Selecting the Right Foundation for Energy Delivery Structures: What Are the Challenges and How Can They Be Overcome?

Safe and reliable energy delivery is critical to society. Reliable power-transmission structures are the backbone of the electric system and require a sound foundation to ensure reliability. Foundations are an essential component of the transmission system and the design phase must account for numerous challenges including maintaining reliability and minimizing construction risks. Design and construction challenges must be met in addition to specifications relating to voltage limits, performance and the environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the conditions and situations, including geological location, construction methodology, and field conditions, that affect decisions relating to foundation structure. Generalized soil profiles based on the geological locations of projects are presented. Typical construction risks are introduced with associated mitigation methods. Ways to balance these factors in order to determine an appropriate foundation are discussed through developed selection trees.