Guide · Structure

Hyperboloid geometry: why a tower of interlaced tubes spreads the load

A straight pole bends at its base under wind. A hyperboloid structure spreads that effort across many tubes. This is how it works, and where its limits are.

A straight pole against a lattice

A straight pole takes wind as a bending moment at its base. To resist it, it needs more diameter or more foundation. The load concentrates at one point.

Straight tubes that form a curved surface

A hyperboloid structure is built from straight tubes that cross diagonally. Each tube is straight, but together they form a curved surface. Loads pass from one tube to the next, and each one works mainly in tension or compression.

What this means in practice

  • The effort is shared across many members instead of concentrating at the base.
  • Stiffness is achieved with relatively little material.
  • The sections are removable and travel in a light vehicle.

The limits of the design

The shape alone does not guarantee capacity. Each model is assessed with calculation and testing, which is why we publish the wind and load figures for each model separately, and do not generalise them.

Keep reading

Technical sheet

HELIX technical specifications

Data for each solar surveillance tower model: weight, height, wind rating, payload, structure and set-up.

→Guide · Choosing a model

How to choose the height of a surveillance tower

2, 4, 6 or 8 metres: how to choose the tower height for the terrain, the obstacles and the wind.

→Construction sites

Construction site surveillance without foundations or a crane

Solar surveillance tower for construction sites: no foundations, no crane, set up by one person in about 15 minutes. Made in Valencia, Spain.

→

Data for each model

Weight, height, wind rating and payload for the four models, on the specifications page.

See the specifications