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Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis of Electrical Transmission Tower

to Study the Dynamic Characteristics and Behaviors

Article  in  KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering · March 2020

DOI: 10.1007/s12205-020-1563-3

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KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering (2020) 24(3):931-942 pISSN 1226-7988, eISSN 1976-3808
DOI 10.1007/s12205-020-1563-3 www.springer.com/12205
Structural Engineering

Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis of Electrical Transmission

Tower to Study the Dynamic Characteristics and Behaviors
a
Chiranjit Bhowmik and Prasun Chakrabortia
a
Mechanical Department, NIT Agartala, Tripura 799046, India

ARTICLE HISTORY ABSTRACT

Received 3 September 2019 Experimental modal analysis of electrical transmission tower has been a challenging task for
Revised 19 December 2019 transmission tower researchers and design engineers in industry all over the world. Requirement of
Accepted 6 January 2020 large numbers of sensors and accelerometers have been major constrain. In this study an
Published Online 14 February 2020 innovative approach has been developed to investigate the dynamic characteristics and
behavior of tower structure through analytical and experimental modal analysis. Firstly, a scale
KEYWORDS down (1:15) prototype model of transmission tower structure has been constructed with mild
steel straps, joint together by welding, for modal testing. Modal hammer test has been
Transmission line tower conducted on the prototype tower model for extracting modal parameters; modal frequency,
Modification modal damping and modes, of the tower model which representing the actual tower
STAAD structure. Secondly, the transmission tower structure has been modeled in standard finite
Dynamic
element tools and analyzed analytically for natural frequencies. The first six natural frequencies and
Modal analysis
corresponding mode shapes have been determined analytically and first six natural
ANSYS
frequencies have also been determined experimentally and compared with each other. The
first six natural frequencies are determined analytically, the frequency range of 2–9 Hz has
been found. The analytical and experimental modal analysis of transmission tower structure
has been found to be in correlation with some differences. The maximum natural
frequencies percentage difference 11.1% has been found; between the scale down model
and the stand software model. Additionally, the tower structure has been modified and
optimized to improve the stiffness of the diaphragm as per specification and practical
limitations. The first order natural frequency of the modified tower has been reduced to 2.171 Hz
from the 2.1773 Hz.

1. Introduction
Electricity distribution system (EDS) is one of the most important
infrastructures for the civilization. As per as the improvement of
country’s economy is concern the EDS plays an important role.
Transmission tower (TT) is one of the important pillars of EDS
which has been constructed by zinc coated angle steel. Steel
members are L cross sectional which are connected eccentrically
either by bolt or weld. The main function of these large steel
structures is to support the conductors and ground wires. It has
been estimated that about 40% of the total investment in EDS is
spend in the transmission tower structures. Thus the wellbeing
and reliability of these large steel structures is an important
aspect in the EDS which directly link with country’s economy.
Sometime the extreme environmental condition would be leading to
the tower structure failure due to the damage and buckling of
structural elements which are the leading parts of the transmission
tower structure
Earthquake and wind are the main driving force to excite
transmission tower structures severely. Because of complex
geometrical configuration of transmission tower and other
boundary conditions, the dynamic excitations nature of transmission
tower is nonlinear (Bai et al., 2012). Li et al. formulated a theoretical
model for studying the dynamical behavior of transmission
tower structure due to the excitation of earthquake and validated
the model by the experiment which has been carried out in shake
table, analyzed the dynamic behavior of lattice steel transmission
tower along with power lines which had been 3D modeled
considering the geometrical non linearity, when the base of the
tower subjected with ground motion strongly (Li et al., 2005).

