Conductor fatigue life research. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5282661

Ramey, G E

Objective of this Phase II work was to experimentally evaluate the long-term effectiveness of amplitude reductions in arresting the aeolian fatigue deterioration of minimally damaged ACSR conductors supported in standard short-radius suspension clamps. The aeolian vibration was simulated by mechanical means in a controlled laboratory situation and the reduction in vibration amplitudes was a simulation of the addition of amplitude limiting devices (dampers). Conductors were vibrated at high amplitudes until a predetermined number of strand breaks occurred, after which the vibration was continued at reduced amplitudes. The Phase II research expanded the number of cycles of vibration and amplitude reduction values for the conductors used in the Phase I effort. The results indicated that the amplitude reductions arrested long-term fatigue strand breaks in every case tested. Additionally, the maximum fatigue damage arrestment amplitude was expanded and evaluated to be 20 mils at the 3-1/2 inch location for Drake ACSR conductor. Electric utilities can utilize the results of this EPRI project in assessing the fatigue life of minimally damaged transmission lines and in evaluating techniques for mitigating fatigue damage. A secondary objective of the Phase II effort was to develop aeolian vibration Load-N curves (dynamic bending stress versus number of cycles of vibration curves) for some ACSR conductors based on Ontario-Hydro recorder and wind data. The wind data generated Load-N curves developed appear to be too conservative. The modified worst-case Ontario-Hydro recorder Load-N curve developed is recommended as a design guideline curve for aeolian fatigue troubled lines in Georgia. The development and use of Load-N curves in conjunction with S-N curves are required for rational aeolian fatigue design of overhead conductors, and for estimating line fatigue lives.

• Research Organization: Auburn Univ., AL (USA). Engineering Experiment Station
• OSTI ID: 5282661
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EL-3297; ON: DE84920200
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200300* -- Electric Power Engineering-- Power Transmission & Distribution-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
DAMAGE
ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS
FATIGUE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES