Dynamic behavior of iced overhead cables subjected to mechanical shocks

A numerical model using nonlinear finite element analysis is proposed to calculate the dynamic effects of ice shedding induced by a pulse-type excitation on a single-span overhead line section. The excitation simulates the effect of an external load intended to remove the accreted ice from the cable; it can also simulate an accidental load due to impact or component breakage. Several ice-shedding scenarios are studied with variables including ice thickness, line parameters such as span length, cable tension, and pulse-load characteristics. This model serves as a basis to study various failure criteria of atmospheric glaze ice in terms of stress-strain relations and strain-rate effects. The failure criteria defined for glaze ice incorporate both axial and bending effects.