Seismic responses of transmission tower-line system under coupled horizontal and tilt ground motion

Tests and theoretical studies for seismic responses of a transmission tower-line system under coupled horizontal and tilt (CHT) ground motion were conducted. The method of obtaining the tilt component from seismic motion was based on comparisons from the Fourier spectrum of uncorrected seismic waves. The collected data were then applied in testing and theoretical analysis. Taking an actual transmission tower-line system as the prototype, shaking table tests of the scale model of a single transmission tower and towers-line systems under horizontal, tilt, and CHT ground motions were carried out. Dynamic equations under CHT ground motion were also derived. The additional P-A effect caused by tilt motion was considered as an equivalent horizontal lateral force, and it was added into the equations as the excitation. Test results were compared with the theoretical analysis and indicated some useful conclusions. First, the shaking table test results are consistent with the theoretical analysis from improved dynamic equations and proved its correctness. Second, the tilt component of ground motion has great influence on the seismic response of the transmission tower-line system, and the additional P-Aeffect caused by the foundation tilt, not only increases the seismic response of the transmission tower-line system, but also leads to a remarkable asymmetric displacement effect. Third, for the tower-line system, transmission lines under ground motion weaken the horizontal displacement and acceleration responses of transmission towers. This weakening effect of transmission lines to the main structure, however, will be decreased with consideration of tilt component.