Aerodynamic and aeroelastic analysis of bundled cables by numerical simulation

A numerical model for the aerodynamic and aeroelastic analysis of bundled cables, commonly used in energy transmission lines, is presented in this work. The bundles were idealized by a sectional model representing the section at the mid span between two supporting towers. A slightly compressible viscous fluid was considered and the two-dimensional flow was analyzed using a two-step explicit method with an arbitrary Eulerian-Lagrangean description. A Taylor series expansion was used in time and the classical Galerkin technique with the finite element method were used for space discretization. Turbulence was modeled using large eddy simulation with the classical Smagorinsky's sub-grid scale model. The set of cables forms a single body with elastic constrains working mechanically coupled, being each cable linked to the others by spacers. The fluid-structure interaction was taken into account considering equilibrium and compatibility conditions at the fluid-solid interfaces, and the resulting dynamical equilibrium equation was solved using the Newmark's method. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.