Physical and numerical simulations of the seismic response of a 1,100 kV power transformer bushing

Power transformers and bushings are key pieces of substation equipment and are vulnerable to the effects of earthquake shaking. The seismic performance of a 1,100 kV bushing, used in an ultra-high voltage (UHV) power transformer, is studied using a combination of physical and numerical experiments. The physical experiments utilized an earthquake simulator and included system identification and seismic tests. Modal frequencies and shapes are derived from white noise tests. Acceleration, strain, and displacement responses are obtained from the uniaxial horizontal seismic tests. A finite element model of the 1,100 kV bushing is developed and analyzed, and predicted and measured results are compared. There is reasonably good agreement between predicted and measured responses, enabling the finite element model to be used with confidence for seismic vulnerability studies of transformer-bushing systems. A coupling of the experimental and numerical simulations enabled the vertically installed UHV bushing to be seismically qualified for three-component ground shaking with a horizontal zero-period acceleration of 0.53 g.