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FOLD 10: 1-_ FAX 503 316 2040 MICROFLcCT 4003 • consequence of the overloading is "local buckling" where a relatively small portion of the member distorts and "kinks" the steel . If this occurs, much of the loading is redistributed to members with unused reserve capacity. The end result is a localized distortion, but rarely a complete tower collapse. Of course, any overstressed member should be replaced as soon as possible. Towers are made of many members . As stated, lead redistribution enables the tower to sustain loads even in excess of extreme magnitudes used in tower design. Also, towers are flexible structures which react well to wind gust or earthquake shocks and are typicality not damaged by intact loads. It takes some time for the entire structure to "see" the effects of loading. Microflect has no direct experience with tower failures . However, from what evidence we have seen from other vendor' s experiences, I can state that it is rare for a tower to fall in a radius larger than it' s heicht, and that in most cases it will collapse in a small confined area as it comes down upon itself . For guyed-cowers this is especially true for structures with more than a single guy radius circle. Microflect communication towers have proven to be very reliable products. In our 40 years of engineering and fabricating towers we • have not had one tower fail due co overloading, even in the extreme cases that wind speeds have exceeded design values. We use the latest standards, wind speed =formation, and sophisticated analytical tools to ensure that we maintain cur unblemished record for quality. In good faith, I can confidently state that our towers are the best engineered products available and the probability of any type of failure is remote at best. .r E Grassman, P.E. chief Engineer 6/2/96 411