CORRESPONDENCE Chiranjit Bhowmik chiranjit040291@gmail.com Mechanical Dept., NIT Agartala, Tripura, 799046, India
ⓒ 2020 Korean Society of Civil Engineers
932 C. Bhowmik and P. Chakraborti
Wang et al. investigated the failure/collapse of the EDS with
ABAQUS, which is popular commercial software to analyze the
steel structure, when the system is subjected to strong earthquake,
and obtained the positions and paths of the progressive collapse
associated with strong earthquake excitations (Wang et al., 2013).
Baetoli et al. investigated the dynamic behavior of steel tower
along with power lines which had been 3D modeled considering the
geometrical non linearity, when the base of the tower subjected with
ground motion spatially varying (Bartoli et al., 2013). Li et al.
proposed a probabilistic assessment technique for EDS and the
capacity curve is constructed by performing the incremental
dynamic analysis (IDA).They also presented the probabilities of
failure at different return periods (Li et al., 2018). Tian et al.
investigated the performance in regards of load bearing capacity and
failure mechanism of TT. Full-scaled model of TT of EDS under
different wind loading had been tested. Finite element model of TT
of EDS had been established and analyzed (Tian et al., 2018).
Oscillatory motion is the main aspect of structure resonance
which may produce within the structure by the combine effect of
elastic and inertial forces (Hu, 2012). Structures are often undergoes
with resonance like situations due to the effect of wind action, or
snapping of wire on the structure, may be leading towards structure
failure. The resonant frequencies of the TT of EDS must be
quantified and identified to understand the structural resonance
deeply (Tian et al., 2010). To quantified and identified resonant
frequencies of the TT of EDS one of the most advance methods
is modal analysis; an advance methodology to identify and
measure the natural frequency, mode shape, and damping. To
evaluate the dynamic behavior of the TT of EDS during structural
development stage, prototype testing TT is one of the cheapest
method as per as the large numbers of sensors and accelerometers
are concerned (Gentile et al., 2015). Bhowmik et al., in a study,
analyzed dynamic characteristics of transmission tower considering
CFE composite using a standard analytical platform. The
conclusion that was drawn from the study may be mentioned as the
period of first free vibration was found to be 4.97% more than
period that calculated by experienced formula. Also, period of
free vibration in transmission tower of conventional steel material
was found to be between (0.007 – 0.013) of height, whereas, it
was (0.002 – 0.013) of height in the CFE composite tower
(Bhowmik et al., 2018).
Bhowmik et al. analyzed transmission tower considering
carbon polymer nylon 66 as the material and studied for dynamic
properties of composite structured transmission tower. It was
concluded that the period of first free vibration was 35.55% more
than the period which is calculated by experienced formula.
Period of free vibration of transmission tower made of steel was
between (0.007 – 0.013) of height, whereas, it was found to be
(0.005 – 0.011) of height for the case of carbon polymer nylon
66 composite tower (Bhowmik et al., 2019). Bhowmik et al.
analyzed a tower that was considered with carbon fibre epoxy
(CFE) composite material using a standard analytical platform. It
was concluded that, period of first free vibration was instituted to be
4.97% more than that of period which when calculated using
experienced formula. The free vibration period of the transmission
tower made of steel material is in between (0.007 – 0.013) of height
whereas it is (0.002 – 0.013) of height in the CFE composite tower
(Bhowmik and Chakraborti, 2019). Vladimir et al analyzed the
potential use of GFRP to transmission towers and showed that due
to poor stiffness for 110 kV and 35 kV, GFRP structures are not
acceptable. They had modeled different tower made of steel–GFRP
and GFRP. They concluded that the GFRP tower exhibited less
stiffness than hybrid steel–GFRP (Adishchev et al., 2018).
Heidari et al determined the first natural frequency of tall
structure by using energy method and hamilton’s vibrational
principle. The approximate difference between the natural frequency
obtained by finite element method and the value of natural
frequency obtained by the proposed method is 2.96% (Heidari et
al., 2014). Kamgar and Rahgozar proposed an excitation method
by which critical acceleration can be computed. It has been
observed that under constraints ground motion the shear force of
the column at the base of the structure is maximized (Kamgar
and Rahgozar, 2015, 2016). Kamgar and Rahgozar proposed an
explicit time integration method to determine the linear response
with the assumption of three unknown parameters of arbitrary
structures subjected to dynamic loading (Kamgar and Rahgozar,
2015, 2016). Tavakoli et al. investigated the seismic behavior
of steel tall building subjected to seismic excitation based on
finding the best location considering the soil–structure interaction. It
has been observed that there is difference in the overturning
moment and base shear values for in-elastic analysis and elastic
analysis; elastic analysis has predicted larger values compared
to in-elastic analysis (Tavakoli et al., 2019). Yasui et al.
develop a method for transmission towers and associate power
cables to analyze the wind-induced vibrations. It has been concluded
that the power cable lines influence the response characteristics of
transmission tower and the difference exist for peak factors. The
peak factors calculated from power spectrum density are less
than the peak factors figured from time-series response (Yasui
et al., 1999). Battista et al has presented an analytical-numerical
modelling for dynamic analysis of transmission towers subjected
to wind force and developed a two degree-of-freedom analytical
model for evaluating the fundamental frequency (Battista et al.,
2003).
In this paper an innovative approach has been developed to
investigate the dynamic characteristics and behavior of transmission
tower through analytical and experimental modal analysis. Firstly, a
scale down (1:15) prototype model of transmission tower structure
has been constructed with mild steel straps, joint together by
welding, for modal testing. Modal hammer test has been conducted
on the prototype tower model for extracting modal parameters;
modal frequency, modal damping and modes, of the tower model
which representing the actual tower structure. Secondly, the
transmission tower structure has been modeled in standard finite
element tool and simulated for natural frequencies. Additionally,
the tower structure has been modified and optimized by stiffening
the immature local part which has been found in the tower
structure during the study.
 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 933

