International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and Applied Sciences

www.ijetmas.com May 2016, Volume 4, Issue 5, ISSN 2349-4476

Structural Analysis and Design of Steel Transmission Tower in

Wind Zones II and IV- A Comparative Study
Shivam Panwar, Yogesh Kaushik, Anubhav Singh and Nikhil Sharma
Department of Civil Engineering, Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, Noida, INDIA
Abstract
The present study reports the design and analysis of a steel lattice transmission line towers of a power system located in
Delhi and Panjim. The design and analysis of the considered power system has been done using STAAD.ProV8i.Under
the design and analysis of the system, the effect of wind and earthquake loads were studied and the results so obtained
were compared for wind zones II and IV (seismic zone IV) for the same configuration of tower. Delhi and Panjim have
same seismic zone but there is a lot of difference in the basic wind speed as Panjim is a coastal area, so this study plays a
very important in terms of wind loading. The analysis results have been supplied to the management of the considered
system for taking appropriate decisions regarding the improvement of power system design. The comparative analysis is
carried out with respect to axial force, deflections maximum sectional properties and critical load condition for both the
locations.
Index terms: Earthquake zones, Lattice towers, STAAD.ProV8i, Wind zone.

Notations:
STAAD.Pro = Structural Analysis and Design for Professionals
= Density of steel (Kg/m3)
D = Diameter of cable (mm)
Vb= Basic wind speed (m/sec)
Vd= Design wind speed (m/sec)
Pz= Design wind pressure in (N/m2)
F = Design wind force (kN)
Cf= Net Wind force Coefficient for the building
= Solidity ratio
LSM = Limit States Method

1.

Introduction and background

This study is performed as per the requirement and recommendation of the management for the validation of
the results according to the IS codes to check whether the same structure can be safe for both the places
without any change in structural configuration and for the different loading conditions for both the places.
From the study of literature review, it is reported that the predominant external loads which act on these
towers are wind and earthquake loads. For the economical purpose and uniformity in power system, it is an
important study to save the cost of designing and maintenance as it is easy and beneficial to have uniform
towers. Analysis and design is carried as per the recommendations given in IS: 800-2007(LSM). The load
calculations are performed manually but the analysis and design results are obtained through STAAD.ProV8i.
In the study of analysis and design of three legged and four Legged 400 KV steel transmission line towers an
attempt has been made to construct the three legged towers to be designed as 400 KV double circuit
transmission line tower based on the general trend that nowadays four legged lattice towers are most
commonly used as transmission line towers whereas the three legged towers are only used in
telecommunication, microwaves, radio and guyed towers but not used in power sectors as transmission line
towers by Ghugal Y.M. and Salunkhe U.S. [4].

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Shivam Panwar, Yogesh Kaushik, Anubhav Singh and Nikhil Sharma

