Journal of Structural Engineering

Vol. 38, No.6, February-March 2012 pp. 507-518 No.38-41

Equivalent pole concept for tapered power poles
Sriram Kalaga*
[8J Email: drkalaga@aol.com
*Allgeier Martin & Associates, Inc., Missouri 64834, USA.
Received: 04 August 2010; Accepted: 30 January 2011
An Equivalent Pole concept is introduced to analyze tapered power poles. Using stiffness and strength criteria, diameters
of constant section poles are derived for wood and steel poles by comparing deflections and stresses with those
of tapered poles. Axial, flexural and torsion loading were considered. The derivations are validated for wood and steel
poles using exact computer analyses. Both qualitative and quantitative inferences were drawn and suggestions for further
extensions are made.
KEYWORDS: Transmission poles; steel; wood; stiffness; strength; finite elements.
The structural response of transmission poles is usually
governed by the behavior of the tapered element under
compression, bending, shear and/or torsion resulting
from the application of wire, wind, ice and other loads.
Conventionally, steel, concrete and wood are used for
high voltage transmission poles but it is only recently
. that fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) poles tare also
being employed successfully as transmission structures
1
.
Exact analyses of these poles involve non-linear finite
element (FE) procedures, which often include second-
order (P-d) effects and so are not amenable for quick
hand calculations. For instance, exact solutions for
the critical buckling capacities of guyed, tapered steel
poles (8- and 12-sided), are hard to find; solutions for
wood poles, though available in literature
2

3
, are not
adequately validated by full-scale tests.
A brief literature survey shows significant basic
research on tapered cantilevers dating back to the mid
1950's
4
. Past investigations covered topics such as
large defiectiqns
5
, formulation of explicit FE stiffness
matrices6-
8
, torsion
9
, combined non-linearity
10
and
elasto-plastic analysis of steel poles
11
, among others.
Explicit FE formulations are shown to be tedious dli_e
to multiple integrations for varying area and moment
of inertia
12

13
With specific reference to buckling of
guyed poles, most research dealt with wide-flange,
box and other cross sections
3
but not dodecagonal
(12-sided) steel poles commonly used in high-voltage
transmission applications. Banerjee et al
7
presented
buckling solutions for hollow tapered beam-columns,
but the procedure is part of a complex Bernoulli-Euler.
stiffness analysis procedure. The ASCE guidelines
14
for steel poles simply give an expression for allowable
compressive stress based on limiting width/thickness
(wit) ratios, but this refers to local buckling rather than
overall pole buckling.
To the extent the author knows, there is little
information available on the application of equivalency
concepts - using both strength and stiffness - to the
analysis of transmission poles. This study is a small
step in that direction. The aim of this paper is to present
the concept of an 'Equivalent Pole' (EP) which can
be used to convert tapered poles into constant section
elements. The EP can then be used to develop simple
analytical models covering various load patterns. The
proposed process is validated on poles made of steel
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING 507.
Vol. 38, No.6, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
(hollow) and wood (solid). Possible extensions of the
idea are proposed.
EQUIVALENT POLE CONCEPT
Figures 1 and 2 show a typical tapered transmission
pole of length 'L' and cross sections associated with
different materials. Conventional FE pole modeling
usually involves a piece-wise linear approach where
the system is considered as made up of several elements
of equal length, each with a constant cross section15.
Alternatively, the entire pole can be transformed into
one single element of constant cross section (Fig. 3).
The idea is illustrated here by proposing the concept of
an 'Equivalent Pole' whose strength an4 stiffness are
approximately the same as that of the original tapered
system.
L
Fig. 1 Typical transmission pole
GI
.
"" .
Steel
Fig. 2 Pole cross sections
508 JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Vol. 38, No.6, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
daq
1'7""''
',f .. ,
,. I,
~ :
)_ .....
.: ...
L '=:>
: ~ ~ ; ~ ;
.: .\i
.;I
I,,.,.
. I
. :
. L
! :1
'i/ I"'
_;,....,;,. _i__Li
Fig. 3 Equivalent pole
/
For a given pole class and height, the base diameter
(and ground line diameter) and taper are fixed. For
example, Class 1 wood poles have a tip diameter of
8.60 inches (21.8 em) and a taper of 0.12 in/ft (3 em/
m), which gives a base diameter of 15.7 inches (40
em). For steel poles, the taper is slightly larger at 0.16
in/ft ( 4 cm/m). Class 1 steel poles have a top diameter
ranging from 7.25 inches (18.4 mm) to 10 inches (25.4
mm), depending on the manufacturer.
For stiffness, deflections and/or rotations under
various loadings (Fig. 4) are evaluated. The load cases
cover axial loading (a), bending (b, c an<jl d) and torsion
(e). The strength criteria considered her.e are buckling,
bending and torsion:. The diameter of the equivalent
pole, deq. which satisfies both stiffness and strength
conditions, is the parameter governing equivalency.
N
p r.t'
T
M
w
(ll) {b) (d) (e)
Fig. 4 Loadings considered for equivalency
I
I
I
I
'
r.
Loadings on transmission structures involve dead the expressions for these stresses are more or less
loads, ice loads, wind pressure and wire tensions, identical.
depending on the type of structure. Most tangent Numerical" values of equivalent diameters are
(suspension) transmission poles (i.e.) those primarily calculated for wood and steel poles of various
loaded by transverse forces are governed by flexure. )heights. In each height class, the maximum value is
They are also directly embedded into the ground or determined. These are plotted for pole heights ranging
fixed to a concrete pier; so the boundary conditions from 45 (13.5 m) to 90 (27 m) in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.
are similar to that of a cantilever (i.e.) fixed-free All equations are assembled and solved with a special
conditions. computer program
19

