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?