Aeolian Vibration

Its affects and remedy on

transmission lines
 Introduction
• The conductors of transmission lines are
subjected to a variety of motions caused by
the wind. The most common motions are
aeolian vibration, which is a low amplitude
(conductor diameter) high frequency (5 to 150
Hz) phenomenon. It is associated with smooth
(non-turbulent) winds in the range of 2 MPH
to 15 MPH, and can occur on a daily basis.
 Vibration Mechanism

When a non-turbulent (“smooth”) stream of

air passes across a conductor or overhead
shield wire (OHSW), vortices (eddies) are
formed on the leeward side (back side). These
vortices create alternating pressures
producing movement at right angles to the
direction of the air flow. This is the mechanism
that causes aeolian vibration.
 Effects on Transmission Lines
• Aeolian vibration is one of the most important
problems in transmission lines because it
represents the major cause of fatigue failure
of conductor strands or of items associated
with the support, use, and protection of the
conductor. In this phenomenon, conductor
strand fatigue failures occur at the suspension
clamps or at the clamps of the other devices
installed on the conductor such as spacers,
spacer dampers, dampers and other devices.
 Vibration frequency
• The frequency at which the vortices alternate
from the top to bottom surfaces of conductors
and shield wires can be closely approximated
by the Strouhal relationship (the Strouhal number
is about 0.185 for all typical power lines cables)
frequency, f=185 V/D
Where V is the wind speed (m/s), D the
conductor diameter (mm) and f the vibration
frequency (Hz).
Thus a given diameter and a given wind speed are
giving a frequency of vibration. That frequency is
always close to an eigen frequency of the span
concerned as these frequencies are very close to
each other, separated by the basic frequency, close
to 0.1 to 0.5 Hz
 Most Critical Components
• Maximum bending stresses occur at locations
where the conductor or OHSW is being restrained
from movement. such as at the edge of clamps of
spacers, spacer dampers and dampers. The
highest level of bending stresses generally occurs
at the supporting structures. When the bending
stresses in a conductor or OHSW due to aeolian
vibration exceed the endurance limit, fatigue
failures will occur . The time to failure will depend
on the magnitude of the bending stresses and the
number of bending cycles accumulated
(frequency).
 Remedy
• Vibration damper is most effective method. When the
damper is placed on a vibrating conductor, movement
of the weights will produce bending of the steel strand.
The bending of the strand causes the individual wires
of the strand to rub together, thus dissipating energy.
The size and shape of the weights and the overall
geometry of the damper influence the amount of
energy that will be dissipated for specific vibration
frequencies. An effective damper design must have the
proper response over the range of frequencies
expected for a specific conductor and span parameters.
Stockbridge Vibration Damper