Floor response spectra and seismic design method of electrical equipment installed on floor in indoor substation

Electrical equipment installed on floors is a typical type of nonstructural component in indoor substations, which could be subjected to earthquake loading during seismic events. To investigate the seismic design method of floor electrical equipment in indoor substations, simulation models of four whole-indoor substations comprising main control buildings and their floor electrical equipment were established. Seismic response spectrum analyses of main-attachment structures were performed with a high number of ground motions as inputs. Using mathematical statistics and data fitting methods, this research suggested the calculation formula of amplification factor of floor acceleration response spectrum. Specifically, when the periodic ratio of electrical equipment to main control building is in the range of 0.9-1.1, the system would produce a strong resonance-like effect with a peak spectral amplification factor. The floor response spectrum for seismic design was influenced by four factors: equipment importance category, floor position, damping ratio of electrical equipment, and torsion effect of main control building. Following that, a seismic design method especially applicable for electrical equipment installed on floor in indoor substation, which combines amplification factor and calculation method of seismic action indicated in the relevant specification, was presented. Lastly, a typical 220 kV whole-indoor substation was taken as an example to validate the accuracy of the design method highlighted in this article.