Civil engineering and structural engineering team at Vector Engineers discussing commercial site development plans, grading and drainage design, stormwater management, and infrastructure coordination for construction projects in the western United States.

More Changes in TIA-222-H

In a recent newsletter we highlighted 3 big changes in the latest telecom standard which reduce loads and associated costs. In this article, we identify just the opposite—3 big changes in TIA-222-H which result in increased loading.

Rooftop Wind Speed-Up Factor (Ks)

Depending on building height and surrounding structures, some roof-mounted towers are subject to an increase in wind pressure of up to 30%. The new factor accounts for wind speed-up and turbulence above tall buildings.

Wind Direction Probability Factor (Kd)

This factor is not new to the telecom standard. It appears in previous versions and ASCE 7. The factor is related to the shape of the structure and its susceptibility to maximum stress caused by different wind directions. Consider the effect of wind on a standard monopole with antennas placed in three sectors. Such a monopole is likely to experience the highest stress when the wind direction aligns with one of the sectors. The stress will be lower when the wind direction is somewhere between sectors. The directionality factor accounts for the probability that the wind will approach the tower from the worst-case direction.

What’s new in TIA-222-H is a new requirement for tubular pole structures supporting antennas enclosed within a cylindrical shroud or which do not support appurtenances. Such structures are susceptible to peak stresses irrespective of wind direction and must be designed for the highest wind direction probability factor, Kd = 1. Monopoles with cylindrical shrouds are quite common, making this change noteworthy.

Exposure D Requirements

The previous version of the telecom standard allowed for shoreline areas in hurricane-prone regions to be classified as Exposure C, even for sites directly exposed to open water. This allowance was based on an incorrect belief that the roughness of the ocean surface during a hurricane reduces wind pressure. Recent studies have shown that Exposure D is more appropriate. Since the publication of ASCE 7-10, this information has been available. The requirement finally made its way into the telecom standard in TIA-222-H.

The list above is far from exhaustive but represents the main changes in wind loading requirements which can increase overall loading on a telecom structure.

Other changes we have yet to tackle include new analysis requirements for mounts, baseplates, connections, and ports, as well as new seismic requirements.

Contact Trevor Hawkes, P.E. (trevor@vectorse.com) with any inquiries.

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Civil Engineering Services Now Available at Vector Engineers for Commercial and Residential Site Development

Vector Engineers has built its reputation on responsive structural engineering services for commercial, residential, industrial, solar, telecom, and specialty projects across all 50 states and parts of Canada for over 20 years.

Now, we are expanding our capabilities with the launch of our new Civil Engineering division, providing site development and infrastructure design services throughout the western United States.

For architects, developers, and contractors, this means fewer consultants to manage and better coordination between site and structural design from the beginning of a project.

To lead this expansion, we recently welcomed Morgan Sandberg to the Vector team. Morgan joins us from Keller Associates and brings extensive experience in commercial site development, grading and drainage design, utility coordination, stormwater management, and permitting support.

Our civil engineering services include:

Site planning and layout
Grading and drainage design
Stormwater management
Roadway and parking lot design
Utility design for water, sewer, and storm systems
Coordination with local jurisdictions and permitting agencies

By offering both structural and civil engineering services, we can help clients simplify communication, reduce coordination issues between multiple firms, and keep projects moving more efficiently through design, permitting, and construction.

“If structural engineering focuses on how a building stands, civil engineering focuses on how the entire property functions,” said Morgan. “Before construction even begins, civil engineering helps determine where the building sits on the site, how vehicles access the property, where utilities connect, how drainage is handled, and how the project moves through permitting.”

For contractors and architects, those early site decisions can directly impact project schedules, permitting timelines, construction costs, and long-term functionality.

Civil engineering helps answer key questions early in the development process:

Where should the building sit on the property?
How will stormwater and drainage be managed?
Where should parking lots and drive aisles be located?
How can utilities connect efficiently to city systems?
How can the site be designed to meet local requirements while remaining practical to build?
How can we use existing topography to create an aesthetically pleasing design, and minimize earthwork?

Our new civil engineering division will primarily support commercial developments throughout the western states, while also assisting residential projects that require site planning, grading, drainage, utility coordination, or permitting support.

"Structural and civil engineering often work hand-in-hand. One designs the structure; the other ensures all plans and designs result in a site that is functional, buildable, and compliant. Bringing both together under one roof creates a much smoother process for our clients and helps reduce unnecessary coordination between multiple firms," Morgan explained.

This integrated approach allows our team to identify issues earlier, improve communication across disciplines, reduce costly revisions, and help projects move from concept to construction with fewer delays.

As Vector continues to grow, our focus remains the same: responsive service, practical engineering solutions, and helping clients solve construction challenges before construction begins.

If you are planning a commercial or residential development project and need coordinated structural and civil engineering services, our team is ready to help.

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