Systems and methods for monopole reinforcement

Abstract

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a monopole reinforcement with an elongated base plate and a stiffening cross plate protruding substantially perpendicularly from the elongated base plate, the stiffening cross plate having an inner edge substantially flush with the outer surface of the elongated base plate and an outer edge whose distance from the elongated base plate varies along the length of the stiffening cross plate between a minimum protrusion height and a maximum protrusion height. According to some embodiments, the outer edge is shaped in a wave or sinusoidal pattern to maintain stiffness while decreasing material usage and wind drag, and reinforcement members formed from the base plate and cross plate are interconnectable with other such members for ease of installation.

1 . A monopole reinforcement comprising: 
 an elongated base plate comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, and a length extending substantially along a first direction, the inner surface configured to abut a monopole structure, the outer surface opposite the inner surface, the elongated base plate comprising one or more holes formed therein at one or more intervals along the first direction, the one or more holes configured to receive one or more bolts for attaching the elongated base plate to the monopole structure in a substantially vertical orientation; and    a stiffening cross plate protruding substantially perpendicularly from the elongated base plate, the stiffening cross plate comprising an inner edge substantially flush with the outer surface of the elongated base plate, the stiffening cross plate further comprising an outer edge whose distance from the elongated base plate varies along the first direction between a minimum protrusion height and a maximum protrusion height.    
   
   
       2 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum protrusion height occurs at or near the one or more holes, and the maximum protrusion height occurs within the one or more intervals.  
   
   
       3 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more holes are formed in the elongated base plate along a lengthwise centerline of the elongated base plate, wherein the stiffening cross plate extends between two of the one or more holes, wherein the minimum protrusion height occurs near the two of the one or more holes, and wherein the maximum protrusion height occurs at a midpoint between the two of the one or more holes.  
   
   
       4 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 3 , wherein the distance between the elongated base plate and the outer edge varies from the minimum protrusion height to the maximum protrusion height to the minimum protrusion height along a curve selected from the group consisting of: a bell curve, a parabolic curve, and a sinusoidal curve.  
   
   
       5 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 3 , wherein the distance between the elongated base plate and the outer edge varies from the minimum protrusion height to the maximum protrusion height in a linear fashion.  
   
   
       6 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening cross plate protrudes continuously from the elongated base plate along a lengthwise centerline of the elongated base plate, wherein the one or more holes are formed in the elongated base plate on alternating sides of the stiffening cross plate at the one or more intervals along the first direction, and wherein the distance between the elongated base plate and the outer edge varies continuously between the minimum protrusion height at the one or more holes and the maximum protrusion height at midpoints between the one or more holes.  
   
   
       7 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 6 , wherein the distance between the elongated base plate and the outer edge varies between the minimum protrusion height and the maximum protrusion height along a sinusoidal curve.  
   
   
       8 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 6 , wherein the distance between the elongated base plate and the outer edge varies between the minimum protrusion height and the maximum protrusion height along a pattern selected from the group consisting of: a linear pattern, a stepped pattern, and a curved pattern.  
   
   
       9 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 3 , wherein the elongated base plate and the stiffening cross plate form a first reinforcement member, the monopole reinforcement further comprising: 
 a first splice plate protruding substantially perpendicularly from the outer surface of the elongated base plate near one end of the base plate, the first splice plate comprising a first plurality of holes formed therethrough; and    a second splice plate comprising a second plurality of holes formed therethrough, the second plurality of holes having a size and placement pattern substantially the same as the first plurality of holes, such that bolts placed through the first plurality of holes also fit through the second plurality of holes to permit bolting of the second splice plate to the first splice plate and to a second reinforcement member for connecting the first reinforcement member to the second reinforcement member.    
   
   
       10 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 6 , wherein the elongated base plate and the stiffening cross plate form a first reinforcement member, and wherein the stiffening cross plate comprises a first plurality of holes formed therethrough, the monopole reinforcement further comprising: 
 a splice plate comprising a second plurality of holes formed therethrough, the second plurality of holes having a size and placement pattern substantially the same as the first plurality of holes, such that bolts placed through the first plurality of holes also fit through the second plurality of holes to permit bolting of the splice plate to the stiffening cross plate and to a second reinforcement member for connecting the first reinforcement member to the second reinforcement member.    
   
   
       11 . The monopole reinforcement of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated base plate and the stiffening cross plate are cut from a single original plate.  
   
