SCSP12206
SCSP12206
GAI
MHM
GAI
ORGINATED
By: FSP
DATE: 11/01/09
APPROVED
By.
DATE:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 SCOPE
2.0 PURPOSE
3.0 APPLICATION
4.1 General
5.1 General
1.0 SCOPE
This standard presents various methods to be adopted in the assembly and erection of
self-supporting latticed and tubular steel structures for the overhead transmission line
system of Saudi Electricity Company, Eastern Region Branch (SEC-ERB), Saudi Arabia.
2.0 PURPOSE
3.0 APPLICATION
This standard is applicable to the assembly and erection of steel structures. Since
methods will be strongly influenced by the nature of each project, various methods that
have been successfully employed are presented.
The approach used within this standard is to first describe general information, which is
applicable to all phases of steel structure assembly and erection, and then to describe the
methods of erection.
4.1 General
This section covers the various methods and practices employed in assembling
and erecting self-supporting latticed steel towers. Structure foundation and the
dimensions between tower leg attachment points shall be checked prior to
erection
The field assembly and erection methods chosen will be influenced by such
variables as line and tower design, line route, terrain, climatic and seasonal
weather conditions, the impact of any environmental restrictions, line route
access, and the availability of critical resources in both manpower and equipment.
Bare wire rope or steel chains shall not be used for handling without
adequate protection of the surface coating. Heavy members shall not be
stacked on top of lighter members. Structural members shall be stored
according to size, lengths and markings. The maximum weight of steel
bundles shall not exceed a specified weight, typically 1600 kg to 1800 kg,
to facilitate handling and unloading. Members with dissimilar finishes
shall not be stored over one another to minimize discoloration of the
lower members.
The material yard should be kept relatively neat and clean and the growth
of vegetation kept to a minimum. Good housekeeping minimizes damage
and loss of material handling; periodic physical inventories and complies
with environmental considerations.
Field punching or drilling of holes and field clipping shall be done only
with the approval of SEC-ERB Representative, if the hole or clip was
missed in fabrication of the member but was called for on the fabrication
detail drawings. The edges of clipped angles, new or reamed holes or any
member which has its coating scratched or damaged shall be repaired with
a coating approved by the SEC-ERB Representative. Members having
mis-punched holes shall not be repaired by welding and shall be replaced
with correctly fabricated members. If the field fabrication of a member is
required, the bolt spacing and edge distances shall be in accordance with
the fabrication detail drawings.
4.2.3 Assembly
Only torque wrenches, which properly fit the nuts and bolts, shall be used.
The use of wrenches, which in any way deform the nut or cut or flake the
galvanizing is prohibited. All 16mm diameter bolts shall be tightened to a
torque of 10 to 14 kg-m and 20 mm diameter bolts to a torque value of 17
to 23 kg-m, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
Towers shall be erected by any suitable method in the sequence best adapted to
the equipment, workers’ experience and site conditions which will not overstress
structure members.
Tower erection work on any tower foundation shall not take place until the
concrete has achieved strength of at least seventy five percent (75%) of the
specified compressive strength. However, in no case shall tower erection start
until at least ten (10) days after pouring the concrete foundations of a tower has
been completed. Towers can be subjected to stringing loads after the concrete has
achieved its hundred percent (100%) of specified compressive strength
When handling assembled portions of the structure, spreader bars or other devices
with proper points of attachment shall be used to avoid distorting or overstressing
members and to maintain the true geometric shape of the section.
Adequate tag lines shall be used to ensure that no section of the tower being lifted
will drag on the ground or against any section of the tower already erected.
At all times at least fifty percent (50%) of the bolts in each connection of the
erected tower members shall be inserted. Until all the bolts in the face of a
section of a tower are inserted, those bolts inserted that face during erection shall
be finger tightened.
Tower numbering/designation, Danger and Bone and Skull warning signs, shall
be installed on tower for ground and aerial patrolling, as shown in the
Construction Standard SCS-P-122.21. Anti-climbing barrier shall be installed
after the conductor stringing operations are completed on the transmission line.
Cranes with telescoping booms can be more efficient than rigid boom
cranes in rough terrain. Considerable productivity can be lost in the
process of assembly and disassembly of rigid boom cranes. In addition,
continuous handling of boom sections can lead to boom damage.
