Study on mechanical characteristics of conductors with three-dimensional finite-element models

Refined three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) models of typical aluminium conductor steel reinforced (ACSR) and formed aluminium conductor steel reinforced (FACSR) with structural details to simulate their static and dynamic characteristics are proposed. Taking into account the elastoplastic behaviour of the aluminium wires, the tensile mechanical properties and coupling between tension and torsion of the two types of conductors under tensile loading are numerically investigated. Furthermore, dynamic responses of two transmission lines, in which the refined 3D segment models and equivalent beam models of the two types of conductors are used, after ice-shedding are numerically simulated and the dynamic characteristics of the conductors are analysed. Finally, based on the numerical simulation results, the fatigue lives of the aluminium wires are estimated and the wear between the wires is discussed. It is revealed that taking into account the structural details of the conductors in the strength design of transmission lines is necessary, and the mechanical characteristics of FACSR are better than those of the ACSR in both static and dynamic situations.