Reimagining Foundation Design in the Electric Power Transmission Industry-PPT Presentation

PPT Presentation

Pdf Summary

The presentation argues that rapid growth in electricity demand and renewable generation requires major expansion of the U.S. transmission grid, yet construction has lagged far behind projected needs. Reliable transmission is essential to connect renewable-rich regions with areas that need power and to support climate goals.<br /><br />Foundation engineering for transmission infrastructure lacks unified industry standards. Practices vary among thousands of utilities, and guidance is fragmented. The DFI Electric Power System Foundations Committee, established in 2013, has worked to bring the industry together, develop common guidance, and improve design and construction practices. Its state-of-practice report draws on published research and an industry survey.<br /><br />The report identifies shortcomings in foundation models, testing, load standards, design methods, and site investigations. Examples include applying models beyond their validated limits, limited full-scale testing, inconsistent treatment of combined loads and movement, lack of consistent reliability-based design guidance, and variation in selecting geotechnical properties and planning subsurface investigations.<br /><br />A key next step is an ASCE Structural Engineering Institute Manual of Practice on overhead power line and substation foundations, expected in 2026. The planned manual will cover foundation loading and selection, design philosophy, subsurface exploration, geotechnical parameters, design and construction methods for conventional and alternative foundations, and other power-industry-specific topics.

Keywords

transmission grid

renewable energy

electricity demand

foundation engineering

power line foundations

substation foundations

geotechnical design

load standards

subsurface investigation

ASCE manual of practice