FAMILY OF LOW HEIGHT 380KV OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES LATTICE STEEL

STRUCTURES – DELTA CONFIGURATION IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Elmer Del Rosario Gabinete*
Senior Transmission Engineer
SAUDI ELECTRICITY COMPANY
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT – Transmission line Projects are usually
prohibited to encroach Airport facilities with strict
compliance to Aviation Rules and Regulations
specifically with regards to height requirements and
horizontal angle from the runways. With the
installation of a new Substation within the periphery
of King Khalid International Airport leaves no option
to cope with the challenges that General Authority of
Civil Aviation set for tower height requirements.
Engineering and Design Department of the Company
opted to design new 380kV Family of Low Height
Towers – Delta configuration as it enters the airport
area around 3km from Substation 9039 (New Airport
Sub-Station). This paper presents the upgraded
Family of Lattice Towers specially designed to fit the
requirements as to High Extreme Wind (tornado)
conditions and rare Height clearance limitations.
Using PLS-Tower, analysis of each of these towers
has been carried out. A few interesting results
relevant to the design of a typical 380kV Double
Circuit transmission line tower under multiple
loading conditions are also presented. Then, the
structural behavior of the family of towers were
looked upon by conducting several tests for reliability
prior to utilization. Finally, the knowledge gaps,
associated challenges and utilization in the on-going
project is highlighted. It also ends with a brief outline
of conclusions from the study.
Keywords:
Low Height Towers – Delta Configuration, Geometry
of tower, Configuration of tower, method of joints
(nodes), resultant, deflection, rigging.
maximize the heights up to 51 meters as per Figure 1
of Appendix I.
A study was made with several proposals of
differing family of towers and configurations with
limiting height conditions according to the
requirements of GACA. Out of three (3) proposals,
utilization of 380kV D/C Delta Type Lattice Tower
was opted and managed taking into account the
minimum height of 37.0 meters with a Right-Of-Way
(ROW) requirement of 409 meters for the six (6)
parallel proposed and future 380kV OHTL. These
latticed steel structures are designed with geometric
configurations based on electrical, economic, and
safety requirements (ASCE 10-97).
The following revised Saudi Electricity Company
(SEC) Standards were added and utilized in the design
and fabrication of the new family of 380kV towers:
 TES-P-122.01 “Basic Design Requirements”
 TES-P-122.05 “Transmission Structures Part I:
Lattice Steel Towers” with specific inclusion of
High Intensity Wind (Tornado) Loading on Tower
corresponding to wind speed of 250 km/hour
(Fujita Scale F2).
 TES-P-122.03 “Conductors and Overhead
Ground Wires”. The limiting condition (final
tension) shown on Section 2.2.2.b and 2.2.7 of this
standard were revised as 1370 N/m2 instead of
1064 N/m2.
 20-TMSS-1 “Transmission Line and Substation
Lattice Steel Structures”
Maximum results obtained from the sag and
tension values of the following tabulated Conductors
and OPGW/OGW are the design values utilized to
develop the 380kV Tower Loadings design (Table I).

I. INTRODUCTION
II. METHODOLOGY AND DISCUSSION
herever substations are located, transmission

W lines follows in alignment. With the

installation of New Airport Housing
substation inside the compound of King
Khalid International Airport (KKIA), the 3.80km
parallel 380kV Overhead Transmission route follows
accordingly. Hence, General Authority of Civil
Aviation (GACA) of KKIA instructed Saudi
Electricity Company (SEC) to design towers to
Transmission towers have always been analyzed
as trusses. ASCE 10-97 recognizes this fact and the
member capacities are adjusted based on many full
scale tower tests. TRUSS elements make up most of
the tower model and carry only axial loads. T-ONLY
(shorthand for Tension Only) members are sometimes
used for lacing members with a very large L/r. Tower
members with an L/r greater than 250 should be
specified as T-ONLY.

nd
*Granada Glass Tower A6, 2 Floor, Gornatah Area, Riyadh 11411, Saudi Arabia, Email: 96039@se.com.sa
2

