Summary
Short-circuit forces are a critical load case in the design of substation structures and are commonly calculated in accordance with IEC 60865. While this approach is well established in electrical engineering, structural engineers are often required to adopt these forces directly when assessing or reusing existing gantries, with limited consideration of structural dynamic response.
Read more Read lessThis paper examines the challenges associated with applying IEC 60865 short-circuit force models to the structural assessment of substation gantries. It highlights the disconnect between peak electromagnetic force calculations and actual structural behaviour under dynamic loading, with particular emphasis on flexible conductors where large displacements, non-linear response, and time-varying forces complicate load representation. Relevant experimental evidence from CIGRÉ is reviewed and current practice is contrasted with fundamental concepts of structural dynamics, including dynamic amplification and equivalent static loading.
The paper identifies limitations in existing guidance from a structural engineering perspective and discusses practical strategies for the assessment of existing structures. Finally, it proposes a potential future direction: a response-spectrum-based representation of short-circuit forces that better captures dynamic effects while remaining compatible with conventional structural analysis methods.
Additional informations
| Publication type | Session Materials |
|---|---|
| Reference | B3_11171_2026 |
| Publication year | |
| Publisher | CIGRE |
| Country | South Africa |
| Study committees | |
| File size | 437 KB |
| Price for non member | 30 € |
| Price for member | 30 € |
Authors
MAYET Azhar; HAJEE Bilal; PEFFER Mark
Keywords
coupled electromagnetic-structural analysis, electrical fault loading, electromagnetic loading, short-circuit forces, substation structures, voltage uprating
