Making an impact on the substation industry

For the past 10 years, a committee of industry professionals with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has been developing, updating, and finalizing guidelines for substation structures and foundation design. The Manual of Practice #113 - Substation Structure Design Guide provides a revised set of guidelines to address best utility practices for structural loads, substation structure design, and acceptable electrical system performance.

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents the civil engineering profession including more than 160,000 civil engineers in 177 countries. As part of its broad mission, ASCE is focused on providing essential value to members by facilitating the exchange of knowledge among civil engineers, including the advancement of technology.

Leidos Chief Engineer Baker Tee is one of the subject matter experts/industry experts that worked on the committee to update the substation design guide to meet modern code requirements.

"We recognized the need for a significant overhaul of the guidelines," noted Tee. "The first edition of the substation structure design guide was developed in 2007 and was well overdue for an overhaul to include new/updated standards, practices, technologies, and applications."

Formal standards for infrastructure projects

As infrastructure projects have grown in complexity and scale, the need for standardized guidelines has become increasingly important. Beginning in the early 20^th century, ASCE began developing formal standards for various aspects of civil engineering from structural design to water resources.

These standards embody the collective knowledge, experience, and consensus of industry professionals, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency in engineering practices. They form the basis for modern building codes here in the United States.

Collaboration is key

The development of ASCE Manuals of Practice is a collaborative process involving a diverse group of industry professionals. For the Substation Structure Design Guide, Tee worked with experts from utilities, vendors, and other consulting firms to complete meaningful revisions and facilitate a formal peer review process. This collaboration ensured that the new manual reflected the latest technological advancements and the most up-to-date knowledge.

Public feedback was also a critical component. Draft standards are often released for comment from other ASCE members, allowing practicing engineers and other stakeholders to provide input. This inclusive approach helps ensure that the Manuals of Practice (MOPs) are practical and applicable in real-world scenarios. If the MOP is accepted into industry, it becomes an official ASCE standard.

A decade of work

In addition to his position as chief engineer for Leidos' Power Delivery Solutions substation group, Tee invested a decade of his career volunteering as part of the team that updated the substation design guide. What drove him to take on this substantial commitment?

"The design guide is essentially the governing manual for how we do our work in the civil-structural world of substation design," said Tee. "It was an honor to be asked to participate, and I jumped at the opportunity.

"This gave me the chance to contribute to my profession in a meaningful way while also increasing my overall knowledge of utility practices. Everyone on the committee brought a profound amount of experience to the table, and during the time we spent working on the design guide, we learned how industry leaders see the future of this type of work."

Shaping the industry

For engineers just starting their careers, ASCE standards serve as an invaluable educational tool. They provide a clear framework for understanding fundamental principles of civil engineering and their practical application. By adhering to these standards, new engineers can ensure their designs meet necessary safety and performance criteria.

For the industry as a whole, ASCE standards represent a benchmark of quality and excellence. They help maintain a level playing field by ensuring that all practitioners adhere to the same guidelines, thus fostering fair competition and innovation.

As technologies and methodologies evolve, ASCE standards will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of civil engineering, ensuring that the infrastructure we rely on remains safe, reliable, and efficient.

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