High Voltage Transmission Tower Research Articles

Route Planning Method of UAV Patrol Based on High Precision Tower Model

The high-precision positioning technology of industrial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) plays a vital role in intelligent trajectory planning in power inspection. First, the information on power facilities is collected and processed to form a planning grid to optimize the flight path and correct the trajectory of UAV. However, the preparatory work is more complex, and the algorithm model which needs more detailed and complex terrain database data is not universal enough. To improve the safety of UAV and the efficiency of path planning, we establish a three-dimensional model of the power tower, calculate the coordinate position of the inspection work according to the information of the high-voltage transmission tower, and then determine the corresponding relationship between the inspection point and the flight trajectory combined with the safe distance. Based on the set of random interference semaphores and model rasterization, the discrete error strategy and Euler method are introduced to improve the performance. In each iteration, the best solution is first updated using the execution strategy. We continue to calculate the spatial coordinates of all reference points and provide the coordinate position distribution for the flight mission. The solution of equipment inspection trajectory optimization is realized by using dynamic obstacle perception. The proposed discrete measurement error self-correction algorithm is deployed on the flight platform to guide UAV inspection tasks according to the point cloud coordinate model of transmission equipment in the power system and to correct the flight route in time. To verify the research results, the Algorithm Artemisinin optimization and Whale Optimization Algorithm test verify that the ability of the proposed algorithm to get rid of local optimization is improved by 8.94% and, 12.42% respectively compared with other optimization algorithms. The convergence accuracy is 12.4% and 7.9% higher than other schemes, and it has a better effect in solving numerical problems. The research results using the embedded system to complete the task deployment and unloading provide a reference for trajectory planning and task design in different application scenarios.

A cloud 15kV-HDPE insulator leakage current classification based improved particle swarm optimization and LSTM-CNN deep learning approach

Real-time insulator leakage current classification is crucial in preventing the pollution flashover phenomenon and providing appropriate maintenance schedules in high-voltage transmission towers. However, current methodologies only utilize traditional artificial neural networks, which have limitations when performing big data analysis. This research developed a novel cloud 15kV-HDPE insulator leakage current classified framework, utilizing a long short-term memory convolutional neural network (LSTM-CNN). The hybrid model structure is optimized through hyperparameter fine-tuning based on improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO), which reduces human effort and considerable time compared with PSO and random search (RS) techniques. The IPSO-LSTM-CNN model can productively identify correlations between selected weather features and target leakage current levels of 15kV-HDPE insulators. LSTM efficiently captures long-term patterns in sequential data, while CNN layers competently extract high-level dependency in time-invariant information. Four 15kV-HDPE insulators’ datasets, collected in high-voltage transmission lines in the coastal area of Taiwan for more than one year, are deployed for analyzing and comparing classified performance. Other conventional models are developed to evaluate and compare classified performance with the proposed IPSO-LSTM-CNN approach, which acquires the most significant enhancement of 48.08 % loss, 45.91 % validating loss, 52.57 % MAE, 35.47 % validating MAE, 47.34 % MSE, 27.02 % validating MSE, 9.15 % PRE, 3.40 % validating PRE, 4.76 % REC, and 6.17 % validating REC. The experiment outcomes demonstrate that the developed IPSO-LSTM-CNN model acquires improved robustness and accuracy in the leakage current classified capability of 15kV-HDPE insulators.

QYOLO: Contextual Query-Assisted Object Detection in High-Resolution Images

High-resolution imagery captured by drones can detect critical components on high-voltage transmission towers, providing inspection personnel with essential maintenance insights and improving the efficiency of power line inspections. The high-resolution imagery is particularly effective in enhancing the detection of fine details such as screws. The QYOLO algorithm, an enhancement of YOLOv8, incorporates context queries into the feature pyramid, effectively capturing long-range dependencies and improving the network’s ability to detect objects. To address the increased network depth and computational load introduced by query extraction, Ghost Separable Convolution (GSConv) is employed, reducing the computational expense by half and further improving the detection performance for small objects such as screws. The experimental validation using the Transmission Line Accessories Dataset (TLAD) developed for this project demonstrates that the proposed improvements increase the average precision (AP) for small objects by 5.5% and the F1-score by 3.5%. The method also enhances detection performance for overall targets, confirming its efficacy in practical applications.

