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164 The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2013, 7, 164-169

Open Access

Progressive Collapse Analysis of Power Transmission Tower Under

Earthquake Excitation

Li Tian*,1, Ruisheng Ma1, Wenming Wang2 and Lei Wang3

1
School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250061, China
2
Faculty of Infrastructure Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, 116024, China
3
Sichuan Institute of Building Research, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610081, China

Abstract: Collapses of power transmission towers had usually taken place in previous large earthquake. The collapse
process of a power transmission tower under earthquake excitation is studied in this paper. Using international finite ele-
ment software ABAQUS, the three-dimensional finite element model of the power transmission tower is created based on a
practical engineering. Three typical seismic records are selected. The progress collapse processes of the power transmission
tower under different seismic excitations are simulated using the nonlinear time history method. The collapse paths and
failure positions of the power transmission tower are obtained under different seismic excitations. The results can provide
reference for seismic design of power transmission tower which can prevent the collapse of the power transmission tower.
Keywords: Power transmission tower, seismic loading, finite-element model, the longitudinal and transverse collapse path,
collapse process.

1. INTRODUCTION longitudinal response of a power transmission tower-line

system under multi-support excitations by nonlinear time
With the development of the national economy, the de-
history analysis. Yue et al. [5] studied the longitudinal re-
mand for electric power is increasing. Transmission
sponse of the power transmission tower-line system under
tower-line system is an important lifeline project [1]. Most of
multiple seismic excitations considering the effect of travel-
the transmission lines cross the high-intensity earthquake
ing wave. But there is no research about the progressive
zones in China. The failure of the power transmission tower
collapse analysis of power transmission tower under earth-
under earthquake seismic will affect the supply of electricity,
quake excitation.
causing huge economic losses and secondary disasters. There
are several cases of damage to transmission lines during the Progressive collapse process of power transmission tower
earthquake. In 1999, the Chi-Chi earthquake caused huge is analyzed by defining the fracture strain of member in the
destroy to electric power system with 69 transmission lines ABAQUS finite element software. The collapse routine,
destroyed, 15 towers collapsed and 26 towers inclined. Dur- collapse mechanism and collapse resistance capacity of
ing 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, more than 20 towers of the structure can be determined by progressive collapse analysis.
110kV transmission line collapsed and all towers of one The result of the collapse analysis can provide reference for
220kV transmission line in Mao County destroyed severely. the seismic design of the power transmission tower.
So it is important to make sure the safety of power transmis-
sion towers in the earthquake. 2. COLLAPSE ANALYSIS METHOD
In the past two decades, researchers have done some
Considering the size of power transmission tower and
analysis of the transmission tower-line system under earth-
current test conditions, it is not realistic to study the collapse
quake seismic. Li et al. [2] studied the plastic limit of trans-
process of scaled tower model in laboratory. Numerical
mission tower using ANSYS software; Tian et al. [3] studied
simulation method is widely used in the research field of
the transverse response of transmission tower-line system
progressive collapse. Compared to scale model tests, the
under multiple support excitations, considering the nonlin-
result of numerical simulation method is accurate with rea-
earity of transmission lines. Quan et al. [4] studied the
sonable cost. Now, there are mainly three numerical analyti-
cal methods including the discrete element method, the finite
*Address correspondence to this author at the School of Civil and Hydraulic element method and the combined finite-discrete element
Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250061, China; method.
Tel: +86 531-88396182; Fax:+86 531-88392843;
E-mail: tianl-007@163.com

1874-1495/13 2013 Bentham Open

Progressive Collapse Analysis of Power Transmission Tower Under Earthquake Excitation The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2013, Volume 7 165

2.1. Introduction of Three Numerical Simulation Methods

Theoretically speaking, the discrete element method is the
most appropriate approach for collapse analysis, because

13.3 m
element is discontinuous in the process of collapse. But, the
large-scale application of the method is difficult owing to the
lack of theory, lower efficiency and no professional software