 The mechanical Loadings are calculated on the

Table I. Specifications of Conductors and transverse and longitudinal face utilizing all the
OGW/OPGW utilized for the ultimate Sag criteria stipulated in each family of the towers
and Tension Values tabulated below.
Conductor: Bundle of OPGW : 2-96 core  Towers are configured with keeping in mind all
four (4) -1080.6 Kcmil the electrical and structural constrains.
“ACAR” per phase Diameter : 19 mm  Loading format including reliability, security and
Rated Strength : 120 kN safety pattern is evaluated. Now, all the towers are
Diameter : 30.38 mm modeled using PLS-Tower.
Fault Current : 24 kA  Then, the towers are analyzed as a three
Rated Strength : 121kN
for 0.30 sec. at 55°C dimensional structure using PLS-Tower.
Stranding : 18/19 initial temperature  Finally, tower members are designed as angle
sections.
Conductor: 4-500mm², OGW :
AAAC per phase Transmission Line Components
Diameter : 16.7 mm
Diameter : 29.10 mm
Rated Strength : 120 kN The following criteria for the design were utilized to
Rated Strength : 139.6 kN develop for the new 380kV family of towers:
Fault Current : 24kA for
Stranding : 61/3.23 0.30 sec. at 55°C initial Tower
temperature LHD-TT LHD-MA LHD-HA
Type
Conductor: 4-454.5mm², Deviation o o o o o o
0 -2 2 - 35 35 - 90
ACSR “Condor” per Angle
phase Ruling
200 200 200
Span (m)
Diameter : 27.72mm Min.
Rated Strength: 125.24kN Ruling 150 - -
Stranding : 54/7 Span (m)
Max.
A 3-dimensional Analysis & Design programme Wind 210 210 210
used in Low Height Tower Designs. Tower member Span (m)
design are based on ASCE 10:97 Standards and all Maximum
models being analysed in non-linear mode to Weight 250 250 250
determine equilibrium of all forces & moments in Span (m)
deformed state of the structure. Min.
Weight -40 -40 -40
TOWER uses classical concepts of finite element Span (m)
analysis (matrix method) to determine the axial forces
& stresses in each tower component under various load Other parameters considered:
combinations. These forces are then compared with
 Basic Wind Speed: 47 m/s
allowable values of a particular design specification.
 Basic Wind Pressure: 1370 N/sqm
The Tower software (developed by Powerline  Maximum Temperature: 80°C (ACSR/AW)
Systems Inc.) allows the calculation of lattice towers  Number of Ground Wires: Double
for transmission lines and telecommunications. Tower  Insulator Type: V String
angles are modeled including screws and connections.  Concrete Level to Ground Level: 450 mm
The basic purpose is to check loading trees to certain  Clearances of Phase Conductor to it's own
conditions of design. Support:
- Clearance of phase conductor to
The following works has been done in the New its own support at No Wind 3500mm
Family of Towers Designed: Condition
- Clearance of phase conductor to
 Tower Design Configuration. its own support at Full Wind 2200mm
 The sag tension calculation for conductor and Condition
ground wire were optimized utilizing the - Additional margin on account
150mm
maximum values. of Design Errors
 Calculations of Wind Pressures for Conductors, - Total Altitude required for
1000m
Ground Wire and Accessories. Design
- For 1000 mm Altitude, required
3500mm
Electrical Clearance
3