2. Modal Analysis of Multiple Degree of Freedom The operating deflection shapes (ODS) is defined as the
Systems (MDOFS) observed displacement at angular frequency σs, n . The ODS is
directly proportional to the ∈n and the proportionality is
The generalized equation of forced vibration of MDOFS with satisfied well when the δn is less. In ODS the contribution of
damping is discussed in the following: other modes other than parents mode is less but cannot be
ignored in reality, which results the following manner:
[ M ]x··( t ) + [ C ]x· ( t ) + [ K ]x ( t ) = f ( t ) (1)
* *
∈n ∈n ( r ) ∈m ∈m ( r ) n ∈ m ∈m ( r ) ⎞
Converting Eq. (1) in to Laplace domain giving the following: X ( σs, n ) ⎛ ----------------------
- + ∑ n 1 --------------------------------- + ∑ 1 ---------------------------------
- F (σ )
⎝ δn m≠n
δ m + i ( σ n – σ m ) δm + i ( σn + σm ) ⎠ r s, n
2
[ Mp + Cp + K ]X ( p ) = F ( p ) (2) (13)
Y( p )X ( p ) = F ( p ) (3) Because of the large generated output of modal analysis of
TT, dedicated data acquisition algorithm is needed which not
Where Y(p) is dynamic stiffness matrix. The ratio between
only maintains the dignity of accuracy but also compute the
displacement X(p) and force vector F(p) is defined as transfer
results perfectly. Adapted frequency-domain estimators are used
function matrix Z(p), discuss in the following manner:
to compute data accurately and precisely. Least squares estimator
X(p)
----------- = Z ( p ) (4) (LSE) and maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) are the two
F(p)
estimator used to estimate large amount of data widely.
2 –1 B(p)
Z ( p ) = [ Mp + Cp + K ] = ----------- (5)
d(p)
Where as,
3. Effects of Environmental Parameters on Modal
Parameters
B(p) = Adj [ Mp2 + Cp + K ] (6)
2 The environmental parameters such as humidity, temperature,
d(p) = Det [ Mp + Cp + K ] (7)
etc., are very effective to the changes in modal parameters of the
When the damping of the system is less, the zeros of d(p) are, lattice transmission tower structure. Literatures suggest us that
*
∂ m and ∂ m , which are complex conjugate. The modal model is the variation in modal frequencies of lattice tower structure is
nothing but the pole residue form of transfer function Z(p), the broadly effected by the changes in material mechanical properties,
rewrite form of transfer function is showing below: boundary conditions and geometrical features, which are changed
* with temperature. Thus these effects must be address before
n Rm Rm
- + ------------
Z ( p ) = ∑ 1 ------------ - (8) going to analysis the effects of damage in modal parameters of
p – ∂ m p – ∂ *m
lattice transmission tower structure. The effects temperature
Where as, variation in modal frequencies of lattice tower structure is a
m = 1, 2, 3… n, number of modes complex phenomenon. Theoretical analysis of the changes in
modal frequency of tower structure due to temperature variation
Rm = lim Z ( p ) ( p – ∂ m ) = Residue matrix (9)
p → ∂m needs to be explained. Young’s modulus of any material depends
on temperature adversely. Boundary conditions of the lattice
The decomposed form of residue matrix is showing below:
tower structure changes with temperature which broadly affects
⎧ ∈m( 1 ) ⎫ the modal parameters. Structural dynamics of the lattice
⎪ ⎪ transmission tower changes with the surrounding air current
⎪ ∈m( 2 ) ⎪
T ⎪ ⎪ intensity.
Rm = ∈∈m = ⎨  ⎬{ ∈m ( 1 ) ∈m ( 2 )  ∈m ( n ) } (10)
⎪ ⎪ All the above mention factors may affects the modal parameters
⎪  ⎪ of the lattice transmission tower structure but the most important
⎪∈ (n) ⎪
⎩ m ⎭ environmental parameter is temperature. It is worth noting
correlation between natural frequencies and temperature that,
Where ∈ m is the ‘m’ mode shape of the system. The impulse
higher the natural frequencies occur at lower temperature. The
response function is the inverse laplace function of Eq. (8),
changes in relative humidity have much less important effects on
showing below:
*
the modal parameters of the lattice transmission tower than
n ∂ t * ∂mt
z( t ) = ∑ 1Rm e m + Rm e (11) changes in the temperature.
The harmonic force is applied at rth DOF. At the nth mode of
the system the angular frequency equivalent to the damped
4. Numerical Modal Analysis
natural frequency is p = iσs, n . The displacement vector is look
4.1 STAAD Pro Model of Tower Structure
like approximately the following:
For analytical modal analysis, STAAD Pro is considered as a
∈ n ∈n ( r ) suitable tool. The lattice steel transmission tower structure is
X ( σs, n ) = ----------------------
- F r ( σ s, n ) (12)
δn modeled as a three-dimensional trussed structure built by 280
934 C. Bhowmik and P. Chakraborti

