CIGRE

International Conference on Large High Tension Electric Systems

112, boulevard Haussmann — Paris

1970 Session — 24 August - 2 September

22-03. 0
ON THE IMPACT 0F UNI-DIRECTIONAL FORCES ON HIGH-VOLTAGE
TOWERS FOLLOWING CON DUCTOR-BREAKÂGE
by

A. GOVERS
(Netherlands)

SUMMARY

This report contains the resuits of a series of tests, undertaken in order to get a numerical insight into
the magnitude of dynamic forces exerted on high voltage towers after conductor breakage.
These only partly tests took place as fuil-scale tests on an obsolete 150 kV-une near Amsterdam. For verification a greater num
ber o! reduced scale tests were carried out at the EZH in the Hague(*).
The net-results, valid for any high-voltage une, show independence of conductor-material and give a fairly good in
sight into these uni-directional peak-forces as well as into the intrinsic overload and security conditions.
These factors show themselves to be dependent on some dimensional une parameters.

Conductor rupture, High voltage, Impact, Overload, Safety, Tower suspension.

REPORT

1. INTRODUCTION

1. 1 Grounds for investigation - From time to time in engineering one may be confronted
with the question as to whether the basic conceptions of a design are being fullfiled in prac
tice and do stiil adequately stand for reality.
The basis of calculations as well as further realisations have, in some cases at least
partially to be made on incomplete and sometimes doubtful assumptions, lacking exact and
well—known underlying facts.
Whether hypothesis and reality are sufficiently in accordance with one another wil manifest
later on. In case of discrepancy, adjustments have to be made.
Due to some dubious conductor breakages, causing damage to suspension tower structures,
it seemed obvious to do some research as to the validity of the Dutch rules for high voltage
unes. Especially with regard to the dynamic forces exerted on a suspension tower after conduct
or breakage.
It was thought worthwhile to wait for a suitable occurrence which would enable the testing
of suspension towers, preferably with a rather long performance in the field under contamining
atmospheric conditions in order to establish whether these conditions had appreciably affected
the strength of the tower during many years (15-20) of service.
The opportunity presented itself when some time later stretches of the 150-kv grid near
Amsterdam became obsolete. -This coincided with new safety regulations issued by several
authorities (railways, highways) prescribing a sag flot exceeding a pre-stated value after
a conductor breakage in an adjoining span. These demands were met by suspending the con
ductors on both sides of the danger point by means of inverted V-strings, which inherently
show a considerably lower increase of sag after coriductor breakage in the adjoining span than
normal suspension strings (given a non-siipping suspension clamp).

(4’) Electricity Generating Board of the porvince of South Holland

22-03 —2—

Up to now the rules were more severe for an inverted V-string than for a normal ver
tical suspension string, tower calculations in this respect being based on the residual conduc
tor pull on the tower.
A series of tests in the field were set up the predominating purpose was to obtain a
better insight into the effective forces on a suspension tower and their relation to the different
methods of suspension. Among other things it seemed important to know whether suspension
towers, designed for normal suspension insulator strings, could withstand the longitudinal im
pacts after conductor breakage in case of an exchange against inverted V-strings on the same
tower structure.
On account of their natural limitations these full-scale tests had to be verified and were
largely extended by a considerable number of reduced scale tests. Some of the latter results
were rechecked by new full-scale tests.

1. 2 Test methods - The forces on the crossarm were measured by means of electrodyna
mometers placed between crossarm and insulator-string and also in the conductor.
The dynamometers were of the toroidal type and did not show any appreciable difference
between static and dynamic behaviour of the strain gauges up to a frequency of approximately
20 Hz.
The maximum deviation was found to be less than 0. 5 % of the maximum range.
The total deviation, including the deviation of the recording apparatus, was approxima
tely 1 %.
By means of an electric current the specially devised breaking mechanism in the con
ductor near the crossarm was unlocked thus initiating the rupture and starting thé recording
mechanism.
The forces exerted on the crossarm, as a function of time, are basicaily of a rather
s mooth transient os cillating character.
Superimposed however on this primary wave are one or more relatively sharp peaks
which may cause - alone or in conjunction - damage to the tower structure. These impacts
originate evidently from interactions between natural oscillation of the conductor in the span,
reflections at the suspension point (or points if more than one soan is coacting in the play)
as well as co- or counteractions of the insulator strings and. crossarm.The actual interdepen
dence of these factors promoting maximum impacts are very complicated and could not be re
produced in mathematical form.
Ice-load was simulated by attaching a cable of corresponding weight to the conductor.
It was not possible to simulate ice-shedding which may occur in reality after a conduc
tor breakage during te transient phenomena.
The reduced scale methods used were along the lines described by Paris. [1].

