Project Scope
Hika Design's work for Sunkean focused on the catenary support piers carrying cable bundles through rows of solar modules. The design workbook separates end piers and intermediate piers because each performs a different duty along the cable route.
The task was to turn point loads from PLS CADD into design data for the pier checks. The work included revised load schedules, catenary hanger dead loads, wind area inputs and the governing load cases for each pier type.
From PLS CADD Loads to Pier Design Data
The model extracts contained 22 load cases for the end pier and 22 for the intermediate pier. Each schedule recorded vertical, transverse and longitudinal structure loads, together with loads from the back span and ahead span.
The end pier receives cable load from one side of the support. Its schedule therefore records a different longitudinal demand from the intermediate pier, which carries cable through the support from both directions. Keeping the two pier duties separate made the design inputs clear and traceable.
Wind Directions and Governing Conditions
Region A downdraft wind was identified as the governing wind condition in the supplied design data. The PLS CADD exports covered sustained loading and MWCA and MWCAu cases at 0, 22.5, 45, 67.5 and 90 degrees in both directions.
Checking the full set of directions captured the change in vertical, transverse and longitudinal demand around the cable system. The revised load table then brought the governing values together for the end and intermediate pier design.
Catenary Hanger Inputs
The workbook also records dead load and wind area inputs for seven catenary hanger types. Each hanger type has its own length, calculated dead load and projected area. These inputs connect the physical cable support arrangement to the loads used in the model.
This detail matters on a solar site where the same support arrangement may continue through many rows. A consistent set of hanger inputs gives each pier check the same basis.
Delivered Work
The completed design information included:
- Revised design load data for end and intermediate piers.
- PLS CADD point load schedules for both pier duties.
- Sustained and ultimate wind cases across the required directions.
- Dead load and wind area inputs for seven catenary hanger types.
Applying Power Line Modelling to Solar Infrastructure
The project used the same load tracing discipline that Hika Design applies to overhead line modelling, but on a solar cable support system. The result was a practical set of pier design inputs tied back to the PLS CADD load cases and the installed cable arrangement.
Hika Design supports solar and power infrastructure work where cable geometry, wind loading and support reactions need to be converted into clear engineering design data.