Truss-Based Monopole Support Structure

Abstract

A monopole support assembly includes at least two truss assemblies secured to an outer surface of a monopole. At least two helical piers or micropiles are secured to the at least two truss assemblies, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A monopole support assembly, comprising:
 at least two truss assemblies secured to an outer surface of a monopole; and   at least two helical piers or micropiles secured to the at least two truss assemblies, respectively.   
     
     
         2 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two truss assemblies, comprises:
 an angled brace element;   a horizontal brace element;   at least one cross member coupled to the angled brace element and the horizontal brace element;   wherein a first end of the angled brace element is coupled to the outer surface of the monopole and a second end of the angled brace element is coupled to a first end of the horizontal brace element; and   wherein the second end of the horizontal brace element is coupled to the outer surface of the monopole.   
     
     
         3 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the angled brace element further comprises a first pair of aligned support elements; and
 wherein the horizontal brace element further comprises a second pair of aligned support elements.   
     
     
         4 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second pairs of aligned support elements further comprise:
 pairs of angle steel support elements;   pairs of hollow structural section (HSS) steel elements; or   pairs of tubular steel elements.   
     
     
         5 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of the at least two truss assemblies further comprise:
 a first joint element for coupling the first pair of aligned support elements at respective first ends;   a second joint element for coupling the first pair of aligned support elements at respective second ends and coupling the second pair of aligned support elements at respective first ends; and   a third joint element for coupling the second pair of aligned support elements at respective second ends.   
     
     
         6 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first joint element is secured between the first pair of aligned support elements;
 wherein the second joint element is secured between the first pair of aligned support elements and further secured between the second pair of aligned support elements; and   wherein the third joint element is secured between the second pair of aligned support elements.   
     
     
         7 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the second joint element comprises a joint portion and a flange portion; and
 wherein the flange portion is secured to the helical pier or micropile.   
     
     
         8 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 at least one pier bracket secured to at least one of the second joint elements or the horizontal brace element; and   wherein the at least one pier bracket is configured to receive an exposed end of a corresponding number of helical piers or micropiles following insertion of the helical piers or micropiles into the ground.   
     
     
         9 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one pier bracket comprises a hole formed therethrough;
 wherein each of the corresponding number of helical piers or micropiles comprise a mounting aperture formed therethrough; and   wherein each of the corresponding number of helical piers or micropiles are secured to the at least one pier bracket via a bolt or pin inserted through the mounting aperture and the hole.   
     
     
         10 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the angled brace element and the horizontal brace element are secured to the second joint element in a predetermined geometrical configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined geometrical configuration comprises a 45° angle. 
     
     
         12 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each of the at least two truss assemblies, further comprises:
 a first mounting bracket for securing the first joint element to the monopole;   a second mounting bracket for securing the third joint element to the monopole;   wherein the first and second mounting brackets comprise a mounting plate and at least two bracket members projecting from the mounting plate; and   wherein the first joint element and third joint element are secured between the at least two bracket members.   
     
     
         13 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first and third joint elements comprise a mounting aperture extending therethrough;
 wherein the first and second mounting brackets include a hole therethrough corresponding to the mounting aperture; and   wherein the first and third joint elements are secured to the first and second mounting brackets, respectively, via a bolt or pin inserted through the mounting aperture and the hole.   
     
     
         14 . The monopole support assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the mounting plate is welded to the outer surface of the monopole. 
     
     
         15 . A monopole structure, comprising:
 a monopole having an outer surface;   at least two truss assemblies secured to the outer surface;   at least two helical piers or micropiles inserted into the ground and secured to the at least two truss assemblies; and   wherein the at least two truss assemblies comprise:
 an angled brace element having a first end and a second end; 
 a horizontal brace element having a first end and a second end; 
 at least one cross member having a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the first end of the angled brace element is secured to a first position on the outer surface of the monopole; 
 wherein the second end of the horizontal brace element is secured to a second position on the outer surface of the monopole; 
 wherein the second end of the angled brace element is secured to the first end of the horizontal brace element; and 
 wherein the first end of the at least one cross member is secured to the angled brace element and the second end of the at least one cross member is secured to the horizontal brace element. 
   
     
     
         16 . The monopole structure of  claim 15 , wherein each of the at least two truss assemblies are secured to the outer surface of the monopole via at least two mounting brackets;
 wherein each of the at least two mounting brackets comprises a mounting plate and at least two bracket members projecting from the mounting plate; and   wherein each of the at least two truss assemblies are secured between the at least two bracket members via a bolt or pin.   
     
     
         17 . The monopole structure of  claim 15  further comprising:
 at least four truss assemblies spaced equidistantly about the outer surface of the monopole; and 
 at least four helical piers or micropiles inserted into the ground and secured to the at least four truss assemblies. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method for remediating a monopole structure having a monopole, comprising:
 inserting at least two helical piers or micropiles into a support surface of the monopole;   securing at least four mounting brackets on an outer surface of the monopole;   securing at least truss two truss assemblies to the at least four mounting brackets;   securing the at least truss two truss assemblies to the at least two helical piers or micropiles; and   wherein each of the at least two truss assemblies comprise:
 an angled brace element having a first end and a second end; 
 a horizontal brace element having a first end and a second end; 
 at least one cross member having a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the first end of the angled brace element is secured to one of the at least four mounting brackets; 
 wherein the second end of the horizontal brace element is secured to one of the at least four mounting brackets; 
 wherein the second end of the angled brace element is secured to the first end of the horizontal brace element; and 
 wherein the first end of the at least one cross member is secured to the angled brace element and the second end of the at least one cross member is secured to the horizontal brace element. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 bolting the first end of the angled brace element to one of the at least four mounting brackets;   bolting the second end of the horizontal brace element to one of the at least four mounting brackets; and   using a pin connection to secure the at least two truss assemblies to the at least two helical piers or micropiles.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the at least two helical piers or micropiles comprise at least four helical piers or micropiles;
 wherein the at least four mounting brackets comprise at least eight mounting brackets; and   wherein the at least two truss assemblies comprise at least four truss assemblies.