Simplified models and experimental verification for coupled transmission tower-line system to seismic excitations

The simplified computational models of high-voltage transmission tower-line system under out-of-plane and in-plane vibrations are presented due to seismic excitations in this paper. The equations of motion are derived and the computer program is compiled to obtain the earthquake responses of the coupled system. To verify the rationality of the proposed approaches, the shaking-table experiments of the coupled system of transmission lines and their supporting towers are carried out and the results indicate that the errors of theoretical and testing results of systemic seismic responses are within the acceptable arrange in engineering area. Based on these studies, a simplified analysis method is proposed to make the seismic response calculation of coupled tower-conductor system faster and more effective. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.