Numerical Modeling and Small-Scale Experimental Simulation of Ice Shedding Propagation on Bundled Conductors

Ice shedding propagation on bundled conductors is simulated numerically and experimentally. A numerical model was built using a commercial finite element software ADINA, whereas experiments were carried out on a small-scale setup in laboratory. The numerical and the experimental models simulate the propagation of ice shedding from one cable in a twin bundle together with the resulting vibration. The calculated and measured parameters are time histories of vertical and transverse vibrations of the cable and time histories of the angle of bundle rotation in the middle of the span when the number of spacers is varied. Ice load is modeled by applying concentrated loads at constant distances along the cables, and then they are released consecutively from either cable in order to simulate ice shedding propagation. The numerical model is validated by comparing the computed and measured results. This model may easily be modified to simulate ice shedding propagation and the induced vibration on bundled conductors in real-scale transmission lines. Keywords-cable vibration; conductor bundle; ice shedding; numerical modeling; small-scale experiment