Function-based condition indexing for guyed communication towers

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Construction of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) two-way radio network was initiated in the 1950's and was motivated primarily by the need to provide state-wide communication for civil defense issues. Today, the system is one of the largest in the state for voice and data communications associated with field operations as well as during times of emergency. Increasing reliance on the network is envisioned to support interagency communication (e.g., police and fire) and to support and data transfer for intelligent transportations system infrastructure. Concern regarding the network's performance during natural hazards, most notably significant earthquakes from the New Madrid Seismological Zone, has stimulated the desire for a comprehensive analysis of the network. This research describes the development of a systematic condition indexing (CI) system developed to quantify the physical condition of guyed communications towers. Use of the system is demonstrated for two towers in the MoDOT network (Taum Sauk and Ashland) selected to represent towers in relatively poor and relatively good condition, respectively. A centralized electronic database and inventory has been developed to organize the radio tower network via an internal (MoDOT server) site on the World Wide Web (WWW). DreamweaverR software is used to develop the website. The website contains the physical properties, tower drawings and some information regarding the tower such as date of construction, county etc. Also the CI of a tower can be calculated in the website.