Preplanning of the crane location at the structure site allows for any
necessary grading work (building of ramps, soil stabilization etc.) to be
accomplished during the foundation construction operations when suitable
equipment is available at the site. Depending on soil conditions,
additional bearing support may be required under outriggers, tracks, and
tires. All soil shall be returned to a condition acceptable to the SEC-ERB
representative after erection.
Any of the following methods shall be used when tower heights and
weights exceed the capability of a crane or where access to the site is
restricted and it shall be noted that experienced knowledgeable workers
are required for a safe and efficient operation:
Using this method to erect towers, the tower shall be paneled meaning that
sections of legs and bracings are bolted loosely together then moved into
position for final tightening.
Three techniques are commonly used for this method. The first
method is to install a lifting line from one of the erected legs for
use in lifting other members. The second is to rig a small boom
to one of the erected legs for hoisting purposes, if the design
allows. The third method is to position the base of a single gin
pole in the center of the structure by suspending it from the leg
members at any elevation using bridle slings. The attachment
points for slings and any guys shall be checked for structural
integrity.
5.1 General
This section covers the recommended procedures for the assembly and erection of
tubular steel structures (poles). These procedures may also apply to single shaft
and H-framed structures. The process will be divided into two main categories,
monopole structures and framed structures i.e. two or more poles joined by rigid
members.
Steel pole erection work on foundation shall not take place until the concrete has
achieved strength of at least seventy five percent (75%) of the specified
compressive strength. However, in no case steel pole erection shall start until at
least ten (10) days after pouring the concrete foundation of a steel pole has been
completed. Steel poles can be subjected to stringing loads after the concrete has
achieved its hundred percent (100%) of specified compressive strength
Preplanning of desired crane locations at the structure site allows for any
necessary grading work (building of ramps, soil stabilization, etc.) to be
accomplished during the foundation construction operations, when suitable
equipment is available at the site.
High reach aerial lifts can be effective in providing a safe work position for
workers handling large connection bolts to make aerial connections. The aerial
lift can eliminate the need to install a variety of either temporary or permanent
rigging and climbing devices on each structure. Whenever possible, stringing
travelers and finger lines installed during erection can greatly expedite the wire
stringing operation.
Poles, which consist of one or more sections, shall be assembled either at the
structure site or in a marshalling yard and then transported to the site.
When delivering poles from the storage area to the erection sites, special care
shall be taken during the loading, hauling and unloading to prevent any damage to
the surface of the poles and arms. Slings for handling the poles and arms shall be
made of or covered with nylon or some other non-metallic material to protect the
finish. Poles shall be handled in such a manner that no portion of the pole is
dragged along the ground or against the pole trailer or other objects that could
damage the structure.
Proper initial placement of pole sections can increase the efficiency of the
assembly operation.
Poles and arms shall be placed on suitable cribbing to prevent damage and
provide a level plane that will prevent overstressing of the structure components.
All finish touch-up shall be done prior to erection. Once the structure is
assembled, it shall be thoroughly inspected. Climbing devices, where
they may interfere with the erection process, shall be temporarily removed
from the structure.
Upper and lower pole sections in the area of the slip joint shall
be marked for proper orientation and as a guide for
minimum/maximum slip lengths. Proper orientation and slip
length tolerance for each slip joint shall be as per fabricator’s
drawings. Care shall be taken to match orientation marks
properly while verifying proper alignment of arm connections,
hardware and climbing devices.
As a safety precaution, slip joints below the lift point shall be secured
with a link between the jacking lugs on mating sections during erection.
Steel poles may be erected by using the lifting lug(s) (if provided) or by
rigging the pole with a padded cable choker. The lift point shall be
supplied by the fabricator or field determined as it varies with the number
of arms and accessories on the pole. Tall, slender structures may require a
two-point lift to prevent overstressing during erection.
During the structure lifting, tag lines shall be used to guide the structure to
its foundation. Once the structure is in place, its vertical alignment shall
be checked, preferably with a transit.
At times, the terrain and environment dictate the need for aerial assembly.
Close inspection of all parts to ensure proper fit is highly recommended
prior to the lift operation.
