
l

B
a
s
e

S
h
e
a
r

(
k
N
)
1000
1200
1400
2 3 4
PGA (m/s
2
)
B
a
s
e

A
x
i
a
l

F
o
r
c
e

(
k
N
)
Mast base
shear:
Total base shear
(mast plus cables):
Mast base
axial force:
El Centro
EC8
Parkfield
Wind
Cable tensions
Cable Wind EC8-2.5 m/s
2
EC8-4 m/s
2

23 m/s max min max min
A1 211.1 125.0 29.8 166.6 10.9
B1 351.7 168.3 37.5 252.7 21.5
C1 344.9 218.0 60.9 283.3 49.0

El Centro-2.5 m/s
2
El Centro-4 m/s
2

max min max min
A1 211.1 138.3 13.7 167.7 -2.8
B1 351.7 168.0 29.3 198.0 -1.3
C1 344.9 190.2 82.1 222.2 51.3

Parkfield-2.5 m/s
2
Parkfield-4 m/s
2

max min max min
A1 211.1 135.1 24.7 166.6 -5.3
B1 351.7 170.3 63.6 209.0 46.5
C1 344.9 176.3 100.6 199.7 79.2

Displacement
F
o
r
c
e
Conclusions
Mass of mast ancillaries has a significant effect on dynamic
response
In spite of the non-linearities present, mast behaviour under
seismic loads shows broadly linear trends with PGA
With PGA of 4 m/s
2
mast bending response approaches and
at some points exceeds that under design wind load of 23 m/s
Mast shear and cable tension remain below values due to
design wind moment
Earthquake loading may be more onerous than wind in areas
of high seismicity and/or low design wind speed
Other/ongoing work
Development of simple formulae giving preliminary estimates
of natural period and key response parameters
Assessment of applicability of linear response spectrum
analysis approach
Effect of asynchronous ground motions between mast and
cable support points
Importance of vertical ground motion for overall seismic
response