Fig. 1. Details of Configuration of the Transmission Tower Model: (a) Details of Parts, (b) Dimension of the Model, (c) Measure of Members

nodes joining by 710 beam components using angle steel. Height Table 1. Parameters of Steel-Cored Aluminium Strand wire "ACSR
of the typical tower structure is taken 34 meters and base width is PANTHER"
considered to be 6.43 meters. Young’s modulus of angle steel Parameters Conductor wire Ground wire
member is taken as 2.06 × 1011N/m2. Rigid connections are given Name of the conductor "ACSR PANTHER" GSW 7/3.15
in the members’ joints and structure’s base is rigidly fixed with 30/3.00+7/3.00
ground, shown in Fig. 1. The steel members of TT of EDS are Diameter (m) 0.021 0.00945
mostly subjected to axial compressive/tensile force. Steel members Area (m²) 2.615*E-4 5.455*E-5
are L cross sectional which are connected eccentrically either by Weight of the conductor (kg/m) 0.974 0.428
bolt or weld. The following fundamental aspects should be kept Ultimate tensile strength (kg) 9144 5710
in mind while the finite element model of TT is established, Modulus of elasticity (N/m²) 7.999* E10 1.896* E11
stated below: Maximum working span (m) 335 335
1. The cross-section of the steel members is uniform throughout Maximum temperature (°C) 75 53
the length. Every day temperature (°C) 32 32
2. Material used in TT is isotropic i.e., properties are same Minimum temperature (°C) 4 4
irrespective of direction. Co-efficient of linear expansion (/°C) 1.78E-05 1.15E-05
3. The strain of the steel angled member is negligible. Factor of safety 4 NA
4. The steel members of TT are mostly subjected to axial Sag (m) NA 4.438
compressive/tensile force. Initial temperature (°C) 32 4
5. The steel angled members are eccentrically connected.
The impact of conductor on TT due to snapping of conductor
or wind force acting on conductor cannot be ignored while
analysis of all active forces. Sudden snapping of conductor wire 4.2 STAAD Pro Modal Analysis of Tower Structure
or ground wire is widely affecting the balanced forces. Torsional The STAAD model of TT has analyzed in the modal domain.
impact is generated due to sudden conductor breaking. ACSR The first mode of natural vibration is found to be bending in
PANTHER 30/3.00 + 7/3.00 has considered as the conductor nature about Z-axis with frequency of 2.876 Hz, shown in
wire in this study. The conductor wire comprises with aluminum Fig. 2(a). The second mode of natural vibration is found to be
strand covered steel core. Table 1 shows the specification of the bending in nature about X-axis with frequency of 2.887 Hz,
conductor. The flexural rigidity of the conductor may be ignored shown in Fig. 2(b). Similarly it may be stated here that the third
here because the diameter of the wire is much less compare to mode of natural vibration is dual in nature with frequency 4.846
the length of the wire. Hz; compression in longitudinal side and expansion in transverse
side, shown in Fig. 2(c). The fourth mode of natural vibration is
 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 935

