EMO OHRID has built its own testing station intended for testing of high voltage transmision line towers up to 400 kV and other steel structures up to a height of 65 m. The testing of towers is carried out in normal vertitac position, the towers being anchored to the main foundation of the testing station. The main foundation can take towers with base dimensions of maximum 15.2 x 15.2 m, and overturning moments of up to 60 000 kNm. The testing station can simulate with IEC Standad - Publication 652/1979. The testing station can simulate loads on a tower in three directions: - x - direction, transverse load
- y - direction, longitudinal load
- z - direction, vertical load
In y - direction, it is possible to apply a horizontal force of 220 kN with crossarm spread of up to 15 m to simulate load such as would occur if there os a break of conductor. Dynamometers are used to measure the loads applied. Dynamic tests can also be performed, if requested by the customer. These tests are subject to a separate agreement. The testing station of EMO OHRID can be made avaliable to any other transsmision tower manufacturer or customer. The loads, if so requested by the customer, can be increased to the breaking point of the towers in order to find their ultimate loads. Tests of this kind give the possibilities not only to try out new designs but also to test constructional alternations or reinforcements on the towers for the purporse of increasing the transmision capacity of older transmision lines. The main objective of all these tests is to have the towers dimensioned as economically as possible and costs kept to a minimum. | 