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The study of the use of software (STAAD.Pro2003) and SAP-(2000) for solving the problem of computation
and resolving errors are idealized as statically determinate and analyzed for forces. If a member is to be
redesigned then the entire wind load computations have to be repeated which means computational problem in
tower is more acute and tedious as the load depends on the member sizes by Lakshmi V. et.al. [7].
The study on the Effect of medium wind intensity on 21 meter-132KV transmission towers with medium
wind intensity has been observed. The Recommendations of IS 875-1987 are followed ,the basic wind speeds,
influence of height above ground and terrain, Design wind speed, design wind pressure, design wind force are
explained in detail. An analysis has been carried out for the tower and the performance of the tower and the
member forces in all the vertical, horizontal and diagonal members are evaluated by Lakshmi V. and Rao A.R.
[8].
A study on the optimal bracing system of steel towers with different types of bracing systems under wind
loads has been focused on identifying the economical bracing system for a given range of tower heights. The
diagonal wind has been found to be the maximum for towers. The main purpose of the study is to develop an
economical bracing system of steel lattice towers by Jesumi A. and Rajendran M.G. [5]. A study on the
different combinations of wind, seismic and dead loads acting on transmission towers for the optimal design
and least weight to satisfy stress limits. The structural analysis and the fully stressed design are performed
using STAAD.Pro 2006 by Galeb. A. C. and Khayoon A. M. [3]. A study on analysis of a 220 kV steel
transmission line tower through modeling of tower by STAAD.Pro 2006. The towers are designed for the
loading conditions of two different wind zones I & V with distinct base width 1/4, 1/5, 1/6 of total height of
tower by Sudheer Ch. et.al. [2]. An analytical comparative study on 1S2 transmission tower under wind and
earthquake loads by optimization technique and for optimization, graphs are plotted between earthquake
forces with height, wind forces with height, and tower with X and K bracing under wind and seismic load by
STAAD.Pro by Pahwa. S. et. al. [9]. A study about the design of four legged steel lattice tower for
categorization of gravity and lateral loads under various load combinations for Shimla using IS 800:1984 by
Bhardwaj H.L. et.al. [1].A comparative analysis carried out for different heights of towers using different
types of bracing system for wind zones I to V and earthquake zones II to V of India by gust factor method is
used for wind load analysis, model analysis and response spectrum analysis, used for earthquake loading by
Sharma Kr. K. et al. [6].
The load calculations of current study are performed manually and the validation of results are obtained
through STAAD.ProV8i.The purpose includes comparison of a steel lattice transmission tower design and
analysis of steel tower for any failures and to show that same tower designed according to the IS codes can be
safe for two different wind zones i.e. II & IV and same seismic zone.

2.

Proposed methodology
In the below flow chart (figure 1) the steps are shown according to which the research work has been carried
out.
Application of proposed methodology:The present problem is solved by using ANSYS 15.0 by following the procedure as described below: The software tool used in the design and analysis of the tower is STAAD.ProV8i. In today's world
analysis tools allow engineers to refine designs to an unprecedented degree, and as a result, many utilities
feel testing is not warranted. However, while great strides have been made in the analysis and design of
latticed steel transmission towers, differences between analysis results and full-scale tests still occur.
Manual calculations is important for the recommendations of IS codes but the validation of these results
and study of effects of these loads on the structure is also an important part to do.
Analysis of the performed task is the key to success for the safe and durable serviceability of the structure
under various load combinations.
Now based on the validation of results through STAAD.ProV8i, the important conclusions are made.

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Shivam Panwar, Yogesh Kaushik, Anubhav Singh and Nikhil Sharma

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www.ijetmas.com May 2016, Volume 4, Issue 5, ISSN 2349-4476

2.1 Configuration of the tower: The two towers lies in wind zones II and IV (seismic zone IV).

The locations are Delhi and Panjim.

The factor of safety of the tower is 1.2

The height of the tower is 30m.

The base width of the tower is 3.75 m.

The top width of the tower is 1.75m.

The flange width in the tower is 1.50m.

Number of cables supported by tower are 7.

Problem formulation
Research study on problem
solution

Project planning

Manual calculation of loads

Design of steel transmission tower using STAAD.ProV8i

Application of loads using STAAD.ProV8i

Analysis of results and conclusion

Figure 1: Stepwise Process for Research Work
2.2 Design calculations:
Area of segment (Ae):
Ae1=22m2 (For trapezoidal section)
Ae2= 21 m2 (For rectangular section)
Ae3 = 1.75m2(For peak triangle)
Ae4 =13.5m2 (For 6 cross arm)

Calculation of cable load:

Unit Load of the cable =

2
D = 0.024 KN/m
4

Where,

170

Shivam Panwar, Yogesh Kaushik, Anubhav Singh and Nikhil Sharma

International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and Applied Sciences

www.ijetmas.com May 2016, Volume 4, Issue 5, ISSN 2349-4476

Cable load

= Unit load centre to centre distance of one cable from the other cable
= 6 KN
Total load of the cable = 1.5 cable load + Weight of man with loads + Weight of earth wire attachment = 11 KN