In view of the relatively small forces to be measured in relation to one another it was
found advisable to use a miniature crossarm with a deflection corresponding to the deflection of
the full size crossarm and made of a gauged flexible rod. This implement at the same time
functioned as a recording device.
The numerical results of the full - and reduced scale tests were found to be sufficient
ly accordant (Fig.l).
 —3— 22-03

2,6
k’, + FULL SL’ALE TESTS
ESSAIS V4’A/E GPANDEUF

2,4 — o REDU(ED SÉALE TESTS

ESSAIS éCHELLE k’LDU/TE

2,2 — /NV!A’TED ‘~V’~STI/NH SUSPENSION S T2INU

CIIA?NE .OE4lf AAICFA 6f CIIA7NE ~f SUSPENSIÛN

2,0

1,8

1,6 ~

1,~~

1,2

B (m)
lic
0 0,5 / 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 4

Figure 1 - Results full scale vs. reduced scale tests Impact ratio Ri as a function of D

2. INVESTIGATION AND SPECIFIC RESULTS

2. 1 Scope of investigation - The dependence of the dynamic peak of the longitudinal force,
exerted on the tower after conductor breakage was investigated on the following variables.
(For list of symbols see Fig. 2).

Figure 2 - List 0f symbols

L = span (meters)
S = sag (meters)
I = insulator string length (meters)

initial tension 0f conductor (kgf/mm2)

D = horizontal displacement of suspension clamp
(meters)
Fi = initial static force of conductor in kgf before
breakage
Fr = residual static force of conductor in kgf after
breakage in point A
Fd = dynamic transient peak of longitudinal force
exerted on tower by the broken conductor
Ri = impact ratio = Fd/Fi
Rr = residual ratio = Fr/Fi
Ro = Transient overload factor = Fd/Fr
22-03 —4—

1. insulator string length (I) and kind of suspension

2. initial conductor tension a
3. span L
4. kind of insulator string
5. elasticity of the tower
6. kind of conductor mat erial.
In the first series of tests the impact ratio of the uni-directional forces after conductor
breakage was found to be principally a function of several une data (span, sag and insulator
string length).
The dependence on the variables sub 3 and 5 were established exclusively by reduced
scale tests as span and tower flexibility had a fixed value in the full-scale tests. For the
same reason the full interrelation of the other variables could only be determined to a limited
extent. The extrapolations were also found by means of reduced scale tests.

2. 2 Specific results - Following results have a specific bearing on the 150 kV-une near
Amsterdam (Danube-type suspension tower, Cu conductor 150 mm2 and mean span length of
350 m). They are undoubtedly indicative as to more general trends common to ah conductor
materials. The graphical reproductions may be taken as a fairly accurate representation of
the impacts on a tower after conductor breakage. The numerical values have of course no
general validity.
Independent of a single or multiple span activity after conductor breakage, the impact
ratios have a rather erratic deviation from a mean value which is common to all.
Taking the mean values of a single span involvement as a common basis for practical
reasons of economy and simplicity in carrying out the tests, the impact ratios for any number
of spans were found to be deviating approximately 10 % either way from the mean values of
one span, which is much higher than the error of the test measurement itself.
The deviations around this mean value have an osciilating character grouped along the
common mean and depending on the number of spans (Figure 3 for l-3 spans).
Bearing this in mmd the diagrams, drawn for one span, have to be read accordingly
as far as the impact ratios and derived functions are concerned.
The impact ratio as a function of (vertical) length of insulator string, initial conductor
tension and span are given in Figures 4-6.
In comparing normal vertical suspension strings and inverted V-strings Figure 7 shows
the striking difference.
Though the graphs in figures 4-6 are not implicitly valid for inverted V-strings they
can be apphied approximatively for the latter in the following manner.
As the horizontal displacement (D in Figure 2) of the suspension clamp is mainly res
ponsible for the value of the impact ratio it is possible to read for I (insulator string length)
approximately the maximum horizontal displacement of the suspension clamp allowed by the
suspension string.

