IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 3, No.

4, October 1988

1303

MODIFIED VALUES FOR GEOMETRIC FACTOR OF EXTERNAL THERMAL RESISTANCE OF CABLES IN DUCT BANKS
M.A. El-Kady

,Senior Member, IEEE G.A. Anders, Senior Member, IEEE Ontario Hydro, Toronto, Canada

J. Motlis, Member, IEEE D.J. HorrOcks, Member, IEEE

Abstract In a previous paper [I], the authors described a technique for calculating the geometric factor Gbfor extended ranges of the heightlwidth ratio of the duct bank or backjill, which enabled the application of the very popular Neher-McGrath method to a wider range of cable configurations. However, the technique of [ I ] was, like other existing techniques, based on the assumption that the duct bank surface represents an isothemal boundary which may result in some errors in the derived Gb-values. In this paper, a novel finite-element based technique is described for calculating modified values of the Gb-factor based on the actual heat transfer mechanism (constant total heat flux) around the duct bank surface. The technique was applied to several cable configurations yielding more accurate Gb-values.
1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this paper is mainly to investigate the validity of the isothermal duct bank surface assumption and to present the computational technique which enables a more accurate calculation of the Gb-factor. The paper shows only some results for selected cable configurations which serve the purpose of illustration and should not be generalized for other cable configurations.
2. METHOD DESCRIPTION
As outlined in the Introduction, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the derivation of improved values of the geometric factor Gb which takes into account (at least in an approximate way) the variations of the temperature along the duct bank perimeter surface. In Reference [ 11, extended values of the Gb-factor for wide ranges of depthheight and heighdwidth ratios of the duct bank (or backfill) were provided assuming that the duct bank surface is an isotherm. While a more complex finite-element based methodology was used to derive those extended values of the G,-factor, the final results were displayed in a simple tabular format which can be used directly in the context of the conventional Neher-McGrath computational procedure. A similar procedure is also followed in this paper. A finite element based methodology will be used to derive "modified values" of the Gb-factor which takes into account the non-isothermal conditions of the duct bank surface. However, once these new, improved G,-values are derived, they can be displayed in a simple tabular form for direct use in the NeherMcGrath procedure.

In the most widely used Neher-McGrath method [2] of calculating the extemal thermal resistance between cables in duct banks (or backfills) and ambient earth, approximate formulas for the geometric factor Gb of the duct bank are used. Two limitations existed in the applications of these formulas. First, the formulas are valid only for a limited range (1/3 to 3) of the heighdwidth ratio of the duct bank, a limitation which causes difficulties when calculating extemal thermal resistances of some cable systems. Second, these formulas are based on the assumption that the duct bank surface represents an isothermal boundary [3]. The temperature distribution around the perimeter of the duct bank is not uniform; the bottom portion of the surface is always hotter than the top portion. The differences in temperatures can, in some cases, be large and the isothermal assumption can be very restrictive leading to some errors in computations.

In Reference [l], a technique was presented to overcome the f i s t limitation. Extended values of the Gb-factor were derived which are applicable to wide ranges of the heighdwidth ratio of the duct bank. These extended values were displayed in a tabular form for direct use in the Neher-McGrath analysis. In this paper, the authors investigate the second limitation, namely the isothermal assumption for the duct bank surface. A finite-element based technique is described which simulates the heat dissipation pattern of the duct bank surface as it actually occurs in practice; that is, a constant total heat flux surface (the total heat produced by the cables and flowing through the surface per unit time in the steady state is constant). Via extensive finiteelement program runs and subsequent analyses, modified values of the Gb-factor are derived and tabulated for some practical cable configurations as will be described in the subsequent sections.

The idea of the methodology used in this paper is based on the fact that the sum of the heat flux through all segments of the duct bank surface is constant. That is, the closed rectangular duct bank surface (which contains the cables as heat sources) releases a total constant heat flux rather than being an isothermal surface. This leads, as illustrated in Figure 1, to higher temperatures at the
0.5
I

1.0
I

1.5

2.0
I

2.5

(m)

.. . . . . . .

1.. ,,,j
. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. ................ : : @: .: . :. :. :. :. . j i
.. ... . .. . .. ........... . ... . .. . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .........

