Test Experience with Heavy Angle Dead End Lattice Transmission Towers

by J. M. Ferguson, EPRI Transmission Line Mechanical, Research Cent, Haslet, United States,
D. D. Cannon, EPRI Transmission Line Mechanical, Research Cent, Haslet, United States,
R. E. Nickerson, EPRI Transmission Line Mechanical, Research Cent, Haslet, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Structures Congress XII

Abstract:

During the past three years, the Electric Power Research Institute's Transmission Line Mechanical Research Center has conducted full scale tests on three 500kV heavy angle dead end lattice transmission towers. The experience of testing these large lattice structures has revealed important issues about the design of heavy angle dead end towers. Strain gages installed on the critical leg members showed that the load distribution was different from analytical predictions. Strain gages indicated higher than predicted leg compression accompanied by large bending moments. A finite element analysis with the complete leg geometry modeled, including secondary members, confirmed that large bending moments could develop in the compression leg. An analysis of the leg using an interaction equation for compression members subjected to combined axial and bending stresses indicated that this bending moment would significantly reduce the leg capacity.

Subject Headings: Power transmission towers | Power transmission lines | Load distribution | Lattices | Finite element method | Stress analysis | Structural analysis

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