Mechanical oscillations on overhead transmission lines

D.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering)This research proposed to develop a mathematical model for the prediction of aeolian vibration levels on overhead transmission lines in order to be able to ensure that damping systems are designed optimally in future. In order to enhance the understanding of aeolian and wake-induced vibration further, it also proposed to implement and apply the fluid flow simulation technique of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to both single conductors and conductor bundles. The Introduction of the CFD tool to the field of transmission line vibration, will ensure that bundles could be optimally designed for future applications. Wind-induced vibrations are known to cause expensive damage to the conductors and related hardware through fatigue or clashing of the bundled conductors. The primary cause of conductor aeolian vibration is the alternate shedding of wind-induced eddies from the top and bottom sides of the conductor, whereas wake-induced oscillations is peculiar to bundled conductors and arises from effects of the shielding of leeward conductors in bundles by windward ones. In order to study the phenomenon of aeolian vibration, research was undertaken utilising a full scale transmission line test station close to Kroonstad in the Orange Free State. Commercially available computer based packages were used for the development and simulation of both the mathematical model and fluid flow. During the flow simulations, an actual Zebra conductor and Zebra bundle configuration were utilised. For the development of the mathematical model, the pratical results, as measured at the Kroonstad transmission line test station during Phase I, were utilised. From the tests performed during Phase I, it was concluded that the damping solutions, currently used by Eskom as tested during Phase I, are all effective in controlling the aeolian vibration. The Stockbridge damper proved to be avery effective damper. Two models for the prediction of aeolian vibration levels were derived. Results showed that the vibration levels could be estimated to the correct order of magnitude and in many cases the precise values. The accuracy of the model was further improved by the inclusion of the Strouhal number as a function of windspeed. It has been decided by the author 10 develop and design a low cost vibration activity indicator for aeolian vibration measurements. The T-R-I-V-A-I has shown that it is a repeatable, reliable device, Ideally suited for line vibration detection. A new device, the W-I-V-I, has also been designed and implemented by the author for the detection and quantification of wake-induced vibration. During the simulation of the flows around a conductor in the steady state, it was established that the flow around as smooth cylinder and a Zebra conductor, is very similar, however, it was established that the rough outer surface of the Zebra conductor acts as a vortex generator. It has been found that a stability relationship exists between the degree of symmetry of the pressure cell, directly in front of the leeward conductor and the wake-induced vibration. Results for the unsteady flow situation showed the initiation and dispersion of the vortices as they are generated alongside the conductor. It is recommended that the developed model's accuracy be further enhanced. It should be established if .there are families of curves and data that belong together and that contribute to the amount of scatter in the parameters measured such as vibration amplitude, Strouhal number, etc. The applicability of CFD to the transmission line field should be enhanced, with the view of increasing bundle performance, both from an electrical and mechanical point of view