Modelling of multi-panel transmission tower retrofitted with leg reinforcement

Abstract

Retrofitting of existing steel lattice towers has become an important area in the transmission and communication tower industry for the last two decades. Various strengthening methods are being utilised by engineers, with leg reinforcement being one of the most common methods. However, even though it has been used in practice for some time, there has been little research done into its effectiveness. To enable a better understanding of the effectiveness of the leg reinforcing method, a research project has been carried out. A non-linear finite element model (FEM) has been developed and calibrated by comparing the results with those obtained from the experiments. In this paper, the verified FEM is further simplified and extended to model reinforced multi-panel behaviour. The effectiveness of the leg reinforcing method, the effect of various brac-ing patterns and the minimum number of leg reinforcement to achieve 100% capacity increment are the key factors investigated in the model.