TOWER ENGINEERING How to calculate Eurocode? A “practical” step-by-step guide to establish wind loads on antennas according to EN 1991-1-4. Balazs Kisfali Jun 5, 2020 + 16 min read id load on 5G antennas as per This blog post is made for practising structural engineers in the field of the telecom industry or others who design tall structures exposed to wind. I will go through a procedure step-by-step how to establish wind loads on telecom antennas of a rooftop mast in practise. By "practical", I mean a practical guide and not necessarily the procedure what EC suggest to use. As practising engineers we like to be efficient and spend less time on eventually less productive tasks. However, when it comes to the Europea series, we can say a lot, but not practical in certain areas. You may ju but comparing with, for instance, ASCE design code series, or in the! TIA-222 codes, it provides leaner solutions and far less complicated demProbably in a later blog I'll make a step-by-step comparison between the two codes. By the end of this post you will understand what steps need to be made to establish the proper wind forces on the antennas. The guide will heavily be referenced with the design code chapters of the code, so it requires that you are familiar with the EN 1991- 1-4. The calculation will pick up some values from the national annex of the Netherlands, but those can be replaced by any of the European country national values to fit your case. I tried my best to explain all steps but in case I missed something or steps are not clear, please drop me a question at the end of the blog at the Comments section. Introduction The telecom mast in our case will be a single rooftop pole, braced by two diagonals and the structure is supported on a H-beam frame. See the FEA model as below. A linear static analysis including buckling and a dynamic analysis were performed. Input data Environmental parametersBasic wind velocity w= 2708 Terrain category TW Reference height from ground of the e= amined part of the structure Orography factor at reference height Z | Giza = 1.0 “Terrain roughness length Minimum height Table 1: Site specific parameters Nationally Defined Parameters Air density: p = 1.25% Calculation of peak velocity pressure Basic wind velocity The basic wind velocity 1 is defined in EN1991-1-4 §4.2(2)P as a function of the wind direction and time of year at 10 m above ground of terrain category IIL. It is calculated as: Ub = Cain * Cseason * V6.0 where v9 is the fundamental value of the basic wind velocity which is defined in EN1991-1-4 §4.2(1)P as the characteristic 10 minutes mean wind velocity at 10 m above ground level for terrain category IIT. The value of v4, is provided in the National Annex based on the climatic conditions of the region where the structure is located. The influence of altitude on the basic wind velocity 1, has been also specified in the National Annex. ‘The directional factor c,;, and the seasonal factor ¢season ate defined in EN1991-1-4 §4.2(2)P and they take into account the effects of wind direction and time of the year. ‘Their values are generally equal to eir = 1.0 and Cseason = 1.0. The National Annex may sp ify values of cgi, and Cseason different than 1.0. In the following calculations the basic wind velocity is considered as vp = 274 Terrain roughness‘The roughness length z, and the minimum height z,,n are specitied in EN1991-1-4 Table 4.1 as a function of the terrain category. For terrain category ITT. the corresponding values are zp = 0.50m and zmin = 7.0m. The terrain factor k, depending on the roughness length 29 = 0.50m is calculated in accordance with EN1991-1-4 equation (4.5): oor oor k= o19( =) = o9( 0.5m ) = 0.223 mm 20,11 The roughness factor ¢,(z,) at the reference height z, accounts for the variability of the mean wind velocity at the site of the structure due to the height above ground level and the ground roughness of the terrain upwind of the structure. It is