Date:17August,2011

Reportonfailureoftowerduringtest
Projectno.:E786
Line:500kVHVDClineinCanada
Client:SNCLavalin,Canada
Towertype:SuspensiontowertypeNSB53A

Background:On12July,2011,3numbersofloadcasesnamelyleftPeak,rightpeak&middle
conductorbrokenweresuccessfullytested.

Failure: The tower was then loaded for Left conductor broken. The tower was successfully
tested for 90% of the loads. The transverse & vertical loads were increased to 95%. While
adjusting the longitudinal loads for 95%, the compression leg extension lattice (D45 member
number1705)buckled&subsequentlytheentiretowercollapsedtotheground.

Causes of failure: The redundant pattern of the leg extension lattice was inefficient in
supportingthetowerduringtorsion&hencethetowercollapsed.

5
-D4
TR

D45

M13


Correctivemeasurestaken:

5
-D4
TR

D 45

M 13

Thetowerwassuccessfullytestedwiththerevisedredundantpattern.