Experimental behaviour and design model of FRP-UHPC-steel tubular columns under monotonic axial compression

By integrating structural steel with Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), FRP-UHPC-steel tubular columns (FUSTs) emerge as innovative composite members that offer exceptional corrosion resistance and lightweight properties. FUSTs hold significant potential for use as thin-walled tubular columns working in harsh environments, such as wind turbines and high-voltage transmission towers. To obtain in-depth understanding of key parameters including the steel fiber ratio of UHPC, the specimen void ratio and the FRP thickness, this paper tested 24 specimens to evaluate their compressive behaviour, including 18 FUSTs and 6 UHPC-filled FRP tubes (UCFFTs). Experimental results showed that: (1) FUSTs demonstrated ductile behavior with significant strain enhancement and notable strength improvement; (2) the steel fibers in UHPC had marginal influences on the ultimate condition of FUSTs; (3) a larger inner void had a general effect to lead to more localized rupture for the FRP tube; (4) the FRP thickness was the predominant influencing factor on both the general shape and the ultimate point of the normalized axial stress–strain curves. Finally, a design model was proposed, which was able to capture the general shape of the axial load–strain curves, and could generate reasonably accurate predictions for the peak load.

Extended limit-collapsed surfaces using fragility analysis of high voltage transmission towers located in coastal areas under wind load

Extended limit-collapsed surfaces using fragility analysis of high voltage transmission towers located in coastal areas under wind load

Numerical and Experimental Failure Analysis of Steel Components in a High-Voltage Transmission Tower Structure

Numerical and Experimental Failure Analysis of Steel Components in a High-Voltage Transmission Tower Structure

Bayesian uncertainty quantification of modal parameters and RRF identification of transmission towers with limited measured vibration data

The resonant response factor (RRF) sensitive to modal parameters, including the damping ratio and frequency, is a critical parameter for wind-resistant design of extra high voltage (EHV) transmission towers, because it directly affects the calculation of the wind vibration coefficient. However, the research on operational modal analysis (OMA) of in-service EHV transmission towers is limited due to the high risk of field monitoring. Therefore, it is critical to determine the size of sufficient data samples or minimum monitoring duration for the OMA of a transmission tower. In this study, an investigation of uncertainty quantification in Bayesian OMA of EHV transmission towers with small data samples from the ambient dynamic test is carried out. The uncertainty of the resonant component factor for wind-resistance design is proposed and quantified, which could provide engineering designers with a reference for confidence levels. Firstly, a field test system is installed on a multipurpose EHV transmission tower with a closed-loop cat head and a pair of cross-arms, to gather the acceleration responses. Then, the OMA for the transmission tower is carried out by the fast Bayesian FFT (FBFFT) method to determine the modal parameters as well as the associated posterior uncertainty. The small sample analysis of OMA for the transmission tower is further performed to obtain sufficient data samples and minimum monitoring duration. Finally, the distribution of the RRF is presented with the different confidential levels. It is found that a sampling length of 600 s could fulfill the basic needs of accuracy in Bayesian OMA and the determination of RRF. The outcomes of this study may provide a reference for the wind-resistance design parameter selection of the similar type of transmission towers.

Analisis Dugaan Kerusakan Rumah Yang Berdekatan Dengan Menara Telekomunikasi

In general lightning will predominantly strike parts of the earth's surface that have tall structures (tall buildings, BTS towers, high voltage transmission towers) and prefer structures made of conductive materials such as metal. The existence of a house close to a Telecommunication Tower is the background for this research. The research aims to analyze suspected damage that occurred to residential buildings that are very close to telecommunications tower activity. The method used is a general study of the feasibility of telecommunications towers as well as the types and patterns of damage that occurred in the houses studied. The results show that the damage that occurs to houses is mostly caused by the bearing capacity of the soil which is less affected by the shrinkage of the concrete. A comprehensive assessment needs to be carried out for telecommunications towers, especially the lightning conduction and grounding systems.

