Abstract: A method for testing the stability of vertically braced masts wherein the relevant mast is subjected to the load of a bending force starting from a defined initial value, and increasing to a maximum pre-set testing force above its bracing, the mast thereby being laterally displaced. The load is then removed from the mast and is subjected to a restoring force which reduces to zero. The mast is evaluated in conjunction with the load removal procedure to determine damage to the mast and/or its bracing. The mast is subjected to an additional bending force in the opposite direction of the first bending force, and the load is once again removed from the mast in a second test procedure. A possible remaining displacement of the mast/bracing system is evaluated in conjunction with the highest mast loads to determine the type of possible damage to the mast.

Abstract: With a method for testing the strength of a vertically and stationarily anchored mast the mast is mechanically loaded with bending. The behaviour of the mast occuring with this is evaluated for determining its standing and bending strength. As an adjuct to the testing procedure, the mast location is determined by way of a satellite navigation system. For this purpose the testing apparatus equipped with a GPS reciever for receiving GPS signals and a VHF receiver for recieving correction data. With this the GPS receiver and the UKW receiver form a DGPS reciever whose signals representing the location may be transferred onto a digital data memory.

Abstract: According to the method suggested, the mast is submitted to an increasing force, and both this force and the deflection path are correlated to establish a characteristic load line. After it has been loaded, the mast is again relieved from the load, a characteristic load relief line is determined and the return force is correlated to the decreasing return path. The finds related to the mast solidity and anchorage are based on the tracing of the characteristic load relief line and the comparison with the characteristic load line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or device are shown for checking the solidity of vertically anchored masts increasing tensile and compression forces which can be acquired with a force sensor are introduced into the mast above its anchoring, in order to load the mast with bending moments aligned oppositely to one another. With at least one distance sensor which can be brought to bear against the mast above the mast anchoring a lateral deflection of the mast which occurs on account of the bending moments is measured. The readings for the force F and the deflection S produced by the force and distance sensors are processed in an evaluation unit with respect to the functions f=F(S) and f=S(F), this being separately according to the courses of the functions f1 for the compression loading case f2 for the tensile loading case.