- Total Electrical Clearance of SEC standards [TES-P-122.05 PI] of practice for

phase conductor (At No Wind 3650mm use of transmission line lattice steel structures have
Condition) prescribed following conditions for the sag and tension
- Total Electrical Clearance of calculations for the conductor and the ground wire:
phase conductor (At Full Wind 2350mm
Condition) Conductor
- Minimum Ground Clearance 1. Initial tension with no wind on bare conductor at
10000mm
(For 1000 m Altitude) 27ºC, not exceeding 30 percent of the rated
 Ruling Span: 200 m strength;
 Minimum Mid Span Clearance: 5400mm 2. Initial tension, 44kg/m2 wind at -10C, not
exceeding 33 percent of the rated strength;
2.1 Configuration of Towers 3. Final tension, no wind at 27ºC, not exceeding 17
percent of the rated strength;
The configuration of all three towers varies from 4. Final tension, 109kg/m2 wind at 27ºC, not
the requirements by GACA as to heights. Accordingly, exceeding 60 percent of the rated strength.
clearances as to Electrical and Mid-span requirements
by SEC Standards were optimized as shown in Tables OPGW/OGW
I to II then the outline of all the towers in Micro- 1. Final sag, no wind at 27ºC, 80 percent of the
Station or Autocad are drawn and fixed as shown in conductor sag under the same conditions;
Figures 2 to 4 of Appendix I. 2. Final tension, no wind at 27ºC, not exceeding 17
percent of the rated strength;
Table II. Calculation for Tower Height from Ground 3. Final tension, 109kg/m2 wind at 27ºC, not
Level to Bottom Cross Arm Level exceeding 60 percent of the rated strength;
LHD-TT LHD-MA & 4. Initial tension, 44kg/m2 wind at -1ºC, not
Description
Tower LHD-HA exceeding 33 percent of the rated strength.
Minimum Ground Clearance
10000mm 10000mm
(For 1000 m Altitude)
Maximum Conductor Sag At Table IV. Design Tension Values for Tower Design
4500mm 0mm
85°C
TOWER DESIGN TENSIONS
V-Suspension String 5735mm 5735mm Load Case
Cleat 165mm 165mm Description 120kN 70kN
Conductor
Sag Error 600mm 600mm OPGW OPGW
Margin 0mm 0mm -1° C, 430 N/m2 Wind
36730 25534 15514
Total Distance Provided Pressure (FINAL)
from Ground Level To 21000mm 16500mm 27° C, 1370 N/m2
Bottom Cross Arm Wind Pressure 46847 33320 22427
(FINAL)
27° C, No Wind
Table III. Calculation for Mid-span Clearance 25059 18096 10715
Pressure (FINAL)
LHD-TT LHD-MA & 27° C, 50% of 1370
Description N/m2 Wind Pressure 33596 24393 15971
Tower LHD-HA
(FINAL)
Top X-arm to Peak 3000mm 7500mm
-1° C, 430N/m2 Wind
Cleat 165mm 0mm Pressure (INITIAL)
44706 29608 17669
V- String 5735mm 0mm
-1° C, Nil Wind
OPGW drop -240mm 0mm Pressure (INITIAL)
41843 28386 16520
Conductor Spacing -457mm -228mm
Vertical dist. available
The above Table III disclose the tabulated values
between top X- arm and 8203mm 7272mm
peak of tensions obtained for PLS-Tower sag and tensions
Conductor Sag at and the maximum data that are utilized in the
Everyday Temp., No Wind 3170mm 3170mm Mechanical Loadings.
Condition
Ground Wire Sag at 2.3 Wind Pressure Calculations
Everyday Temp., No Wind -3080mm -3080mm
Condition Wind pressure calculation for Conductor, Ground
Sag difference between Wire & Accessories (High / Extreme wind)
GW & Top conductor at
90mm 90mm
Everyday Temperature and
No Wind Condition ( )
Total Provided Mid Span
8293mm 7262mm
(Actual)
Available Mid Span 8293 > 7262 > ( ) (Eq. 01-1)
Clearance 5400 5400 Where,
Zg = Gradient Height for Exposure Category C.
Zg = 900 ft = 275 m
2.2. Sag and Tension for Conductor and Ground Wire α = Power Low Exponent for Exposure Category C
4

