Testing
Double
PoleEnforcer®
1 Inch Thin Shell Test
PURPOSE
The standard industry specification for the use of steel stubs for reinforcing
wood poles requires a minimum average shell thickness of 2" between
15" and 26" above the ground line. In addition, an average shell
thickness of up to 4" is required between 4-1/2 feet and 5-1/2 feet
above the ground line. This criteria was developed for steel reinforcement
units that contact the wood with only the sharp edge of the steel. The
purpose of these tests were to prove that double PoleEnforcer® units
with full length flanges could be used to reinforce poles that have an
average shell thickness of only 1" to a height of 4 feet above the
groundline.
PROCEDURES
A new untreated 30 foot class 1 Western Red Cedar pole was selected for the
tests. The pole was divided in two sections. The top 20 foot section was
hollowed out from the groundline to approximately 4 feet above the ground
line. An average shell thickness of 1" remained. Wester Red Cedar
was chosen due to the relatively low compressive strength of this wood.
CONCLUSION
The test proved that double PoleEnforcer units can be utilized to reinforce
wood poles with an average shell thickness as little as 1" from 15" to
4 feet above the ground line. |
