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Aeolian Vibration Book
Aeolian Vibration Book
Basics
October 2013
Part of a series of reference reports prepared by
Preformed Line Products
Page
Abstract .............................................................................................................................1
Mechanism of Aeolian Vibrations ......................................................................................1
Effects of Aeolian Vibration ...............................................................................................3
Safe Design Tension with Respect to Aeolian Vibration....................................................5
Influence of Suspension Hardware....................................................................................5
Dampers: How they Work .................................................................................................6
Damper Industry Specifications.........................................................................................7
Damper: Laboratory Testing..............................................................................................8
Dampers: Field Testing .....................................................................................................9
ABSTRACT
Wind induced (aeolian) vibrations of
conductors and overhead shield wires
(OHSW) on transmission and distribution lines
can produce damage that will negatively
impact the reliability or serviceability of these
lines. Lines damaged by vibration may have to
be de-rated or even taken out of service until
repairs can be made. This could have an
impact on an entire network.
Understanding aeolian vibration and how it
can be managed or controlled is the key to
minimizing its possible effect on a line or
network.
This report will present an executive summary
of the research and findings of industry
experts all over the world who have
contributed to the understanding of aeolian
vibration and its control. The references cited
will provide a more detailed explanation of
individual principles, findings and
recommendations.
MECHANISM OF AEOLIAN VIBRATION
When a smooth stream of air passes across
a cylindrical shape, such as a conductor or
OHSW, vortices (eddies) are formed on the
leeward side (back side). These vortices
alternate from the top and bottom surfaces,
and create alternating pressures that tend to
produce movement at right angles to the
direction of the air flow. This is the mechanism
that causes aeolian vibration [1].
The term smooth was used in the above
description because unsmooth air (i.e., air with
turbulence) will not generate the vortices and
associated pressures. The degree of
turbulence in the wind is affected both by the
terrain over which it passes and the wind
velocity itself. It is for these reasons that
aeolian vibration is generally produced by
wind velocities below 15 miles per hour
(MPH). Winds higher than 15 MPH usually
contain a considerable amount of turbulence,
except for special cases such as open bodies
of water or canyons where the effect of the
terrain is minimal.
The frequency at which the vortices alternate
from the top to bottom surfaces of conductors
and shield wires can be closely approximated
1 Second
2.9422 x V = 0.233 N
or
12.6275 x V = N
1 Second
Figure 2 Vibration Recorded on
3/8 OHSW (41 HERTZ)
Sustained aeolian vibration activity occurs
when the vortex frequency closely
corresponds to one of the natural vibration
frequencies of the span of conductor or
OHSW. This sustained vibration activity takes
the form of discrete standing waves with
forced nodes at the support structures and
intermediate nodes spaced along the span at
intervals that depend on the particular natural
frequency (Figure 3).
Anti-node
In most cases the maximum peak-to-peak
amplitude of a vibrating conductor or OHSW
will not exceed its diameter.
Node
Loop
Length
Terrain Characteristics
Open, flat, no trees, no obstruction,
with snow cover, or near/across
large bodies of water; flat desert.
Open, flat, no obstruction, no snow;
e.g., farmland without any
obstruction, summertime.
Open, flat, or undulating with very
few obstacles; e.g., open grass or
farmland with few trees, hedgerows
or other barriers; prairie, tundra.
Built-up with some trees and
buildings; e.g., residential suburbs;
small towns; woodlands and shrubs;
small fields with bushes, trees and
hedges.
H/w
( ft )
3,281
3,691
4,019
4,675
Span
Length
100' to 800'
800' to 1600'
1600' to 2400'
Damper Fatigue
Clamp Slip Load
Weight Slip Load
Damper Response
Laboratory In-Span Damper
Performance
Electrical (Corona) Performance
Field Performance
4.00
3.50
Power (W)
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
Frequency (Hz)
VSD4032-0001-A
VSD4032-0001-B
VSD4032-0001-C
Average of Dampers
16
14
12
Power (W)
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Frequency (Hz)
Dissipated Power (Damper B)
1 Second
11
REFERENCES
[1] Electric Power Research Institute, Transmission Line Reference Book, Wind Induced Conductor
Motion, Research Project 795, 1978
[2] V. Strouhal, On Aeolian Tones, Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Band V, 1878, p. 216
[3] E. Bate, The Vibration of Transmission Line Conductors, Transactions of the Institution of
Engineers (Australia), Vol XI, 1930, pp. 277-290
[4] E. Bate and J. Callow, The Quantitative Determination of the Energy Involved in the Vibration of
Cylinders in an Air Stream, Transactions of the Institution of Engineers (Australia), Vol XV, No 5,
1934, pp. 149-162
[5] J.S. Carroll, Laboratory Studies of Conductor Vibration, Electrical Engineering, May 1936
[6] F.B. Farquharson and R.E. McHugh, Wind Tunnel Investigation of Conductors Vibration Using
Rigid Models, IEEE Transaction Paper, October 1956, pp. 871-877
[7] G. Diana and M. Falco, On the Forces Transmitted to a Vibrating Cylinder by a Blowing Fluid,
Meccanica, Vol VI, No 1, 1971
[8] C.B. Rawlins, Wind Tunnel Measurement of the Power Imparted to a Model of a Vibrating
Conductor, IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus & Systems, Vol PAS-102, No 4, April 1983,
pp 963-971
[9] D.U. Noiseux, S. Houle and R. Beauchemin, Study of Effective Aeolian Wind Power Imparted to
Single Conductor Spans, Report on CEA R&D Project 146 T 328, 1986
[10] IEEE Std 563-1978 (Reaff 1991), IEEE Guide on Conductor Self Damping Measurements
[11] P.W. Dulhunty, A. Lamprecht and J. Roughan, The Fatigue Life of Overhead Line Conductors,
CIGRE SC22-WG04 Task Force Document, 1982
[12] CIGRE Study Committee 22, Working Group 04, Endurance Capability of Conductors, Final
Report, July 1988
[13] C.B. Rawlins, Exploratory Calculations of the Predicted Fatigue Life of Two ACSR and One
AAAC, Report CIGRE SC-22, WG11, TF4-96-5, April 1996
[14] O.D. Zetterholm, Bare Conductors and Mechanical Calculation of Overhead Conductors, CIGRE
Session Report #223, 1960
[15] CIGRE Report #273, Overhead Conductor Safe Design Tension with Respect to Aeolian
Vibrations, Task Force B2.11.04, June 2005
[16] A.T. Edwards and M. Boyd, Ontario Hydro Live-Line Vibration Recorder for Transmission
Conductors, IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-82, 1963, pp. 269-273
[17] J.C. Poffenberger and R.L. Swart, Differential Displacement and Dynamic Conductor Strain, IEEE
Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-84, 1965, pp. 281-289 and 508-509
[18] IEEE Committee Report, Standardization of Conductor Vibration Measurements, IEEE
Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-85, Jan. 1966, pp. 10-20
[19] R.A. Komenda and R.L. Swart, Interpretation of Field Vibration Data, IEEE Transactions on Power
Apparatus and Systems, Vol. PAS-87, pp. 1066-1073
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