Fig. 2. Mode of Vibration of Tower Model Obtained from STAAD Pro: (a) First Mode Shape, (b) Second Mode Shape, (c) Third Mode Shap, (d)
Fourth Mode Shape, (e) Fifth Mode Shape, (f) Sixth Mode Shape

also dual in nature with frequency 5.953 Hz; expansion in
transverse side as well as longitudinal side, shown in Fig. 2(d).
The fifth mode of natural vibration is seen to be bending in
nature about longitudinal side with frequency 6.252 Hz, shown
in Fig. 2(e). Again the sixth mode of natural vibration is seen to
be bending in nature about transverse side with frequency 6.793
Hz, shown in Fig. 2(f).
4.3 Modal Analysis of Tower Structure in ANSYS
ANSYS has been employed in this study which is widely used
finite element program recognized worldwide. FE three dimensional
model is set up for showing the mechanical behavior of the
structure. Angle section steel members are utilized to develop the
transmission tower model. Young’s modulus of angle steel is
taken as 206 GPa. The structure is established by 700 space
beam components with 286 nodes. The associations of members
are thought to be inflexible, and supports of the structure are to
be fixed.
The first mode of natural vibration is found to be bending in
nature about Z-axis with frequency of 2.1773 Hz, shown in
Fig. 3(a). The second mode of natural vibration is found to be
bending in nature about X-axis with frequency of 2.187 Hz,
shown in Fig. 3(b). Similarly it may be stated here that the third
mode of natural vibration is dual in nature with frequency 5.3096
Hz; compression in longitudinal side and expansion in transverse
side, shown in Fig. 3(c). The fourth mode of natural vibration is
936 C. Bhowmik and P. Chakraborti
Fig. 3. Modes of Vibration for Tower Structure Obtained from ANSYS: (a) First Mode Shape, (b) Second Mode Shape, (c) Third Mode Shape, (d)
Fourth Mode Shape, (e) Fifth Mode Shape, (f) Sixth Mode Shape
also dual in nature with frequency 6.9248 Hz; expansion in
transverse side as well as longitudinal side, shown in Fig. 3(d).
The fifth mode of natural vibration is seen to be bending in
nature about longitudinal side with frequency 7.0498 Hz, shown
in Fig. 3(e). Again the sixth mode of natural vibration is seen to
be bending in nature about transverse side with frequency 7.3412
Hz, shown in Fig. 3(f).
5. Experimental Modal Analysis of Scale-Down
Tower Model
5.1 Similarity Theory
Similarity theory of modal parameters for scale down model
stated that, if the scale down model is made up of same materials
that of actual tower structure; 1) The modal frequencies of the
scale-down model are increased by the amount of scaling factor,

Fig. 4. The Whole Experimental Set of the Impact Hammer Test of Transmission Tower Scale Down Model from Input to Output
2) The modal damping ratios of the scale-down model are
decreased by square times of the scaling factor, 3) The modal
stiffness of the scale-down model is decreased by the amount
scaling factor. The above mentioned theory is called similarity
theory for scale-down model for extraction of modal parameters.
The tower structure is modeled by scaling down; the similarity
theory for scale-down model for extraction of modal parameters
could be applied (Zhang et al., 2015).
5.2 Scale-Down Model of Transmission Tower
Construction of actual transmission tower structure provides more
research expenditure. Because of different boundary conditions,
the modal experiment of large transmission tower structure cannot
be performed effectively and easily. Accordingly the research
cost for making of large transmission tower will increase.
Therefore, the scale down model of transmission tower has been
built as per the instruction of similarity. The scale down model of
transmission tower has been essential for structural dynamic
analysis. Hence a scale-down (1:15) of the whole transmission
tower structure is made by steel strips which are welded together
to make it 3D truss model, shown in Fig. 4(a). The scale-down
model is around 2.17 meters in height, which maintained the
ratio of (1:15) of the actual tower structure which has been
modeled in commercial software package. Base width and length
of the scale down model is 0.43 meters each as per similarity
ratio, Table 2 shows.
5.3 Experiment Set Up and Discussion
Material properties which include mass, damping and stiffness,
can be used as a suitable tool for determining the natural mode of
vibration of any structure. Modes of natural vibration are inherent
properties of TT of EDS when the boundary conditions are well
fulfilled. Each mode of the TT is comprised with modal parameters;
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 937
Table 2. Different Parameters Associated with Original Model and
Scale Down Model
Parameters Original model Scale down model
Height 34 m 2.17 m
Base width 6.43 m 0.43 m
Length 6.43 m 0.43 m
Material Steel Steel
frequency, damping, and shape. The modes of the TT are changed
with the changes of material properties or boundary conditions.
For example, we may expect a different mode if we add mass to
the TT.
Modal testing by impact device is a relatively simple technique to
obtain the modal parameters of tower structure. Little hardware
and less measurement time of this technique attract researchers
to get modal parameters. Hammer is used to apply the impulse
and accelerometer is used to get the response. The energy applied to
the structure is a function of momentum of the hammer. The
single-point excitation and single point response method has
been used to test the modal parameters. The scale down model of
the tower structure has been excited by impact hammer and the
output signal has been measured by accelerometer. The frequency
response function of the structure has been collected from the
structure dynamic analyzer; Fig. 4 shows the whole experimental
set of the impact hammer test. The frequency response function
curve has been used to collect the natural frequencies of the scale
down model. The natural frequencies of the scale down model
have been found consistent with the FE model as per similarity
ratio (1:15). The mode shapes of the scale down model can easily
be seen from the frequency response function curve collected from
the signal processing software. The maximum natural frequencies
938 C. Bhowmik and P. Chakraborti

