LCM22

Version:
Issue Date:
Review By Date:
Owned By:
Authorised By:

1.1
August 2006
June 2008
Engineering Manager D & P
Executive Manager D & P

LINE CONSTRUCTION MANUAL LCM22

TOWER ERECTION
REVISION TABLE
Version No

Date of Revision

1.0

June 2006

1.1

August 2006

Details of Amendment
Initial Release
Numbering changed to represent previous version

The above table lists in summary the amendments which have been made with most recent issues of this standard.
The table is updated with each re-issue. The latest amendments within the documents are marked with a change
indicator (|) in the outer margin.

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Adelaide, South Australia 5000
Ph (08) 8404 7966, Fx (08) 8404 7104

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
22.1

SCOPE......................................................................................................................................................3

22.2

HANDLING, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE.....................................................................................3

22.3

STRUCTURE ERECTION....................................................................................................................3

22.4

FITMENT & TIGHTENING OF BOLTS............................................................................................3

22.4.1
22.4.2
22.4.3

FITMENT.............................................................................................................................................3
TIGHTENING........................................................................................................................................4
STEP BOLTS........................................................................................................................................4

22.5

LOOSE STEELWORK...........................................................................................................................4

22.6

REPAIR OF DAMAGED GALVANIZING..........................................................................................5

22.7

WELDING...............................................................................................................................................5

22.7.1
22.7.2
22.7.3

WELDING............................................................................................................................................5
QUALIFICATIONS.................................................................................................................................5
TESTING..............................................................................................................................................5

22.8

ANTI-CLIMBING DEVICES................................................................................................................5

22.9

TOWER IDENTIFICATION PLATES AND WARNING SIGNS.....................................................5

22.9.1
22.9.2
22.9.3

GROUND VISIBLE PLATES...................................................................................................................5

AERIAL VIEWING PLATES...................................................................................................................6
WARNING SIGNS.................................................................................................................................6

22.10

ATTACHMENTS.................................................................................................................................7

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22.1 SCOPE
This section covers the field assembly and
erection of lattice steel tower structures.

22.2 HANDLING,
TRANSPORT
STORAGE

AND

The Contractor shall ensure that tower

materials do not suffer damage or deterioration
during handling, transport and storage.
Reference should be made to the provisions in
section 5.1 of this specification.
Steel shall be stacked clear of the ground and
the surrounding area cleared of all grass and
other combustible matter to prevent damage
by fires. Tower members shall be kept clean
and free of rust or foreign matter.

22.3 STRUCTURE
ERECTION
The Contractor shall erect all structures
complete with step bolts, ladders, platforms,
anti-climbing
devices,
number
plates,
identification plates, warning plates and other
fixtures.
The Contractor shall be responsible for
ensuring foundation integrity prior to the
commencement of tower erection and no
tower shall be erected within ten (10) days of
the completion of the tower foundation.
Towers shall be stayed or braced sufficiently
to ensure safe erection and to ensure tower
security against wind or other loads until
erection of each tower is complete. Adequate
precautions shall be taken to ensure that no
parts of the tower are strained or damaged
during erection. Drifting of bolt holes shall be
minimised and carried out so as not to damage
galvanising.
Where structures are being erected within fifty
metres of an existing high voltage line, all
equipment associated with the lifting or
support of structural steel elements or subassemblies shall be provided with an approved
connection to earth. The lifting and support
equipment shall also provide a metallic
conducting path from the structural element or

Version: 1.1

sub-assembly to this earth connection. For the

purposes of this clause, high voltage lines are
defined as those with nominal voltage levels
of 132 kV and above.
Immediately before erection, all members
shall be checked for straightness and any
member deviating from the straight by more
than 1 in 500 shall be replaced. Before
assembly member & plate surfaces shall be
free of earth or any other substance that might
prevent the correct alignment of components.
Ladders and step bolts within 2.7 m of ground
level shall be permitted only whilst erection is
in progress.
Straightening of members
damaged during transportation or erection is
not acceptable. Members bent in transport or
during erection must be replaced with
corresponding new members.
Access for cranes may not be available to all
tower sites and the Contractor will be required
to use alternative techniques such as manual
methods incorporating a "jury mast" or
helicopter erection.
Where long line
helicopter techniques are intended, the
Contractor will be required to submit written
work procedures three months prior to work
being carried out to the Principals Project
Manager for endorsement.
Where it is intended that temporary
importation and operation of foreign registered
heavy lift helicopters be carried out, the
Contractor is required to submit evidence of
CASA approval and conditions to the Principal
three months prior to the work being carried
out.

22.4 FITMENT
TIGHTENING
BOLTS
22.4.1

&
OF

Fitment

Bolt shall satisfy the specified material list.

The contractor shall ensure bolt lengths chosen
shall ensure the plane or planes of shear of
connected members are clear of the bolt thread
and that the nut is not thread-bound when
tightened. The threads of bolts shall in all
cases project past the depth of the nut, when
the nut is fully tightened but such projection

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shall not exceed 10mm. If necessary, an

additional flat washer may be fitted.
All bolts shall be fitted with an approved flat
washer.
Bolts shall have threads punched so that there
are 2 separate deformations at concentrically
opposed points. Bolts in tension shall be fitted
with lock nuts or stainless steel split pins.
Spring washers shall not be used.

