Applying the 2010 ASCE 7 Wind and Ice Requirements to Transmission Line Design

ASCE/SEI 7-10 - Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures introduced wind maps and a new way to evaluate wind loading compared to its predecessors (e.g. ASCE/SEI 7-05, ASCE/SEI 7-02, etc.). The changes will present challenges to current codes and manuals which utilize the previous maps and methodologies, specifically the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and ASCE Manual No. 74. The purpose of this paper will be to show a comparison of the extreme wind loading and combined ice and wind for ASCE 7-10 to the ASCE 7-05 values as they apply to Transmission Lines. To begin that discussion, the author will look back on work previously done by others. The intention of this paper is to begin a public discussion of possible directions the NESC and ASCE Manual No. 74 should consider.