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The location of towers in the terrain is a key determining factor for the ropeline. This will depend not only on the topography of the terrain and the property of the subgrade but also on local regulations in the country concerned, e.g. with regard to maximum and minimum ground clearance for the rope.
There are various different types of construction which are used for the tower shafts. The most common now used are:
Tubular towers with cylindrical mast: Cylindrical tubular towers made from standard pipeline material is often preferred for export, for example.
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If longer shaft heights are required a tapered section is used as connection to the next smaller diameter of pipe.
Tubular towers with tapered mast: Tapered tubular towers are made of rolled or formed plates welded together. Plate thickness is usually between 6mm and 10mm. Shaft heights can be anywhere between approx. 4.0m and approx. 24m. The taper is between 2.5% and 3.5% depending on the load.
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Nowadays, this type of tower is used for most circulating monocable ropeways. In the case of shaft heights above 12m the shaft has to be manufactured in two sections for transportation purposes. With this type of tower, a maximum transport weight may also mean that the shaft has to be split.
Lattice towers: This type of tower is mainly used on ropeways with high ropelines. Thanks to greater rigidity, horizontal deformation is less than on tubular towers. On lattice towers the taper is greater than on tubular towers.
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The large number of individual parts and bolted connections means that installation is more time-consuming. However, transportation is less of a problem.
Towers are either primed and painted, or hot-dip galvanized to provide durable internal and external protection against corrosion.
Towers are equipped with the following:
Rope lifting frame: Lifting frames are necessary, e.g. for lifting off the rope when changing sheave assemblies or servicing them. In the event of a deropement it must also be possible to lift the fully loaded rope back into the sheave assembly with the aid of a suitably dimensioned lifting frame.
Service frame: Service frames are used for installing the sheave assemblies on the depression towers and only have a low load bearing capacity. In the case of depression sheave assemblies the rope has to be pulled down and held on "dead men" which are either integrated into the tower foundations or have their own foundations.
Service platform and access ladder: The function of and requirements for these items are defined by the work safety regulations prevailing in the country concerned. The purpose of platforms and ladders is to provide safe access for personnel having to perform service of installtion work.
