Design of circular connector attached to a composite redundant member for use in the bottom panel of transmission towers

In the last 10 years, reliability of the transmission lines in Mexico has been affected due to the remotion of redundant Steel members from electric power transmission towers. An alternative to reduce non-technical losses in transmission line towers is by replacing redundant steel members by composite members. However, when these composites are drilled for installation, using the traditional screw method, their mechanical properties diminish drastically due to the discontinuity and reduction of the net material area. This paper proposes a connection system formed by a nodular cast iron connector attached to a composite member by using a structural adhesive, for further installation replacing main and secondary steel members of transmission lines towers. The substitution of metallic redundant members instead of composite members will result in a great economic benefit for Utilities that supply electricity, since it is expected that composite members will not be attractive to theft.