Self-powered system for environment and aeolian vibration monitoring in the high-voltage transmission system by multi-directional wind-driven triboelectric nanogenerator

The concentration of abundant wind energy on the high-voltage transmission tower with the feature of high height not only provides a promising solution for powering distributed sensors in smart grid, but also enables a potential feasibility for the real-time sensing of the multi-directional wind to evaluate the transmission line aeolian vibration induced by wind excitation. In this paper, the comprehensive strategy appropriately hybridizes the ingenious integration of a rotating-type TENG for efficient wind energy harvesting and a flapping-type TENG for multi-directional wind vector sensing to establish the self-powered multi-directional wind-driven triboelectric nanogenerator (SMW-TENG). The basic D-TENG and F-TENG in terms of structural parameters and response characteristics are systematically optimized to realize an efficient energy harvesting with the peak power of 3.9 mW, a smooth output in the wind speed of 3.7–16.3 m s−1 and sensitive response to eight-direction wind speed ranging from 2.6 to 13.5 m s−1. Hybrid power supply strategy based on collaborative working of UD-TENG as a standby power and LD-TENG as a main power is innovatively proposed to prolong the continues power supply of a Bluetooth temperature and humidity sensor by 70% and 126.7% compared to the single module, respectively. Importantly, the F-TENG equipped with an eight-channel signal acquisition and processing is developed to achieve the multi-directional wind vector information in response to the aeolian vibration. Furthermore, a self-powered ambient weather and multichannel wind vector sensing system based on the SMW-TENG, a hybrid power supply circuit, an eight-channel signal acquisition circuit and a Bluetooth module is developed to comprehensively realize the real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction. The abnormal wire vibration alarm can be realized through monitoring the wind direction angle on the transmission line cross-section, thereby exhibiting a great potential for developing self-powered sensing in the field of smart grids.

Seismic Fragility of High Voltage Transmission Tower Due to Earthquake by Using Adaptive Pushover Method

Seismic Fragility of High Voltage Transmission Tower Due to Earthquake by Using Adaptive Pushover Method

Design and application of a UHF RFID tag for monitoring pollution in high voltage towers

Pollution diagnosis is difficult and costly for power grid operators. For the purpose of have an effective, low-cost and user-friendly pollution diagnosis, a Radio Frequency Identification prototype is proposed - an RFID tag for identifying and monitoring pollution in high voltage towers. For that, the following steps were performed: dielectric characterization of artificial pollution; project via simulation of RFID tags for application in metallic towers; manufacture, validation and testing of tags; sensitivity analysis of tag reach; and computational algorithm for signal treatment and subsequent identification. Pollution identification was based on variations of the Received Signal Intensity Indicator (RSSI) by the reader as a function of the amount of pollution deposited. The validation and testing of the tags were carried out in an external environment with an emulation of a de-energized high voltage tower. For all levels of deposited pollution analyzed, the average maximum reach of the signal reading, in an external environment, was 18 m. The RSSI data, obtained by reading the RFID tag, were processed and analyzed to identify the pollution deposited on the high voltage transmission towers. The results demonstrated the potential of the tags for identification and monitoring pollution levels in high voltage metal towers.

Fragility analysis of an ultra high voltage transmission tower in saline soil subjected to wind loads

The wind resistance of transmission towers is not only affected by wind load, but also by service environment. This study uses the world’s second Ultra High Voltage Direct Current transmission project – Xinjiang ±800 kV Tianzhong Line UHV DC transmission project – to develop a fragility analysis method for transmission towers in saline soil under wind loads to investigate the change of wind loads fragility of transmission towers in long-term service in the saline soil environment. It develops a tower-line-foundation (3 T-2L-F) system model considering soil-structure interaction. In addition, this research addresses the durability damage of the transmission tower using field investigation data and material degradation models and analyzes the influence of various durability damage components on the natural vibration mode of the basic of 3 T-2L-F model. Finally, it builds the structure-wind samples utilizing a Latin hypercube sampling method and explores the time histories analysis, the pushover analyses, and the time-varying fragility analyses considering the uncertainty of materials and wind loads. The findings indicate that the 3 T-2L-F model accurately simulates the actual situation of the transmission tower. The fragility of a transmission tower subjected to wind loads is proportional to the degree of material damage and the strength of wind loads.