A normal vertical suspension string allows a maximum horizontal movement of the

suspension champ equal to its total string length. An inverted V-string (45°) allows a maxi
mum movement of about 30 % of its chain length. A dead end string allows a very small
horizontal displacement of the suspension champ equauing the swing of the crossarm (i. e.
tower - and crossarm flexibility), plus a practically neghigible horizontal movement due to
the movement of the insulator string itself.
The impact ratio is in a given condition of sag and span - as has already been found
by Haro et al [2) - independent of the cross-section of the conductor. Our tests confirmed this.
The flexibihity of the insulator string (rod-type vs. cap-and-pin type) was found to have
no appreciable influence on the impact ratio. In this scope the influence of tower flexibility
- as stated by Comellini et al in 1968 [3] - was found to be of minor importance, at least for
the normally used Danube-type towers in Holland.
Furthermore, any appreciable slip of the conductor through the suspension champ did
not take place.
 —5— 22-03

Ri L.. 550m.
~ /50 mm1 O7kqf/mff?

2,2 ~

— — 8
2.0
—~
— — — 10
1,8
~—
,,,v — — — /2
46

1.4
y—

—
— — /4
z—
~ — — — —
1,2

1,0

0,8

0,6

0,4

Figure 3 - influence of number of coacting spans on

impact ratio Ri as a function 0f Fi 0,2

1(m)
o
O 1,0 2,0 5,0 4,0

Figure 4 Impact ratio Ri as a function 0f I (para

meter c~)

2,6 2,6
pi I..Z,50m Ri I.. 2,50m I
C,, lSOmri2’ tl-(kgf/mm2)
~ L (m) Cv 150 mm2
2,4 45b —
400 ~—‘
350
2,2
~
—-~0 -~

2,0 ~ 2.12
~-, ~l0

1,8
200
1,8
7 J,
~~/2
~—--~

1,6
~
1,6 /Z~ /4

46

1,4
\N~ ~
~sç~ç~ç~ 44
18

1,2 ~ 1,2 F ~

I,: ~
%%%~

4°
~7
0,8 v~u

o.’ 0,6

0,4 0,4

0,2 0,2
0( 4yF/mm2 L(rn)
o o
2 4 ~ 8 /0 /2 14 16 18 20 100 200 300 400 500 600
Figure 5 - Impact ratio Ri as a function of a (para- Figure 6 - Impact ratio Ri as a function 0f L (para
meter L) meter c~)
 22-03 —6—

2,6
Ri L55ûn? Ri L. 330m
Ci, 150 nrn72 Z,. 2,50m
2,4 2,4 +,.Cu/50mm2
I~3,5 E AC3R 457/39
SUSPEHS/OAF 37212G
2,2 — 2,2
I~1,2

z~ 2,0 —
-~

% ~—
1,8 — —E--—
?NVERTE.Ô V_ 572 12142 -~
CHAÎNE .DEA~/ AM 242E +
1 2 ,‘~ )~ -~
1,6 —-~ ,-~ -~ 1,6—---~---- —
I

2EADEND TRIN2
CHAÎNE D’AN~ ME! ~ ~i
1,4 1,4
~— ~‘
~
1,2 1,2

1,0 40 -~

0,3

0,6

0,4 0,4

0,2 0,2

3(m)
o — — — — — G(kfF/nm~2) o
0 2 4 6 8 /0 /2 /4 /6 /3 8 9 10 /1 /2 /3 /4 15 16 17

