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R. Todd Pettyjohn
Introduction
The problem at hand requires structural analysis of a power-transmission-line
tower. This large truss, which stands 45 ft high and spans 50 feet is shown in figure 1.
Each member is made from 10 in2 rectangular A36 Steel, which has a modulus of
elasticity of E = 29 10 6 psi, a yield strength of S y = 36 ksi, and a Poissons Ratio of
= 0.292 .
Model Development
The truss was modeled in ANSYS 7.0. The truss model was completed by
defining keypoints and adding the appropriate lines. Zero displacement constraints were
applied at points 1 and 2, and loads were applied at points 11 and 16. Figure 2 and
Figure 3 show the completed model with the location of applied loads and boundary
conditions, as well as the element numbers. Each element in the truss is approximated as
Figure 2 ANSYS model showing the location of applied loads and boundary conditions
LINK1 ANSYS element, which is a two dimensional uniaxial two force member with
two degrees of freedom at each node. The material was modeled as a linear elastic
isotropic material. Tables 1 and 2 summarize the elements and material models used.
Element No.
All Elements (1-29)
Element Type
LINK 1
Element No.
All Elements
(1-29)
Material Type
Linear Elastic
Isotropic
Material
Modulus of
Elasticity
Yield
Strength
Poisson's
Ratio
Area
A36 Steel
29 x 106 psi
36 ksi
0.292
10 in2
Analysis Results
Presented in this section are the results of the analysis. Table 3 labels the critical
members and the yielding and buckling factors of safety. Table 4 shows the internal
force, stress, and strain in each element. Table 5 shows the buckling loads of each
member. Calculations pertaining to buckling can be located in Appendix B. Figures 4-6
illustrate the internal member forces, stresses, and strains and their exact location on the
structure. Table 6 shows the components and total magnitude of deflection at each node.
Figure 7 shows the deformed structure plotted against an undeformed edge.
Overall Behavior of the Structure:
The critical members are all in compression and will buckle before
yielding
14,15,21,22
14,15,21,22
155.1
161.0
Page 5 of 17
Element
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Member Force
(lb)
1.02E-12
-1000
-1.39E-12
-1000
250
-1031
-1031
-4.30E-12
-250
-1000
-1000
-1.81E-11
-2000
-2236
-2236
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
-2236
-2236
-7.86E-13
-2.75E-11
3.33E-12
0
0
7.03E-13
3.52E-13
Stress
(psi)
1.02E-13
-100
-1.39E-13
-100
25
-103
-103
-4.30E-13
-25
-100
-100
-1.81E-12
-200
-224
-224
200
200
200
200
200
-224
-224
-7.86E-14
-2.75E-12
3.33E-13
0
0
7.03E-14
3.52E-14
Strain
3.50E-21
-3.45E-06
-4.79E-21
-3.45E-06
8.62E-07
-3.55E-06
-3.55E-06
-1.48E-20
-8.62E-07
-3.45E-06
-3.45E-06
-6.23E-20
-6.90E-06
-7.71E-06
-7.71E-06
6.90E-06
6.90E-06
6.90E-06
6.90E-06
6.90E-06
-7.71E-06
-7.71E-06
-2.71E-21
-9.49E-20
1.15E-20
0.00E+00
0.00E+00
2.42E-21
1.21E-21
Page 6 of 17
Table 5 Location of each point of the members, length, slenderness ratios, buckling load values, and factors of safety
Page 7 of 17
Page 8 of 17
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Page 10 of 17
Node
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
UX (in)
-5.252E-20
0
5.172E-05
3.879E-05
1.577E-05
2.439E-05
1.404E-04
7.146E-05
1.604E-04
-5.388E-05
1.509E-05
8.405E-05
1.530E-04
2.220E-04
2.910E-04
6.405E-05
UY (in)
0
0
-5.172E-05
-5.172E-05
-9.848E-05
-8.589E-05
-1.204E-04
-1.330E-04
-2.731E-04
-8.945E-04
-2.731E-04
-1.204E-04
-1.330E-04
-3.109E-04
-9.575E-04
-3.109E-04
UZ (in)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
Displacement
(in)
5.252E-20
0
7.315E-05
6.466E-05
9.973E-05
8.929E-05
1.850E-04
1.509E-04
3.168E-04
8.961E-04
2.735E-04
1.468E-04
2.027E-04
3.820E-04
1.001E-03
3.174E-04
1.001E-03
15
Page 11 of 17
Figure 7 ANSYS solution showing the deformed shape (blue) and the original shape (black)
Page 12 of 17
Discussion of Analysis
From the analysis in previous sections, it is quite evident that the structure
displays a sound design. With the yielding and buckling factors of safety both over 150,
it is unlikely that this structure will ever fail under these conditions. If the loads
drastically increase however, the critical members will buckle before yielding. The
displacement is a mere 1.84 E-04 % of the structures height, which is negligible for this
application. If necessary, this structure could be safely redesigned with smaller members
or a weaker material. This analysis proves this power transmission line tower to be
structurally acceptable for the present loading conditions, as well as extenuating
circumstances resulting in increased loading.
Page 13 of 17
Page 14 of 17
Taking the positive x direction to the right and the positive y direction up,
applying the equations of equilibrium at cut 1 gives:
= F2
1
1000 = 0
5
F2 = 2236 lb (Compression)
= F1 + F2
2
=0
5
F1 = 2000 lb (Tension)
1 =
F1 2000
=
= 200 psi
A
10
2 =
F2 2236
=
= 223.6 psi
A
10
Page 15 of 17
4 5
F3 = 1000 lb (Compression)
F4
2
=0
F4 = 0 lb
= 2000 F3 F5 = 0
F5 = 1000 lb (Compression)
3 = 4 =
F 1000
=
= 100 psi
A
10
5 = 0
Since all values match those calculated in ANSYS, it can be concluded the
analysis was completed accurately.
Appendix B: Determination of Critical Members and Factor of Safety
Perhaps the most important part of the analysis is to locate the critical
member and to determine the factor of safety of the structure and the potential failure
mode. Table B-1 shows a summary of the critical members, as well as the factor of safety
of each. Table B-2 shows critical information for each element. Calculating the yielding
factor of safety was rather straightforward. Since every member has a one-dimensional
state of stress, the yielding factor of safety of each member is given by n y =
Sy
Page 16 of 17
=
k 1
must be calculated. If
2 2 E A
,
Sy
<
k
The most common type of buckling, Euler-Johnson buckling, occurs when 10 <
Sy 1
Pcr = A S y
.
2 CE k
k 1
The third case, known as Euler buckling, occurs in long-slender columns when <
C 2 EA
k
Using the data above, an excel spreadsheet (Table 5) was developed which chose the
critical load equation to use based on values of the slenderness ratio and tangent
slenderness ratio.
Page 17 of 17