Performance

Design Speed Optimization Eurocode

The improved Algorithm enables OpenTower Designer to perform Structural Analysis and Design in a 30 % lesser amount of time.

 

Analysis Speed Optimization for Tapered Monopole

A massive improvement in the algorithm which helps a substantial reduction in the time taken for the Tapered Monopole Analysis

 

Optimization in Scenario Activation and File Opening

 Improvements are made in the performance during File Opening and Scenario Activation.

The new algorithm enables us to complete the operation in about 30 % less time when compared to the earlier version.

 

Improvement of messaging during several processes

There was a review of some of the output messages provided by OpenTower during the structural analysis procedure:

• New message advising about the conclusion of Member design.
• New message advising about the lack of key loading during a TWR migration, either large or linear loading.

 

 

 

Tools and Operation

Visualization and Design Methodology Improvement for Asymmetric Sections

The orientation of asymmetric sections is an important subject in structural design, affecting loading and utilization. OpenTower Designer counts now on different tools to allow the user to define such properties:

• Manually modification on the main interface after selecting, right-clicking, and Change Selected Members Orientation.
• Using the TD file. As was implemented in MS Tower, the X-Y notation in the section block allows to use in-face or out-face orientation for the main section axis as below.

This affects the performance of member design as the local axis changes according to local orientation.

 

Ancillary Import from any twr file

One of the limitations of the earlier version of the OpenTower is not having the facility to import a twr file multiple times in an OpenTower Model. Also, according to the user's recommendation, wind loading and terrain information could not always be needed.

The recent version of the software is equipped with a tool through which you can import twr-file equipment as many times as you like.

The tool only brings the Appurtenance information (both Large and Linear)

Spreadsheet Interoperability for the Large Ancillaries

After considering customers internal procedures, there was need for an easy and quick way to feed OpenTower Designer with large ancillaries.

A new facility is provided by which Large Appurtenances data can be exported to or imported from a straightforward spreadsheet. This spreadsheet can be generated by the user and be loaded in any Appurtenance group which will allow the user to build scenarios depending on customer desires. Furthermore, this tool will help to obtain progressive records of equipment status and corresponding utilization.

As shown below the user has an option to choose between Absolute Azimuth or Relative Azimuth during the import depending on the reference system used in internal records.

During the import mechanism, the appurtenances in the spreadsheet are appended with the current set of records.

You can export the Existing Appurtenance group in a new Spreadsheet and use that as a template for further modification.

Post-processing Data for Euro code

Until now, there were some limitations in the applicability of Eurocode in OTD. It was certainly difficult to gusted forces and corresponding results.

The structures that are analyzed with Euro code will have a separate table and graph to interpret the design forces and results in the Tower Model Explorer. See below figure.

Those new utilities will be available after performing Member Design of whole structure where GEN factor is considered in the results.

 

The following features are available.

1. Node Displacement for the combination load cases.
2. Support Reaction for the combination load cases.
3. Displacement Graph
   1. Horizontal
   2. Tilt
   3. Twist

In addition to that, there is a new specific command to have the designed forces used while performing the Eurocode checks during the Member Design. This will be printed as EuroForcesData.csv into the OTD file directory showing Axial, Shear and Bending forcing in local axis for all Load Combinations in each members sections.

 

The printing of all that data may have an impact on time performance as a result of, by default, the option being turned off. To activate it you can set the configuration file as bellowed figure. The configuration file is located here.

"C:\Users\Credential\AppData\Roaming\Bentley\Engineering\OpenTower\Configurations\TowerConfig.xml"

 

Reaction GEN in a CSV file

To allow foundation assessment with gusted forces, the reactions for all Load Combinations are not reported in CSV format in the same directory where the Tower file is saved as  <<TowerName>>SupportReactionGen.csv.

 

Ancillary Rotation in a CSV file

To assess the antenna-service-performance requirement contained in some National codes and owner's design rules, OTD counts on this report which provides rotation of the structure at each corresponding ancillary location.

The Ancillary Rotation is now reported in a CSV format in the same directory where the Tower file is saved as <<TowerName>>AncillaryRotation.csv  

The values are correlated from the deflected values induced by design forces on all load combiantions.

Analysis and Design

Rooftop   Tower Analysis

OpenTower Designer is now able to perform Analysis and Design of rooftop structures which are modelled as a Single UDP panel in MStower. Taking advantage of the Mount Frame Analysis Engine the software can do a SA of the model imported from MStower. The same solution can also be used for reinforcement Monopole.

The Analysis is performed according to TIA 222H.

Once you activate a scenario, click the “Analyse Model” Button in the TOP Menu Bar for Structural Analysis and Design.

Report

Eurocode Report

 For Eurocode a curated Report format is designed to show the governing Load Case.

The Report is Categorized in the following items.

• Compression Summary
• Tension Summary
• Axial and Bending Summary
• Bolt Summary 

NOTE: The Load Cases of more than 1000 are internal load cases created as a part of the Secondary Truss Analysis. For others, they referred to the Combination Load case number.

Rooftop Report

A Separate Report Node is created for the Rooftop Structure.

 

Interoperability

OTD – OTiQ Integration

OTD – OtiQ integration is enhanced in this version. Not only in the interoperability feature but also in the drawing generation and equipment loading page where the Geographical North direction and annotation of legs and faces are made consistent with OTD convention.

 

 

 

MISC

• Toggle option for the Section Editor to be enabled in the main Application from the Tower configuration. 

 

• TWr import for Monopole – OpenTower Designer is now capable of importing the Ancillary information for Monopole and doing further Analysis as per MST methodology.

 

• Copy and Paste the Section Profile for quick operation in Stepped Monopole

• Whenever there is an entry in the Height of Crest an alert (highlight of the cell) is given to fill the value of the Altitude of Upwind Base [A]. This enables the user not to miss any crucial information while populating the wind definition as per the Euro Code in OpenTower Designer

 

• Fv Values are not used in the European Bolt Checks. Fub Values are now correctly used for the Shear Connection Failure.

• The design forces of all the members are now tabulated in a CSV file for the Euro code. The file name is << TowerName>>.STWR_EuroForcesData.csv

 

• The Ancillary Identifiers are added for the Linear Ancillaries while importing from a twr file

• Improvements in connection design. During the flange connection design under the EN1993-1-8. The default prying factor of 1 is used. Users can propose a new value in the corresponding connection entry in the TD file.