Abstract
This paper presents a multidisciplinary approach to reverse engineering and structural analysis of electricity transmission tower structures through the combination of laser scanning systems and finite element methodology. The use of laser scanning technology allows the development of both drawings and highly accurate three-dimensional geometric models that reliably reproduce geometric reality of towers structures, detecting imperfections, and particularities of their assembly. Due to this, it is possible to analyze and quantify the effect of these imperfections in their structural behavior, taking into account the actual geometry obtained, different structural models, and load hypotheses proposed. The method has been applied in three different types of metal electricity transmission towers with high voltage lines located in Guadalajara (Spain) in order to analyze its structural viability to accommodate future increased loads with respect that which are currently subjected.
Highlights
Building high-voltage power lines has had few obstacles during their construction phase
In view of what is mentioned above, this paper presents a non-destructive multidisciplinary approach that is articulated in two stages and that analyzes geometrically and structurally electricity transmission tower structures: 1. The first stage will address a detailed geometric description of the structure using a terrestrial laser scanner system, performing an “as built” model that provides information on the structure’s most relevant data, such as geometry, type, and dimensions of the metallic profiles and their assembly drawings
The aforementioned imperfections motivated the consideration of different structural models for the towers, in order to analyze how this affects their structural behavior
Summary
Building high-voltage power lines has had few obstacles during their construction phase This type of infrastructure is facing a number of setbacks: it has a considerable impact on the environment, on economic activities, and on the expansion of cities, besides its economic cost, including inspections and maintenance. Old lines were designed according to the standards of the time in which they were built and they were designed to bear a certain load In many cases, these towers were designed over forty years ago, so the increased loads that will be placed on them will be far greater than the one for which they were designed. Due to this, addressing the re-use of existing power lines requires a geometric and structural analysis of the towers to assess their current state
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