Modeling Sudden Ice Shedding from Conductor Bundles

Sudden ice shedding from conductor bundles was modeled numerically and experimentally by improving the approaches proposed formerly for a single cable. The experimental study was carried out on a small-scale laboratory model of one span of a twin bundle. A numerical model of the experimental setup was developed using the commercial finite-element software ADINA. This model was validated by simulating: 1) the vertical cable vibration during former load shedding tests on a full-scale line of single conductors; 2) the bundle rotation on a full-scale twin bundle during former static torsional tests; and 3) the vertical cable vibration and bundle rotation at midspan during the present load shedding tests on a small-scale twin bundle. The coincidence of calculated and measured tendencies justified the applicability of the numerical model to simulate the vibration following ice shedding from bundled conductors in most cases. The model was finally applied to simulate sudden ice shedding from a full-scale span with a twin bundle. Simulation results showed that the application of spacers reduces the cable jump height during this vibration; however, a higher number of spacers in the same span does not decrease the angle of bundle rotation.