Figure 7 - Influence of kind 0f insulator string on Figure 8 - Influence 0f conductor material on impact
impact ratio (Ri as a function of o) ratio (Ri as a function 0f S)

Neither did material deterioration appear to be responsible for the kind of deformations
of the crossarms observed during the tests in the field.
These deformations varied from minor distortions, such as slight buckiing of diagonals
in the horizontal frame 0f the crossarms (partly due to shearing of bolts), to complete des
truction of part of the crossarms. Ice-loads lead to the most violent impacts.
No effect whatsoever was observed on tower body or foundations.
The tower crossarms could therefore not be considered capable of withstanding a con
ductor breakage impact sufficiently.
Besides proper adjustment of the rules for high voltage unes in this respect, strength
ening the crossarms by using double bracing in the horizontal frame instead of triangulated
bracing seems recommendable.

3. GENERAL RESULTS

3. 1 Results with regard to conductor material - During the tests the impression grew that
a general diagram could be drawn independent of conductor material.
Starting from the same proportional sag with regard to the span, it is evident that the
catenary constant must be the saine for different conductor materials i. e. that the ratio be
tween horizontal force H at the suspension clamp and weight W (and thus mass) per unit of
length is the saine. Disregarding a very small influence by the elasticity of normally used
materials, one is inclined to think that in case of equal line parameters the impact ratio will
show independence of the conductor material.
 —7— 22-03

The full as well as the reduced scale tests proved this to be correct (Figure 8). The im
pact ratio is essentially dependent only on the two parameters, proportional sag and propor
tional insulator string length, in relation to the length of span.

3. 2 General diagram for the determination of impact ratios - Starting from an initial con
ductor tension equal to unity Figure 9 gives the impact ratios Ri as a fttnction of these two
paramet ers.

The maximum force on the tower cannot be derived directly from this diagram without
further calculations, starting of course from the quantities span and sag which determine the
initial conductor tension and string length.
The influence of the proportional sag (i. e. conductor tension) is very substantial. Even
more so is the proportionai insulator string length.
The sanie diagram gives the (exact) static residual force ratio Rr exerted on a tower
in correlation with the same parameters.
This diagram is most important because it comprises the whole subject.

3. 3 General diagram for the determination of transient overload and inherent safety fac-
tors - The transient phenomena accompanying a conductor breakage have a duration of flot
more than some seconds but are of major importance foremost with regard to the tower
which has to resist the adherent high impact forces if only for some spiit seconds.
It is evident that a high voltage tower must in any case be capable of withstanding con
tinuously the static residual one sided pull caused by a conductor breakage and at the same
time hold without any permanent distortion the transient oscillations and their impacts.

Fig. 9 can be transformed into a diagram (Fig. 10) which shows the ratio between impact
ratios and residual ratios (j. e. transient peak force vs. static residual force), as a function
of the stated une pararneters.
These derived ratios can be considered as transient overload factors and at the same
time as inherently indispensable safety margins. The latter, being if any the actually exert
ed static pull on a tower after conductor breakage forms the basic and crucial factor of the
suspension tower design. This diagram shows that these factors are far from constant for
high voltage lines. They clearly depend to a great extent on the une parameters.
It should be mentioned that the- marginal values in this graph have a bearing on rather,
extreme cases (10w and high une parameters). General trends in Figures 9 and 10 cannot
be given easily. It is however evident that increasing une voltages tend to cause lower L/T
ratios (mean span flot nearly being proportional. to insulator string length i. e. voltage). Con
sequently higher voltages give rise to higher impact ratios and lower residual ratios and thus
higher transient overloads related to the static one sided pull. Extra high voltages (1000 kV -
1500 kV) would undoubtedly lead to vertical insulators of a string length of 10 m. or more.
Assuming that the spans in those cases would have mean lengths of not more than approxima
tely 500 m. giving to L/I ratios of 50 or less, overload factors of 4-5 related to the
residual one sided pull on a tower after conductor breakage would be inevitable. These factors
could only partly be reduced by low L/S ratios, that is to say either by lowering spans (more
towers) or raising sag, (lower conductor tensioning) neither alternative seems to be rather
promising or econornic.
It should be mentioned that the impact ratios have shown a natural upper limitation in
case of L/T ratios lower than 40-50.
Below this limit of the une parameter decrease of conductor tension a during movement
of the suspension string obviously overcompensates the influence of increase of length of insu
lator string on the impact ratio.
There is however no doubt that application of a suspension method which allows the
smallest horizontal displacement of the suspension clamp (no slip ) entails the lowest possi
ble overloads, naturally irrespective of what extent the residual static force on the tower
figures as a basis of calculation.
22-03 —8—

