345kVRating Study & Tower Raising

Project
345kVRating Study & Tower Raising Project, Illinois
345kV L11212 & L8012 (50) Mile Lattice Tower Upgrade

The purpose of this project was to upgrade an existing (50) mile 345kV lattice tower line with
double bundled conductor, through a combination of nips, tucks, floating dead-ends, and tower
raising.
Project Scope:
Work entailed modeling the existing line in PLS-CADD, using LiDAR survey. The desired line rating
was provided by our Client, and clearance violation reports were completed under the new line
rating. A best solution matrix was developed, demonstrating which combination of nips, tucks,
floating dead-ends, and tower raises were needed to be most cost-effective, minimizing outage
timeframes. Design criteria was also developed by the Client. The basis of the matrix was
determined by compiling design criteria for each combination of fixes, which were then considered
and assigned a value based on line reliability, schedule, and worker safety. In determining a final
solution, the following were also considered: access to tower site; constructability; minimizing
distance traveled to construction sites, land owner issues, and permitting issues for construction
equipment traveling on local roads.
The design criteria, regarding nips and tucks, required anti-cascading, mid-span poles due to
excessive longitudinal imbalances on the towers, for a large quantity of nips and tucks. Design
criteria for nips and tucks without any anti-cascading mid-span poles, was (1) nip or tuck floating
dead-end every (2) miles.
Overall basis for the alternatives was to minimize the number of fixes in order to meet the new
clearance requirement.
Once the solution was finalized, tower extensions were designed for lifting the towers. A structural
evaluation of the tower being lifted was also performed to ensure lifting the tower from the bridge,
with the inclusion of the wires, was satisfactory and safe. A criteria guide for lifting the tower during
construction was developed for construction to review, stating the maximum wind speeds allowed
during a tower lift. The rigging devices for lifting the tower were also designed, fabricated, and
tested.

The process for tower lifting was included in the design criteria, and listed which order and
conditions were needed to be followed prior to lifting the towers. The first step needed was to lower
the static wires prior to lifting, to minimize the load on the towers. Next, the installation of the
spreader beam, which is attached to the tower bridge, was connected along with temporary
stiffeners designed to spread the load of the tower over several joints. The tower was then unbolted
from the stubs and lifted (1) foot and held (5) minutes to observe a solid and safe hoist. After the
hold period, the tower was lifted to the elevation (2) feet above where the extension would rise to.
The extension is then constructed and the tower lowered and bolted. The static wires were reinstalled on the peaks, and the crews then begin clean-up of the site. On average, the construction
averaged (4) hours per tower site.