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Series Acceleration Method for Grounding

Systems Analysis, Theory and Application to
Two-Layer Soils

Article · November 2016

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 Series Acceleration Method for Grounding Systems Analysis,
Theory and Application to Two-Layer Soils
Carlos A. Muñoz Alberto Rojas
Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Lima, Perú COVIEM S.A., Lima, Perú

Abstract
Purpose- This paper presents an efficient series acceleration method to analyze grounding systems
buried in two-layer soils. The generalized ρ-algorithm and the modified Aitken δ2 algorithm are applied
having in mind slowly convergent series.
Methodology- The generalized ρ-algorithm and the modified Aitken δ2 algorithm are evaluated by
applying them to a logarithmically convergent series. Both algorithms fail when this series approach
the harmonic series. Therefore, the original series is converted into a set of alternating series and a
final direct series. Each series of the new set of series is evaluated with the generalized ρ and the
modified Aitken δ2 algorithms. These algorithms are able now to successfully compute each of the
values of the set of alternating series and the final direct series. This method is applied to analyze
grounding systems buried in two-layer soils.
Research implications- This method can be useful to significantly reduce the computer time required
for analyzing grounding systems; also the precision of the computed values can be guaranteed. This
method is been evaluated for application to multi-layer soils.

Key words: Grounding, image method, series acceleration, ground potential rise, touch voltages, step
voltages

I. Introduction

Grounding systems are very important components of power plants and substations. They have to
be designed and built having in mind the safety of people and equipment [1]. It is very unusual that
the soil of a power plant or substation has uniform electrical resistivity; therefore, the soil is usually
modeled as having two or more horizontal layers of different resistivity. The image method [2, 3] can
be used to model this kind of soil. Nevertheless, the image method converges poorly, for example,
when the bottom layer resistivity of a two-layer soil is very high compared with the top layer
resistivity; also it is difficult to evaluate the accuracy of the computed values of grounding
resistance, ground potential rise (GPR), and touch and step voltages. The authors of [4, 5] applied
the Aitken acceleration method to two-layer soils, but they require a large number of images, in the
case of Kappa=+0.998, to get an accuracy of 1% for example.

In this research effort, a general algorithm has been developed by the authors for modeling two-
layer soils using series acceleration; this algorithm can handle very high values of Kappa, for
example Kappa=+0.9999, with relatively few images. We based our work in reference [6] found in
Internet; this reference can be found and downloaded using Google to look for “Series Acceleration
Osada”. The proposed method converts a slowly convergent series into a set of several alternating
series and a final direct series. The method is presented first with a series that includes the variable
Kappa only as an argument. Then the method is applied to two-layer soils for evaluating Heppe’s
series [2]. The proposed method was validated using the software FdcGrd developed by the
authors [7].

Section II presents the proposed method for a slowly convergent series. Section III shows the
application of the proposed method for analysis of grounding systems buried in two-layer soils. In
Section IV the proposed method is used to compute mutual resistances between points and study
the performance of the algorithms. Section V presents the application of the proposed method to
upgrade a grounding software. Finally, in Section VI the main conclusions of this research effort are
outlined.

Page 1 of 10
II. Proposed Series Acceleration Method

The proposed series acceleration method is presented in this section. This method is explained by
applying it to compute accurately the following series:

𝐾𝑛
s = 1 + ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝑛+1 K = Kappa = (ρ2-ρ1)/(ρ2+ρ1) (1)

Where:
ρ1 = resistivity of the upper layer
ρ2 = resistivity of the bottom layer

Kappa satisfies the following condition: Kappa < 1 and Kappa >-1. If Kappa were equal to 1, the
series of equation 1 would diverge to infinity; this series is known as the harmonics series. If Kappa
were equal to -1, the series converges to the natural logarithm of 2; this series is known as the
alternating harmonic series. Reference [6] includes the source code in Fortran of the generalized ρ-
algorithm and the modified Aitken δ2 algorithm. Using this source code, when Kappa was set to
+0.999, both algorithms failed; when Kappa was set to -0.999 or -1.000, both algorithms converged
with a few terms.

