Considerations about Brazilian Procedures for Structures and Foundations Design

in Open Air Substations with Flexible Conductors

R.F. SILVA, A. VIOLIN, E. T. W. NETO
rafael_russia@yahoo.com.br
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE ITAJUB - UNIFEI
BRAZIL
B3
PS3

SUMMARY

This paper presents a discussion about the structures and foundations design in Brazil. From the authors
experience as a consultant, it was observed that there was not a standard methodology utilized for
calculation of tensile forces that stress the structures and foundations in substations. Some cases are
presented as examples of misusing and some calculations are done to show the difference between
different considerations.

The work of a consultant company grants access to several technical reports from different companies,
providing a real and practical view of the current application of the theme. Until few years ago, the
dynamic tensile forces due to the effects of short-circuit currents was not taken into account for structures
design in Brazil. The effect of short-circuit current was considered during the calculation of the transversal
forces and was taken into account simultaneously with transversal forces due to wind effect.

It was observed that nowadays the concern about dynamic forces is greater but it appears that the
information and methodology presented in IEC 60865-1 Short-Circuit Currents Calculation of
Effects is not clear. As an example: recently, the foundations of a substation in Brazil were built
considering the dynamic forces due to short-circuit currents. According to the IEC 60865-1, the short-
circuit current effects must not be taken into account for design of foundations, if the foundation is a
monolithic block, and that was the case. In other case, the project manager did not even heard about
dynamic tensile forces considerations for structures design.

The consideration about wind is another interesting point. There are two Brazilian standards regard to the
forces due to wind effect: NBR5422/1985 Overhead Power Transmission Line Design and
NBR6123/1988 Forces Due to Wind in Edifications (in literal translation). The first one is for
transmission line but it was observed that it is also used for substation structure design. The second one
is for general edification, including conductors and insulator chains. Depending on the condition, these
standards result in different values for wind pressure and, consequently, for resultant tensile forces.

In Brazil, the power system is becoming more and more interconnected, there are a lot of renewable power
plants under construction or beginning to operate, mainly in the north and northeast of country and the
short-circuit level is increasing. In north of Par state (Brazil), for example, where Hydroelectric Power
Plant Belo Monte was built, the short-circuit level is higher than 50 kA. The correct design of structures
and foundations is essential for safety and for minimize costs to avoid oversized structures and
foundations.
A masters thesis is being developed to compile these information and to help to disseminate the
methodology for calculation of tensile forces in substations for structures and foundations design.

KEYWORDS

Short-circuit Current Effects

IEC 60865-1
Brazilian Standard NBR5422
Brazilian Standard NBR6123
Substation Structures and Foundations Design