Title :
Measurement of wood pole strength-Polux(R) a new nondestructive inspection method
Abstract :
Wood pole structures make up a large part of utility transmission and distribution networks. Loading on in-service poles is increasing sometimes beyond design limits due to additional attachments of fiber optics and cable TV and more violent weather. The paper describes a new technology, Polux, that can provide asset managers with reliable objective pole strength data to support maintenance and capital expenditure decisions. The instrument integrates the groundline measurement of fiber strength and moisture content of a pole with six other parameters: species, knots, circumference, height, age and mechanical damage to calculate the moment of rupture (MOR) at groundline. This MOR compares directly with the ANSI value to derive a percentage loss of strength from new. Correlation of this technology with actual pole breaking tests is better than r=0.8
Keywords :
inspection; mechanical strength; mechanical variables measurement; nondestructive testing; poles and towers; wood; Polux; age; cable TV; capital expenditure decisions; circumference; distribution networks; fiber optics; height; knots; maintenance; mechanical damage; moisture content; moment of rupture; nondestructive inspection method; objective pole strength data; pole breaking tests; species; transmission networks; violent weather; wood pole strength measurement; wood pole structures; Asset management; Cable TV; Instruments; Maintenance; Optical design; Optical fibers; Paper technology; Poles and towers; Technology management; Telecommunication network reliability;
Conference_Titel :
Rural Electric Power Conference, 2001
Conference_Location :
Little Rock, AR
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7012-0
DOI :
10.1109/REPCON.2001.949523