= 9.5 γw = 1.00
Zh = Height of the wire attachment from GL Kzt = Topographical factor = 1.00
γw = Load Factor For Suspension Tower
γw = 1.15 WIND LOAD DISTRIBUTION
High/Extreme Longitudinal Wind Distribution (Newton)
Kzt = Topographical factor = 1.00 PANEL Wind Wind Wind Total Wind
Levels Load Dist. wind Load
Gust Response Factor Gw for Conductor & Ground Load per
Node
Wire 61393 61393 15348
1 Peak 122786
61393
( √ ) (Eq. 01-2) Cross 105215 166608 41652
2 Arm
210430
105215
in which: 60372 165587 41397
Waist
√ ( ) (Eq. 01-3) 3 Level
120743
60372
( ) (Eq. 01-4) Basic 57988 118360 29590
4 Body
86982
28994
Where: 85819 114813 28703
5 Level A 128728
42909
S = Design wind span = 210 m
Kv = 1.43 Ratio of 3 sec Gust Wind speed to 6
Leg 42909 10727
Extension
10-minutes Average Wind Speed
For Exposure Category C
Ls = Wind Parameter = 220 ft. = 67 m For tornado wind, a separate spreadsheet for wind
Turbulence scale pressure calculations is shown in Table Vb of
αFM = Power Law Coefficient Sustained Wind. Appendix II. Then, a concluded Wind Load
αFM = 7.0 Distribution tables are shown below:
κ = Surface Drag Coefficient = 0.005
Cf = Force Coefficient for Conductor and WIND LOAD DISTRIBUTION
Earthwires = 1.00 Tornado Transverse Wind Distribution (Newton)
Wind
Total
Final Wind Pressure for High/Extreme Wind, Wind Wind Wind Load
PANEL wind
Levels Load Dist. per
Conductor, Ground Wire, Insulators & Accessories Load
Node
43437 43437 10859
1 Peak 86874
(Eq. 01-5) 43437
Pd = Design Wind Pressure 81751 125188 31297
2 Cross Arm 163502
Q = 0.613 81751
Waist 72678 154429 38607
3 Level 145356
72678
The above formula are then annotated in the software 73169 145847 36462
Basic
and accordingly resultant values tabulated in a 4 Body 109753
36584
spreadsheet for wind pressure calculations at 108285 144870 36217
5 Level A 162428
High/Extreme Wind Cases as shown in Table Va of 54143
Leg 54143 13536
Appendix II. A concluded Wind Load Distribution 6 Extension
tables are shown below:

WIND LOAD DISTRIBUTION WIND LOAD DISTRIBUTION

High/Extreme Transverse Wind Distribution (Newton) Tornado Longitudinal Wind Distribution (Newton)
PANEL Wind Wind Wind Total Wind PANEL Wind Wind Wind Total Wind
Levels Load Dist. wind Load Levels Load Dist. wind Load per
Load per Load Node
Node 74465 74465 19366
34425 34425 8606 1 Peak 154929
1 Peak 68850 74465
34425 132759 207224 52556
64790 99215 24804 2 Cross Arm 265517
2 Cross Arm 129580 132759
64790 Waist 76176 208935 52234
57599 122389 30597 3 Level 152352
3
Waist
115199 76176
Level 57599 Basic 73169 149345 37366
57988 115588 28897 4 Body 109753
4
Basic
86982 36584
Body 28994 108285 144870 36217
85819 114813 28703 5 Level A 162428
5 Level A 128728 54143
42909 6
Leg 54143 13536
Leg 10727 Extension
6 42909
Extension

2.4 Mechanical Loading Calculations

Wind pressure calculation for Conductor, Ground Wire &
Accessories (Tornado wind)
Transmission lines are subjected to various types
( ) of loads during their lifetime. These loads are broadly
classified into three distinct categories such as Climatic
5

