Cables & Ladders
Cables and ladders run the full height of the tower and contribute significant EPA on every section. Do not omit them.
info
Cables and ladders have their own dedicated Cables tab in the left sidebar.
Appurtenance Types
| Appurtenance | EPA Treatment | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Cable ladder | Projected area per TIA-222-H Table 2-11 | Linear weight (kg/m) × climb height |
| Cable tray | Flat area per face | Defined by user |
| Coaxial cables | Bundled diameter × length | Per-cable weight |
Why They Matter
On a typical 54m tower with full cable loading:
- Cable ladder EPA can be 15–25% of total structural EPA
- Cable weight adds 500–2,000 kg of dead load
- Ice on cables increases EPA and weight significantly
caution
Omitting cables and ladders is the most common source of unconservative analysis results. These appurtenances are present on every section of the tower and accumulate wind area across the full height.