10.6 m
[6-7].
The finite element method is now widely used in the

53.9 m
solution of large scale industrial problems [8]. Based on
whether a new value is related to other new values in each

30 m
increment step, the finite element method can be divided into
explicit finite element method and implicit finite element
method. Compared to implicit finite element method, the
explicit finite element method can easily solve complex
contact problems with low CPU cost.
The combined finite-discrete element method is an 9.36 m
emerging numerical simulation method. Using the method,
total behaviors of structures from zero loading to collapse can (a) Tower size
be followed with reliable accuracy and reasonable CPU time
[9]. But the application of the method is greatly limited due to
the absence of efficient software.

2.2 Proposed Method

Compared to the other two methods, the finite element
method is suitable for the collapse analysis of structure. The
collapse process of power transmission tower is analyzed by
defining fracture strain of materials, using explicit finite
element function of software ABAQUS. In analysis, if an
element loses bear-loading capability, it will be removed in
structure. Along with the action of seismic waves, more and
more elements will lose bear-loading capability, leading to the
collapse of power transmission tower.

3. CALCULATION MODEL (b) The first modal

The tower used for present study was 500kV dou-
ble-circuit and four-bundle line tower in Liaoning, China. The
base width and height of the tower are 9.36m and 53.9m,
respectively. The size and the first two modals of the power
transmission tower are illustrated in Fig. (1). Main members
of the tower are made of Q345, and secondary members are
made of Q235. Only the leg and primary bracings are con-
sidered in analysis, using ABAQUS three dimensional beam
elements type B31 with three translational and three rotational
degrees of freedom per node. The material nonlinearity were
taken into consideration.

4. PROGRESS COLLAPSE ANALYSIS OF POWER

TRANSMISSION TOWER
4.1. Selection of Seismic Wave
Three typical horizontal seismic waves are selected ac- (c) The second modal
cording to the code for design of seismic of electrical instal-
lations (GB 50260-96) [10]. In Fig. (2), there are three typical Fig. (1). Tower size and the first two modals of the power trans-
seismic waves selected: (a) El Centro wave; (b) Kobe wave; mission tower.
(c) Northridge wave. To obtain the collapse process of the
166 The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2013, Volume 7 Tian et al.

4 of the tower under El Centro wave, Kobe wave and North-

3 El Centro ridge wave are shown in Figs. (3-5) respectively.
2
In Fig. (3), the longitudinal collapse process of power
1 transmission tower under El Centro seismic wave is shown.
2
m/s
0 An element of main leg at Z=32.40m yielded first at 5.18 s.
-1 Elements of main leg and diagonal bracings at Z=28.45m lost
-2 load-bearing capability at 5.19s. The vertical load transfer
-3 path of tower was destroyed completely at 5.30s. Then
0 10 20 30 40
structure entered the stage of rapid collapse.
(a) El Centro wave As shown in Fig. (4), the longitudinal collapse process of
power transmission tower under Kobe seismic wave is illus-
1.0
Kobe trated. At t=29.92s, an element of main leg at Z=32.40m
0.5 yielded first. From 29.92s to 30.65s，the elements between
Z=32.4m and Z=40.6m lost load-bearing capability gradually.
After the destruction of the power transmission tower’s
2

0.0
m/s

vertical load transfer path, the upper part of structure entered

-0.5 the stage of rapid collapse. At t=31.12, cross arm at Z=30m
lost load-bearing capability.
-1.0
0 10 20 30 40 The longitudinal collapse process of power transmission
S tower under Northridge seismic wave is shown in Fig. (5). An
(b) Kobe wave element of main leg at Z=15m yielded first at 16.52s. Di-
agonal bracings at Z=24m lost load-bearing capability at
3
Northridge 16.82s. The vertical load transfer path of the power trans-
2 mission tower is completely destroyed at 17.32s. But few
elements above 24m height lost load-bearing capability at the
1
same time.
2
m/s

