GUYDES

Designing a guy wire supported stack can be an extremely challenging problem. This is due to the complexity that is introduced by the use of non-linear cable elements for the support system. A non-linear analysis of this magnitude is impractical to perform by hand, and the few software packages that are available for non-linear cable elements are very expensive. Even when a good software package is available, the time required to model all of the different scenarios is significant. With conventional structures it is often readily apparent which scenarios would control the design. However, in the case of a guyed stack it is very difficult to anticipate the worst case scenario. In fact, on most guyed stacks different aspects of the design are controlled by different scenarios. Consequently, many scenarios must be evaluated in a guyed stack design. With GUYDES a designer can quickly model the system, while accounting for all of the design scenarios that must be considered. As with any software package, GUYDES is not a substitute for good sound judgement made by an experienced designer. However, GUYDES was generated specifically for guyed stack design, and so it provides many checks and balances which will warn the designer if common mistakes are being made. One of the most powerful feature of GUYDES is its ability to summarize the analysis in a useful manner to the user. Up to 36 different scenarios may be evaluated, and GUYDES summarizes all of this information so Up to 6 Guy Sets that it can be evaluated in a manner of minutes. (only 3 shown) Geometry: GUYDES is configured for up to six (6) sets of guy wires. Each set consists of three (3) guy wires evenly spaced 120 degrees apart. This configuration represents the most commonly found geometry of guy wire supported stacks, and it has proven to be the most economical. The program can also accommodate up to two different sets of deadmen, each set consisting of three (3) evenly spaced 120 degrees apart.

Up to 2 Deadmen

Non-Linear Cables The cables that are used to support a guyed stack are non-linear elements. This non-linearity is a result of the axial stiffness of the cable increasing as the load in the cable increases, which is demonstrated in the figure below. When the load in the cable is low, the cable begins to sag, and the axial stiffness of the cable is relatively low. As the load in the cable increases to approximately 20% of the cable Non-Linear Cable breaking strength, the stiffness begins to remain relatively Range Stiffne ss constant. This is an important relationship to understand in guy wire supported stacks. Cables setting guyed transmission towers are often set at a pretension of 20% to 40% of the cable breaking strength. At a pretension level this high the cable can essentially be modeled as a linear spring, which can simplify the analysis. However, guyed stacks are typically set at pretensions of only 6% to 12% of the breaking strength. 20% of Br. Cable This is due to the large thermal growth that stacks can Str. Force experience due to the hot gases flowing inside the stack. This stack thermal expansion is resisted by the guy wires. As the stack experiences thermal growth, large forces can be generated on the stack, cables, and foundations. It is very important this non-linear effect be considered in the design of guy wire supported stacks. Not considering this effect can lead to the following problems: Under estimation of lateral stack deflections Understatement of stresses in the stack Overstatement of loads on the cables

GUYDES Solver: GUYDES generates a global stiffness matrix based upon the geometry and material properties that are entered. The load is then applied to the structure in increments. The user selects the number of increments in which the load will be applied. After each load increment, the stiffness of the cables are recalculated. The net effect is then summarized based upon each of these incremental loads, and the results are totaled. The user has the option of selecting as few as 3 load increments, and as many as 100 load increments. The higher the number, the higher the accuracy of the solution, but the execution time is increased. Load Directions: Since three (3) cables spaced 120 degrees apart are not symmetrical, the guyed stack system does not behave the same way for all load directions. Three (3) critical wind directions can be considered to represent the worst case loads. Unfortunately, there is typically not one controlling load direction that is the worst case for all elements of the design. For example, often one direction will provide the greatest stresses in the stack, while another load direction may provide the greatest cable loads. All three (3) load directions must be considered in order to perform a comprehensive analysis.

Direction # 1

Direction # 2

Direction # 3

Stack Conditions: The stack must be checked in the hot, cold, corroded, and uncorroded conditions. Thermal Growth Hot - In the hot condition the stack experiences thermal expansion, which often contributes to the maximum load in the cable. The hot condition also dictates the maximum vertical load on the foundations. In the hot condition the yield stress of the stack material is also at a minimum. Cold In the cold condition, the lateral deflection is often the greatest because of the absence of the thermally induced tension in the cables. Because the deflection is often greatest in the cold condition, the stresses in the stack MAY also control in the cold position.

Cold Hot

Corroded In this case the stack wall is at a minimum, and so the stresses may be controlled by the corroded condition. UnCorroded In the uncorroded condition the stiffness of the stack is the greatest, which may contribute to more load being resisted by the stack. The following combinations will be checked by Guydes: Hot and Corroded Hot and UnCorroded Cold and Corroded Cold and UnCorroded Corrosion Allowance

Wind & Seismic: Guydes calculates Wind loads per ASCE 7-95 or ASCE 7-98, and Seismic loads are calculated per UBC 97. Since the natural frequency is required for both sets of calculations, the program automatically calculates the natural frequency for each load direction that is selected. The gust factor is automatically calculated for wind loads, since guyed stacks are typically considered to be flexible structures by ASCE 7.

Output Summary: One of the most difficult aspects of guyed stack designs, is the laborious task of analyzing and summarizing all of the different design scenarios that must be considered. As many as 36 different scenarios (3 Load Types x 3 Load Directions x 4 Stack Conditions = 36 Scenarios) may be considered. Load Types Natural Frequency* Wind Seismic Load Directions Direction # 1 30 Deg to Cable Direction # 2 Bisecting 2 Cables Direction # 3 Along a cable Stack Conditions Hot & Corroded Hot & UnCorroded Cold & Corroded Cold & UnCorroded

Natural Frequency required to calculate Wind loads per ASCE 7-98 or 95

GUYDES summarizes all of this information so that it can be quickly analyzed. Worst Case Summaries are made for the following results: Deflections Stack Stresses Cable Loads Foundation Loads Natural Frequencies

Attachments: An attachment is defined as any object that adds significant weight and/or wind area to the stack. There are many types of attachments that can be placed on a stack. GUYDES has templates available to accommodate the most common types of attachments: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ladder(s) Platform(s) Piping Refractory General Attachment

Attachments

The General Attachment option allows the user to enter nearly any other type of internal or external attachment that may be required. GUYDES vs. FEA: GUYDES offers an affordable option to FEA, when it comes to designing guyed stacks. When using an FEA tool, it is important to understand if the tool truly supports non-linear cable elements. For example, STAAD-III has a cable element, but it is not a non-linear element. The advantage that GUYDES can offer is twofold. First, the time required to assemble the model is easily 50% less than that to build a finite element model. This is because GUYDES is set up specifically for Guyed stacks, and so the input is streamlined. The second savings is in the evaluation of the results. GUYDES provides the user with Pass or Fail criteria, using industry accepted design practices. Example: Assume a consulting engineer charges her services at a rate of $55 /hr. Assuming that a this Engineer is designing a 250 OAH Guy Wire Supported Flare Stack. Estimated Hrs Required using FEA Tool 40 hrs x $55/hr = $2,200 Estimated Hrs Required using GUYDES 20 hrs x $55/hr = $1,100 Based upon this example, in the first design the Engineer recovered more than double the amount paid for GUYDES. In addition, because GUYDES is designed specifically for guyed stacks the potential for oversight and/or error is significantly diminished.