ISOTHERMAL CONTOURS

T = 3OoC
= 45oc

.............

57 SX 591-1 A p a p e r recommended a n d a p p r o v e d by t h e I E F F I n s u l a t e d C o n d u c t o r s Committee o f t h e IEEE Power E n g i n e e r i n g S o c i e t y f o r p r e s e n t a t i o n a t t h e IEEE/PES 1937 Summer f l e e t i n g , San F r a n c i s c o , C a l i f o r n i a , . J u l v 12 - 1 7 , 1987. Y a n u s c r i p t s u b m i t t e d .January 2 7 , 1 9 8 7 ; made a v a i l a b l e f o r p r i n t i n g A p r i l 2 1 , 1987.

(m)

Figure 1. Isothermal contours surrounding cables in a duct bank

0885-8977/88/ 1OOO-1303$01.OO01988 IEEE

1304

bottom surface of the bank than at the top surface. Moreover, the top surface approximates an isothermal condition better than the bottom surface. This is primarily because the top bank surface is closer to the flat ground isothermal surface, and because the cables often span most of the horizontal dimension of the duct bank in most practical configurations. Consider the thermal circuit configuration of Figure 2 where the cable bank is represented by a rectangular crosssectional surface C of height h and width w. For this configuration, the total thermal resistance between the duct bank surface and the ground ambient is given by Equation (1):

Important Remarks
1.

Equation (4) provides the new value of the Gb-factorin terms of the temperature results from the finite element analysis. Note that if the duct bank surface is in fact an isotherm then l l i in Equation (4) leading to Tci= T, for a Gb = 2% Cr, - TJ /

C (T, - Ti)] id, which is the same result obtained in [l], as is expected.

2.

R = -p (T, - T,)

/I (aT/an)ds
C

(1)

ISOTHERMAL SURFACE S,T,

Since the values of Ti and Tci depend on the specific temperature distribution on the surface of the duct bank (or backfill), the new Gb-values will also depend on this temperature distribution. That is, they depend on the specific configuration and arrangement of the cables inside the duct bank. In the present work, new improved values of the Gb-factor are derived and tabulated for several practical cable configurations as will be presented in Section 3. In Appendix I, an approximate technique is also presented which may be used for other cable configurations. The application of this approximate technique does not require full finite element analysis. It does, however, require the display of some isothermal contours around the cable bank.

r----"-

Lb

CONSTANT T O T A L H E A T FLUX SURFACE C

3.

Figure 2. Thermal circuit configuration where p is the thermal resistivity of the medium, C represents the duct bank surface and a p n denotes differentiation along the normal to C. Note that Equation (1) can be written approximately as ATi R=-p/[ - ASi/(T,i-T,)I (2) i d , AI+ where, as shown in Figure 3, Ti is the temperature of segment i along the first finite element grid layer surrounding the duct bank surface as was described in [l], TCiis the temperature at the duct bank surface C of segment i, and I, is the index set of segments along surface C. By choosing ASJAni = 1 for all i, Equation (2) reduces to P R = - G b = - P / [ C (Ti-Tci)/(Tci-Ts)I (3) 2% icI, Hence, (4)

The new values of the Gb-factorcan be higher or lower than those obtained in [I] for an isothermal duct bank surface. In other words, the new G,factor may be more conservative or less conservative than the old (isothermal-based) Gb-factor, depending on the specific configuration of the cable system. This is clearly shown from the derivations of Appendix I1 for a two-portion duct bank surface model (top and bottom halves). The Gb-factor is assumed, in principle, to be dependent only on the cable system configuration and independent of the total heat flux from the duct bank. This was confmed by the sensitivity analysis results carried out by the authors, in which different levels of cable loadings were used. The validity of this assumption is also related to the observation that, for most cable configurations, the shapes (not the values) of isothermal contours around the duct bank remain essentially the same for different levels of heat flux. The accuracy of the Gb-values calculated using Equation (4) would naturally depend on the level of detail of the finiteelement analysis employed. Because a very extensive set of full finite-element analyses is required for each cable system configuration, the authors did not use fully detailed finiteelement grid modelling in the results shown in the next Section. The authors, however, believe that these results are of sufficient accuracy for comparison and investigation purposes.

