EPRI-Sponsored Transmission Line Wind Loading Research

Extreme winds make up a substantial portion of the design loads for transmission lines. This paper briefly reviews the problems associated with current wind loading calculation procedures. Specific areas addressed include basic geographical design wind speeds, variation in velocity with height, gust factors, span reduction factors and drag coefficients (shape factors). To remove uncertainty associated with quantifying the actual loads imposed on transmission lines by the wind, EPRI has sponsored a research effort to investigate transmission line wind loading (RP1277). Results obtained thus far on this project are presented and while they are not yet conclusive, they will undoubtedly have a significant influence on future transmission line designs.