calculated in accordance with EN1991-1-4 equation 4.4. For the case where ze 2 Zin? rl Ze) = he Im =) = 0223 -n( $1.6") = 0.926 Orography factor Where orography (e.g. hills, cliffs etc.) increases wind velocities by more than 5% the effects should be taken into account using an orography factor cp(z-) different than 1. as specified in EN1994-1-1 §4.3.3. In general the effects of orography may be neglected when the average slope of the upwind terrain is less than 3° up to a distance of 10 times the height of the isolated orographic feature. The recommended procedure in EN1994- 1-1 §4.3.3 for calculation of the orography factor co(ze) is described in EN1994-1-1 §A.3. In the following calculations the orography factor is considered as ¢o(ze) = 1.000 Mean wind velocity ‘The mean wind velocity v4,,(ze) at reference height z, depends on the terrain roughness, terrain orography and the basic wind velocity vb. It is determined using EN1991-1-4 equation (4.3): Um(Ze) = ¢-(ze) + €0(ze) « vy = 0.926 - 1.000 - 27. oo =Wind turbulence The turbulence intensit y I,(z) at reference height z, is defined as the standard deviation of the turbulence divided by the mean wind velocity. It is calculated in accordance with EN1991-1-4 equation 4.7. For the case where 2, = Znin? Jil) = ——“t__ co(ze) + in() so, 1.0 T,(%) = ——2 = 0.241 0) To naz where the turbulence factor is considered as kr = 1.000 in accordance with EN1991-1-4 §4.4(). Basic velocity pressure The basic velocity pressure g, is the pressure corresponding to the wind momentum determined at the basic wind velocity v,. The basic velocity pressure is calculated according to the following fundamental relation, as specified in EN1991-14 §4.5(1): 1 kg m kN sp. = =-1.25—= . 27.0? — = 0.456—— em 9 ms 3 m le b= where pis the density of the air in accordance with EN1991-1-4 §4.5(). In this calculation the following value is considered: p= 1254. Peak velocity pressure ‘The peak velocity pressure q,(ze) at reference height z, includes mean and short-term velocity fluctuations. It is determined according to EN1991-1-4 equation 4.8: sl (Ze) = [L+7 + 1,(ze) ZR tnthen, (Ze) = [L +7 - 0.241] 41.25 -24.99" = L049 ~ where the density of the air is considered as p = 1.25 in accordance with EN1991-1-4 §4.5(). ‘The calculated value of qp(ze) corresponds to an exposure factor ¢. (ze): (ze) elZe) = ee(2e) = Gagg = 2-300 ‘Therefore the peak velocity pressure is calculated as gp(ze) = 1.049%. Calculation of wind forces and pressures on the structure The wind actions on the structure (forces and pressures) depend on gp(ze) as follows. Wind pressures on surfaces The wind pressure on surf: are derived from the calculated value of dp(ze) = 1.049kN/m2 by application of the appropriate pressure coefficient, as specified in EN1g91-1-4 §5.2. For external surfaces the applicable wind pressure w is calculated as: We = ap(ze) «Cpe where ¢pe is the appropriate pressure coefficient for external pressur EN1991-1-4 Section 7 depending on the type of structure. The appro} height z. for the external surface is given in EN1991-1-4 Section 7 depeltype of structure. For internal surfaces the applicable wind pressure w; is calculated as: = (21) * epi where cp; is the appropriate pressure coefficient for internal pressure that is given in EN1g91-1-4 Section 7 depending on the type of structure. The appropriate reference height 2; for the internal surface is given in EN1991-1-4 Section 7 depending on the type of structure. Total wind force on structure or structural element The overall wind effect on the total structure or a particular structural element is expressed by the total wind force Fw that is estimated by application of the appropriate force coefficient, as specified in EN1991-1-4 §5.3. Fy = esa: €f + Gp(%e) * Aref where: The structural factor ¢,cq takes into account the structure size effects from the non- simultaneous occurrence of peak wind pressures on the surface and the dynamic effects from the effect of structural vibrations due to turbulence. The structural factor c,cq is determined in accordance with EN1991-1-4 Section 6. A value of ¢,cg = 1.0 is generally conservative for small structures not-susceptible to wind turbulence effects such as buildings with height less than 15 m. Structural factor c,cq Normative procedure According to the National Annex of NEN-EN 1991-1-4 Annex C as Procedure (2) are normative to use when establishing the ecg structural factor. However, the turbulence should be calculated according to B.1. 