Application of ADINA to stress analysis of an optical ground wire

Ground wires are metallic wires used in overhead power lines to protect the line conductors against lightning. An optical ground wire (OPGW) is compos ed of an envelope of one or two layers of metallic helical strands wound ar ound a core containing optical fibers. In most OPGW constructions, the fibe rs are designed to be stress free or to experience only low stresses under normal operation loads. A three-dimensional finite element model of a cable was constructed to predict the stress distribution in each component when the cable is subjected to a given elongation. Modeling considerations are d iscussed, which pertain to geometric modeling and meshing, boundary conditi ons, contact and numerical methods. Results of stress analysis are presente d in some detail for two examples; six wires and ten wires wound around a c entral tube. The results are compared with analytical approximate solutions available in the literature dating from 1973. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.