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Sectional Monopole Tower Foundation & Installation Manual, Revision A
Selecting a Foundation Configuration – Pier, Mat or SMarT
The choice of foundation – Pier, Mat or SMarT foundation – will depend on a number of factors including soil conditions, the depth of the local
water table, frost line and available excavation equipment.
If, for example, a contractor has the correct size auger, installing a Pier foundation may be a more economical choice than a Mat foundation since
it may use substantially less concrete. Alternately, the SMarT foundation does not require reinforcing bars which can be expensive to purchase and
form into the required shapes.
Regardless of the type of foundation, the foundation must extend below the frost line and must also be above the water table. Engineering profes-
sionals must be consulted prior to construction if the frost line is known to be greater than the foundation depth or the water table is less than the
foundation depth.
In summary consult with a number of contractors and with local building inspectors to achieve the best foundation value.
Foundation bolts and Templates
Two foundation bolt kits are available. The difference between the two kits is the length of the bolts. The Mat foundation bolts are 32 in (81 cm)
long and the Pier foundation bolts are 42 in (107 cm) long. Each kit includes hot dipped galvanized bolts, nuts and washers constructed of the ap-
propriate steel alloys.
A paper bolt circle template is provided with the bolt kit to assist in constructing a rigid frame to secure the foundation bolts while pouring the
foundation concrete. The foundation bolts MUST be positioned correctly in the foundation or it may be extremely difficult if not impossible to mount
the tower to the foundation.
Foundation bolts and Templates (SMarT Foundation)
The SMarT foundation kits includes all the fastener hardware (nuts, bolts, washers) required to assemble the SMarT foundation. The kit also
includes a bolt template to position the foundation bolts in the form. Refer to the SMarT Foundation instructions located in Appendix C of this
manual.