0 In progressive longitudinal collapse process of the tower

-1 under El Centro seismic wave and Kobe seismic wave, ele-
ments of main leg at Z=32.40m are fracture position. During
-2 progressive longitudinal collapse process of the tower under
0 10 20 30 40
Northridge seismic wave, elements of main leg at Z=15m are
(c)Northridge wave fracture position. The fracture positions and longitudinal
Fig. (2). The selection of seismic waves collapse paths of power transmission tower are different
under various seismic waves.
model, the peak ground accelerations are set equal to 11 m/s2,
10m/s2 and 10 m/s2 respectively. Every seismic wave is 4.3. Collapse Analysis Along Transverse Direction
inputted along longitudinal or transverse direction of tower, Seismic waves are only inputted along transverse direc-
respectively. tion of the power transmission tower. Collapse process of the
tower under El Centro seismic wave, Kobe seismic wave and
4.2. Collapse analysis Along Longitudinal Direction
Northridge seismic wave are shown in Figs. (6-8) respec-
Seismic waves are only inputted along longitudinal di- tively.
rection of the power transmission tower. Collapse processes

S, S11 S, S11
Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) S, S11 S, S11
Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
(Avg: 75%) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
(Avg: 75%)
+2.275e+08 (Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%)
+3.040e+08
+2.521e+08 +1.871e+08 +2.336e+08 +1.786e+08
+2.003e+08 +1.468e+08 +1.999e+08 +1.473e+08
+1.484e+08 +1.064e+08 +1.662e+08 +1.161e+08
+9.651e+07 +6.597e+07 +1.325e+08 +8.486e+07
+4.464e+07 +2.558e+07 +9.882e+07 +5.362e+07
−7.238e+06 −1.481e+07 +6.512e+07 +2.238e+07
−5.911e+07 −5.520e+07 +3.142e+07 −8.858e+06
−1.110e+08 −9.559e+07 −2.284e+06 −4.010e+07
−1.360e+08 −3.599e+07 −7.133e+07
−1.629e+08 −1.026e+08
−2.147e+08 −1.764e+08 −6.969e+07
−2.168e+08 −1.034e+08 −1.338e+08
−2.666e+08 −1.371e+08 −1.650e+08
−3.185e+08 −2.572e+08
−1.708e+08 −1.963e+08

(a) t=5.18s (b) t=5.30s

(c) t=5.50s (d) t=5.70s

Fig. (3). Collapse process of tower along longitudinal direction under El Centro seismic wave.
Progressive Collapse Analysis of Power Transmission Tower Under Earthquake Excitation The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2013, Volume 7 167

The transverse collapse process of power transmission
tower under El Centro seismic wave is given in Fig. (6). At
4.67s, an element of main leg at Z=32.40m yielded first.
T=4.71s, the vertical load transfer path of the tower lost and
upper structure entered the stage of rapid collapse. At 5.12s, a
bracing component of diaphragm at Z=26.80m lost
bear-loading capability and the entire structure began to
collapse rapidly.
Fig. (7) gives the transverse collapse of power transmis-
sion tower under Kobe seismic wave. Elements of main leg at
Z=32.40m yielded at t=23.56s. The vertical load transfer path
of tower was destroyed at 23.68s. Upper structure and cross
arm at Z=30m began to lose bear-loading capability at the
same time. At 26.8s, a bracing component of diaphragm at
Z=26.80m lost bear-loading capability. At 25.03s, all bracing
components of diaphragm destroyed.
In Fig. (8), the transverse collapse process of power
transmission tower under Northridge seismic wave is illus-
trated. Diagonal bracings at Z= 22.875m yielded at 12.94s
and more peripheral diagonal bracing yielded subsequently.
An element of main leg at Z=15m lost load-bearing capability
at 14.62s.
In progressive transverse collapse process of the tower
under El Centro seismic wave and Kobe seismic wave, ele-
ments of main leg at Z=32.40m are fracture position. During
progressive transverse collapse process of the tower under
Northridge seismic wave, diagonal bracings at Z=22.875m

