GIS Application – LiDAR data Utilization for Transmission Line

Design and Construction

Mr. C. Suresh Babu Reddy, Head Engineering,

PT&D-TL, India. csr@lntecc.com
Mr. Periasamy Sekar, Chief Engineering Manager,
PT&D-TL, India. psr@lntecc.com
Mr. Mohammed Jabir, Asst. Manager,
PT&D-TL, India. jabir@lntecc.com

Keywords: Hilly Terrain, LiDAR data, PLS CADD, spotting of towers, benching volumes,
diagonal profiles, swing calculations & slope protection.

Abstract:

The present day demand for power supply has increased tremendously and thus the various clients
all over the world are enforcing acceleration of power projects and even approving the route
alignment over hilly terrains, rivers and other remote areas where access itself is challenging.

It is becoming a big challenge for such projects where detail survey itself would take more than 3
months keeping apart the changes in route due to lack of ground clearances and other surveys
essential for diagonal profiles and hill cutting / leveling.

In order to meet such challenges, GIS application-LiDAR data is being utilized while executing
such jobs and similar survey were used for one of our projects in UAE (N6318: 96.0 km 400kV D/C
OHL Fujairah – Ras Al Khaimah, Client: TRANSCO, Consultant: MML, first project in UAE to
utilize LiDAR data) and also in Oman (Wadikabir to Majlis OHL).

Following are the applications of GIS based LiDAR data.

1. Spotting of Towers
2. Calculating the swing clearances from existing towers
3. Diagonal profiles to decide the leg extensions/CP levels
4. Calculations of benching volumes
5. Calculations of side cuttings/mid span cuttings
6. Calculations of foundation edges protection
7. To decide the access road approach on hill surrounded area

Introduction:

LiDAR (Light detection and ranging) is a technique used to provide the complete survey data of a
route along with all aerial points to utmost accuracy and high density of points within least time.
M/s Network mapping agency, UK based was used for our projects in UAE.
 Fig.1: LiDAR survey technique

Refer to Fig.1 wherein the helicopter is used for laser scanning and data acquiring. The laser beams
are 10-20 cm in diameter while reaching the ground level. Any portion of this beam area that strikes
an object will trigger a reflection that will be measured by the scanner in terms of its geodetic
position. This position is calculated from an onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) and ground
based GPS stations that constantly receive information from a constellation of satellites.

Fig.2: Laser beams

Fig.3: Helicopter for data capturing

As shown in Fig.2, due to the fact that the laser beam is around 10 to 20 cm in diameter, it may
strike the edge of one object and then part of the beam may continue and hit a second object. For
example, in a forest setting, reflections will be recorded from both the canopy and the ground,
allowing mapping both.

Referring to Fig.3, the data is acquired using a helicopter based laser scanner and camera. Weather
data is recorded by ground based equipment while line loading data is recorded to enable accurate
conductor modeling.

Preliminary data processing occurs on site to meet client delivery schedules. The data is then
shipped to processing center where team of remote sensing specialists and engineers utilize the data
to prepare final packages tailored to client requirements.

Use of LiDAR data for spotting of Towers

1. The UAE project for which LiDAR data was utilized; we have split the data of 96km line
into approx. 22 sections.
2. Firstly, we have assigned the angle points to define the tender route.

Fig.4: Tender Route vs Revised Route

3. Thus, we found that tower quantity and hill cutting is increasing and it is very much essential
to have diversions along the route on either sides so as to ensure ground clearances and
minimum number of towers (refer Fig.4).
 4. Since we have 300m corridor on either side, it was very much easier to shift the angle points
and see the profile views in PLS CADD.
5. Thus, we are able to assign best possible angle points along the route by moving around
100m from centre line on either side at some locations (Refer Fig.5).

Fig.5: Spotting of Towers on LiDAR data

6. Once angle points are assigned, we proceeded with spotting of intermediate towers for
which the base width and CP lowering were critical issues as the hills were steeper at some
areas and slimmer at some locations.
7. LiDAR data was very much helpful to know the levels at tower bases and foundation edges
so that CP lowering can be decided.
8. Thus, we have completed preliminary spotting of entire 96km line with tentative CP levels.

