I can't think of a single structural reason ... the stress vectors
should be the same either way, I believe.
It seems to me that one practical downside would that you'd get more
dirt in the joint that way. On the other hand, if the joints were stuck
(but not seized) you get the benefit of gravity to make it a lot easier
to feed some kind of release lube into the joint.
One other thought, extremely minor though it may be. When assembling a
tower in a vertical position, such as with a gin pole, your head is most
likely above the joint as you guide the two pieces together. With the
"upside down" configuration you can see the hole that you're trying to
mate with. OK OK ... I said it was minor ;)
73,
Dave AB7E
Roger (K8RI) wrote:
> I still can't imagine why they would build them that way though. Any
> engineers who can think of a good structural reason for doing so?
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>
>
>> I know of two manufacturers that do it "upside down". Heights is one and
>> there is another (can't recall the name) that looks almost like it that
>> is
>> also upside down. They are aluminum towers and each section is tapered (so
>> you can't install them the wrong way) and the upper section joins the
>> lower
>> section by fitting inside of the lower part. It makes a nice funnel for
>> rain. I have one.
>>
>> 73
>> Gary K4FMX
>
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