This course provides a comprehensive foundation in the civil and structural design of transmission lines, with a focus on physics-based principles and real-world application. Participants will explore the behavior of suspended cables, conductor performance, structure spotting, and foundation design through hands-on exercises and software demonstrations. Whether designing new lines or upgrading existing infrastructure, attendees will gain the tools and insights needed to deliver safe, efficient, and code-compliant solutions.

• Transmission line and structural engineers involved in new builds or system upgrades.
• Consulting engineers, CAD technicians, and surveyors supporting transmission design projects.
• Experienced professionals and those newly assigned to transmission line work seeking a comprehensive design framework.

Note: This course does not include detailed training on the PLS-CADD computer program.

Important: However, several classroom exercises in both transmission line design and foundation design will be computer-based and introduce the software. We recommend you bring your own laptop which must comply with the course laptop requirements. Computer rental is available for a $300 weekly fee. If you prefer to rent a computer, please indicate that choice when enrolling in the course.

Design Criteria and Loads

• Design philosophies 
• Codes and standards 
• Wind and ice loads
• Longitudinal loads 
• Concepts of wind and weight spans

Behavior of Suspended Cables

• Basic sag and slack equations
• Ruling span concept
• Offset clipping
• Interaction between structures and cables

Loading Tree

Conductor Design and Behavior

• Conductor types
• Creep and permanent elongation
• Sag-tension calculations
• High-temperature effects
• Current vs. temperature relationships 
• Vibration and galloping

Basic Structure Spotting

• Strength considerations 
• Clearance requirements

Computer Analysis and Design Tools

• PLS-CADD/LITE
• 3-dimensional line modeling 
• Examples

Design of Wood Poles

• Unguyed and guyed

Design of Tubular Steel Poles

Design of Concrete Poles

Design of Wood H-Frames

Line Assessment and Upgrading Concepts

• Assessing existing capability
• Elevated temperature operation
• Re-tensioning/re-sagging
• Pole joint use issues
• Structural analysis for upgrading/reconductoring

Case Studies

Design of Steel Latticed Towers

• Tower configurations
• Modeling for analysis
• Detailed design criteria 
• Examples

Foundations

• How to specify, analyze, and use soil investigations 
• Types of foundations

Foundations for Single Poles

• Analysis and design methods 

• Examples

Foundations for Frames and Towers

• Factors influencing type of foundations 
• Analysis and design methods
• Examples

Guy Anchors

Otto J. Lynch

Otto J. Lynch, PE, is the President and CEO of Power Line Systems and an internationally known expert in transmission line design and the PLS-CADD computer program. He has conducted numerous seminars and training sessions in its use and applications. Prior to joining Power Line Systems in 2000, Mr. Lynch was with Black & Veatch for over 12 years doing civil/structural design for substations and transmission lines. He has designed several families of lattice steel transmission towers and has worked on transmission projects ranging from 69kV to 500kV utilizing wood, tapered tubular steel, lattice steel, concrete, and laminated wood structures throughout the world. Mr. Lynch is a pioneer in integrating LiDAR (Light Distance and Ranging) aerial survey data into the PLS-CADD program for transmission line rerating and reconductoring projects. Mr. Lynch is an expert in all the computer programs that will be used throughout the course.

Vicki Schneider

Vicki Schneider, PE, PMP, is Director of Engineering Services for Mortenson Engineering Services, Inc. in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has over 20 years of structural/foundation engineering experience in projects for electric utilities, fabricators and EPC (engineer-procure-construct) projects. Over the years, she has also worked as a design team member on hospitals, banks, hotels and event centers for above grade and foundation designs. Mrs. Schneider has significant experience as the Engineer of Record on substation and transmission line projects. Her substation structural design and transmission line experience ranges from 34.5kV to 500kV for all aspects of design including, but not limited to, shallow foundations, spread footings, direct embedded poles and drilled piers.