Development and Application of Eddy Current Damping-Based Tuned Mass Damper for Wind-Induced Vibration Control of Transmission Tower

To reduce the low-order vibrations of high-voltage transmission towers in response to strong winds, a tuned mass damper (TMD) that uses eddy current damping (ECD) with omnidirectional damping function (ECD-TMD) is proposed here. Compared with previous similar devices, the outstanding advantage of the proposed ECD-TMD lies in its use of non-contact ECD, structural simplicity, lack of internal friction, ability to sense micro-vibrations, and in the asymmetric cantilever pendulum structure that enables omnidirectional vibration suppression. Aero-elastic model wind tunnel test and field measurements were used for analyzing and validating the vibration responses of a 50-m-tall transmission tower with and without the proposed ECD-TMD. The results demonstrated that the proposed ECD-TMD reduced transmission tower’s first-order bending vibrations along and across the direction of transmission line. For the mass ratio of approximately 2%, approximately 18–27% reduction of acceleration and 10–25% reduction of displacement occurred. Because the first-order resonance of the tower body in response to wind accounts for a small fraction of the background response, the addition of a TMD device suppresses structural wind vibrations in a limiter manner but can significantly increase the first-order bending damping ratio of the tower.

Analysis of Electromagnetic Radiation of Mobile Base Stations Co-located with High-Voltage Transmission Towers

This paper presents the analysis of electromagnetic radiation of mobile base stations co-located with high-voltage transmission towers. Although the layout of power poles and towers is uniform and symmetrical, the electromagnetic field radiated to the outside world is asymmetric. Field measurements were conducted in different co-located base station scenarios, and the field strength results in both the vertical and horizontal directions were analyzed in depth. Then, the ray tracing simulation method was used to obtain the electromagnetic field distribution characteristics for the 5G base station co-located high-voltage tower. Finally, the specific absorption rate (SAR) was adopted to evaluate human exposure in co-located base station scenarios, and a physical area-based human exposure assessment method proposed. The obtained results can be useful for inspectors of mobile base stations co-located with high-voltage transmission towers to avoid or reduce the impact of electromagnetic radiation.

A Weather-Independent and Renewable Power Supply With Wireless Power Transfer Feature for Powering Online Monitoring Systems in Smart Grid

The merge of the power and information infrastructures in smart grid requires increasing number of sensors and online monitoring systems on the high-voltage (HV) transmission towers. These systems are traditionally powered by small solar panels or wind turbines that are weather-dependent. This new contribution involves a full analysis of a complete weather-independent power supply to replace existing approaches. For the first time, the complete system comprising the energy harvesting, wireless power transfer (WPT) and output power stages is practically evaluated using printed circuit board (PCB) resonators embedded in a 35-kV composite insulator. We leverage the nearly constant current, transresistance, and voltage gains characteristics of the PCB domino-resonator structure under different self-oscillating frequencies and propose a coordinated control scheme of transmitter-side and receiver-side converters to regulate the constant current (CC) or constant voltage (CV) through entire charging process. Any current surge caused by the burst operation of the active rectifier on the receiver side triggers a transition between different self-oscillating operations on the transmitter side, leading to operating region extension of the active rectifier. Thus, the proposed system can easily adjust the output to follow different battery charging profiles without wireless communication between the transmitter and receiver.

Numerical Investigation into the Effects of Controlled Tunnel Blast on Dynamic Responses of the Transmission Tower

At present, the drill-and-blast method is still one of the main construction means in the road tunnel excavation process. When the tunnel penetrates underneath sensitive structures such as high-voltage transmission towers, the blasting and supporting parameters must be strictly controlled to ensure the stability and safety of the surface structures. In this paper, numerical simulations based on a large-section shallow buried tunnel project in Zhuhai are conducted to study the effect of controlled tunnel blast on the dynamic response of transmission towers. The numerical simulation results indicate that the blast vibration velocity of the rock generated by controlled blasting decreases rapidly along the tunnel excavation direction. The blast vibration velocity of the high-voltage transmission tower and its pile foundation gradually increases with the propagation of the blast waves, and the maximum vibration velocity is about 1.24 cm/s. The results indicate that the controlled blasting design of this project can effectively restrain the vibration velocity induced by the blasting load and could ensure the stability and safety of the transmission tower.

