Travanca and André
166
Figure 8.1 illustrates some examples of these structures, which are specially designed
to support the network equipment, such as the antennas.
The exponential growth in the use of cellular phones has meant a new era for communication structures, smaller in height but larger in number. It is highly expected that
this scenario will be more empathised with the 5G. The continued survivability of these
infrastructures is often taken for granted, as parties involved frequently focus on the
services provided, rather than on the structures that support the network equipment
[3–6]. Though the design of monopoles used in the communication sector appears as a
simple engineering problem and their unit costs are limited, a deeper investigation of
these structures reveals a complete different scenario, that is, under wind action they
are subjected to dynamic effects that are complex and they are built in such large numbers, which represents an important economic problem [4].
Failures involving these structures are amongst the most common types of accidents
in communication engineering, often leading to disproportionate consequences in
terms of economic and social impacts [4,6]. This reality calls for a paradigm change
regarding the design, construction and operation of communication structures.
There are several stakeholders directly or indirectly concerned with these structures:
researchers, designers, manufacturers, clients, consultants, insurers, contractors and
sub‐contractors. In this context, the design, construction and maintenance of these
structures is usually done by specialised sub‐contractors, in accordance with a standard
design or with a specially developed design depending on the work complexity. In principle, good planning, design, construction and maintenance of communication
structures are the keys for the success of every project. In particular, it is vital that synchronised planning and continuous knowledge exchange exists between the structural
designer, the contractor, the subcontractors, and other players. Unfortunately, this is
not always a reality [3,5–7]. Often, the design, maintenance and/or operation of communication structures are not usually treated as carefully as in the case of building or
bridge structures. Also, clients’ knowledge and interest about the structural requirements of these structures is usually very limited, possibly due to their cost being small
when compared with that of the network equipment it supports [3–6]. These structures
also do not receive the same level of research attention and research funding as occurs
in buildings or bridges [3].
Until recently, national and international design codes/standards and/or guidance
documents concerning communication structures were based on simple design procedures, whose use has been found to be inappropriate for some structural solutions,
namely monopoles [4,6]. Nevertheless, even the provisions specified in the most recent
design codes do not sufficiently address the dynamic interaction of the wind action
between the structure and the equipment installed [8,9]. Quality management requirements are also usually not provided, as well as the principles to assess the extension of
their design lifetime. As a result, the structural reliability levels implied in the design
codes may not be achieved or maintained during the design working life of these structures. The previous statement is significant since the communication sector is becoming
increasingly important in our modern societies over the last few decades, in particular
with the globalisation of wireless communications.
Moreover, the increased significance of these structures comes at the same time when
the life‐span of existing structures is reaching its maturity, and the market has changed
from being managed by a single public company to being liberalised into an open global
166
Figure 8.1 illustrates some examples of these structures, which are specially designed
to support the network equipment, such as the antennas.
The exponential growth in the use of cellular phones has meant a new era for communication structures, smaller in height but larger in number. It is highly expected that
this scenario will be more empathised with the 5G. The continued survivability of these
infrastructures is often taken for granted, as parties involved frequently focus on the
services provided, rather than on the structures that support the network equipment
[3–6]. Though the design of monopoles used in the communication sector appears as a
simple engineering problem and their unit costs are limited, a deeper investigation of
these structures reveals a complete different scenario, that is, under wind action they
are subjected to dynamic effects that are complex and they are built in such large numbers, which represents an important economic problem [4].
Failures involving these structures are amongst the most common types of accidents
in communication engineering, often leading to disproportionate consequences in
terms of economic and social impacts [4,6]. This reality calls for a paradigm change
regarding the design, construction and operation of communication structures.
There are several stakeholders directly or indirectly concerned with these structures:
researchers, designers, manufacturers, clients, consultants, insurers, contractors and
sub‐contractors. In this context, the design, construction and maintenance of these
structures is usually done by specialised sub‐contractors, in accordance with a standard
design or with a specially developed design depending on the work complexity. In principle, good planning, design, construction and maintenance of communication
structures are the keys for the success of every project. In particular, it is vital that synchronised planning and continuous knowledge exchange exists between the structural
designer, the contractor, the subcontractors, and other players. Unfortunately, this is
not always a reality [3,5–7]. Often, the design, maintenance and/or operation of communication structures are not usually treated as carefully as in the case of building or
bridge structures. Also, clients’ knowledge and interest about the structural requirements of these structures is usually very limited, possibly due to their cost being small
when compared with that of the network equipment it supports [3–6]. These structures
also do not receive the same level of research attention and research funding as occurs
in buildings or bridges [3].
Until recently, national and international design codes/standards and/or guidance
documents concerning communication structures were based on simple design procedures, whose use has been found to be inappropriate for some structural solutions,
namely monopoles [4,6]. Nevertheless, even the provisions specified in the most recent
design codes do not sufficiently address the dynamic interaction of the wind action
between the structure and the equipment installed [8,9]. Quality management requirements are also usually not provided, as well as the principles to assess the extension of
their design lifetime. As a result, the structural reliability levels implied in the design
codes may not be achieved or maintained during the design working life of these structures. The previous statement is significant since the communication sector is becoming
increasingly important in our modern societies over the last few decades, in particular
with the globalisation of wireless communications.
Moreover, the increased significance of these structures comes at the same time when
the life‐span of existing structures is reaching its maturity, and the market has changed
from being managed by a single public company to being liberalised into an open global