For positive values of Kappa and by setting a threshold of 0.250, the series of equation 1 can be
rewritten as:

(−1)𝑛 𝐾𝑛 𝐾2𝑚−1
s 0 = 1 + ∑∞
𝑛=1 + 2*∑∞
𝑚=1
𝑛+1 2𝑚

𝑚
(−1)𝑛 𝐾𝑛 𝐾2
s 0 = 1 + ∑∞
𝑛=1 + 𝐾 −1 ∗ ∑∞
𝑚=1 (2)
𝑛+1 𝑚

If K2 is below the threshold, equation 2 is good enough to get an accurate value of the original
series; otherwise we can solve a new series:

𝑉𝑚
s1 = ∑∞
𝑚=1 where V = K2 (3)
𝑚

The series of equation 3 can be rewritten as:

𝑝
𝑉 𝑖+1 (−1)𝑖 𝑉 𝑖+1 𝑉2
s1 = V + ∑∞
𝑖=1 = V + ∑∞
𝑖=1 + 2*∑∞
𝑝=1
𝑖+1 𝑖+1 2𝑝

𝑝
(−1)𝑖 𝑉 𝑖 𝑉2
s1= V*(1 + ∑∞
𝑖=1 ) + ∑∞
𝑝=1 (4)
𝑖+1 𝑝

If V2 (V2 = K4) is below the threshold, equation 4 is good enough to get an accurate value of the
series defined by equation 3. Otherwise, we need other alternating series that leads to a direct
series with K8. With this method we continue with K16, K32, K64, K128, K256, K512, K1024, K2048, etc. If
K=+0.999, then K2048=0.1289 is below the threshold and we stop the generation of new alternating
series. This method takes advantage of the excellent convergence behavior of the alternating series
for any value of K and of the direct series for a low value of K. The threshold value of 0.250 has
been selected by performing numerical simulations with a prototype in Fortran.

This method of series acceleration has been validated by programming the original series of
equation 1 in MS-Excel with up to 65533 terms. Also, the prototype in Fortran indicates if the
generalized ρ-algorithm (GENRHO) or the modified Aitken δ2 algorithm (MODAIT) end abnormally.

Page 2 of 10
In Table 1, shown below, the results of the Fortran prototype for different values of Kappa are
presented.

Table 1 – Series of Equation 1 Computed with GENRHO and MODAIT Algorithms

GENRHO MODAIT MS-Excel
Kappa Value Series/Terms Status Value Series/Terms Status Value
0.9 2.55842792 5 / 40 OK 2.55842763 5 / 41 OK 2.55842788
0.99 4.65168759 9 / 74 OK 4.65168705 9 / 78 OK 4.65168706
0.999 6.91467092 12 / 101 OK 6.91466996 12 / 110 OK 6.91466995
0.9999 9.21126294 15 / 130 OK 9.21126118 15 / 141 OK 9.21107009
0.99999 11.51304261 19 / 163 OK 11.51304058 19 / 177 OK 11.10577810
0.999999 13.81552687 22 / 191 OK 13.81552439 22 / 210 OK 11.60306919
Notes:
1) An absolute error of 1.0E-06 was specified for GENRHO and MODAIT
2) MS-Excel fails to give accurate results for Kappa > 0.9999 even with 65533 terms
3) For Kappa = 0.9, Series 5 indicates 4 alternating series and 1 direct series
4) Terms indicates the total number of terms of the set of alternating series and of the final direct series

III Application to Two-Layer Soils

Reference [2] presents a set of series for computing segment resistances and surface potentials
required for the analysis of grounding systems buried in a horizontal two-layer soil. In this kind of
soil model the top layer has a thickness of H and a resistivity ρ1, and the bottom layer has a
resistivity ρ2. The refection factor Kappa (K) is equal to (ρ2 – ρ1)/(ρ2 + ρ1). The author of [2] has
developed series for computing self-resistances of segments and mutual resistances between
segments; there are series for 1) Both segments in top layer, 2) Both segments in bottom layer, and
3) One segment in top layer and the other in bottom layer. In this section the proposed acceleration
method is applied to the case of both segments in top layer; for the other cases the application of
the proposed method is straightforward.