Loads, Longitudinal and Torsional Loads and
Construction and Maintenance Loads.
Towers shall be designed to withstand factored
loads, including their simultaneous application, arising
out of above loading conditions, per details given
below for each category. Anchor and Dead-end towers
shall be designed to withstand the loads under all
loading conditions of conductors and ground wires
attached on one side of the towers only.
Transverse, vertical and longitudinal loads for
various loading conditions specified in SEC standards
are determined in accordance with the procedures and
tabulated or loading trees prepared before proceeding
with stress calculations and design. Sample loading
calculations for a tangent and heavy angle tower of
differing conditions are shown in Table VI of
Appendix II.
2.5 Design of the structural members of the tower:
A 3-dimensional Analysis and Design programme
used in Low Height Tower Designs. PLS-TOWER
uses classical concepts of finite element analysis
(matrix method) to determine the axial forces &
stresses in each tower component under various load
combinations. These forces are then compared with
allowable values of a particular design specification.
The mathematical model created by TOWER is a
collection of joints (Nodes) interconnected by straight
or curved members (elements). The basic tower
geometric dimensions are established by describing the
locations of the joints. Each joint is given unique
identification label and is located in space with
coordinates that are associated with a global 3
dimensional coordinate system. The tower geometry is
completed by connecting the joints with members.
1. Mild Steel: ASTM A36M
2. High Tensile Steel: ASTM A572M or Grade 50
3. Grade of Bolts: ASTM A325 (Type I) or Grade 8.8
with 16mmɸ used for all connections. All
redundant members below the bottom cross arm are
to be connected with two bolts on either side.
20 mmɸ Step bolts of 180mm length are provided on
two diagonally opposite lengths at 380mm spacing.
Design loads on transmission towers include wire
loads, dead loads from the tower and permanently
attached components, wind loads on towers itself and
possibly ice loads on tower members. The design loads
are specified in standard load files with the vector load
format (“lca”), the wire loads format (“lic”), or the EIA
loads format (“eia”). In both vector loads files & wire
loads files transverse wind pressures on the structures
& transverse concentrated loads applied to the
structure are positive if in the direction of the structure
local transverse axis as shown in Figure 9 of Appendix
I.
Run the analysis with Model/Run command. The
over-all result in the model are being checked for
integrity and common modelling errors. If no errors are
found an analysis is performed. Depending on the size
of model and the type of analysis, the analysis may
take from a fraction of a seconds to several minutes to
complete. The status bar & the hourglass on the screen
indicates that the analysis is being performed. Once the
analysis is complete, the deformed geometry window
is opened (Figure 10).

Some basic rules are: -

1. There should be enough joints and members
to form a stable 3-dimensional triangulated
network which can carry the loads from their
application joints down to the foundation
joints (Figure 5 of Appendix I).
2. Joints should be located at points where
insulators are attached or concentrated loads
are applied (Figure 6 of Appendix I).
3. There should be joint at each foundation
location (Figure 7 of Appendix I).

Over-all connectivity with joints and nodes

assignments, below Figure 8 of Appendix I will be
generated in the program. Fig. 10. Resultant Tower After Analysis

The Grade of Structural Members and Bolts used in the 2.6 Stresses in the members of the tower under
Towers are utilizing ASTM Standards with the various conditions:
following:
6

The low height transmission line towers are highly Longitudinal Loads will be applied by means of
indeterminate. The stresses in the various members are electrical winches through steel wire ropes connected
automatically computed in the PLS-Tower program. to the load points as shown below in Figure 11.
The stresses are determined for the following
conditions:
 Axial Stresses in the Tension. The design tensile
stress on the net cross-sectional area An of
concentrically loaded tension member, shall not
exceed minimum guaranteed yield stress Fy of the
material. Plain angle sections bolted in both legs at
both ends shall be considered concentrically
loaded. Leg members of latticed steel towers fall
in this category.
 Axial Stresses in the Compression. This is where
slenderness ratios for bending of members are
verified according to their affected/effective
lengths.
 Stresses in Bolts that includes shear and bearing
stresses

The resultant data in the axial and bending adequacy

check as per ASCE 10-97 Standard are tabulated in
Table VII of Appendix II.