S, S11 S, S11
Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) S, S11 S, S11
(Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
+3.209e+08 +2.411e+08 (Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%)
+2.667e+08 +2.067e+08 +1.734e+08 +2.474e+08
+2.124e+08 +1.723e+08 +1.390e+08 +2.089e+08
+1.581e+08 +1.380e+08 +1.046e+08 +1.705e+08
+1.038e+08 +1.036e+08 +7.015e+07 +1.320e+08
+4.948e+07 +6.923e+07 +3.571e+07 +9.350e+07
−4.812e+06 +3.486e+07 +1.278e+06 +5.502e+07
−5.911e+07 +4.858e+05 −3.316e+07 +1.653e+07
−1.134e+08 −3.389e+07 −6.759e+07 −2.195e+07
−1.677e+08 −6.826e+07 −1.020e+08 −6.043e+07
−2.220e+08 −1.026e+08 −1.365e+08 −9.891e+07
−2.763e+08 −1.370e+08 −1.709e+08 −1.374e+08
−3.306e+08 −1.714e+08 −2.053e+08 −1.759e+08
−2.398e+08 −2.144e+08

(a) t=29.9s (b) t=30.0s

(c) t=30.3s (d) 30.5s

Fig. (4). Collapse process of tower along longitudinal direction under Kobe seismic wave.

S, S11 S, S11
S, S11 S, S11
Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
(Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%)
(Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%)
+2.900e+08 +2.405e+08 +1.727e+08
+1.589e+08 +1.965e+08 +1.440e+08
+1.287e+08 +2.526e+08
+2.153e+08 +1.525e+08 +1.152e+08
+9.845e+07 +1.086e+08 +8.654e+07
+6.825e+07 +1.779e+08
+1.405e+08 +6.460e+07 +5.783e+07
+3.805e+07 +2.064e+07 +2.912e+07
+7.841e+06 +1.031e+08
+6.572e+07 −2.332e+07 +4.109e+05
−2.236e+07 +2.834e+07 −6.729e+07 −2.830e+07
−5.257e+07 −9.046e+06 −1.113e+08
−8.277e+07 −5.701e+07
−4.643e+07 −1.552e+08 −8.572e+07
−1.130e+08 −8.381e+07 −1.992e+08
−1.432e+08 −1.144e+08
−1.212e+08 −2.431e+08 −1.431e+08
−1.734e+08 −1.586e+08
−2.036e+08 −2.871e+08 −1.718e+08

(a) t=16.7s (b) t=16.9s (c) t=17.0s (d) t=17.3s

Fig. (5). Collapse process of tower along longitudinal direction under Northridge seismic wave.

S, S11 S, S11
Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) S, S11 S, S11
(Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
+1.929e+08 +2.274e+08 (Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%)
+1.539e+08 +1.939e+08 +1.999e+08 +3.041e+08
+1.148e+08 +1.604e+08 +1.692e+08 +2.663e+08
+7.574e+07 +1.268e+08 +1.385e+08 +2.284e+08
+3.668e+07 +9.332e+07 +1.078e+08 +1.906e+08
−2.383e+06 +5.980e+07 +7.710e+07 +1.527e+08
−4.144e+07 +2.628e+07 +4.639e+07 +1.149e+08
−8.050e+07 −7.237e+06 +1.568e+07 +7.704e+07
−1.196e+08 −4.076e+07 −1.503e+07 +3.920e+07
−1.586e+08 −7.427e+07 −4.573e+07 +1.350e+06
−1.977e+08 −1.078e+08 −7.644e+07 −3.650e+07
−2.367e+08 −1.413e+08 −1.072e+08 −7.434e+07
−2.758e+08 −1.748e+08 −1.379e+08 −1.122e+08
−1.686e+08 −1.500e+08

(a) t=4.7s (b) t=5.0s

(c) t=5.3s (d) t=5.6s

Fig. (6). Collapse process of tower along transverse direction under El Centro siemsic wave.
168 The Open Civil Engineering Journal, 2013, Volume 7 Tian et al.

