Introduction

Incon was engaged to provide independent structural verification services for the Goyder South Wind Farm Substation in South Australia. The project involved third-party review and certification of critical structural elements, supporting the delivery of a large-scale renewable energy development.

Project
description

The scope of works focused on the structural verification of a communication mast system and associated foundation design within the substation infrastructure.

Key components included:

  • Verification of communication antenna mast structure and foundation design
  • Review of detailed calculation packages and structural drawings prepared by others
  • Assessment of structural performance under wind and operational loading conditions
  • Independent certification for approval and compliance

The verification was based on detailed engineering documentation, including calculation packages and drawings issued for approval.


Challenge

The project required rigorous engineering validation due to:

  • Tall and slender mast structure (~21.5 m height) with significant exposure to wind loading 
  • High wind environment (Region A5) with ultimate wind speeds up to ~48 m/s and complex directional loading effects 
  • Dynamic structural behaviour, requiring consideration of vibration, natural frequency, and wind-induced response 
  • Multiple applied loads, including antenna, appurtenance, and structural self-weight contributions 
  • Third-party verification requirements, ensuring independent validation of design assumptions, load paths, and member capacities 
  • Tight timeframes for review, verification, and sign-off within project delivery schedules 

 .

Solution

We delivered a thorough and technically robust verification solution through:

  • Detailed review of structural analysis models and calculation packages, including wind loading to AS1170.2 and member design to AS4100/AS3995
  • Independent validation of global stability and load paths, ensuring the mast structure performs under governing wind load cases
  • Assessment of member capacities, connection detailing, and foundation adequacy, confirming compliance with Australian Standards
  • Review of antenna and appurtenance loading, ensuring accurate representation of operational conditions
  • Identification and resolution of any design discrepancies or risks, ensuring a compliant and reliable structural system


Key Engineering Highlights

  • Verification of ~21.5 m high communication mast structure
  • Designed for high wind Region A5 (~48 m/s)
  • Assessment of dynamic wind response and structural behaviour
  • Independent certification of third-party design (ROAM Engineering)
  • Contribution to a large-scale wind farm development


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We take pride in delivering innovative and practical solutions which adds real value to our clients and the community. We strive for better outcomes that delivers a best possible solution by employing our technical expertise. We believe the real value in good engineering is breaking down a complex problem into a simple solution which underpins our philosophy of ‘do it right – the first time’.

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Tertius Strydom
PSD Energy