Longitudinal nondestructive evaluation of new utility wood poles. Volume 1: Final report
- Engineering Data Management, Inc., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
This report describes the development of a nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methodology for assessing the bending strength of new wood utility poles. Fundamental concepts of stress wave propagation are presented. The development of a longitudinal stress wave methodology for predicting pole strength and the results of destructive tests on full-size poles are described. Mathematical correlations between stress wave parameters, geometric characteristics, and individual pole bending strengths form the basis of strength prediction models for western redcedar, Douglas-fir and southern pine poles. Models were developed for NDE in the whitewood stage and after preservative treatment of poles. For each species the two most commonly used preservative types were evaluated. Excellent correlations were obtained for western redcedar and Douglas-fir poles, but high moisture content in the southern pine poles resulted in lower prediction accuracies for this species. Verification of the developed mathematical models demonstrates that improvement in classifying poles into the ANSI 05.1 tip-load capacities is technically feasible. The development and field trial of the prototype equipment for strength grading of new poles is also described. Research results can be used to benefit utilities by enabling the supply of strength graded poles with a higher accuracy than previously possible.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Engineering Data Management, Inc., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 10190421
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR-100864-Vol.1; ON: UN93002245
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Oct 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Wood pole properties. Volume 3. Western red cedar data and size effect
Nondestructive evaluation of wood utility poles: Volume 2, Second-generation nondestructive evaluation: Final report
Related Subjects
42 ENGINEERING
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
STRUCTURAL BEAMS
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
WOOD
FLEXURAL STRENGTH
OVERHEAD POWER TRANSMISSION
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
FOUNDATIONS
STRESSES
PINES
CEDARS
FIRS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
CREOSOTE
240303
420500
OVERHEAD LINES
MATERIALS TESTING