1+7-D(z)-V. 14+7- (zs oswhile D(zs)- vB? + Re 142 B 147+ L(2.)- VBP The procedure can only be established if our structure correspond to one of the general shapes shown in the below figure. a) vertical structures such as b) paralle! oscillator, i.e. horizontal ©) pointike structures buildings ete structures such as beams ete. such as signboards etc The turbulent length scale ‘The turbulent length scale L, represents the average gust size for natural winds. For heights z below 200m the turbulent length scale may be calculated using the following expression. In cases when 22 Zmini with a reference height of z: = 200m, a reference scale of L; = 300m, and with a = 0.67 + 0.05 - In(z0). 0.67+0.05:1n0.5 34 Ly.) = 300 (sr)23.0m. Structural factor ‘The structural factor ¢,cq is defined in 6.3.1. The background factor B? allowing for the lack of full correlation of the pressure on the structure surface may be calculated using the following expression: B= hk Tee Incase b = 1.4m and h = 2.8m this yields to: B? = 0.828 The resonance response factor F? allowing for turbulence in resonance with the considered vibration mode of the structure should be determined using the following expression: 1 B= Fe Sileesmia) “Ke: (m2) The size reduction function Ks may be approximated by the following expression: 1 OO ————————o 1+ y (Gy: dy)? + (Gz $2)? + (2-G,- by. 4.) then, and,‘The constants G, and G, depend on the mode shape variation along the horizontal y- axis and vertical z-axis, respectively. The decay constants ¢, and c, are both equal to 11,5. The constant G introduced in below equation and the constant K used to calculate accelerations, are shown in Table C.1. A roof-top mast (similar to chimneys) has a uniform horizontal mode shape variation and a parabolic vertical mode shape variation Gy = 3,G. = & Ky = Land _ 11.5-1.4-3.177 = —_____ = 0.602 %y 24,99 - (3.4) and, 11.5 - 2.8 - 3.177 = ET = 1.204 $ 24,99 - (3.4) finally, K,(n) = 0.688 The wind distribution over frequencies is expressed by the non-dimensional power spectral density function $;(z,n), which should be determined using the following expression: HALons! Sut) oxo os! 0.00! 0.01 ot 4 2 ‘non dimensional frequoncy, f n-L(z) _ 3177-23 ——__- = —___ = 2.924 Vl) 24.99 fi(z,n) Where f;(z,n) is a non-dimensional frequency determined by the frequency n = ny, the natural frequency of the structure in Hz, by the mean velocity v,,(.) and the turbulence length scale L(z) defined in (B.1). The power spectral density function is illustrated in the figure above. For the dynamic system I have applied nodal masses to the structure at the fixtures of the panel antennas. The mass distribution is 70% of the total mass applied at the upper part and 30% at the lower mounting point.The applied masses are 187kg and 56kg respectively. See dynamic results on the image below. Lowest Eigen-frequency mode found at 3.177Hz. MODES (Hz, rad/sec, sec) Mode Frequency Frequency Number (Hz) (rad/sec) Period 1 3.177—«19,962) 0.315 2 R476 21840 0.288 3 $.322 33,441, 0.188 4 13.778 86.571 0.073 5 15.265 95.911, 0.066 6 22.284 140.015 0.045 7 40.288 252.850 0.025 8 53.081 333.519 0.019 955.517 348.821, 0.018 10 $5,849 350.908 0.018 SubscribeBy using the Power spectral density graph in the diagramm above $;,(z,n) will yield to ~ 0.07. Finally the response factor R? should be determined by the following, expression: 2 R= Ty St(2m2)* Ko (me) The logarithmic decrement of damping 6 for fundamental bending mode may be estimated by the following expression. 