Performance assessment and collapse prediction of a latticed tension-type transmission tower

Abstract

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive performance assessment of a latticed tension-type transmission tower by performing both full-scale static tests and numerical simulations. In particular, a full-scale tension-type transmission tower was firstly constructed and tested for examining the performances under design loads and the ultimate capacity under an extreme wind load. The displacement and strain responses are investigated, and the failure process of the tension-type tower is presented. Numerical simulations are then performed in order to capture the failure process and estimate the bearing capacity of the experimental tower under the overload case. Moreover, Numerical simulations are also adopted to evaluate the influence of wind attack angles on the structural behavior of the tested tower. Experimental and numerical results demonstrate that this latticed tension-type transmission tower is designed with sufficient capacity to resist the design loads, and the buckling failures of the leg members at the bottom are the governing reason for the collapse of tower. In addition, the developed numerical model can accurately present the failure and structural response of the tension-type tower, and the influence of wind attack angles on the structural behavior is significant. This research is beneficial for improving the understanding on the bearing capacity and design of latticed tension-type transmission towers.