由题可设AB=x,则 BD= 3 x , BC=x,在△DBC中,∠BCD=120°,CD=40,由余弦定理得BD2=BC2+CD2-2BC?CD?cos∠DCB即:( 3 x)2=(40)2+x2-2×40?x?cos120°整理得:x2-20x-800=0解得x=40或x=-20(舍)所以,所求塔高为40米.故选D.