Radiation-aware numerical modal analysis and performance assessment of steel transmission towers under lateral loads with defect sensitivity and multi-voltage evaluation using ANSYS

The steel transmission towers in this study were subjected to lateral loads, thermal radiation effects, structural faults and multi-voltage operating conditions (170, 220 and 440 kV). The study also involved a radiation-aware computational modal analysis and assessment of structural performance. In order to simulate the transmission tower's dynamic behaviour, a thorough finite element framework was created in ANSYS. This framework accounts for stochastic wind loads, forces caused by conductors, degradation of materials depending on temperature and errors during erection. To assess the natural frequencies, displacement response, stress distribution, dynamic amplification and fatigue damage, numerical modal analysis and time-domain dynamic response analysis were employed. A 1:15 scaled transmission tower model was used to perform an experimental modal analysis, which validated the numerical model. The results demonstrated that the suggested model was accurate, with a maximum error of 6.34% between the experimental and numerical frequencies. The findings show that resonance susceptibility increases and structural stiffness decreases by 8–12 percent due to radiation-induced thermal effects. Towers with a higher voltage show up to a displacement that is 200% higher than lower-voltage ones, due to their greater height and flexibility, according to a multi-voltage study. Based on the results of the defect analysis, structural flaws can cause a 30% drop in stiffness, a dramatic rise in stress concentration and fatigue damage. Additionally, the structure can be accelerated to fatigue failure when the combined effects of temperature increase, voltage change and structural faults cause the stress levels to climb above the allowed limits. To aid in the development of more robust and dependable power transmission infrastructure, the suggested integrated framework offers a practical and trustworthy method for assessing the structural integrity and stability of transmission towers in the face of complex multi-physical and multi-parameter scenarios.