The mutual resistance Rm between two segments in the top layer is:

𝜌1 𝑛
Rm = (M’(zj+zi) + M’(zj-zi) + ∑∞
𝑛=1 𝐾 Mt’(2nH) ) (5)
4𝜋

Where:
Zi = Depth of segment i
Zj = Depth of segment j
M’t = Mt/(Li*Lj)
Li = Length of segment i
Lj = Length of segment j
Mt = M(2nH+Zj+Zi) + M(2nH+Zj-Zi) + M(2nH-Zj+Zi) + M(2nH-Zj-Zi)

The value of M is obtained by solving the Neumann integral and has units of meters. M’ has units of
meters-1. When equation 5 is applied for computing mutual resistances between points, M’t can be
written as:

M’1(2nH+Zj+Zi) = 1.0 / √((2nH+Zj+Zi)**2 + R**2)

M’2(2nH+Zj-Zi) = 1.0 / √((2nH+Zj-Zi)**2 + R**2)
M’3(2nH-Zj+Zi) = 1.0 / √((2nH-Zj+Zi)**2 + R**2)
M’4(2nH-Zj-Zi) = 1.0 / √((2nH-Zj-Zi)**2 + R**2)
M’t = M’1 + M’2 + M’3 + M’4

Where R is the horizontal separation between the points i and j. Since H, R, Zi and Zj are constant
values, the term M’t is function only of n: M’t(2n). The terms from n=1 to n=infinity belong to the
following series:

Page 3 of 10
 s 0 = ∑∞ 𝑛 ∞
𝑛=1 𝐾 M’t(2n) = K*M’t(2x1) + ∑𝑚=1 𝐾
𝑚+1
M’t(2(m+1))
𝑝
= K(M’t(2x1) + ∑∞ 𝑚 𝑚 ∞ 2
𝑚=1(−1) 𝐾 M’t(2(2m+1)) ) + 2*∑𝑝=1 𝐾 M’t(2(2p)) (6)

If K2 is higher than a threshold of 0.250, we solve the direct series of equation 6 as:
𝑝
s1 = 2*∑∞ 2
𝑝=1 𝐾 M’t(2(2p))

𝑞 𝑢
= 2K2(M’t(2x2) + ∑∞ 𝑞 2 ∞ 4
𝑞=1(−1) 𝐾 M’t(4(q+1)) ) + 4*∑𝑢=1 𝐾 M’t(4(2u)) (7)

If K4 is higher than a threshold of 0.250, we solve the direct series of equation 7 as:
𝑢
s2 = 4*∑∞ 4
𝑢=1 𝐾 M’t(4(2u))

𝑤 ∞ 𝑗
= 4K4( M’t(4x2) + ∑∞ 𝑤 4 8
𝑤=1(−1) 𝐾 M’t(8(w+1)) ) + 8*∑𝑗=1 𝐾 M’t(8(2j)) (8)

If K8 is higher than a threshold of 0.250, we solve the direct series of equation 8 as:

𝑗
s3 = 8*∑∞ 8
𝑗=1 𝐾 M’t(8(2j))

𝑧 ∞ 𝑖
= 8K8( M’t(8x2) + ∑∞ 𝑧 8
𝑧=1(−1) 𝐾 M’t(16(z+1)) ) + 16*∑𝑖=1 𝐾
16
M’t(16(2i)) (9)

In a similar manner of the alternating series generation for equation 1, we continue with K 32, K64,
K128, K512, K1024, etc. until the remaining direct series has a Kn below the threshold value of 0.250.
There are two kind of series: 1) The alternating series (none or one or several series according to
the value of K), and 2) The direct series (only one series that is last one). The terms for each of the
series are only a function of n; n has only an impact on the 2H parameter (twice the top layer
thickness), therefore for each series this parameter gets the following values: 2H, 4H, 8H, 16H,
32H, 64H, etc.

