Experimental Study on the Mechanical Behavior and Failure Mechanism of a Latticed Steel Transmission Tower

Abstract

AbstractTransmission tower collapses caused by strong winds or severe freezing rains frequently occur in many parts around the world. To study the mechanical behavior and failure mechanism of tower structures under such environmental loads, three pairs of tower subassemblages, including one single-panel pair and two double-panel pairs, were designed and statically tested at Tongji University. The difference between the two specimens in each pair was that one had an additional diaphragm as a method of retrofitting while the other did not. One pair of double-panel specimens was tested to simulate and capture the failure pattern of transmission towers subjected to wind load. Correspondingly, two pairs were used to investigate the relevant response of structures under the combination of vertical ice and wind loads. A comparative study on strains at critical sections and local and global deformations as well as failure modes of the tower subassemblages was carried out. The favorable effects of adding the diaph...