4.

5.

3 . RESULTS
The finite-element based technique described in Section 2 was implemented to evaluate the geometric factor Gb for several cable systems. The calculations were performed using a finiteelemendsensitivity analysis program at Ontario Hydro. Figures 4(a) to 4(f) show the results obtained. It is important to reiterate that these results are applicable only to the particular cable arrangements considered. Figure 3. Finite-elementgrid structure

1305

b'

Lb

w
0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

IqJl

Nw
1.0 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5

Gb

Gob

h
6
J

Lb
I
W

I
L

DUCT #1

1.2 2.4 3.6 1.2 2.4 3.6 Notes:

0.6 0.6

0.6 0.6 0.6 1.2 1.2 1.2

2 4 6 2 4

1.48 2.40 2.88 1.26 2.22 2.56

2.00 2.93 3.67 1.51 2.21 2.67

1. Values of Lb, h, w are in metres 2. GOb represents values of Gb from [ 11 based on the isothermal duct bank surface assumption

0
0

6
FIGURE 4 ( a )

I 7

I ,
8

Lb/h

MODIFIED V A L U E S OF Gb-FACTOF? FOR C O N F I G U R A T I O N #1

Gt:

L J = b = -

Lb

L& 2.0 4.0 6.0 1.2 2.4 3.6

h/W

Gb 0.86 1.84 2.56 0.99 1.86 2.56

Gob 1.32 2.08 2.54 1.48 2.35 2.82

hEm
2.(

DiJCT # 2

2.

1.2 2.4 3.6 1.2 2.4 3.6

= O. 3 3

0.6 0.6 0.6 1.0 1.0 1.0

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

0.33 0.33 0.33 1.34 1.34 1.34

2.

Notes:

n metres 1. Values of Lb, h, w are i 2. GOb represents values of Gb from [ 11 based on the isothermal duct bank surface assumption

1.

1.

0.

Lb/h

FIGURE 4 ( b )

MODIFIED VALUES OF Gb-FACTOR FOR CONFIGURATION #2

GbA

5 -

1.2 2.4 3.6 1.2 2.4 5.4 Notes:

0.6 0.6 0.6 1.0 1.0 1.0

1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8

2.0 4.0 6.0 1.2 2.4 5.4

0.33 0.33 0.33 0.56 0.56 0.56

1.14 1.92 2.72 0.95 2.00 3.80

1.32 2.08 2.54 0.99 1.73 2.62

4 -

3 -

1. Values of Lb, h, w are in metres 2. Gob represents values of Gb from [ 11 based on the isothermal duct bank surface assumption

2 -

1 -

01 0

%/h

F I G U R E 4(c) M O D I F I E D VALUES O F Gb-FACTOR FOR C O N F I G U R A T I O N # 3

L
3
L W 4

h
1.8 1.2 1.2 1.8 1.8 1.8

w
1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

Lbhl
1.0 1.5 2.0 1.0 1.33 2.0

ww
1.2 1.2 1.2 1.8 1.8 1.8

Gb

Gob

D U C T #4

1.8 1.8 2.4 1.8 2.4 3.6 Notes:

1.12 1.83 2.06 1.5 1.81 2.26

1.24 1.63 2.06 1.43 1.70 2.24

1. Values of b, h, w are in metres 2. Gobrepresents values of Gb from [l] based on the isothermal duct bank surface assumption

4 Lblh

FIGURE 4(d) M O D I F I E D VALUES O F G b - F A C T O R FOR C O N F I G U R A T I O N # 4

1307

2
0.5
I

_ _ _ ~

DUCT #5

1.2 2.4 1.8 1.35 1.8 2.7 Notes:

= 0.67

1.2 1.2 0.6 1.35 0.9 0.9

1.8 1.8 0.9 1.8 1.2 1.2

1.0 2.0 3.0 1.0 2.0 3.0

0.67 0.67 0.67 0.75 0.75 0.75

0.82 1.62 1.81 1.00 1.89 2.43

0.95 1.68 2.11 1.01 1.76 2.20

1. Values of Lb, h, w are in metres 2. Gobrepresents values of Gb from [ 13 based on the isothermal duct bank surface assumption