Table 1 predicts the manual calculations of various loads on the towers as defined below:Table1. Manual calculations of loads on tower
For Delhi
For Panjim
1.The basic wind speed in Delhi is 47 m/sec.
2. The probability factor k1 is taken as 1.07
3.The Terrain, height and structure size factor k2
is varying at different levels of the tower and is
taken from IS code as follows:
k2 at 16m height = 0.948
k2 at 20m height = 0.98
k2 at 24m height = 1.00
k2 at 28m height = 1.02
k2 at 30m height = 1.03
4. The Topography factor k3 is assumed to be 1
for plain terrain of Delhi.
Calculation of wind load
The design wind speed is calculated as:
Vz= Vbk1k2k3
Vz at 16m = 471.070.88 1 = 47.67 m/sec
Vz at 20m = 4 1.07 0.98 1= 49.28m/sec
Vz at 24m = 47 1.07 1.1 = 50.29m/sec
Vzat 28m = 471.07 1.02 1= 51.29m/sec
Vzat 30m = 471.07 1.03 1= 51.79m/sec

1. The basic wind speed in Panjim is 39m/sec.

2. The probability factor k1 is taken as 1.05
3. The Terrain, height and structure size factor k2 is
varying at different levels of the tower and is taken
from IS code as follows:
k2 at 16m height = 1.03
k2 at 20m height = 1.05
k2 at 24m height = 1.07
k2 at 28m height = 1.09
k2 at 30m height = 1.10
4. The Topography factor k3 is assumed to be 1 for
plain terrain of Panjim.
Calculation of wind load
The design wind speed is calculated as
Vz
= Vbk1k2k3
Vzat 16m = 39 1.05 1.03 1=42.12 m/sec
Vzat 20m= 39 1.05 1.05 1= 42.99 m/sec
Vzat 24m = 39 1.05 1.071 = 43.82 m/sec
Vzat 28m = 39 1.07 1.09 1= 44.63 m/sec
Vzat 30m = 39 1.07 1.10 1= 45.05 m/sec

Calculation of Design Wind Pressure

pz= 0.6 Vz2
pz at 16 m = 0.6(47.67)2=1363.46 N/m2
pz at 20 m= 0.6 (49.28)2 = 1457..11 N/m2
pz at 24 m = 0.6 (50.29)2 = 1517.45 N/m2
pz at 28 m= 0.6 (51.29)2 = 1578.39 N/m2
pz at 30 m= 0.6 (51.79)2 = 1609.32 N/m2

Calculation of Design Wind Pressure

pz= 0.6 Vz2
pz at 16 m
= 0.6 (42.12)2 = 1064.46 N/m2
pz at 20 m
= 0.6 (42.99)2 = 1108.88 N/m2
pz at 24 m
= 0.6 (43.82)2 = 1152.11 N/m2
pz at 28 m
= 0.6 (44.63)2 = 1195.1 N/m2
pz at 30 m
= 0.6 (45.05)2 = 1217.16 N/m2

Design wind force

F= CfAepz
F at 16m=3.2441363.460.22 = 42.23 KN
Fat 28m=3.234.51363.460.22=42.23 KN
Fat28m=3.234.51609.320.26=43.306KN

Design wind force

F= CfAepz
F at 16m = 3.2441064.460.22 = 32.972 KN
F at 28 m =3.234.51195.10.22 = 32.160 KN
F at 28m =3.234.51217.160.26 = 32.753KN

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3.