Research on Human Behavior Feature Recognition and Intelligent Early Warning Methods in Safety Supervision Scene Video based on Yolov7

With the continuous improvement of infrastructure construction in China, the construction of various supporting power facilities is constantly followed up. A large number of ultra-high voltage or high-voltage power facilities, such as high-voltage transmission towers, transformers, or substations, are gradually emerging in populated areas, farmland, or fishponds where people still pass by sometimes. In such circumstances, people who do not have the qualification to contact power facilities at times approach, contact, or even climb these dangerous high-voltage transmission and distribution facilities illegally for various reasons, which not only poses a huge hidden peril or even threat to the safety of people’s lives and property but also cause a huge negative impact on the smooth operation of power infrastructure. To solve this intractable problem, this topic proposes a pedestrian detection and recognition algorithm, which can accurately distinguish between ordinary pedestrians and power grid maintenance inspectors based on YOLOv7, providing a reliable method for timely detection and early warning of pedestrians who may contact power facilities.

The Influence of Small Clear-Distance Tunnel Construction on Adjacent High-Voltage Transmission Tower Foundation

The new tunnel construction will inevitably cause the change of the stress field and displacement field of the stratum where the adjacent existing structures are located, which poses a great threat to the safe and stable operation of the existing structures. Reasonable selection and optimization of construction sequence and construction method of double tunnels with small clear distance are of great significance to the safe and stable operation of existing structures. In this present study, taking the Xiaohan municipal double-arch highway tunnel near the high-voltage transmission tower as the engineering background, the ABQUS finite element numerical simulation method is used to analyze the influence of tunnel construction on the existing high voltage tower foundation. The accuracy of the numerical method is verified compared with the theoretical solution of induced stress at the bottom of the tower foundation caused by the excavation of circular cavity. Then, the influence law of tunnel position on induced stress field is discussed by parameter analysis. On this basis, the construction sequence which has the least influence on the tower foundation is selected by comparing the numerical simulation results of different construction schemes. That is, the left tunnel shall be excavated after the construction of the right tunnel is completed. Finally, the change of the settlement of the existing tower foundation, the stress of the base, and the inclination degree during the CD method excavation is analyzed. The results show that simultaneous excavation of new tunnels has the greatest influence on the settlement and stress increment of the existing tower foundation. It provides suggestions to construct the double tunnels step by step from far side to near side in similar projects.

Evaluation of the Ultimate Collapse Load of a High-Voltage Transmission Tower under Excessive Wind Loads

Several high-voltage transmission towers failed under excessive wind loads in a mountainous and exposed area. This study discusses the efficient and reliable modeling of lattice towers dominantly loaded by wind, a scenario which led to a collapse cascade in a high-voltage transmission line. The ultimate load-bearing capacity had to be estimated and the failure positions identified. Finite Element Analysis was employed through static analyses, Linear Buckling Analyses (LBA) and RIKS analyses (Arc-Length method) in Abaqus 2021. With the purpose of improving the accuracy in the simulation of structural instabilities of complex lattice structures, the model sensitivity to superimposed geometrical imperfections and the joint stiffness of the truss connections were investigated in brace and lattice structure sub-assemblies. Afterwards, linear analyses and non-linear analyses with imperfections were performed on the single tower model. The analysis proved that solely excessive wind can cause such failure on the lattice structures, and the critical structural elements have been correctly identified. The investigation proved that the towers had not been under-designed with respect to the standards valid at the time of erection. However, they were not designed for this exceptional storm event, and evidence was provided that wind alone could bring about the collapse. It is nevertheless not recommended to increase the safety factors in general for the design of such structures, but to base the assumed loading on actual and local wind and service load measurements.

Analytical Investigation of the Effects of Secondary Structural Members on the Structural Behaviors of Transmission Towers

High-voltage transmission towers consist of structures that are designed to avoid the risk of electric shock and prevent the risk of collapse. Hence, for efficiency, they are generally designed as high-rise towers. The main tower posts are the primary structural members that resist loads under various load conditions. Therefore, the contribution of the secondary members to securing the stiffness and strength of the main posts by reducing the effective buckling length is an important one. However, we lack detailed secondary member design criteria. In this study, we observed the structural effects of the horizontal members and braces on the torsional stiffness, elastic buckling strength, and load-carrying capacity of a transmission tower using various structural analysis methods, including linear elastic, eigenvalue, and geometric nonlinear and inelastic analyses, under governing load combinations. According to the analytical results, it is the brace spacing rather than the horizontal members that substantially affects the structural performance. Therefore, we can minimize the number of horizontal members if we erect sufficient brace members. If the brace spacing is wide, then the horizontal members should be erected to create K bracing, thereby enhancing the buckling resistance of the main posts.