   
       12 . A method for reinforcing an antenna tower structure, the method comprising: 
 providing a plurality of reinforcement members, each of the plurality of reinforcement members comprising: 
 an elongated base plate comprising a first plurality of holes formed therein at one or more intervals along a length of the elongated base plate, the first plurality of holes configured to receive one or more bolts for attaching the elongated base plate to the antenna tower structure in a substantially vertical orientation;  
 a stiffening cross plate protruding substantially perpendicularly from the elongated base plate, the stiffening cross plate comprising an inner edge substantially flush with the elongated base plate, the stiffening cross plate further comprising an outer edge whose distance from the elongated base plate varies along the length between a minimum protrusion height and a maximum protrusion height;  
 a first splice plate interface member at one end of each of the plurality of reinforcement members, the first splice plate interface member configured for attachment with a splice plate;  
 a second splice plate interface member at another end of each of the plurality of reinforcement members, the second splice plate interface member configured for attachment with the splice plate;  
   providing the splice plate configured to join successive reinforcement members of the plurality of reinforcement members;    affixing a first reinforcement member of the plurality of reinforcement members to the antenna tower structure in the substantially vertical orientation;    affixing a second reinforcement member of the plurality of reinforcement members to the antenna tower structure in vertical alignment with the first reinforcement member; and    rigidly connecting the first reinforcement member with the second reinforcement member via the splice plate.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the minimum protrusion height occurs at or near one or more of the first plurality of holes, and wherein the maximum protrusion height occurs within the one or more intervals.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein affixing the first reinforcement member to the antenna structure comprises bolting the first reinforcement member to the antenna structure.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first splice plate interface member is integral with the stiffening cross plate.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the splice plate is a first splice plate, the method further comprising: 
 providing a second splice plate configured to join successive reinforcement members of the plurality of reinforcement members;    providing a stiffener plate embedded within a caisson at a base of the antenna tower structure; and    rigidly connecting the stiffener plate with the second reinforcement member via the second splice plate.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 providing an anchor rod for anchoring within the caisson; and    rigidly connecting the anchor rod to the stiffener plate.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the stiffening cross plate of the first reinforcement member comprises a second plurality of holes formed therein, the method further comprising: 
 providing a first stiffening strip comprising a third plurality of holes formed therein;    providing a second stiffening strip comprising a fourth plurality of holes formed therein;    aligning the second plurality of holes with the third plurality of holes and with the fourth plurality of holes; and    bolting the stiffening cross plate of the first reinforcement member between the first stiffening strip and the second stiffening strip through the second, third, and fourth plurality of holes.    
   
   
       19 . A method for adding an extension with a new base plate to an existing monopole structure with an existing top plate, the method comprising: 
 mounting an extension mount member to the monopole structure below the existing top plate;    providing a new top plate comprising a top plate bracket connector;    providing an extension member, the extension member comprising a top bracket connector and a bottom bracket connector;    coupling the bottom bracket connector with the extension mount member;    coupling the top bracket connector with the top plate bracket connector;    placing the extension onto the new top plate; and    securing the new base plate onto the new top plate.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 forming a first set of holes in the new top plate;    forming a second set of holes in the new base plate corresponding to the first set of holes; and    securing the new base plate onto the new top plate by bolting the new top plate to the new base plate through the first set of holes and the second set of holes.    
   
   
       21 . A method for reinforcing an antenna structure, comprising: 
 providing an elongated base plate comprising a first set of pre-drilled holes and preformed slots;    attaching a reinforcement member to the antenna structure;    attaching a splice plate to the reinforcement member;    hanging the elongated base plate from the splice plate;    mounting a magnetic drill to the elongated base plate;    drilling a second set of holes into the antenna structure through at least one of the first set of pre-drilled holes;    stacking onto the elongated base plate a top plate, the top plate comprising a substantially perpendicularly protruding stiffening cross plate, the top plate further comprising notches formed therein and a third set of pre-drilled holes, such that the notches overlap the preformed slots and the third set of pre-drilled holes overlap the first set of pre-drilled holes when the top plate is stacked onto the elongated base plate;    providing a tabbed connector comprising tabs configured to pass through the notches and fit within the preformed slots;    inserting the tabs of the tabbed connector into the preformed slots;    attaching the tabbed connector to the top plate; and    bolting the top plate and the elongated base plate to the antenna structure through the first and third sets of pre-drilled holes.