RISATower - Structural Engineering Software for Analysis & Design

Overview
Features
Specifications
Sample Output

The Industry Standard for Tower Analysis and Design Software

Designed specifically for the telecommunications industry, RISATower automates much of the tower analysis and design required by the TIA/EIA 222 Standard. RISATower analyzes towers using the ANSI/TIA-22-G (2005) standard or any of the previous TIA/EIA standards back to RS-222 (1959). Steel design is checked using the AISC ASD 9th Edition or the AISC LRFD specifications.

RISATower can analyze and design 3- and 4-sided guyed and self-supporting towers and either round or tapered ground mounted poles with or without guys. RISATower contains unique features such as True Cable behavior, hog rod take-up, foundation stiffness and much more. RISATower may export complete model files to RISA-3D for added analysis and design flexibility.

With exhaustive manufacturer databases and a familiar spreadsheet layout, it’s easy to quickly create and customize any tower. The tabbed interface neatly organizes every aspect of the model from segments and guys to feedlines and appurtances.

RISATower In-Depth

Complete Standards Support

The program analyzes towers using the TIA-222-G (including Addendum No. 1) Standard or any of the previous TIA/EIA Standards back to RS-222 (1959). Steel design is checked using the TIA/EIA Standards, AISC ASD 9th Edition or the AISC LRFD Specifications, as applicable.

Powerful Analysis & Design

RISATower’s rapid model creation tools, 3-D frame-truss models and automatic wind force and ice loading generation capabilities are just a few of the features that make this industry-standard software the premier choice for all types of communication towers.

RISA-3D Integration

RISATower seamlessly harnesses the power of RISA-3D, the most popular structural analysis software in the U.S., to provide a level of analysis and design capabilities not found anywhere else.

Run a complete analysis and design of your model and then make refinements such as individual member removal, local reinforcing, or unusual bracing patterns. Add foundations, seismic loads, customized load cases and combination, etc. to simulate virtually all project conditions using state-of-the-art graphical modeling tools.

Top-notch Graphical Presentation

Graphical display of tower geometry, appurtenances, internal forces, stresses and displacements are created automatically.

Extensive graphics plots include material take-off, shear-moment, leg compression, displacement, twist, feed line, guy anchor and stress plots.
RISATower contains unique features such as True Cable behavior, hog rod take-up, foundation stiffness and much more.

RISATower Specifications

RISATower is a general-purpose modeling, analysis, and design program created specifically for communications towers.

The following Standards are currently implemented:

RS-222, RS-222-A, RS-222-B, EIA-222-C, EIA-222-D, EIA-222-E, TIA/EIA-222-F, and TIA-222-G.

Base Tower Types Supported

Three or four sided guyed towers
Three or four sided self-supporting towers
Ground mounted monopoles (round stepped, round tapered, 18-, 16-, 12-, and 8-sided)
Three or four sided guyed monopoles

Upper Antenna Types Supported

Three or four sided latticed poles
Tubular poles (round stepped, round tapered, 18-, 16-, 12-, and 8-sided)
Candelabra tops

Analysis and Design

Automatic generation of nodes and elements for 3D frame-truss, truss, or beam-column tower models
Linear and non-linear (P-delta, cable behavior) finite element analysis (FEA)
Three modes available: analysis only, analysis and members check, or analysis and lowest weight-optimized design
Automatic determination of pressure coefficients, wind pressures, ice loads and resulting forces on the tower
Optimized feed line Effective Projected Area calculations to minimize required wind loading
Automatic calculation of feed lines shielding
Calculation of center of pressure due to offset feed lines
Automatic calculation of K-factors for solid round and single angle members
Optional inner feed line support tower
Check or design of bolts in tower members
Export to RISA-3D for additional analysis and design options

Data Entry

Powerful, easy to use spreadsheets for quick model generation and input verification
Adaptable three-level structure definition: base tower, upper antenna structure, and top antenna pole
Guy cables generation with varying radii and guy anchor elevations
Feedlines, discrete loads (loads from appurtenances), dishes, and user defined loads specification anywhere on the tower
Comprehensive databases of structural shapes, assemblies, feed lines, dishes, and appurtenances, with a powerful Database Manager, allowing full customization and synchronization across networks
Flexible units selection: US Customary (decimal or architectural notation) or SI Metric, with user-controlled display precision

Graphical User Interface

Tabbed, dynamically updated display pages provide instant input verification for structural components and appurtenances
Tower geometry page with zoom, pan and rotate model capabilities. The structure may be viewed in both unloaded and deflected shape. Individual member properties such as shape and element number can be displayed
Material list page showing member sizes, weights, and graphical display of the tower section with reactions and tables of user defined components. User defined notes may also be added to this view
Plot plan page showing boundary of tower and acreage required for 15’ clearance
Leg compression plots also displaying the leg compression and tension capacity of the tower
Mast shear and moment plots
Detailed tower deflection, tilt and twist diagrams
Guy anchor plots showing guy forces and guy anchor reactions (for guyed towers only)
Feedline plot. Displays feedlines in each of the faces of the tower
Stress plot. Graphically displays the stress condition of members in each face of the tower
Wind pressure and ice thickness diagrams
Base plate and anchor bolts views (monopoles only)

Results Output

Extensive, customizable output reports, viewable directly in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Word Viewer
Finite Element Analysis results for detailed solution diagnostics
DXF export of model geometry