Dynamic properties of an aeroelastic transmission tower subjected to synoptic and downburst-like outflows

Electrical transmission towers can be vulnerable to high intensity non-synoptic wind events such as downbursts. This paper compares the wind-induced response of a single self-supported transmission tower subjected to experimentally produced downburst outflows and synoptic (i.e., atmospheric boundary layer (ABL)) winds. Wind tunnel tests were carried out on a 1:50 aeroelastic model of the tower. A similar mean wind speed was produced at 1/6th of tower height and tower height in the downburst and synoptic simulations, respectively. Lower drag coefficients were observed under downburst winds in comparison to synoptic winds for the case tested. Lower peak base shear and base moments were subsequently observed in the downburst case. However, the results indicate that the base dynamic response of a self-supported tower can be slightly higher under downburst wind loads in comparison to synoptic winds. Higher dynamic amplification factors (DAF) and deviations from the mean were observed in the base dynamic response to downburst winds in comparison to the synoptic case. This indicates that self-supported towers can be subjected to more wind-induced vibrations under downburst winds with similar peak wind speeds as the synoptic winds.