S, S11 S, S11 S, S11

Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) S, S11
(Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
+1.990e+08 +2.364e+08 +2.137e+08 (Avg: 75%)
+1.650e+08 +1.982e+08 +1.794e+08 +2.343e+08
+1.311e+08 +1.600e+08 +1.450e+08 +1.874e+08
+9.707e+07 +1.218e+08 +1.107e+08 +1.405e+08
+6.308e+07 +8.365e+07 +7.634e+07 +9.364e+07
+2.909e+07 +4.546e+07 +4.199e+07 +4.675e+07
−4.896e+06 +7.266e+06 +7.645e+06 −1.468e+05
−3.093e+07 −2.670e+07 −4.704e+07
−3.888e+07 −9.393e+07
−7.287e+07 −6.912e+07 −6.104e+07
−1.073e+08 −9.539e+07 −1.408e+08
−1.069e+08 −1.877e+08
−1.408e+08 −1.455e+08 −1.297e+08
−1.837e+08 −1.641e+08 −2.346e+08
−1.748e+08 −2.815e+08
−2.088e+08 −2.219e+08 −1.984e+08
−3.284e+08

(a) t=23.5s (b) t=23.6s (c) t=23.7s (d) t=24s

Fig. (7). Collapse process of tower along transverse direction under Kobe siemsic wave.

S, S11 S, S11
Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) S, S11 S, S11
(Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0) Right, (1−fraction = 1.0)
+1.934e+08 +1.779e+08 (Avg: 75%) (Avg: 75%)
+1.619e+08 +1.503e+08 +2.020e+08 +1.714e+08
+1.303e+08 +1.228e+08 +1.658e+08 +1.367e+08
+9.876e+07 +9.525e+07 +1.297e+08 +1.021e+08
+6.720e+07 +6.771e+07 +9.348e+07 +6.750e+07
+3.564e+07 +4.018e+07 +5.730e+07 +3.287e+07
+4.089e+06 +1.264e+07 +2.112e+07 −1.754e+06
−2.747e+07 −1.489e+07 −1.506e+07 −3.638e+07
−5.902e+07 −4.243e+07 −5.125e+07 −7.101e+07
−9.058e+07 −6.996e+07 −8.743e+07 −1.056e+08
−1.221e+08 −9.749e+07 −1.236e+08 −1.403e+08
−1.537e+08 −1.250e+08 −1.598e+08 −1.749e+08
−1.853e+08 −1.526e+08 −1.960e+08 −2.095e+08
−2.322e+08 −2.441e+08

(a) t=14.0s (b) t=14.7s

(c) t=15.0s (d) t=15.3s
Fig. (8). Collapse process of tower along transverse direction under Northridge seismic wave

are fracture position. The fracture positions and transverse ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

collapse paths of power transmission tower are different
under various ground motions.
5. CONCLUSIONS
From progressive collapse analysis based on explicit finite
element method of ABAQUS, the following conclusions are
drawn:
This work is financially supported by the National Natural
Science Foundation of China under grant No. 51208285, the
China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded project under
grant No. 2012M521338 and Independent Innovation Foun-
dation of Shandong University of China under No.
2011GN051. The supports for this research are greatly ap-
preciated.

(1) The method used in the paper is an efficient method of the

collapse analysis.
(2) According to the collapse analysis, the failure position and
collapse routine of the tower under seismic waves can be
obtained.
(3) The longitudinal or transverse collapse paths are different
under various seismic waves. Three or more seismic
waves should be used for longitudinal or transverse col-
lapse analysis.
(4) The result of collapse analysis can be used for the seismic
design of power transmission tower and the reinforcement
of current structures.
CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS
The authors confirm that this article content has no con-
flicts of interest.
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Received: May 30, 2013 Revised: August 06, 2013 Accepted: August 07, 2013

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