Innovating Transmission Line Foundations in Mountainous Terrain: A Narrative Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7719/jpair.v65i1.1011Keywords:
Anchor foundations Civil engineering, Geotechnical assessment, Mechanized construction, Mountainous terrain, Narrative literature review, Transmission line foundationsDisciplines:
Civil Engineering, Geotechnical EngineeringAbstract
Transmission line projects in mountainous regions encounter persistent engineering challenges due to steep slopes, unstable soils, and logistical constraints. Foundation design, as a critical determinant of reliability and cost efficiency, requires integrated strategies that combine geotechnical rigor, construction management, and resource planning. This study employs a narrative literature review to synthesize research on five interconnected dimensions of foundation performance: terrain characteristics, foundation type selection, geotechnical assessment quality, construction methods, and budget allocation. Results highlight that slope gradient and soil type strongly influence bearing capacity and failure rates; anchor foundations provide time efficiency in accessible sites, while pad and pile foundations remain essential in weak soils. High-quality geotechnical assessments, supported by effective communication between design and field teams, reduce unexpected failures. Mechanized construction methods improve cost efficiency in moderate terrains but lose advantage in rugged zones where mobilization and equipment reliability are compromised. Budget allocation enhances outcomes only when mediated by efficient material logistics. The review concludes that sustainable transmission line foundation design in mountainous terrain requires an integrated approach that links technical rigor, financial planning, and logistics efficiency. This has practical implications for infrastructure planning in the Philippines, where terrain-sensitive strategies can reduce delays and costs. Future research should develop predictive models that combine terrain parameters with supply chain simulations to guide proactive design and investment decisions in the Philippine and Asian context.
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References
Acidri, S. (2019). A comparative analysis of foundations using prescriptive design and static loading test methods:(case study: the Karuma interconnection power project in Uganda) (Doctoral dissertation, Kyambogo University.). https://kyuspace.kyu.ac.ug/items/4e2a0b9e-99dd-41ee-a478-ba342867fc95
Alkahtani, M. Q. (2021). Guidelines for designing the overhead transmission tower foundations adjacent to cohesionless slopes (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Western Ontario (Canada) https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/8256/.
Aruna, R., & Arulselvan, S. (2017). Analysis of foundation failure in concrete structures. International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 4(3), 508–512. https://www.irjet.net/archives/V4/i3/IRJET-V4I3508.pdf
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nayna B. Mallopa, Angelene Francisco, Millen Grace Galero, Vanessa Gallardo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Open Access. This article published by JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). You are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material). Under the following terms, you must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