6=6,4+ 604 ba We do not have any special damping device, so the formula might be simplified to: 5-646 One of the factors worth mentioning here is the equivalent mass per elevational area, 1. , which has to be estimated for the structure at hand. Under certain criteria, j1, could be replaced by the equivalent mass per area, me. According to § F.4(2), me could be represented by the average mass per meter over the top third of the structure. nj, represents the frequency of the lowest Eigen-mode, which could be estimated by §F.2(2). 6, = 0.02 can be estimated from Table (F.2) With this at hand: cy-p-b- tn(e) ba = 2mm, _ 13-125 -1.4- 24.99 b= = 0.089 2-3.177- 100 and finally: 6 = 0.02 + 0.089 = 0.109 From here we can calculate R? as follows:2 R= yaw 0.07 - 0.688 = 2.108 Then back to our basic formulas for cs and eq: L+7-Iulz.)- VBP 14+7- Le) so, 1+7-0.241 - 0.828 cg = NEE = 0.94 1+7-0.241 while 1+2-k,-I,(z.)- VB? + R? cq = 147-Iy(z.)- VB? finally, _ 14+2-3.64- 0.241 - y0.828 2108 _ 1+7- 0.241 - ¥0.828 ca = 1.59 The computed c,cq factor exe = 0.94- 1.59 = 1.49 Force coefficient The force coefficient c; is given in EN1991-1-4 Sections 7 and 8 depending on the type of structure or structural element. The wind force Fw ting on a structure or a structural component may be determined by vectorial summation ov, structural elements (as shown in 7.2.2) by using the force coefficient Boon. NX necale\. AFw ested 72 ef Ye) * Aref elements Structure ‘The force coefficient, cy, of lattice structures and scaffolding with parallel chords will be obtained by the following expression: cf = ego Wr T'll not go into details of the force coefficient calculations of the each strutural members, but the values were computed by taking into account slenderness, Reynolds numbers, end-effects and solidity ratios. We also implement c,,o4 for a shorter Design working life as 15 years instead of 50, demonstrating the impact of ¢prob- Antennas I'm using force values here from a typical 5G antenna data sheet in 3 directions exposed to wind, as front, side and back. The basic idea here is to derive the c; values from the under the lab conditions. In this case the wind tunnel tests were performed at 150. The individual force coefficient values then can be used to determine wind forces on the antennas at each direction to wind the antenna is exposed to, based on the wind foi any given peak velocity, The formula to calculate the ¢7 values for the antennas (Table 3.) is the following: Faso) cf er zp Ares GplZz)eproo | Structural Element |e | cco | Fawn CHS139.7 0.75 | 1.49 | 0.137 *Y CHS88.9 0.62 | 1.49 | 0.072 «” 1.049 - 0.895 cHs603 | 1.00 | 1.49 | o.079 4 Heatso | 2.00 | 1.49 | 0.416 4 Table 2: Site specific parameters A114521R5VO6 || area [rm] | Frasoy | cr | dp Coron coca [ten] a | ceo [osm | 13050.515 | 0.874 back 1243 | 1.105 | 0.820 1.305 1.329kN | side |: 1205 | 0.619kN Table 3: Forces on antenna Antenna configurations I'll demonstrate two scenarios for antenna configurations. First, when we have 3 sector antennas, and second with 2 antennas involved. 3-antenna configuration Eurocode doesn't suggest any exact method how to calculate wind pressures on the antenna appurtenances, We can use an established method from TIA-222. The basic concept is that we calculate the effective projected areas for normal and side face of the antennas, EPAy and EPAr respectively. TIA code suggest the following formula for computing the total EPA of the appurtenances. (BPA), = K,|(EPA)y -cos*(6) + (EPA)r - sin®(6)] where @ is the relative angle between the azimuth associated with the normal face of the appurtenance and the wind direction. EPA, effective projected area means simply the antenna area times the associated force coefficients. az IMUTH OF | NORMAL FACE > oe oD \4 “crRONT Fai = 2.310kN m Distribution of antenna load The wind forces on the antennas shall be distributed to the FEA model as per Figure 6. 