Use of LiDAR data for calculating the swing clearances from existing towers:
1. They were few congested areas having some overhead lines 25 years old.
2. Our line in UAE was 50.0m parallel to the said existing 400kV OHL.
3. As the existing line was parallel and was moving on hilly area, it was very much essential to
have calculations of swings to know the critical locations.
4. As LiDAR data has perfectly collected the existing tower details along with its conductor,
jumper and OPGW positions, it was very much easier to create its spotting and then
checking was made easy (refer Fig.6 & 7).
Fig.6: Existing 400kV OHL captured by LiDAR data

Fig.7: Developing Line model by referring LiDAR data

Use of LiDAR data for Diagonal profiles to decide the leg extensions/CP levels:
 1. LiDAR data was once again helpful while deciding the actual CP levels and unequal leg
extensions through diagonal profile activity.
2. Approx. 2m grid levels were required for about 50mx50m area for each tower location to
calculate the diagonal leg position, its max. Leg extension and revised CP level.
3. Since in LiDAR data, we have levels at each .70m point, it was easy to use civil 3-D
software to pick a point at 2m grid over an area of 40mx40m (refer Fig.8).
4. Thus, CP levels and unequal leg combinations were decided and tower quantities and leg
extension quantities were freeze within 3 months of received LiDAR data.

Fig.8: Grid Points for calculation of diagonal profiles and benching volumes

Use of LiDAR data for calculations of benching volumes:

 1. Since hill cutting will be a paid item in the scope of work, consultant will insist to provide
calculations of leveling/hill cutting in order to fix the decided leg extension / CP level.
2. Thus, 2m grid of 40mx40m area from LiDAR data was again utilized to calculate the
benching volumes.
3. For this, we have spotted the foundation widths of four legs of each tower on 40mx40m area
and calculated the CP level cutting and individual leg area cuttings (refer Fig. 8).

Use of LiDAR data for calculations of side cuttings/mid span cuttings:

1. For such a hilly terrain area, having steep slopes of sudden level differences of around 250m
and hill peaks of avg. 500m, it was very much difficult to avoid minor hill cuttings in order
to avoid additional towers.
2. As LiDAR data has entire corridor details, it was very much easier to calculate the violations
and accordingly its cutting volumes.
3. For volume calculations, as needed, grid details at 2m interval will be easily available from
LiDAR data.
4. It was not easy for any survey team to collect such sloppy survey data for calculations of
side cuttings but LiDAR data has made it easy.

Use of LiDAR data for calculations of foundation edges protection:

1. Since the terrain is steeper at many locations, even with heavy backfilling, still few
foundations were having steep slopes which would have danger of washouts during rains
(refer Fig.9).
2. Hence, Foundation slope protection is a necessary activity for foundations on hilly terrains
with steep slopes.
3. Due to continue works, the levels around foundation edges may be filled at many a times
and hence it was not easy to decide from where the slope protection layer should be placed.
4. Thus, LiDAR data was used to find out the mother soil levels so that slope protection can be
firmed and should not be on loose soils.
 Fig.9: Foundation edge with steep slope

Fig.10: Foundation slope protection

Use of LiDAR data for deciding the access road approach on hill surrounded area:
1. There were many an areas along the route wherein the entire region was surrounded by
heavy hills making it almost remote area with no networks.
2. Even at some areas, the sub-contractors have blindly started the access road work to reach
the spotted tower but were left stranded midway.
3. With use of LiDAR data, we have around 300m corridor and it was easy to know the best
and shortest route to reach the spotted tower.
 4. As consultants were very much careful while deciding the gradient of access road, the
LiDAR data levels were helpful to know the steepness of a selected access road and its
feasibility in reaching safely to the spotted tower.
References:
1. Network mapping agency’s method of statement
2. PLS CADD manual, version 12.10.