Jan 30 2025 30 mins 4
In this episode, I talk with Sudarshan Kasera, P.E., PMP, senior project engineer at Crown Castle, about the fast-changing telecommunications industry, exploring how 5G reshapes structural requirements, the complexities of tower modifications, and the pivotal role engineers play in driving innovation.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Asked Sudarshan:
What types of telecommunication towers do you work with, and what structural challenges do they present?
How have technological advancements influenced your design and analysis approach, especially with stricter structural requirements?
What are the key industry codes and standards for designing telecommunication towers?
What structural analysis tools do you use for telecommunication towers, and how have they evolved?
Can you describe your process for designing or retrofitting a telecommunication tower, including an example project?
What is it like to collaborate with different disciplines in the construction of a telecom tower?
What final piece of advice would you give to structural engineers looking to enter or excel in the telecommunications industry?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mind-Blowing Innovations in the Telecommunications World:
Various telecommunication towers, including monopoles, cell supporting towers, guide towers, and concealed structures such as monopine and flagpole towers, present unique challenges. These challenges include ensuring stability under high wind loads and seismic conditions, managing the tension in guy wires, and dealing with the unique loading profiles of concealed towers.
The shift to 4G and 5G technologies increases the size and weight of equipment on towers, raising structural demands and the complexity of design and analysis. This advancement leads to a focus on retrofitting existing structures and integrating innovative analysis techniques such as finite element modeling and nonlinear analysis.
The key industry code, TIA222, set by the Telecommunications Industry Association, covers wind, seismic, and ice loading, as well as structural capacity and foundation design. Additionally, telecommunication towers must comply with the International Building Code and other relevant local and state codes.
Tools like TNX Tower, known for user-friendly tower analysis and design, along with RISA 3D and StaadPro for modeling complex or heavily reinforced parts of towers, are utilized. These tools, along with Mathcad and Excel for calculations, have evolved to better handle the complexities of modern telecom tower designs.
The design process involves a detailed analysis of existing structures to understand capacity and identify overstressed components. For example, a project near the ocean might require assessing corrosion and rust on a tower, then reinforcing or replacing affected parts to ensure stability and compliance with current codes, illustrating the iterative nature of this process.
Collaboration in telecom tower projects typically involves coordination with electrical and mechanical engineers for loading data and with general contractors for construction aspects. This ensures all design aspects are integrated and feasible for construction, addressing any material or constructability issues as they arise.
Engineers are encouraged to build a strong foundation in structural engineering fundamentals, familiarize themselves with specific industry codes like TIA222, embrace new technologies, and continuously adapt to new challenges. Innovation, problem-solving, and ongoing learning are crucial for navigating the unique challenges of the telecommunications sector.
More Details in This Episode…
About Sudarshan Kasera,
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions We Asked Sudarshan:
What types of telecommunication towers do you work with, and what structural challenges do they present?
How have technological advancements influenced your design and analysis approach, especially with stricter structural requirements?
What are the key industry codes and standards for designing telecommunication towers?
What structural analysis tools do you use for telecommunication towers, and how have they evolved?
Can you describe your process for designing or retrofitting a telecommunication tower, including an example project?
What is it like to collaborate with different disciplines in the construction of a telecom tower?
What final piece of advice would you give to structural engineers looking to enter or excel in the telecommunications industry?
Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About Mind-Blowing Innovations in the Telecommunications World:
Various telecommunication towers, including monopoles, cell supporting towers, guide towers, and concealed structures such as monopine and flagpole towers, present unique challenges. These challenges include ensuring stability under high wind loads and seismic conditions, managing the tension in guy wires, and dealing with the unique loading profiles of concealed towers.
The shift to 4G and 5G technologies increases the size and weight of equipment on towers, raising structural demands and the complexity of design and analysis. This advancement leads to a focus on retrofitting existing structures and integrating innovative analysis techniques such as finite element modeling and nonlinear analysis.
The key industry code, TIA222, set by the Telecommunications Industry Association, covers wind, seismic, and ice loading, as well as structural capacity and foundation design. Additionally, telecommunication towers must comply with the International Building Code and other relevant local and state codes.
Tools like TNX Tower, known for user-friendly tower analysis and design, along with RISA 3D and StaadPro for modeling complex or heavily reinforced parts of towers, are utilized. These tools, along with Mathcad and Excel for calculations, have evolved to better handle the complexities of modern telecom tower designs.
The design process involves a detailed analysis of existing structures to understand capacity and identify overstressed components. For example, a project near the ocean might require assessing corrosion and rust on a tower, then reinforcing or replacing affected parts to ensure stability and compliance with current codes, illustrating the iterative nature of this process.
Collaboration in telecom tower projects typically involves coordination with electrical and mechanical engineers for loading data and with general contractors for construction aspects. This ensures all design aspects are integrated and feasible for construction, addressing any material or constructability issues as they arise.
Engineers are encouraged to build a strong foundation in structural engineering fundamentals, familiarize themselves with specific industry codes like TIA222, embrace new technologies, and continuously adapt to new challenges. Innovation, problem-solving, and ongoing learning are crucial for navigating the unique challenges of the telecommunications sector.
More Details in This Episode…
About Sudarshan Kasera,
