Asi f Bhangor

Char t er ed Ci vi l / St r uc t ur al Engi neer, Aust r al i a

Transmission Line Engineering
I nt r oduc t i on
Transmission Lines are used in transmission of electricity
from location of power generation to the a terminal yard.
High Voltage Transmission lines typically range from
132kV to 330kV/ 400kV and 1000kV.
Environmental, Electrical, Geotechnical and Civil/
Structural Engineering work together to deliver
sustainable solutions to the community in terms of its
power needs.
Purpose of this presentation is to provide technical
knowledge and awareness to relevant disciplines
Envi r onment al I ssues
Initially a transmission line is planned to take a certain
route from start to finish dependent on generation
requirements and load connection points.
It is responsibility of an Environmental Engineers to work
together with relevant community members/ engineering
authorities so as to select a route and obtain approval
from stakeholders/ government authorities.
Issues may range from vegetation, heritage, social,
political, earth potential rise, low frequency induction
including other engineering aspects
El ec t r i c al I ssues
Depending upon power requirements certain voltage
levels are planned for transmission of electricity from
generation to the terminal end.
It is responsibility of Electrical Engineers to work
together with relevant authorities so as to finalize the
conductor selection, insulator selection and fittings for
the transmission line.
Issues may range from voltage losses, earth potential
rise, low frequency induction, sag and tensions, span
lengths, profiling, tower spotting and electrical
clearances.
Ci vi l / St r uc t ur al / Geo I ssues
After finalization of span lengths and conductor
clearances (ground, equipment etc.) a structural system
for carrying the conductors is established.
It is responsibility of a Civil/ Structural Engineer to work
together with the Electrical Engineer so as to finalize the
design of the structures for the transmission line.
Issues may range from load calculation, modelling of
towers, structural and foundation design, load testing,
fabrication and installation.
Finalise foundation design parameters for foundations
Tr ansmi ssi on Li ne Engi neer
Civil/ Structural Engineer
Geotechnical Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Under st andi ng w ho w e ar e
El ec t r i c al Desi gn - 1
Conductor Selection using optimum span selection
Hardware selection using design load generated from
selected span loadings and serviceability requirements
Tower spotting using PLS CADD software
El ec t r i c al Desi gn - 2
PLS CADD Software
Represents all structures with all attached cables and insulators
Strings and sags the line interactively or automatically
Performs any sag and tension calculation, including the effect of
creep
El ec t r i c al Desi gn - 3
PLS CADD Software
A 3-dimensional terrain model lets:
Select the route
Automatically draw the required
vertical clearance line for any
specified voltage
Import terrain data from GPS,
photogrammetry or total station
surveying equipment
PLS-CADD Sc r eenshot
Rio Tinto 220kV Transmission Line Profiled in PLS-CADD
Tow er Desi gn - 1
Clearance Diagrams
Transmission Line Engineer
responsible to establish
minimum requirements for
clearance to the structure
Tow er Desi gn - 2
Structural Design
Transmission Line Engineer responsible to design the Steel
structure for strength and serviceability requirements
PLS Tower is a specialised software used for design of steel
towers
Tow er Desi gn - 3
Structural Design Process in PLS Tower
Tow er Desi gn - 4
Structural Design Code
Design of latticed steel is carried out based on ASCE 10-90 and
relevant editions
Based on member design for compression and tension only
Some members are subject to bending
Horizontal members where man-load during installation is possible
Crossarms
Some members are subject to bending and compression, check
for combined action
Tow er Desi gn - 5
Structural Modelling in PLS Tower
Tow er Desi gn - 6
Structural Analysis in PLS Tower
I nst al l at i on of Tow er s - 1
Tower Installation in China (Beijing 2008) prior to the load test
I nst al l at i on of Tow er s - 2
Typical crossarm end connection
I nst al l at i on of Tow er s - 3
Connecting the base at the test pad
Tow er Loadi ng Gant r y
Loading gantry connects to the tower using a cable (capacity 210kN) and is pulled with
hydraulic machinery controlled by a Control Room Operator during testing
Tow er Test i ng 1
Tower testing in China for the Neerabup 330kV Double Circuit Towers
2suspension tower during loading broken
wire case (October 2008)
45 strain tower during assembly one day
prior to load test (November 2008)
Tow er Test i ng 2
Tower testing in China for the Neerabup 330kV Double
Circuit 90strain/ terminal tower (November 2008)
*Photo taken from the loading gantry at the 100m
level above ground
90 strain/ terminal tower before final load test
Dest r uc t i on Test - Ex ampl e
Dest r uc t i on Test - Ex ampl e
Tower Test in China (Beijing, November 2008)
Tow er Test i ng 3
A video
Si t e Assembl y Wor k s - 1
Sorting all steel work at the site location
Si t e Assembl y Wor k s - 2
Assembly on the ground prior to erection
Si t e Assembl y Wor k s - 3
Erecting the towers
Tower Assembly Video
Foundat i on Desi gn
Typical Pile Foundation
The f ut ur e br i ngs
Existing transmission lines need maintenance in harsh
climates (such as high winds, corrosive, ice).
Existing transmission lines need upgrade to carry more
electricity and therefore assessment of structural integrity is
needed.
High electricity demand requires more transmission lines to
be built in many areas for national development.
Transmission Line Engineers need to be more aware of
developing tools for effective power transmission thereby
reducing losses to the generation => Converting Lines from
AC to DC.
Quest i ons?