22.4.2

Tightening

In general bolts shall be tightened to a snugtight condition. Snug-tight condition is defined

as the tightness achieved by a few impacts on
an impact wrench or by the full effort of a
person using a standard podger spanner to
achieve the nominal torque given in the table
below.
The Principals Project Manager reserves the
right to demand of the Contractor the use of
torsion wrenches for the purpose of tightening
all nuts on bolts which are in accordance with
AS 15591986(superseded) and galvanized in
accordance with AS 1214. This will not be
exercised if the Contractor satisfies the
Principals Project Manager that they can
correctly tighten the nuts without the use of
torsion wrenches to a torque given in the table
below.

movement on one leg of the tower. A left step

shall always be followed by a right step and
vice versa. Step bolt holes are provided
between K point and anti-climbing devices.
Special step bolts shall be provided in lieu of
bolts when a step location must necessarily
coincide with a gusset or splice plate.
All step bolts shall be fitted with Step Bolt
Fall Arrest Anchors per Drawing No A3 T7000000-001531 Sheets 1 to 5.

22.5 LOOSE STEELWORK

The Contractor shall ensure that all metal
planking is adequately fixed in place to
prevent vibration or noise problems

22.6 REPAIR OF DAMAGED

GALVANIZING
After erection all structures shall be cleaned of
all foreign matter, surplus paint, and inked
temporary markings.
Special care shall be taken not to injure the
skin of galvanizing or specially treated
surfaces during erection. Care shall be taken
to remove any rust streaks or foreign matter
deposited on galvanized surfaces during
storage, transport or after erection.

Minor damage, minor field revisions, and

minor defects to galvanizing may be repaired
Diameter
Torque at site, subject to the approval of the
(mm)
(Nm) Principals Project Manager, by the application
12
30-50 of at least two coats of approved quality zinc
rich paint to rust free steel in accordance with
16
75-120
manufacturers specifications. Areas of larger
20
140-240 damage, but not exceeding 4000 mm 2 may be
24
250-400 repaired at the direction of the Principals
30
500-800 Project Manager by the application of zinc
metal spray or low melting point zinc alloy
repair rods or by regalvanizing. Damaged
The torque values are based on galvanized
areas in excess of 4000 mm 2 shall be
external threads and ungalvanized lightly oiled
regalvanized.
internal threads.
The Principals Project Manager may approve
alternative torques to be used.

22.4.3

22.7.1

Step Bolts

Step bolts shall conform to Drawing No A3

T700-0000-001531 Sheets 1 to 5 and be
located to provide convenient and safe

Version: 1.1

22.7 WELDING
Welding

Welding shall address workmanship and

quality issues as required by AS/NZS1554.1.
The Contractor shall submit appropriate

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welding procedures for all proposed welding
fabrication processes utilising welding
equipment & consumables compatible with
design intent and shall be such as to minimise
weld defects, distortions or restraint.

22.7.2

Qualifications

Welders shall be qualified for welding with the

equipment proposed, in the positions required
and for the steel grade used. Documentary
evidence of relevant prior experience by the
fabricator and the qualifications of the welding
personnel shall be submitted to the Principals
Project Manager and welders shall be
approved by the Principals Project Manager
prior to commencing work.
The Principal reserves the right to conduct
acceptance tests on any welders and
procedures.

22.7.3

Testing

Non-destructive testing of welds shall be by

means of Magnetic Particle examination plus
either Radiography or Ultrasonic examination.

22.8 ANTI-CLIMBING
DEVICES

22.9.2
Aerial
Plates

Viewing

Every fifth tower along the line shall be fitted

with a tower number plate for aerial viewing.
These plates will be supplied ex store by the
Principal and shall be installed by the
Contractor on the earthwire peak to identify
tower locations when the line is patrolled by
air. These numbers are to alternatively face
one side of the line and then the other such
that from one side of the line, every tenth
tower number will be visible. The cost of
installation of this item, including transport to
the site and the supply of the fixings, shall be
included in the Schedule rates for tower
erection. Refer Appendix A.

22.9.3

Warning Signs

Metal-backed warning signs shall be supplied

and installed on one face of every tower as
directed by the Principals Project Manager.
The cost of supply and installation of these
items, including transport to site and supply of
the fittings, shall be included in the scheduled
rates for tower erection.

The Contractor shall attach anti-climbing

devices in accordance with the Drawings to all
legs of each tower in a position to inhibit
access.

22.9 TOWER
IDENTIFICATION
PLATES
AND
WARNING SIGNS
22.9.1
Ground
Plates

Visible

A ground visible Tower Number & Circuit

Identification Plate shall be supplied and
installed by the Contractor on one face of each
tower.
The cost of supply and installation of this
item, including transport to site and supply of
the fittings, shall be included in the scheduled
rates for tower erection.

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ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 Structural
Identification Plates
Danger and
Aerial
Viewing
Plates
Plate Fixing
Details

Description
Identification Sign
For Transmission line poles
SAP Numbering
Aerial viewing plate
For Transmission line towers
SAP Numbering
Identification Sign
For Transmission line towers
Basic plate dimension
Identification Sign
For Transmission line towers
SAP Numbering
Sign fixing details
For Transmission line towers
Identification plate-clamped arrgt
Sign fixing details
For Transmission line towers
Identification plate-bolt arrgt
Sign fixing details
For Transmission line towers
Danger plate-clamped arrgt
Sign fixing details
For Transmission line towers
Danger plate-bolted arrgt
Sign fixing details
For Transmission line towers
Aerial plate-clamped arrgt
Danger sign for Transmission line
towers

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