2.7 Deflection and bending check of the tower

members: Fig. 11. Rigging was carried out on tower. Steel Wire
Ropes and Load Cells were installed on the
The limiting values of effective slenderness ratio, KL/r, tower at the designated loading points.
for compression members shall be as follows:
Leg members, ground wire peak members, and main The Loads will be measured by the load cells
chord members of cross-arms in compression 120 connected between the tower and wire ropes. The load
All other members carrying calculated stress 200 cells will be read through digital indicators from the
Redundant members not carrying calculated stress 250 control room.
The limiting values of effective slenderness ratio, KL/r,
for tension members shall be as follows: Each tower are tested according to the below
Cross-arm hanger members 300
tabulated (Table IX) load cases.
Other tension members 500
Table IX. Rigging Chart for Tower Testing
The following are the legends utilized in the Test Description
subsequent tabulated Member Design Summary: No.
Case L036 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Heavy Vertical
RLX = Radius of Gyration along X-Axis 1
Load : GWL Pick Up
RLY = Radius of Gyration along Y-Axis 2
Case L037 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Heavy Vertical
Load : TCL Pick Up
RLZ = Radius of Gyration along Z-Axis
Case L039 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Heavy Vertical
L/R = Slenderness Ratio of Member 3
Load : BCL(Inner) Pick Up
KL/R = Effective Slenderness Ratio of Member Case L042 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Heavy Vertical
4
L/R Capacity = Allowable Compressive Force Load : BCR(Outer) Pick Up
Net Section Capacity = Allowable Tensile Force Case L085 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Const. & Maint. :
5
GWR Stringing : Right Side Strung
K = Member Coefficient Slenderness Ratio Case L028 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Const. & Maint. :
6
SAE = Single Equal Angle Section TCL Stringing
DAE = Double Equal Angle Section 7
Case L087 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Const. & Maint. :
BCR(Outer) Stringing : Right Side Strung
TSE = Two Star Equal Angle Section
Case L034 : -1°C Nil Wind (Initial) : Const. & Maint. :
8
BCR(Inner) Stringing : Right Side Strung
Refer to Tables VIIIa and VIIIb of Appendix II for a 9
Case L054 : -1°C BWC : GWL Broken : Left Side
Strung : Vmax
sample tabulated summary of structural members of a
10 Case L021 : -1°C BWC : TCR Broken : Vmax
Heavy Angle and Medium Angle Resultant Towers 11 Case L016 : -1°C BWC : BCL (Outer) Broken : Vmin
after analysis. 12 Case L095 : 25°C : High Wind Tornado (Longitudinal)
13 Case L096 : 25°C : High Wind Tornado (Oblique)
Case L007 : 25°C : Normal Condition : High Wind
14
Oblique : Vmax
III. TOWER TESTING Case L003 : 25°C : Normal Condition : High Wind
15
Transverse : Vmax
Each tower was erected on rigid foundation of Case L001 : -1°C : Normal Condition : Standard Wind :
16
Vmax
Testing Station. The Transverse, Vertical and
7