2-antenna configuration The 2-antenna configuration will be similarly computed as the 3-antenna configuration. In this case I will provide also a small script to compute different scenarios for different azimuths. We assume that the 2 antennas are facing to the wind with the same azimuth, or with other words, they are mirrored to a vertical plane which goes through the supporting pole. EPAgp = 2: [1.243 - 0.623 - cos” (@) + 0.543 - 0.874 - sin? (4)] In this case the antenna back side is not computed into the projected area. However, all other accessories have to included in the FEA model (feeders, structural members, ete.) in the same way as in the 3-antenna scenario. The following code snippets shows the calculated values for the projected areas and wind forces on the antennas for several azimuth values. — 1 | import math as math 2Noauwnw 10 n 2 B 4 5 for i in [0,15,30,45,60, 75,90]: ap = EPA_2 = 2 * ( 1,243¥0,623*math.cos(math.radians(i))**2\ + @.543*0.874*nath.sin(math.radians(i)) ) print("Azimuth: ", i, "=> EPA in m2", round(EPA_2,3), "Windload: ", round(EPA_2*q_p, 3), HRESULT Azimuth: Azimuth: Azimuth: Azimuth: Azimuth: Azimuth: Azimuth: -305 @= 15 => 30 => 45 => 60 => 75 => 90 => EPA in m2 EPA in m2 EPA in m2 EPA in m2 EPA in m2 EPA in m2 EPA in m2 1.549 Windload: 1,691 Windload: 1,636 Windload 1.446 Windload 1.209 Windload: 1.021 Windload: 8.949 Windload: Rooftop wind speed-up effect It is not normative in Europe to consider speed-up effects on buildings. ‘These effects need to be considered only for abrupt changes on the 2.021 kN 2.206 2.135 1.886 1.578 1.332 1.239 kN kN kN kN kN kN terrain, and define the orography factor co for the building. However, speed-up occurs on tall buildings in real life. The speed-up effect depends on several factors, like building height and height of the parapet if any. The building needs to protrude above the immediately adjacent buildings by at least 15m. When we calculate pressure coefficients on buildings, we can see the higher pressure zones on the different segments of the building in question. These pressure coefficients in the higher zones can be in the range of 1.6 and 2.2. One can imagine if a roof-top pole is located within one of these zones then the acting wind pressure on the structure is exposed to exaggerated wind pressure. See illustration on Figure 9. SubscribeTIA-222-H as the latest version of the code demonstrate a solution for roof-top antenna supporting structures how the speed-up effect shall be defined. See more details on Figure 10. Until an implementation into the Eurocode series we suggest to take into consideration to evaluate these effects when it comes to tall buildings. Conclusion ‘As you can see it is a fairly long and complicated process to establish the wind forces on antennas according to EN 1991-1-4. Certanly we can simplify some of the steps by approximating natural frequency to eliminate a dynamic analysis, or us” 1.0. But the later one doesn't really conservative for slender structur where we expect more dynamic response to the wind along-side. Lik valne af 10 far ee wonld result an under decioned strnetnreVeue UL LU KUL Cot WOU LESUN au UHIUCE UESIBHEU SULULLLE. In my opinion is that as long as Eurocode is evolving in a similar fashion in the future, we, practising engineers will need more tools to cope with these type of challenges. Would you like to avoid making this calculation by hand? We can help you to automate these type of procedures. Get in touch with us today. References + [1] EN 1991-1-4 (2005) (English): Eurocode 1: Actions on structures - Part 1-4: General actions - Wind actions [2] NATIONAL ANNEX TO NEN EN 1991-1-4+A1+C2: EUROCODE 1: ACTIONS ON STRUCTURES - PART 1-4: GENERAL ACTIONS - WIND ACTIONS. Publisher: Netherlands Standards -H. Standard for antennas and the supporting structures for [3] TIA-2: antennas and small wind turbines. 5th October 2017. Enter your email