Table 3. Natural Frequencies Obtain through Numerically and Experimentally

Compare with scale down model
Frequencies obtain Frequencies obtain Natural frequencies of
Mode Percentage difference Percentage difference
from ANSYS (Hz) from STAAD Pro.(Hz) scale-down model (Hz)
with ANSYS with STAAD
1 2.1773 2.1045 30.6595/15 = 2.043 6.1 2.9
2 2.1870 2.887 30.2506/15 = 2.016 7.8 9.3
3 5.3096 3.546 81.2617/15 = 5.417 1.9 3.6
4 6.9248 6.953 101.0672/15 = 6.737 2.7 3.1
5 7.0498 7.252 118.9234/15 = 7.928 11.1 8.5
6 7.3412 8.793 126.1435/15 = 8.409 10.6 4.3

percentage difference 11.1% has been found; between the scale
down model and the stand software model, Table 3 shows. The
differences may be because of the scale-down model has the
variations in the elasticity modulus, cracks, and boundary conditions
on base level compared to the original tower. It is mentioned here
that the results of the scale down model obtained from the
structure dynamic analyzer and the FE model are found consistent
with the similarity theory. Hence, the scale-down model can
replace the original tower structure for experimental modal
analysis.
Transmission tower scale - down (1:15) model is tested by
modal hammer tester which is the simplest and fastest modal
testing instrument. The resonance frequency of TT is the frequency
where structure is vibrate with small amount of force and great
amount of deformation or sometime may produce damage to the
TT. The model could be tested by taking single excitation point
and single measured point technique where accelerometer is
fixed at a particular point and the excitation is given by hammer
to a another point of interest so that the structure is vibrate at
most to excite all the natural frequencies model of the structure.
The model is excited by impact hammer at a particular point
and the response has measured by the accelerometer which is
attached at another suitable point on the model. For the
Frequency Response Function (FRF) curves, frequency range
of interest is taken between 0 to 800 Hz, shown in Fig. 5(b).
The first six natural frequencies are taken from the FRF curve
as interest of study, showing in Table 3. The natural frequencies
of the numerical model through STAAD and ANSYS are found
consistent with the scale-down model according to the similarity
ratio of (1:15).
Stability chart in modal analysis is the chart from where user
can easily get the physical poles of vibration. It helps user to
extract physical poles of vibration from mathematical poles
which are generated from the normal solution the equations, for
their frequency analysis. This chart is generated by reiterating the
analysis for nth order and the estimated denominator coefficient
helps to calculate the poles of vibration for each mode. The poles
of vibration for each mode is a complex number, the poles
associated with negative real part is called stable poles. Stable
poles are used to generate the stability chart by arranging them in
a particular manner graphically, see Fig. 5. At every identical
location estimated poles for each estimated order equivalent to
physically modes try to appear in the chart. While the mathematical
poles are jumping around the physical poles. These mathematical
poles are generated because of the noise on the system or noise
during measurements of data. Because of the large generated
output of modal analysis of TT, dedicated data acquisition algorithm
is needed which not only maintains the dignity of accuracy but
also compute the results perfectly. Adapted frequency-domain
estimators are used to compute data accurately and precisely.
Least Squares Estimator (LSE) and Maximum Likelihood Estimator
(MLE) are the two estimator used to estimate large amount of
data widely in industry.
6. Modified and Optimized Tower Structure
Significant deformation in the structure’s lower part is found in
the modal analysis which leads the structure weak locally.
Transmission tower structure is modified and optimized by
attaching some additional members to the structure lower part
for stiffening the structure locally, as shown in Fig. 6. After
modifying and optimizing the transmission tower model, analytical
modal analysis is simulated again for six modal frequencies in
ANSYS.
The first mode of natural vibration is found to be bending in
nature about Z-axis with frequency of 2.171 Hz, shown in
Fig. 7(a). The second mode of natural vibration is found to be
bending in nature about X-axis with frequency of 2.181 Hz,
shown in Fig. 7(b). Similarly it may be stated here that the third
mode of natural vibration is dual in nature with frequency 6.686
Hz; compression in longitudinal side and expansion in transverse
side, shown in Fig. 7(c). The fourth mode of natural vibration is
also dual in nature with frequency 7.050 Hz; expansion in
transverse side as well as longitudinal side, shown in Fig. 7(d).
The fifth mode of natural vibration is seen to be bending in
nature about longitudinal side with frequency 7.338 Hz, shown
in Fig. 7(e). Again the sixth mode of natural vibration is seen to
be bending in nature about transverse side with frequency 8.340 Hz,
shown in Fig. 7(f).
Dynamic behavior of the changed structure is moved forward.
It can be seen that the impact of vibration on tower structure is
sensibly enhanced when contrasted with every single other mode
 KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 939

