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Glossary
Guy Wires
Guy wires are tensioned steel cables (wire rope or strand) used as bracing members to stabilize tall or slender structures by resisting lateral forces like wind, vibration, or unbalanced loading. They run from attachment points on the structure down to anchors (often earth anchors, deadmen, or structural anchor points), creating a triangulated support system that keeps the structure plumb and limits sway.
In industrial applications, guy wires are commonly used on communication towers, utility poles, masts, chimneys/stacks, derricks, and temporary towers. A guy-wire system typically includes the wire/strand itself plus turnbuckles or tensioners for adjustment, thimbles, sockets, or wedge grips for end terminations, and shackles/clamps and anchor hardware sized to the required loads and environment.