Shock Response of Civil Structures Caused by Short-Circuit Events

Synopsis

Short circuit faults happening inside electrical substations can induce strong dynamic effects on the high-voltage equipment and supporting structures the conductors are attached to. This may compromise the structural integrity of all the elements connected. The response to this effect cannot always be accurately predicted by using the available codes and guidance. On behalf of National Grid, Mott MacDonald Special Services undertook a research project to develop non-linear dynamic analysis as a tool to more accurately assess the structural capacity of substation support structures under short circuit loading. A methodology was developed based on finite element analysis that allows simulation of short circuit faults within substations.

This evening lecture will present the finite element methodology developed by Mott MacDonald to capture the dynamic behaviour of the substation equipment and structures under short circuit dynamic loading and how it has been used and refined in a wide variety of geometries, conductor types and scenarios, some of which will be presented.  The lecture will also present some of the modelling approach used to idealise the dynamic properties of the equipment and structures.

About the speakers

Juan Trueba and Giovanna Caracciolo are chartered engineers within the Mott MacDonald Special Services team.

Juan is a chartered Senior Engineer with significant experience in the field of finite elements and advanced analysis, and has led and supported a very wide range of complex structural analysis projects, including structural dynamics. Examples include advanced modelling of electrical substation arrangements subject to short circuit faults, blast analysis of structures, seismic analysis of dams and transient dynamic analyses of track slab structures.

Gio is a Principal Engineer, chartered with the IStructE and ICE and has experience working over a broad range of engineering fields including building, wind and offshore engineering, and structural dynamics. This has involved mainly working as a technical specialist delivering projects or complex parts of projects. She has, for example, developed structural dynamics and vibration assessments for a wide range of structures such as footbridges and long span floor slabs subjected to pedestrian dynamic loads, and carried out assessments of dynamic properties of high-voltage equipment and supporting structures to be implemented within finite element models of complex substations.

Further information

This evening meeting is organised by SECED and chaired by Barnali Ghosh (Mott MacDonald). Non-members of the society are welcome to attend. Attendance at this meeting is free. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tea and biscuits will be served from 5.30pm - 6pm. For further information, please contact Shelly-Ann Russell (tel. 020 7665 2147, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

This event will be broadcast online.

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