Fig. 5. Experimental Setup of Scale Down Model of Transmission Tower and Results: (a) The Experimental Set of Scale-Down Model of Transmission
Tower, (b) The Imaginary Part of the Frequency Response Function Curve of the Scale-Down Model, (c) Coherence
940 C. Bhowmik and P. Chakraborti

Fig. 6. Modified Tower Structure

Fig. 7. Modes of Vibration for Modified Tower Structure: (a) First Mode Shape, (b) Second Mode Shape, (c) Third Mode Shape, (d) Fourth Mode
Shape

Fig. 7. (continued): (e) Fifth Mode Shape, (f) Sixth Mode Shape
of vibration in ordinary structure. So it is recommended that the
structure ought to be sufficiently solid at lower part through
including a few members in the transmission tower structure.
7. Conclusions
This research addressed and forwarded an innovative approach
for analyzing the dynamic characteristics of large transmission
tower structure in fastest, cheapest and simplest way, which not
only reduce the research cost but also provide modal analysis
easily and effectively. The modal parameters of the scale-down
model are tested by the impact hammer instrument; the experimental
results show correlation with the numerical results which has
been obtained from the standard numerical tool. The first six
natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes have been
determined analytically and first six natural frequencies have
also been determined experimentally and compared with each
other. The first six natural frequencies are determined analytically,
the frequency range of 2 – 9 Hz has been found. The analytical
and experimental modal analysis of transmission tower structure
has been found to be in correlation with some differences. The
maximum natural frequencies percentage difference 11.1% has been
found; between the scale down model and the stand software
model. Scale-down model of transmission tower can replace the
whole structure for modal analysis, which provides a shortcut to
structural modification of the transmission tower structure. The
structure has been modified and optimized to improve the stiffness
of the diaphragm as per specification and practical limitations. It
has been found that the first order natural frequency of the modified
transmission tower is reduced to 2.171 Hz from the 2.1773 Hz.
The presented approach in this study uses a scale down model
of transmission tower to extract the modal parameters. Testing
of original tower structure will provide more accuracy, reliability
and usability of the results. This study uses the single-point
excitation and single point response method to get the modal
parameters of the scale down model, multi point excitation and
response method may give the better accuracy of the modal
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering 941
data extraction.
Acknowledgements
We want to thank Ministry of Human Resource Development
(MHRD), INDIA for the funding of this research. We also want
to thank to the Director and HOD Mechanical, NIT Agartala,
INDIA for their continuous support and motivation.
ORCID
Chiranjit Bhowmik https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8276-4447
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