It’s no secret that the demand for electrical energy is growing at an accelerated rate. Along with the increasing number of household electrical gadgets we use daily, the electric car has become the vehicle of choice for more people. On top of that, we have an aging electrical infrastructure where reliability is an ever-growing concern. To stay ahead of this issue, most organizations in the electrical transmission industry are upgrading existing lines and building new lines to carry the additional demand or to add redundancy to existing infrastructure.
Building a transmission line is easy, right?
To most outside of the industry, it probably looks like building a transmission line is cheap and easy. Stick some poles in the ground, string some wire, and you’re good to go, right? Unless you have been deeply involved in the process of designing and building a transmission line, there is a lot more happening behind the scenes. Planning the line, both in terms of its alignment and the size of the line is an important consideration. The alignment, once identified, typically requires an environmental evaluation to address any existing environmental concerns ranging from old gas stations and undocumented landfills to the impact of the line on existing communities or endangered species. Right-of-way must be acquired, both on the ground and in the air, to build the line. Then we can engineer the line and develop the plans and specifications to build it. Finally, we take the project to bid, bring on the contractors and build the line. If this already seems like a lot, it’s only scratching the surface.
How does my geotechnical consultant fit into this picture?
Designing and constructing a transmission line means taking a lot of moving parts and smoothly integrating them into the project schedule. Geotechnical engineering and foundation design are some of the most difficult variables to forecast for that schedule. Transmission lines can run for miles, cross multiple geologic formations, span waterways and highways, or traverse crowded urban corridors. A knowledgeable geotechnical consultant can take these variables and turn them into manageable project components that address concerns before they become problems.
Not all geotechnical consultants are created equal.
The transmission line design and construction industry are very specialized and require a geotechnical consultant who understands the ins-and-outs of the design and construction process. The consultant should understand the transmission foundation design process, what tolerances the foundations should perform to, and how their geotechnical recommendations affect that performance. Overly conservative geotechnical recommendations may only add a few feet to a single pier, but when multiplied over hundreds of structures, the time to construct and cost can grow tremendously. This is true of the foundation installation process as well. A knowledgeable geotechnical engineer can troubleshoot the foundation installation process and can help to prevent problems before they develop during construction.
Communication is key
We hear this phrase a lot, and for good reason. The most important knowledge that your geotechnical consultant should possess is the importance of clear and effective communication with you as the client, along with the rest of the project team. From discussing design requirements and schedules with the line engineer, to coordinating with right-of-way personnel for field activities and construction personnel during construction, clear and effective communication by the geotechnical engineer can transform a problematic project to a challenging but smoothly running project.
For more information on how Braun Intertec can assist with your transmission line project, read about our work on the CapX2020 project and stay tuned to register our next webinar, “The Value of the Right Geotechnical Consultant for Your Next Transmission Line Project” on February 9th.
