A framework for condition assessment of communication tower with inspection data in Heilongjiang Province, China

Communication towers are the core equipment supporting mobile communication networks, and their security is crucial for the stable operation of communication systems. Assessing the condition of existing structures is a valuable approach to determining the extent of damage and formulating appropriate maintenance strategies. This article proposes a reasonable condition assessment framework to ensure the reliability of the communication tower and the timely repair of structural damage. The framework is based on site inspection data, with tower components as the smallest assessment units. The overall tower score is calculated in a hierarchical and graded manner. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to calculate the weights of various tower components and parts, and health codes and color codes corresponding to the six condition levels of communication towers were introduced. Applying the proposed framework, the condition assessment of 1187 communication towers in Heilongjiang Province, China, demonstrates its successful application to various types of communication towers. The assessment results indicate that 1140 (96.0 %) communication towers are in qualified condition, while 47 (4.0 %) are in unqualified condition, implying that the majority of the communication towers in the region are in good condition. This study provides a new idea for using site inspection data to assess the condition of communication towers and make effective decisions about maintenance work.