Creative Composites Group StormStrong® Utility Pole Testing

CCG’s StormStrong pole was tested per the ASTM D1036 - standard test methods of static tests of wood poles.

Note: The FRP Composites industry uses this test as the benchmark since it has been the primary test for wood poles.

These test methods cover determining the bending strength and stiffness of wood poles. Knowledge of these properties is used to provide reliable and economical designs with poles of different species, sizes or grades.

Note: The FRP pole industry uses the results for establishing the 5% lower exclusion limit (LEL) moment capacity, stiffness and failure modes.

The Class 1 - 50’ pole was tested to ASTM D1036 protocols. The initial load applied and held for 2 minutes was 2,925 lbs. This is the ANSI O5.1 Grade B construction tip load requirement for a class one pole. This was performed to illustrate the pole returning to its original form after the test.

The next test involved testing the 50’ class one pole to failure. A load was applied at a rate averaging 40 lbs per second. The pole was positioned into the fixture simulating a burial depth of 10% of the pole length plus an additional 2’. The load was applied two feet from the top. Load versus deflection measurements were taken until the pole failed.

The pole failed at a load of 7,876 lbf. This is equivalent to a compression stress of 77,812 psi and a groundline moment of 323 kip-ft. The deflection at the Class 1 Grade B load was 78.1 inches.

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