The proposed method applies also for both segments in bottom layer and for one segment in top
layer and the other segment in the bottom layer. Only the term M’t changes. The proposed
acceleration method for two-layer soils has been presented by applying it to compute mutual
resistances between points; but its application is straightforward for segments; the M’ function must
compute in this case the average inverse distance between two segments.

IV Point to Point Mutual Resistances

In this section, the proposed series acceleration method for two-layer soils is applied to compute
mutual resistances between two points. A mutual resistance is defined as the potential at an
observation point due to a current of 1 ampere at a source point. The source point is located at
depth DDD, the observation point is located at depth ZZZ, and RRR is the horizontal distance
between both points. A Fortran prototype using the proposed method was developed, and also the
original series of Heppe [2] were programmed in MS-Excel with 65533 terms. With the Fortran
prototype the accuracy of each series of the set of alternating and direct series can be specified.

The MS-Excel spreadsheet has allowed to verify the accuracy of the Fortran prototype with values
of Kappa lower than 0.999. Also, the software FdcGrd developed by the authors has been used to
verify the Fortran prototype.

Below are presented numerical simulations with the Fortran prototype for all the combinations of
locations of the points:

Page 4 of 10
A) Both Points in Top Layer

Input Data:
RHO : 100.000 Ohm-m Top layer
FKP : 0.999900 pu Factor K
HHH : 3.000 m Top layer thickness
RRR : 1000.000 m
DDD : 0.500 m
ZZZ : 0.500 m
ITC : 11 # Layers (11 or 22 or 12)
FKU : 0.250 pu Threshold factor of K
EPSTOR : 1.00E-12 Absolute error
PRECPU : 0.000500 pu Accuracy for EPSTOR
IPRECPU: 1 # 1->Use PRECPU 0->Use EPSTOR

Output:GENRHO -> NTS: 15 (14 alternating series and 1 direct series)

I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 4 0 0.199990E-02 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 4 0 0.399960E-02 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 4 0 0.799839E-02 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 4 0 0.159935E-01 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 4 0 0.319720E-01 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 7 0 0.639177E-01 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 5 0 0.127425E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 4 0 0.240920E+00 0.987281E+00 0.100E-05
9 2 7 0 0.360573E+00 0.974724E+00 0.100E-05
10 2 7 0 0.417246E+00 0.950086E+00 0.619E-06
11 2 6 0 0.421707E+00 0.902664E+00 0.321E-06
12 2 6 0 0.395657E+00 0.814802E+00 0.162E-06
13 2 6 0 0.339097E+00 0.663902E+00 0.813E-07
14 2 5 0 0.243400E+00 0.440766E+00 0.407E-07
15 1 4 0 0.144000E+00 0.194275E+00 0.395E-08
Total 77 0 0.281591E+01
Rm: 22.42418690 Ohm

Output:MODAIT -> NTS: 15 (14 alternating series and 1 direct series)

I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 4 0 0.199990E-02 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 4 0 0.399960E-02 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 4 0 0.799839E-02 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 4 0 0.159935E-01 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 4 0 0.319720E-01 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 7 0 0.638995E-01 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 5 0 0.127425E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 4 0 0.240920E+00 0.987281E+00 0.100E-05
9 2 5 0 0.360792E+00 0.974724E+00 0.100E-05
10 2 6 0 0.417236E+00 0.950086E+00 0.619E-06
11 2 6 0 0.421732E+00 0.902664E+00 0.321E-06
12 2 6 0 0.395673E+00 0.814802E+00 0.162E-06
13 2 5 0 0.339140E+00 0.663902E+00 0.813E-07
14 2 5 0 0.243397E+00 0.440766E+00 0.407E-07
15 1 4 0 0.144001E+00 0.194275E+00 0.395E-08
Total 73 0 0.281618E+01
Rm: 22.42635218 Ohm

