A Closer Look at ``the Facts of Life'' in Ground Mat Design

Rigorous analytical methods making use of the digital computer permit accurate modeling and evaluation of ground mat designs. Through imaginative use of these methods, the design of a ground mat system can be refined to the point where the need for costly and unnecessary conservatism can be eliminated. This paper demonstrates how improved design precision is possible with a ground mat study based on calculations performed by any of several computer programs that have been recently developed. An approach is examined for applying the output results from one such computer program in order to realize an optimum ground mat design. Finally, a summary is provided of the input information required to permit a ground mat system computer study. The material presented is a preliminary version of information to be included as a chapter in a new IEEE publication # 399 (the ``Brown'' book) being prepared under the sponsorship of the Industrial Power Systems Department (Power Systems Analysis sub-committee, Power Systems Support Committee) of the Industry Applications Society.