Non-Linear Finite Element Approach to Aerodynamic Effects on Horizontal Taut Cable

Abstract

A horizontal taut cable which has application in a typical power transmission line was subjected to structural nonlinear static analysis. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) approach was employed in this study to ascertain the magnitude of tension on each node on the cable occasioned by induced aerodynamics forces. ANSYS 14.0 software helped in determining the behaviour of the system on the basis of finite element displacement method. Comparison was made between the two FEA cases with respect to the effectiveness of the analytical model which describes the response in form of a couple of degrees of freedom (DOF) while reflecting the complex features of the dynamics of the cable in reaction to the induced aerodynamic effect. In order to avert excessive displacement in the computations, it was necessary to incorporate the convergence procedure in the process. The optimum deflection of the parabolic response obtained from the analytical Finite Element Method (FEM) results in the absence of aerodynamic external effect was at the nodes 12 and 13 corresponding to cable weight of 1.002936N and cable tension of 189396.97kg/km. The cable also showed a maximum displacement of 4483.75mm for the X, Y and Z components at nodal point 2 while the minimum displacement value was 4218.75mm. The obtained result for this study revealed a complex modal behaviour as is quite expected.