Notes:
1) LTS is 1 for a direct series and is 2 for an alternating series
2) LNN indicates the number of terms of each series
3) LIS equal to 0 indicates an OK status
4) XPP indicates the value of each series
5) FKN indicates the value of Kappa for each series
6) GENRHO requires 77 terms for an accuracy of 0.05%
7) MODAIT requires 73 terms for an accuracy of 0.05%

Above are the input and output text files of the Fortran prototype for computing the mutual
resistance of two points in a two-layer soil with a K=+0.9999 and H=3.0 m. Both points are at depth
0.5 m and their horizontal separation is 1000.0 m. The specified accuracy is 0.05%.

Page 5 of 10
Input Data:
RHO : 100.000 Ohm-m Top layer
FKP : 0.999900 pu Factor K
HHH : 0.001 m Top layer thickness (Extreme Case)
RRR : 1000.000 m
DDD : 0.000 m
ZZZ : 0.000 m
ITC : 11 # Layers (11 or 22 or 12)
FKU : 0.250 pu Threshold factor of K
EPSTOR : 1.00E-12 Absolute error
PRECPU : 0.000500 pu Accuracy for EPSTOR
IPRECPU: 1 # 1->Use PRECPU 0->Use EPSTOR

Output
GENRHO -> NTS: 15
I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 4 0 0.199990E-02 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 4 0 0.399960E-02 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 4 1 0.799840E-02 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 4 0 0.159936E-01 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 4 0 0.319744E-01 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 4 0 0.638976E-01 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 4 0 0.127590E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 4 0 0.254362E+00 0.987281E+00 0.100E-05
9 2 4 0 0.505446E+00 0.974724E+00 0.100E-05
10 2 4 0 0.997790E+00 0.950086E+00 0.100E-05
11 2 4 0 0.194323E+01 0.902664E+00 0.100E-05
12 2 4 0 0.367801E+01 0.814802E+00 0.100E-05
13 2 4 0 0.653724E+01 0.663902E+00 0.100E-05
14 2 4 0 0.100242E+02 0.440766E+00 0.100E-05
15 1 4 0 0.157863E+02 0.194275E+00 0.388E-06
Total 60 1 0.399801E+02
Rm: 318.16711160 Ohm

Output
MODAIT -> NTS: 15
I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 4 0 0.199990E-02 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 4 0 0.399960E-02 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 4 0 0.799840E-02 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 4 0 0.159936E-01 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 4 0 0.319744E-01 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 4 1 0.812720E-03 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 4 0 0.127590E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 4 0 0.254362E+00 0.987281E+00 0.100E-05
9 2 4 0 0.505446E+00 0.974724E+00 0.100E-05
10 2 4 0 0.997790E+00 0.950086E+00 0.100E-05
11 2 4 0 0.194323E+01 0.902664E+00 0.100E-05
12 2 4 0 0.367801E+01 0.814802E+00 0.100E-05
13 2 4 0 0.653724E+01 0.663902E+00 0.100E-05
14 2 4 0 0.100242E+02 0.440766E+00 0.100E-05
15 1 4 0 0.157863E+02 0.194275E+00 0.388E-06
Total 60 1 0.399170E+02
Rm: 317.66509811 Ohm

Notes:
1) LIS equal to 0 indicates an OK status
2) XPP indicates the value of each series
3) FKN indicates the value of Kappa for each series
4) GENRHO fails for series #3,but the value XPP is the same as XPP for MODAIT
5) MODAIT fails for series #6, the value XPP is different of that of GENRHO
6) For the extreme case with H=0.000, Rm = 318.293971 Ohm is the exact value
7) GENRHO is more robust than MODAIT for extreme cases

Above are the input and output text files of the Fortran prototype for computing the mutual
resistance of two points in a two-layer soil with a K=+0.9999 and H=0.001 m. Both points are at
depth 0.0 m and their horizontal separation is 1000.0 m. The specified accuracy is 0.05%.