Results and Discussions

3.1 Beam stress, bending in Z direction analysis:-

Figure 2: Beam Stresses for Delhi

Figure 3: Beam Stresses for Panjim
Figure 2 shows all the stresses generated in the tower located at Delhi on application of wind load, cable load
and live load. Figure 3 shows all the stresses generated in the tower located at Panjim on application of wind
load, cable load and live load. The total beam stress due to bending in Z direction at critical loading
combination is shown on the tower. Critical load combination for Delhi is 1.2(cable load)+1.2(Live
load)+1.2(Wind Load in X-direction) and Critical load combination for Panjim is 1.2(cable load)+1.2(Live
load)+1.2(Wind Load in Z-direction). Figure 4 shows the displacement diagram of towers under critical load
combination.
3.2 Nodal displacement analysis:For Delhi
For Panjim

Figure 4 : Displacement diagram of the tower under Critical load combination

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Table 2: Comparison of Critical Beams In Both Locations for Axial & Shear Forces and Bending
Moment
LOCATION
BEAMS
AXIAL
SHEAR
BENDING
FORCE
FORCE
MOMENT
FX (KN)
FY(KN)
MZ (KNm)
278
493
566
602
622

DELHI

721

86.65
303
286.5
17231
12009
87.15
138.3

7.37
9.88
156
471.5
-84.6
26.87
71.32

-2.94
2.015
-17.65
-115
741
11.695
44.85

7.85
3.06
87.3
380.5
-118.15
29.395
80.55

3.15
-0.775
-78.65
1141.5
320.5
11.95
51.75

739

278
493
566
602
622

PANJIM

721
739

83.6
340.5
2714.5
13548
9586
47.3
100.75

Table 2 shows the values of axial force, shear force and bending moment for effective beams and the variation
of forces and moments between Delhi and Panjim.
3.3 Variation of Axial Force, Shear Force and Bending Moment :566
278

739
493

721
622

602

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International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and Applied Sciences

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Figure 5 : Highlighted members force diagrams for Delhi

Figure 5 depicts the values of shear force, axial force and bending moment for Delhi for beam no. 278, 566,
602 and 622.

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Figure 6 : Highlighted members force diagrams for Panjim

Figure 6 depicts the values of shear force, axial force and bending moment for Panjim for beam no. 278, 566,
602 and 622.

Axial Force,Fx (KN)

20000
15000
Axial Force,Fx
(KN)

10000
Delhi

5000

Panjim

0
278 493 566 602 622

721

Member No.

Figure 7:Comparison Graph of Axial Force

The above line chart gives variation of axial force for different members for Delhi and Panjim.

175

Shivam Panwar, Yogesh Kaushik, Anubhav Singh and Nikhil Sharma

International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and Applied Sciences

www.ijetmas.com May 2016, Volume 4, Issue 5, ISSN 2349-4476

Shear force,Fy (KN)
600
400
Shear Force,Fy
(KN)

Delhi

200

Panjim

0
-200

278 493 566 602 622

721

Member No.

Figure 8:Comparison Graph of Shear Force

The above line chart gives variation of shear force for different members for Delhi and Panjim.

Bending Moment,Mz (KNm)

1500
Bending
Moment,Mz
(KNm)

1000

Delhi

500

Panjim

0
-500

278 493 566 602 622

721

Member No.

Figure 9: Comparison Graph of Bending Moment

The above line chart (figure 9) gives variation of Bending Moment for different members for Delhi and
Panjim.

4.

Conclusions
In this paper an attempt has been made to compare the same transmission towers with same bracing system at
different wind zones viz. zone II and IV but same seismic zone i.e. zone IV located at Delhi and Panjim. The
following conclusions are drawn on the basis of the research and analysis done through the STAAD.ProV8i
and conforming the safety of same tower at both the mentioned places: There is large difference in the bending moment forces on the members on the two specified locations
with the slight change of the wind pressure force but is in safe limits and it is maximum on member no.
602 and 622.
There is huge change in the axial force in the cross arm members of the transmission tower in these two
locations for which maximum axial force is shown on member no. 566.
The parallel beam of the cross arm have very less difference in axial force in the same members i.e.
mamber no. 278 which shows that there is more effect of wind pressure in axial force on the front
members.
There is large change in the bending moment of the front members of the cross arm at the two different
locations.
Transmission tower with same bracing can be used at these two different wind zones with same seismic
zone by using different steel members at different phases of the transmission tower according the effect of
the load on the specific location members.
Further studies can be made for different seismic zones and different bracing for the tower.

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