Case L037 : -
1°C Nil Wind
The loads that are applied in steps of 50%, 75%, 2 25/12/16 (Initial) : Heavy 30 4 PASS
90%, 95% & 100% wherein are held for a period of 3 Vertical Load :
TCL Pick Up
minute at each step from 50 to 95% and for a period of Case L039 : -
5 minute at 100%. 1°C Nil Wind
(Initial) : Heavy
3 25/12/16 29 0 PASS
Vertical Load :
BCL(Inner)
Pick Up
Case L042 : -
1°C Nil Wind
(Initial) : Heavy
4 26/12/16 22 6 PASS
Vertical Load :
BCR(Outer)
Pick Up
Case L085 : -
1°C Nil Wind
(Initial) : Const.
5 26/12/16 & Maint. : GWR 24 7 PASS
Stringing :
Right Side
Strung
Case L028 : -
1°C Nil Wind
6 26/12/16 (Initial) : Const. 27 7 PASS
& Maint. : TCL
Stringing
Case L087 : -
1°C Nil Wind
Fig. 12. Actual test set-up of an LDH-TT Tower (Initial) : Const.
& Maint. :
inside the Al-Shariff KEC Testing Station, 7 26/12/16
BCR(Outer)
28 7 PASS
India. Stringing :
Right Side
Strung
A general view of the complete tower and testing Case L034 : -
arrangement (Rigging Arrangements) are shown in 1°C Nil Wind
(Initial) : Const.
above Figure 12 during the first testing of LHD-TT & Maint. :
8 26/12/16 28 6 PASS
Tower. The load were applied by lowering the BCR(Inner)
Stringing :
moveable cross-head of the testing machine which Right Side
necessarily, was anchored to the concrete floor. The Strung
amount of load was measured by reading the deflection Case L054 : -
1°C BWC :
of the previously calibrated spring. For measuring the 9 27/12/16 GWL Broken : 26 9 PASS
deflection, scales are fixed at top of tower and reading Left Side
Strung : Vmax
will be taken by Digital Theodolite. The scale readings Case L021 : -
are recorded during waiting period of each load step. 1°C BWC :
6 PASS
10 27/12/16 27
The deflection reading will be submitted to Purchaser TCR Broken :
Vmax
along with the Test Report for record. Case L016 : -
1°C BWC :
11 27/12/16 27 6 PASS
BCL (Outer)
Broken : Vmin
IV. RESULTS OF TEST Case L095 :
25°C : High
12 27/12/16 26 6 PASS
Wind Tornado
The calibration of load cells (34 units) were (Longitudinal)
carried out and were found to be within the acceptable Case L096 :
25°C : High
limit. Loading of the tower from the tabulated load 13 28/12/16
Wind Tornado
18 0 PASS
cases and description in Table VIII were applied in (Oblique)
steps of 50%, 75%, 90%, 95% and 100%. Case L007 :
25°C : Normal
14 28/12/16 Condition : 20 4 PASS
The tower deflections were measured using a High Wind
Oblique : Vmax
Theodolite in both Transverse and Longitudinal Case L003 :
directions at the three points on the cross-arm of the 25°C : Normal
tower are presented in Table X. Condition :
15 28/12/16 24 4 PASS
High Wind
Transverse :
Table X. Test Data Sheet Result Vmax
Case L001 : -
Test Date Description Temp Wind Result
1°C : Normal
No. °C Speed 16 28/12/16 Condition : 26 6 PASS
Case L036 : - Standard Wind
1°C Nil Wind : Vmax
1 25/12/16 (Initial) : Heavy 30 6 PASS
Vertical Load :
GWL Pick Up
8

Destruction Test was carried after test #16 (Case
L001 : -1°C : Normal Condition : Standard Wind :
Vmax). The loads were increased beyond 100% in
steps of 5%. The tower succesfully withstood 115%
loads with a waiting period of 3 minutes at each step.
The loading were then stopped with all loads released
accordingly.
2. ASTM A 36/A 36M Standard Structural
Specification for Carbon Structural Steel, ASTM
International Standard, 2004 (pages 1 – 3)
3. ASTM A 572/A 572M Standard Specification for
High Strength Low Alloy Columbium –
Vanadium Structural Steel, ASTM International
Standard, 2007 (pages 1 – 4)

V. CONCLUSION 4. ASCE 10-97 “Design of Lattice Steel

The experience of designing low-height towers
using PLS-Tower shown also allows the evaluation of
mechanical strength of the members and design their
foundations accordingly. The group summary report
provides information regarding the validity of the
design members, whether under or over design in
single location.
Transmission Structures”, American Society for
Civil Engineers, 2000 (pages 2 – 71).
5. ASCE Manual No. 74 “Guidelines for Electrical
Transmission Line Structural Loading”, American
Society for Civil Engineers, Third Edition 2009,
(pages 9 to 191).

