CLIENT :

CONTRACTOR :

NEW DELHI INDIA

CONSULTANT :

PROJECT : Kindaruma-Mwingi-Garissa 132 kV S/C Transmission Lines

Contract XVII: KPLC1/6E/2/A17
Kenya Electicity Expansion Project (KEEP)-Transmission Component

METHODOLOGY FOR TOWER

TESTING

21/02/2013

Rev.

Date

As per letter no ELC-KPLC-TATAXVII-053 dated 14/02/2013

Discription

By

Approved

RKP
Initiated Reviwed

Approved

NEW DELHI INDIA

DOCUMENT NO.

Rev.

KETRACO/A17/M&Q/101

Document No:
KETRACO/A17/Q&M/101

1.00.00

Introduction
Transmission line towers are highly indeterminate structures. In the analysis of design of
these structures and their detailing a number of theoretical assumptions are made. The
structures are mass produced and the quality of materials, fabrication and the assembly
require checking.
The members comprising Test Tower shall be of same grade of material (IS: 2062:2006
Grade E250A / Grade E 350A) and class of fabrication as will be used in construction of
tower for the line.
All standard tests, including quality control tests in accordance with relevant
specifications shall be carried out. The design test shall be carried out by applying test
loads and SA1 / SB1 will be tested for Destruction Test where as SB2 / SB3 will be
conducted for Ultimate Load Test. The tower shall be tested for all the conditions
considered for the design of tower.

1.01.00

General Description
The galvanized test tower complete with required extensions will be erected on the rigid
foundation of the Testing Station.
The tower will be tested in accordance with IEC-60652:2002 Loading Test on Overhead
Line Structures. The load tests are carried out as per Test data sheets being submitted
vide document no KETRACO/A17/SA1/TLC for approval.

1.02.00

Test Loads
Tower will be tested for various selected loading cases as indicated in submittal of
KETRACO/A17/SA1/TLC. Loads will be applied in following steps for all load cases:

1.03.00

50% of ultimate load

75% of ultimate load
90% of ultimate load
95% of ultimate load
100% of ultimate load

Design Test
In event of failure at less than 100% of the specified design load, failed component(s)
may be replaced by other component(s). The modified structure shall be retested to
resist 100% of specified design loads.

The tower testing is considered passed after successfully withstanding for 5 minutes the
100% of the specified ultimate loads for all loading cases.
1.04.00

Assembly Of Prototype Tower

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Document No:
KETRACO/A17/Q&M/101

The Prototype tower, fabricated as per structural drawings approved by the Purchaser
shall be assembled and erected on a fixed base. Fitment of any member shall be easy,
natural and shall not be a forced one. The Bolts should be tightened simultaneously on
all four faces.
1.05.00

Calibration Method
All load cells use for Testing will be calibrated before starting the test with the help of
Universal Testing Machine. The test loadings will be applied as per calibration results.

1.06.00

Loading Methods
The Transverse, Vertical and Longitudinal Loads, Oblique Wind at 45 degrees as per
Test Load Cases having document no KETRACO/A17/SA1/TLC Rev1 will be applied to
the tower with wire ropes using electrical winches. The loads at conductor points will be
applied using Steel wire ropes with appropriate pulling plates.
For each Test Case Transverse, Vertical and Longitudinal loads will be applied as per
loading Schedule given in the Test Data Sheet starting with vertical loads. Applied
Transverse and Longitudinal Test Loads will be measured by digital indicators attached
to the load cells inserted between the tower and wire ropes.

1.07.00

The test loads shall be applied in increments to 50%, 75%, 90%, 95%, 100%, of
specified loads. Holding periods for each load stages from 50% to 95% shall be 2
minutes and for load stages at 100% shall be 5 minutes.
After completing all the design load tests as per Test Data Sheets, Destruction Test may
be carried out as per clients (designer/end purchaser) requirement and destruction test
should proceed until there is notable failure.. These loads will be applied in steps of 5%
increment above 100% i.e. 105%, 110% etc and for tests to destruction, vertical loads
shall be maintained at 100%.
Measurement of Deflection
For measuring the deflection, scales are fixed at top and/or waist of tower and reading
will be taken by Theodolite fixed along the centre line of test tower in both transverse &
longitudinal face of the Tower. The deflection reading will be submitted to purchaser
along with the Test Report for record.

1.08.00

Sample Test
Material of the prototype shall be checked for mechanical and chemical characteristics in
line with approved MQP of towers vide document no KETRACO/A17/MQP/101 (Rev.1).
Sample selected by KPLC/ELC from Test Tower shall be subjected to such tests.

1.09.00

Acceptance Of Test Results

Test is considered as passed, if tower is able to withstand the specified ultimate loads
(100% steps) with a visible sign of deformation for the specified waiting period.
A detailed report incorporating test data and the results of complete tests along with
photographs shall be prepared in quadruplicate and will be submitted to KPLC/ELC.

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