14.

OPTIMUM STRUCTURE SPOTTING & OPTIMUM POLE SELECTOR

14.1 Automatic Optimum Structure Spotting

Optimum (minimum cost) automatic spotting is an extra cost option of PLS-CADD. The current
algorithms require that the strength of the structures be described by allowable wind and weight
spans, i.e. the structures should be modeled as Method 1 or Method 2 structures. However,
you can easily create Method 1 or Method 2 structures from Method 4 structures if you have
our structure programs TOWER or PLS-POLE. Therefore, the limitation is not as serious as it
appears.

After reading the information in this section, you may want to read our technical note available a
http://www.powline.com/products/optimization.html for more guidance.

Optimum spotting is one of the most challenging problem in transmission line design. Spotting
optimization falls in the general category of problems referred to as dynamic programming
(Bellman, 1957). Many papers have been published on the subject (Olbrycht, 1982; Ranero,
1990; Senouci, 1991; Peyrot, 1993). The mathematical formulation of the problem is as follows.
Given a set of design constraints and criteria, find a set of discrete structure locations (X i, i = 1
to n) and the corresponding structures (Ti, i = 1 to n) to minimize the total cost of the line. "n" is
the total number of structures in the line. Since the cost of the ground wires and conductors is
not affected by the spotting, the total cost to minimize is:

C(Ti,qi) (14-1)

where the special cost parameter qi indicates that the cost of erecting structure i at its particular
location may be affected by soil conditions or other considerations at the site. The discretized
feasible structure locations Xi only exist at fixed locations on the center-line, for example at
intervals of 10 m and at all high points in those intervals. The interval has a significant effect on
solution time and accuracy (Ranero, 1990; Peyrot, 1993). The structures must be taken from a
library of available structures. That library normally includes structures of different types (poles,
H-frames, etc.), strengths (tangent, light angle, dead end, etc.), materials (wood, concrete, steel,
etc.) and heights.

14.1.1 Terrain Constraints and Design Criteria

The following terrain constraints and design criteria must be satisfied after the structures are
spotted and the cables are strung in a line:

1) The location of each structure must be permissible, i.e. it must not be in one of the
prohibited zones which can be defined on the ground. Prohibited zones can be defined
as such or can be assigned a special cost parameter qi that results in a very expensive
structure at the site. Prohibited zones can be waterways, highways, special properties,

PLS-CADD – Version 13.2 © Power Line Systems, Inc. 2014 365