Ri

2,4

2,2________

2,0

“9

I,’

1,4 ~ ~ 70
-•-——.~____ 100
~
—~__•__• —
/50
200
~ ~

1,2

INITIAI CON/IUCÏO4’ TENSION

I,0
R~ TENSION INITIAlE DU CONDUCTEUR

~:
~

~
~L
I
0,6 ~_
~ ~
~

0,4 ~ — 200
~ ~ ~—/5O —
~— 100
~

0,2

L
-~-
o
12 16 20 24 2g 52 36 10 44

Figure 9 - General diagram for determination 0f impact-ratios Ri depending on une pararneters proportional
sag (L/S) and proportional insulator string length (L/I)
 —9— 22-03

/6 20 24 28 32 56 40 44

Figure 10 - General diagraro for determination of transient overload factors R0 and inherent safety margins
depending on une parameters proportional sag (L/S) and proportional string length (L/I).
22-03 —10—

4. CONCLUSIONS

4.1 - The impacts on a suspension tower of a high voltage une after conductor breakage
are principally dependent on sag, span and insulator string length. Tests on full as weli as
reduced scale have shown that the impact ratios j. e. the ratio between peak force on the tower
and initial conductor force are dependent only on the two une parameters, proportionai sag
and proportionai insulator string length in relation to the span.

4.2 - Conductor cross-section in a given condition (i. e. constant une parameters) has no
influence at ail on the impact ratio. The influence of flexibility of Danube-type towers is ne
gligible.

4.3 - The report shows that the impact ratios are independent of applied conductor mate-
riais and includes diagrams of generai validity as to impact ratios.
Quantative information is given about transient overload factors and inherent safety mar
gins on the basis of residual (static) force on the tower after conductor breakage.

4.4 - The information about impact, overload and safety ratios is correct within appro
ximately 10 % above and 10 % below the given mean data. These deviations are due to rather
erratic and unpredictable phenomena, caused by a combination of conductor oscillation and
reflection, further to a change of une parameters.

4.5 - In general higher voltages tend to higher impact ratios. Special precaution should
be taken with regard to U. H. V. - unes as to the suspension of the conductor in order to
keep the impact ratios after conductor breakage at an acceptable level.

4.6- For any such extrenie case - a specific combination of rather extreme une pa
rameters - it seems advisabie to test the designed lay-out on a reduced scale in order to
get a good insight into the impact ratios and, depending on the basis of calculation, overload
factors and inherent safety margins to be expected.
These tests are rather simple to arrange and can be taken anywhere3 from the appro
priate test stations in the world to the, in this respect, perhaps not so weil equipped elec
tr.icity utilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to express his sincere thanks to ail, companies and persons alike,
who have made this publication possible with their financial, material and intellectual support.
He wants to mention especially the great efforts and valuable advice of Mr. K. L. de Lussa
net de la Sablonière of EZH who, with his associates, directed the many thousands of tests
with great skill and competence.

REFERENCES

[1] L. PARIS - Contribution to the study of reduced scale models in the field of high-volta
ge transmission lines (Paper No. 222 - CIGRE 1960)

[2) L. HARO, B. MAGNIJSSON and K. PONNI - Investigations on forces acting on a support

after conductor breakage (Paper No. 210 - CIGRE 1956)

[3] E. COMELLINI and C. MANUZIO - Rational determination of design loadings for over
head une towers (CIGRE CSC 23-08 1968).
Extrait de la Conférence Internationale des Grands Réseaux Electriques.
Session de 1970.
Imprimerio LOUIS-JEAN — 05- GAP