Low height towers which were proven effective

BIOGRAPHY
from recent test results conducted thereby is
recommended if tower height limits are one of the
major pre-requisites. These towers were designed to ELMER D.R. GABINETE is
suit for unequal leg combinations. from the Philippines who
However, a minimum of 70 meters right of way graduated from several distinct
shall be given and secured to satisfy a proposed or Universities holding several
future route. The value of land is one of the major Philippine Professional
factors to be taken into consideration in case of the Engineering Licenses in Civil,
utilization of these towers. The saving in the cost of Geodetic and Sanitary. He has
transmission line by using low height towers can be been working in Saudi
nullified by the premium value of land.
Electricity Company since 22 August 2009 as a Senior
The designed towers that will be utilized Civil/Transmission Engineer.
specifically at King Khalid International Airport is a
first of kind that will be implemented within the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wherein it will have a series
of six (6) parallel lines as it feeds or interconnect with
the new Sub-station identified as New Airport Housing
BSP.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The Author Acknowledges the support given by

the Extra High Voltage Department - Engineering and
Design Department of SAUDI ELECTRICITY
COMPANY especially to Engr. Mohammed S.
Baazzim for the support in giving the opportunity to
prepare the paper and be part of the GCC CIGRE 2017
conference.

REFERENCES

1. ASTM A325M Standard Specification for

Structural Bolts, Steel, Heat Treated 830 MPa
Minimum Tensile Strength (Metric)
1

APPENDIX I

Fig. 1. Route Plan of the proposed OHTL Inside KKIA with Tower Height Annotations
2

APPENDIX I

Fig. 2. Outline Drawing of LHD-TT

3

APPENDIX I

Fig. 3. Outline Drawing of LHD-MA

4

APPENDIX I

Fig. 4. Outline Drawing of LHD-HA

5

APPENDIX I

Figure 5. Geometry Inputs in Primary Joints

6

APPENDIX I

Figure 6. Geometry Inputs in Secondary Joints

7

APPENDIX I

Figure 7. Geometry Inputs Member Connectivity

8

APPENDIX I

Figure 8. Tower Connectivity with Nodes and Labels

9

APPENDIX I

Figure 9. Loads on Tower Body

1

APPENDIX – II

Table Va. Wind Pressure Spreadsheet for High/Extreme Case

2

APPENDIX – II

Table Vb. Wind Pressure Spreadsheet for Tornado Case

3

APPENDIX –II

Table VI. Sample Loading Calculations Sheets

4

APPENDIX –II

A Z L P W M PPER MPER P/PPER M/MPER

Member
Group Section Description 2 3 (a)+(b) Remark
(cm ) (cm ) (m) (kN) (kN) (kN-m) (kN) (kN-m) (a) (b)

H3 SAE H 130*130*10 25.16 42.8 5.00 453.569 1.500 2.481 868.02 14.76 0.525 0.169 0.694 SAFE
H4 SAE H 100*100*7 13.62 17.7 5.00 196.23 1.500 2.203 469.89 6.10 0.421 0.362 0.783 SAFE
H5 SAE H 100*100*8 15.39 20 5.00 352.964 1.500 2.246 530.95 6.90 0.668 0.326 0.994 SAFE
H6 SAE H 90*90*6 10.55 12.3 5.00 69.621 1.500 2.129 363.97 4.24 0.196 0.503 0.699 SAFE
H7 SAE H 100*100*7 13.62 17.7 3.95 231.221 1.500 1.687 469.89 6.10 0.496 0.277 0.773 SAFE
H8 SAE H 90*90*6 10.55 12.3 3.95 52.34 1.500 1.641 363.97 4.24 0.148 0.388 0.536 SAFE
H9 SAE H 90*90*6 10.55 12.3 3.60 196.599 1.500 1.482 363.97 4.24 0.545 0.350 0.895 SAFE
H10 SAE H 80*80*6 9.327 9.7 3.60 43.098 1.500 1.467 321.78 3.34 0.139 0.440 0.579 SAFE

*** Self Weight and Point Load has been considered in Bending Moment Calculation. ***

Table VII. Axial and Bending Check as per ASCE 10-97

5

APPENDIX – II

Table VIIIa. LHD-HA Design Summary of members

6

APPENDIX II

Table VIIIb. LHD-MA Design Summary of members