Lb/h

FIGURE 4(e) MODIFIED VALUES

OF

G b - F A C T O R FOR C O N F I G U R A T I O N # 5

Lb

L&

NW
0.25 0.25 0.25 0.42 0.42 0.42

Gb

Gob

DUCT #6

1.5 1.5 3.6 2.4 5.0 6.0

Notes:

0.75 0.6 0.6 1.26 1.26 1.00

3.0 2.4 2.4 3.0 3.0 2.4

2.0 2.5 6.0 2.0 4.0 6.0

1.1 1.41 2.56 1.79 2.49 3.17

1.12 1.31 2.29 1.44 2.19 2.66

1. Values of L,, h, w are in metres 2. GO, represents values of Gb from [ 11 based on the isothermal duct bank surface assumption

Lb/h

FIGURE 4 ( f ) MODIFIED VALUES OF Gb-FACTOR FOR CONFIGURATION A6

1308

4. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

1. The results of Figures 4(a)-(f), when compared with those derived in [l], show that in most cases the assumption of isothermal duct bank surface yields an error in the calculation of the Gb-factor. For example, for configuration #1, the error is approximately -35% for L,,/h=2 and h/w=l, and reduces (in magnitude) to -27% for L&=6 and the same h/w value. For configuration #3, however, the error decreases from 15% to 7% as L&I increases from 2 to 6 and WwG.33. It should be noted that a certain percentage error in the Gbvalue normally translates to a smaller percentage error in the ultimate cable ampacity. The results obtained also show that the new Gb-valuescan be less or greater than those based on the isothermal assumption, as was discussed in Remark 3 of Section 2, depending on the specific cable configuration and the heat transfer pattern around the cable bank. In approximately 60% of the cases analyzed, the values of the Gb-factorwere higher than those derived in [l] for isothermal duct bank surface. From the results of Figures 4(a)-(f), it is generally observed that the isothermal assumption yields less conservative values of Gbfactor for configurations #1 and #2 and more conservative values for configuration #6. The results of Figures 4(a)-(f) are applicable to other cable systems having the same configurations. They are independent of cable loading. They are, however, dependent on the relative locations of the cables inside the duct bank or backfill. While the values of the Gb-factor displayed in Figures 4(a)(0 are applicable only to the associated configurations, the technique presented is general and Equation (4) can be applied to any other cable configuration. As was mentioned earlier, the purpose of this paper was to investigate the effects of the isothermal surface assumption on the derived values of the Gb-factor, and to present a suitable computational technique for more accurate calculations of the Gb-factor. It is hoped that some coordinatedjoint studies will be conducted in the future by various researchers and institutes to derive and display full tables of modified Gb-values applicable to most cable configurations and arrangements. While the efforts contained in such studies would be extensive, as they would involve massive fiiiteelement runs, the final result tables and diagrams would be of invaluable assistance to cable engineers.

APPENDIX I Approximate Calculation of Gb-Factor for General Cable Configurations

The approximate method proposed here is based on analyzing the isothermal contours, around the cable to determine the quantities AT@+ and T~ of Equation (4). These isothermal contours are normally plotted for complex cable configurations using finite-element programs. The temperature gradient ATi/Ani can be evaluated approximately as (Tc- Tci)/Ani as shown in Figure Al, where T, is the temperature of an isothermal contour close to the duct bank surface. The values of Tci at various segments of the duct bank surface can be obtained approximately by using two isothermal contours and interpolating (or extrapolating) logarithmically as depicted in Figure Al. The values of Tci are evaluated from the relationship Tci = T ,+ ( T , - T,) In

2.

-/
ai

% In -

a,

3.

where T, and T are the temperatures of the two isothermal contours, and a, an8 are approximate radii as shown in Figure A l . Note that the fom$a (Al) is based on the assumption that the two isothermal contours, r and q, represent two coaxial semi cylinders.

r------------

4.

5.

Figure Al. Approximate calculation of G,-factor

'

APPENDIX II Comparison of Old and New Gb-Factors

Consider an approximate thermal model of the duct bank in which the duct bank surface is assumed to be formed of two isothermal portions of different temperatures, namely, the top portion of temperature T,, and the bottom portion of temperature Tc2 The thermal resistances R, and R2 between the top and bottom portions respectively, and the ambient are given by RI=

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Some of the finite-element programs used in this work were developed jointly with the Canadian Electiical Association (CEA) under Contract No. 138D-375. Also, some of the theoretical developments have been sponsored by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) under Contract No. A1708.