The bottom pole section is set first, inspected for vertical alignment, and
secured to the foundation. As each subsequent pole section is stacked, the
joint is secured.
After the poles have been assembled, place the poles in proper relation to
each other and level. Install the arms and then the X-braces (if required)
leaving all connections loosely bolted. Special care shall be taken to
maintain the structure geometry when installing X-braces with adjustable
bands. The correct distances between pole shafts shall be verified before
tightening the pole bands. Squareness of the framed structure shall be
checked. It is preferable to erect and plumb the structure before final
tightening of bolted connections. This procedure shall minimize frame
distortion and reduce the potential for erection-induced stresses. All bolts
and nuts shall be tightened as specified.
5.4.2 Erection
A spreader bar or yoke shall be used between the two legs on an H-framed
type structure when being lifted. On some structures it may be necessary
for a smaller crane to lift the base of the structure, due to site conditions or
weight of the structure.
For smaller framed structures, each lower pole section shall be set and
then the entire upper frame shall be preassembled on the ground and
erected as one unit. For larger framed structures, each piece shall have to
be lifted and attached independently.
Each joint shall be loosely connected until all parts of the structure are
installed. This is necessary to allow adjustments while positioning and
attaching each subsequent part.
The tightening operation shall begin only after all parts are assembled and
all bolts are installed. While tightening the joints, plumbness, level and
orientation shall be continuously checked.
In the case of the anchor bolted concrete type foundation with a base plated
structure, the structure is simply lifted onto the anchor bolts.
The leveling nuts shall be threaded on each bolt sufficiently down on the threads
to allow for the addition of the base plate and top nut. These lower nuts shall be
positioned so that when the base plate is set on the top of them the base plate will
be level and as close as practical to the foundation. After adding the top nuts,
check the structure to ensure if it is oriented and aligned correctly. If the structure
requires raking to allow for load deflections, the nuts above and below the base
shall be readjusted to move the structure out of plumb to the required position.
When tightening anchor bolt nuts, all nuts on the topside of the base plate shall be
brought to a snug tight condition, and then the nuts on the bottom side of the base
plate shall be brought to a snug tight condition and checked to make sure that they
are bearing completely against the base plate. It is important that the bottom nuts
under the base plate be tightened. Final tightening of the nuts shall proceed as
specified by the manufacturer. If required, anchor bolt nuts may be secured to the
base plate in a manner to prevent unauthorized turning or removal.
Upon completion of pole erection, the void between the base plate and the
concrete foundation may be filled with non-shrinking, flowable grout or dry
packing with a sand/cement mixture.
Special care shall be taken when installing grout so that the pole drains will not be
dislodged or plugged. After the grout has set and the forms removed, each drain
shall be cleared to assure that it is open and free to allow drain water to flow.
As soon as possible after erection, the contractor shall connect the ground wire to
the grounding attachment on the pole. The wire shall be shaped to fit closely to
the foundation and base of the pole and any excess length shall be trimmed.
Pole numbering shall be installed on pole prior to erection for ground and aerial
patrolling as shown in Construction Standard SCS-P-122.21. Danger & Bone and
Skull warning signs shall be installed on each pole as shown in the Construction
Standard SCS-P-122.21.
Structures shall be completely assembled with all bolts securely tightened before
the start of conductor or shield wire stringing operations. Steps or ladders (if
provided on the lower portions) shall be removed from all structures after
completion of construction to discourage unauthorized climbing.
The damaged area shall be cleaned using a wire brush and solvent if
necessary to remove rust, grease and other foreign matter. When dry, the
area shall then be coated, using a brush or spray, with a cold galvanizing
compound approved by SEC-ERB Representative. As many coats as
necessary shall be applied to obtain a minimum dry film thickness as
specified.
6.5 Bent, deformed or otherwise damaged items (i.e. deformed members may reflect
mislocated footings)
6.11 Plumbness of poles and orientation of erected structures (the final erected position
of a rigid latticed structure will generally be governed by the accuracy of the
installation of the foundations)
A typical Proforma for keeping the record of monitoring, inspection and installation of
structures is attached as an Appendix-1. This Proforma shall be signed by the Contractor
as well as by SEC-ERB representative.
APPENDIX-1
Project:
Contractor:
Temperature: Weather:
• Others (Specify)
General Remarks