A Renaissance in Tower Testing

Over the past few years, several large Extra High Voltage (EHV) transmission line projects have enabled a North American renaissance in latticed tower design and testing. POWER Engineers, Inc. was recently involved in multiple EHV tower family designs and subsequent full-scale testing efforts. In addition to compressed project schedules, design modifications to accommodate permitting and test facilities located around the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic added unprecedented challenges to the latticed tower testing programs. Our experiences and lessons learned on tower testing from the Owner’s and Owner’s Engineer perspectives are the subject of this paper. Tower testing for multiple projects and multiple tower types, over a short period of time enables the engineer a unique opportunity to witness, evaluate, and compile high-level best practices and lessons learned. In this light, the following topics are addressed: reasons why an Owner would or would not test towers; timing and schedule for design and tower testing; general guidelines, key elements, and suggestions for lattice tower testing; development and sequencing of test load cases; potential pitfalls and testing challenges; and witnessing of tower testing including remote witnessing.