REFERENCES

1.

M.A. El-Kady and D.J. Horrccks, "Extended values for geometric factor of external thermal resistance of cables in duct banks," IEEE Trans. on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-104, 1985, pp 1958-1962.

- andRz= Qi

Tcl - Ts

s Tc2 - T
Q2

2.

J.H. Neher and M.H. McGrath, "The calculation of the temperature rise and load capability of cable systems," N E E Trans (Power Apparatus and Systems), Vol. 76, 1957, pp 752-772.
Discussion on [11 by N.R. Spencer and G.A. MacPhail.

where Q1 = X Q and Q2 = (1-X)Q represent the heat flux through top and bottom portions, respectively. Assuming that Tc2 = Tcl + ATc, then, (Tcl - Ts) + AT, Tcl - Ts RI =and R, = XQ (1-X)Q

3.

1309

and the total thermal resistance R i s the parallel combination of R1 and Rz, that i s

Discussion

where

cp=

AT, __

Tcl - Ts
Now, the "old" thermal resistance RO based on an isothermal duct bank surface is given b y

N. R. Spencer (BC Hydro, Vancouver, BC, Canada): The authors have presented a method of eliminating a major assumption in the classical NeherMcGrath ampacity equations for cables on duct banks or selected backfills, and have presented some realistic values of Ghfor a number of typical cable arrangements. It is interesting to note that the finite element method employed may result in either a more or less conservative value of Gbdepending on the configuration. It is noted that some of the duct bank dimensions chosen for illustration are unusual and seemingly not economical. For instance, configuration #3 is a six-way duct bank with outside dimension h of 1.2 m to 1.8 m and w of 1.0 to 1.5 m. We share the authors' hope that some coordinated joint studies will be conducted in the future to derive and display full tables of modified G, values applicable to most cable arrangements.
Manuscript received August 11, 1987

therefore,

-=-.
Ro

T,,-T,
~

1+

~ p

T,- T,

1 +hcp

Note that T, i s t h e assumed isothermal temperature in the calculation o f Ro and h is t h e fraction of the total heat flux escaping , , > T,, (or through t h e top portion. Since in practical situations, T cp> 0.0) a n d 1.0>M.5, then, if we assume that T, corresponds t o T,, (as most of the heat escapes from the top portion of the duct bank surface closest t o the isothermal ground surface), then

R
R O

l+cp

> 1.0 I+ h ~

M. A. El-Kady, J. Motlis, G . J. Anders, and D. J. Horrocks: The authors wish to thank Mr. Spencer for his pertinent comments. As the discusser noted, this paper describes a novel finite-element-based technique for calculating Gbfactor values based on the actual heat flow transfer mechanism (constant total heat dissipation) around the duct bank surface. We are encouraged that the discusser shares our hope that coordinated joint studies will be conducted in the future to derive and display full tables of modified Gh values applicable to most cable arrangements. With regard to the comment on duct bank dimensions, we apologize for four graphical errors which inadvertently appeared in Fig. 4(c)-4(0. The correct dimensions on which the computations were based and which correspond to the results displayed in the tables are as follows. The horizontal cable spacing in Fig. 4(d) should be 0.5 m and all remaining cable spacings in Fig. 4(c)-4(f) (both horizontal and vertical) should be 0.3 m. Please also note that the dimension h in Fig. 4(e) should represent the duct bank height as it does in all the remaining figures.
Manuscript received September 4. 1987

Therefore, one would expect that f o r such cable systems, the new total thermal resistance is higher than the o n e based on the isothermal assumption. That is, the n e w values o f Gb-factor are more conservative than the old (isothermal-based) values. On the T , + TCz)/2 or the other hand, if we assume that T, corresponds to ( average of top and bottom temperatures, then R
-

l+cp

<1.0

R O

1+9+(h-0.5)+0.5h@

and t h e new values of Gb-factor would be less consexvative than the old (isothermal-based) values.