Date of Award
2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Engineering Science
Program
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Supervisor
Dr. Ashraf El Damatty
Abstract
Localized wind events in the form of tornadoes and downbursts are the main cause of the large number of failure incidents of electrical transmission line structures worldwide. In this study, a numerical model is developed to assess the behaviour of self-supported transmission lines under various tornado events. The tornado wind fields used are based on a full three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analysis that was developed in an earlier study. A three-dimensional finite element model of an existing self-supported transmission line belonging to Manitoba Hydro is developed. The tornado velocity wind fields are then used to predict the forces applied to the modelled transmission line system. A comprehensive parametric study is performed to assess the effects of the location of the tornado relative to the transmission line. This part of the study is used to identify critical tornado configurations which can be used when designing transmission line systems. The study is extended to assess the line’s progressive failure mechanisms under critical tornado configurations. It predicts the progressive failure mechanism of the modelled transmission line as well as the maximum tornado velocity the system can withstand before experiencing global failure. This part also predicts the main type of failure experienced by the line as well as the path of members susceptible to failure. This could then be used to retrofit existing transmission lines economically by increasing the capacity of the identified members.
Recommended Citation
Altalmas, Ahmed, "BEHAVIOUR OF SELF-SUPPORTED TRANSMISSION LINES UNDER TORNADO LOADING" (2011). Digitized Theses. 3266.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3266