Page 6 of 10
B) Both Points in Bottom Layer

Input Data:
RHO : 100.000 Ohm-m Top layer
FKP : 0.999900 pu Factor K
HHH : 3.000 m Top layer thickness
RRR : 1.000 m
DDD : 4.000 m
ZZZ : 4.000 m
ITC : 22 # Layers (11 or 22 or 12)
FKU : 0.250 pu Threshold factor of K
EPSTOR : 1.00E-12 Absolute error
PRECPU : 0.000500 pu Accuracy for EPSTOR
IPRECPU: 1 # 1->Use PRECPU 0->Use EPSTOR

Output: GENRHO -> NTS: 15

I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 8 0 0.426839E-01 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 8 0 0.631141E-01 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 8 0 0.821008E-01 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 8 0 0.961543E-01 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 7 0 0.104936E+00 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 7 0 0.109810E+00 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 7 0 0.112215E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 7 0 0.113065E+00 0.987281E+00 0.644E-06
9 2 7 0 0.112711E+00 0.974724E+00 0.324E-06
10 2 7 0 0.110972E+00 0.950086E+00 0.162E-06
11 2 6 0 0.107037E+00 0.902664E+00 0.813E-07
12 2 6 0 0.992495E-01 0.814802E+00 0.407E-07
13 2 6 0 0.848279E-01 0.663902E+00 0.203E-07
14 2 5 0 0.608537E-01 0.440766E+00 0.102E-07
15 1 4 0 0.359990E-01 0.194275E+00 0.988E-09
Total 101 0 0.133573E+01
Rm: 88027.86818525 Ohm

Output: MODAIT -> NTS: 15

I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 9 0 0.426839E-01 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 9 0 0.631141E-01 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 9 0 0.821009E-01 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 8 0 0.961543E-01 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 7 0 0.104942E+00 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 7 0 0.109817E+00 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 6 0 0.112211E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 6 0 0.113061E+00 0.987281E+00 0.644E-06
9 2 6 0 0.112707E+00 0.974724E+00 0.324E-06
10 2 6 0 0.110969E+00 0.950086E+00 0.162E-06
11 2 6 0 0.107044E+00 0.902664E+00 0.813E-07
12 2 6 0 0.992533E-01 0.814802E+00 0.407E-07
13 2 5 0 0.848387E-01 0.663902E+00 0.203E-07
14 2 5 0 0.608529E-01 0.440766E+00 0.102E-07
15 1 4 0 0.359991E-01 0.194275E+00 0.988E-09
Total 99 0 0.133575E+01
Rm: 88027.86879087 Ohm

Notes:
1) LIS equal to 0 indicates an OK status
2) XPP indicates the value of each series
3) FKN indicates the value of Kappa for each series
4) GENRHO needs 101 terms to compute Rm with an accuracy of 0.05%
5) MODAIT needs 99 terms to compute Rm with an accuracy of 0.05%

Above are the input and output text files of the Fortran prototype for computing the mutual
resistance of two points in a two-layer soil with a K=+0.9999 and H=3.0 m. Both points are at depth
4.0 m and their horizontal separation is 1.0 m. The specified accuracy is 0.05%.

Page 7 of 10
C) One Point in Top Layer, The Other in Bottom Layer

Input Data:
RHO : 100.000 Ohm-m Top layer
FKP : 0.999900 pu Factor K
HHH : 3.000 m Top layer thickness
RRR : 10.000 m
DDD : 0.500 m
ZZZ : 4.000 m
ITC : 12 # Layers (11 or 22 or 12)
FKU : 0.250 pu Threshold factor of K
EPSTOR : 1.00E-12 Absolute error
PRECPU : 0.000500 pu Accuracy for EPSTOR
IPRECPU: 1 # 1->Use PRECPU 0->Use EPSTOR

