Chapter 1 : Introduction

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 GENERAL
The simplest type of compression member is a single steel angle. This is very commonly used as primary compression member in electrical transmission towers. The lattice tower is analyzed and designed assuming that each member is a twoforce member of truss(which is subjected to tension and compression only).But in practical cases, in addition, steel angles are subjected to bending due to the eccentricity of the applied load, which has a pronounced effect on the performance of the steel angles. Until today, the electrical towers have been designed without considering the effect of eccentricity on the ultimate load carrying capacity of single steel angles, which is a prime limitation for designing safe towers.Hence, there is a significant scope to investigate this matter. This investigation is expected to provide the design engineer some definite guidelines and recommendations. for designing suitably load resistant tower structures.

1.2 OBJECTIVE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The performance of steel angle in carrying eccentrically applied compression loads is of great importance in the design of electrical transmission towers. As, these angles are an integral part of the tower structures (which are often subjected to tremendous wind forces and may be subjected to other kinds of forces), it becomes therefore obvious to make a formulation for predicting ultimate compression load carrying capacity of the single steel angles. In previous researches, there had been some attempts for analyzing ultimate load capacity of the steel angles. The AISC also has its own formulas for determining the ultimate capacity of angles. But unexpectedly, nobody including the AISC considered the effects of load eccentricity in their formulation. So, it becomes necessary to consider the eccentricity effects in all cases to predict ultimate load capacity of steel angles which is carefully done in this thesis project. A comparative of results obtained using both analytical approach and non-linear finite element analysis versus calculated capacity using the procedure of ASCE manual 52 (1988) and previous test results will be made. The purpose is to compare all these results to the design requirements and to make observations and recommendations.

Chapter 1 : Introduction

1.3 SCOPES AND LIMITATIONS

Like many other studies this study has also its limitations : i) Study shall be carried out for a few equal leg angle sections which have been tested earlier by others. ii) Non-linear (both geometric and material) finite element analysis shall be carried out to determine the axial compression capacity of angles under eccentric loading. iii) Capacity of angle sections according to non-linear analytical formulations shall be evaluated. iv) Comparison of compression capacity obtained by different methods shall be made.

1.4 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

The report is organized to best represent and discuss the problem and findings that come out from the studies performed. Chapter 1 introduces the problem, in which an overall idea is presented before entering into the main studies and discussion. Chapter 2 is Literature Review, which represents the work performed so far in connection with it collected from different references. It also describes the strategy of advancement for the present problem to a success. Chapter 3 is all about the finite element modeling exclusively used in this problem and it also shows some figures associated with this study for proper presentation and understanding. Chapter 4 is the corner stone of this thesis write up, which solely describes the computational investigation made throughout the study in details with presentation by many tables and figures followed by some discussions. Chapter 5, the concluding chapter, summarizes the whole study as well as points out some further directions.