Seismic based strengthening of steel and RC telecommunication poles based on fem analysis

This study describes a numerical projection of pre- and post-retrofitted conditions of telecommunication poles subjected to seismic hazards. The absence of explicit guidelines for the rehabilitation of existing poles motivated the investigation of the effectiveness of steel jacketing for the retrofitting of self-supporting steel and reinforced concrete (RC) telecommunication poles. Effects of mast flexibility, variable damping on dynamic response, and significance of period on base shear amplification were investigated. The overall effectiveness of retrofitting against base excitation was assessed for RC and steel poles through the application of modal analyses and response spectrum approach based on a set of strong motion accelerograms recorded during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Based on a serviceability approach, the analysis of results shows effectiveness of the steel jacketing in increasing load carrying capacity of the poles by enabling stress redistribution.