Output: GENRHO -> NTS: 15

I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 8 0 0.814104E-01 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 8 0 0.132645E+00 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 8 0 0.177949E+00 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 8 0 0.205110E+00 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 8 0 0.218461E+00 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 7 0 0.224571E+00 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 7 0 0.227080E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 7 0 0.227495E+00 0.987281E+00 0.100E-05
9 2 7 0 0.226108E+00 0.974724E+00 0.649E-06
10 2 7 0 0.222283E+00 0.950086E+00 0.325E-06
11 2 6 0 0.214237E+00 0.902664E+00 0.163E-06
12 2 6 0 0.198574E+00 0.814802E+00 0.814E-07
13 2 6 0 0.169687E+00 0.663902E+00 0.407E-07
14 2 5 0 0.121718E+00 0.440766E+00 0.203E-07
15 1 4 0 0.720007E-01 0.194275E+00 0.198E-08
Total 102 0 0.271933E+01
Rm: 46.23071133 Ohm

Output: MODAIT -> NTS: 15

I LTS LNN LIS XPP FKN EPSTOR
============================================================
1 2 10 0 0.814104E-01 0.999900E+00 0.100E-05
2 2 7 0 0.132645E+00 0.999800E+00 0.100E-05
3 2 7 0 0.177947E+00 0.999600E+00 0.100E-05
4 2 9 0 0.205111E+00 0.999200E+00 0.100E-05
5 2 9 0 0.218461E+00 0.998401E+00 0.100E-05
6 2 7 0 0.224585E+00 0.996805E+00 0.100E-05
7 2 7 0 0.227094E+00 0.993620E+00 0.100E-05
8 2 6 0 0.227487E+00 0.987281E+00 0.100E-05
9 2 6 0 0.226101E+00 0.974724E+00 0.649E-06
10 2 6 0 0.222276E+00 0.950086E+00 0.325E-06
11 2 6 0 0.214250E+00 0.902664E+00 0.163E-06
12 2 6 0 0.198581E+00 0.814802E+00 0.814E-07
13 2 5 0 0.169709E+00 0.663902E+00 0.407E-07
14 2 5 0 0.121717E+00 0.440766E+00 0.203E-07
15 1 4 0 0.720010E-01 0.194275E+00 0.198E-08
Total 100 0 0.271937E+01
Rm: 46.23144934 Ohm

Notes:
1) LIS equal to 0 indicates an OK status
2) XPP indicates the value of each series
3) FKN indicates the value of Kappa for each series
4) GENRHO needs 102 terms to compute Rm with an accuracy of 0.05%
5) MODAIT needs 100 terms to compute Rm with an accuracy of 0.05%

Above are the input and output text files of the Fortran prototype for computing the mutual
resistance of two points in a two-layer soil with a K=+0.9999 and H=3.0 m. One point is at depth 0.5
m, the other one is at depth 4.0 m, and their horizontal separation is 10.0 m. The specified accuracy
is 0.05%.

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V Application to Grounding Software

The proposed series acceleration method for two-layer soil has been applied to upgrade the
grounding software FdcGrd of the company COVIEM S.A. [7]. FdcGrd can model horizontal multi-
layer soils of up to 8 layers of different resistivity. FdcGrd has three algorithms that the users can
select to analyze a grounding system: 1) Exact images (image method), developed using
references [2, 3], 2) Fixed images by solving a Bessel integral, developed using references [8, 9,
10], and 3) Fixed images with only 33 images, developed using reference [8, 9].

A) Series Acceleration Algorithm

After performing numerical experiments with the Fortan prototype for computing mutual resistances
between points, the generalized ƿ-algorithm was selected. This algorithm is more robust for
handling extreme cases of low values of H, high values of K and large values of R.

The application for computing mutual resistances between segments has been straightforward
since FdcGrd has an efficient algorithm for computing the M’ss function (average inverse distance
between two segments) and M’sp (average inverse distance between a segment and a point).

FdcGrd allows now to analyze grounding systems buried in two-layer soils with or without series
acceleration. When using series acceleration the accuracy of the computed values can be
specified. Without series acceleration the user must perform first computations of point to point
mutual resistances to find a reasonable tolerance to stop the generation of images.

B) Validation

The upgraded version of FdcGrd was validated by performing comparisons of ground resistance,
ground potential rise, touch voltages and step voltages. The three algorithm of FdcGrd were used to
solve several grounding systems.

The tests were successful. It was found that when a 1% accuracy, for example, was specified for
the series acceleration algorithm, the accuracy was in fact even greater (0.5% to 0.1%). The speed
of calculation was improved by a factor of up to 60 times for a Kappa equal to +0.999.

C) Multi-Layer Soils

The authors have started a research for applying the proposed series acceleration method to
horizontally stratified soils with 3 or more layers of different resistivity.

VI Conclusion

A new series acceleration method was presented for analyzing grounding systems buried in two-
layer soils. This method can handle very high values of Kappa; Kappa=+0.9999 and even
Kappa=+0.999999. The generalized ƿ-algorithm is very robust and highly reliable for modeling soils
with low values of top layer thickness and large horizontal distance; a large grounding system
requires a lot of images if series acceleration algorithms are not used.

This new method was used to successfully upgrade grounding software. The speed of calculation
was improved by a factor of up to 60 times, and the accuracy of the computed values is
guaranteed. The authors have started a research to apply the new method two soils with three or
more layers.

Page 9 of 10
References:

[1] IEEE Standard 80 – 2013, “IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substations”, (Revision of IEEE Standard 80
- 2000).
[2] Robert J. Heppe, “Computation of Potential at Surface Above an Energized Grid or Other Electrode,
Allowing for Non-Uniform Current Distribution”, IEEE Transaction on Power Apparatus and Systems,
Vol. PAS-98, No.6 Nov./Dec. 1979, pp. 1978-1989.
[3] F. P. Dawalibi, J. Ma, R. D. Southey, "Behaviour of Grounding Systems in Multilayer Soils: A
Parametric Analysis", IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 9, No. 1, January 1994, pp. 334-
342.
[4] I. Colominas, J. París, F. Navarrina, M. Casteleiro, "Improvement of the Computer Methods for
Grounding Analysis in Layered Soils by Using High-Efficient Convergence Acceleration Techniques",
Downloaded from www.researchgate.net.
[5] I. Colominas, J. París, F. Navarrina, M. Casteleiro, "Convergence Acceleration of the Computer
Methods for Grounding Analysis in Stratified Soils ", Universidade da Coruña, it was found browsing
through internet.
[6] Naoki Osada, "Acceleration Methods for Slowly Convergent Sequences and their Applications",
January 1993, it was found browsing through internet.
[7] A. Rojas, “FdcGrd 4.01 User Manual”, in Spanish, COVIEM S.A., Lima, Peru.
[8] S. Vujevic, M. Kurtovic, "Numerical Analysis of Earthing Grids Buried in Horizontally Stratified
Multilayer Earth”, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Vol. 41, No. 11, 1998,
pp. 1297-1319.
[9] S. Vujevic, P. Sarajcev, “Potential Distribution for a Harmonic Current Point Source in Horizontally
Stratified Multilayer Medium”, The International Journal for Computation and Mathematics in Electrical
and Electronic Engineering, Vol. 27, No. 3, 2008, pp. 624-637.
[10] A. D. Chave, "Numerical Integration of Related Hankel Transforms by Quadrature and Continued
Fraction Expansion", Geophysics, Vol. 48, No. 12, December 1983, pp. 1671-1686.

About the authors:

Carlos A. Muñoz is associate professor at Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería in Lima, Peru. He is also the
general manager of COVIEM S.A. COVIEM designs, builds and carries out the commissioning of electrification
projects. His research interests are load-flow, short-circuit, electrical protections and grounding systems. He
can be contacted at cmunozm@uni.edu.pe.

Alberto Rojas is a consultant engineer. He works at COVIEM S.A. in Lima, Peru, His research interests are
load-flow, short-circuit, harmonics and grounding analysis; and also software development for power systems
studies. He can be contacted at arojas222@yahoo.es.

Manuscript finished on November 30, 2016.

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