Tables 1-a and 1-h show the configurations and
16.00
equations associated with the stiffness and strength
criteria, for wood poles. Similarly Tables 2-a and 2-b
15.50
show the configurations and equations associated with
"'"'
15.00
.s ......---

steel poles. These expressions are readily available in

14.50
-

'"'

literature
16
-
18
B

0
14.00
---
In each load category, the theoretical deflections (or

....-
slopes) of the original tapered system are compared
....
13.50
0
r
with those of the equivalent system; the value of deq 13.00
is computed from the equality. Typical computation
12.50
for selected loadings is shown in tbe Appendix. The
12.00
process is repeated for the category. Tables 3
45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90
and 4 show the expressions obtained for deq in each
Pole Height (ft)
case. It can be seen that diameters for cases involving
bending and torsion are identical since the form of
Fig. 5 Equivalent diameters for wood poles
,'!: .
..
TABLE 1-A EQUIVALENCY CONCEPT FOR SOLID (WOOD) POLES
.
Oridnal Tapered Solid beam
1.
[ ::r-N
2.
[
I
tp
3.
[
C)M
4.
f I I I I I I IIW
[ :::1
5.
E

r = (Ai/Aa)- I = (d,jda) = l
tp = (I + f3 + {32)13 f33
{3 = diJda
DEFLECTIONS
Equation for Deflection or Slope
Equivalent Constant Section
Equation for Deflection or Slope
at Free End at Free End
Beam
Col. (1) Col. (2)
il = NL I EAa [In (l+r)lr]
I
1-N il =NL I EAeq
il = P3l3Ela [dt/daP
I r
il = P3 I 3Eleq
8 = MLI1.075 E/
0
[di/da ]1.587
I

O=ML/ Eleq
fiiiiiiiiW
il = wL4 I 7.872 E/
0
[db I d
0
] 3282
I I
tl = wL4f&Eleq
8- 321/J TL!:Jr Gda4
I I
CT 8-32 TL/n G deq4
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING 509
Vol. 38, No.6, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
I
TABLE 1-B EQUNALENCY CONCEPT FOR SOLID (WOOD} POLES
STRENGTHS
Oridnal Tapered Solid beam Equation for Strength Equivalent Constant Section Beam Equation for Strength
Col. (3) Col. (4)
6.
. .
Per= ([diJdaJ2-61 ;r2 /,/42)
I 1-N
Per -;r2 E!eq14L2
: [ ::J-N
7. a=32
:
tp
a= 32M/ ;r deq3
. i
dp
I '
[
i
:
:X
8.
..
a=4wL2/;r dx3 M/;r deq3
I
i

. [
l
QM
X
9. a I I I I
!
I I I IIW a 4wL2/;rdeq3
I I I I !1 I I IIW
I
I
[ !
J
'x
10. 'f;, 16T /;rdx3
cr
'fmax= l6T/;rdeq3
'
(T
II

II
'
:x
All bending and shesr stresses refer to rnid-!,lpan.
d:x = lh. (1 + {3)/da {3 =db/ da
TABLE2-A EQUNALENCY CONCEPT FOR HOLLOW (STEEL) POLES
DEFLECTIONS
..
Equation for Deflection or Slope Equation for Deflection or Slope
Equivalent Constant Section
Oridnal Tapered Hollow Beam
at Free End
Hollow Beam
Col. (5)
1.
[ :::.1-N
A NL I EAa [In (l+r)lr]
II
11-N
2.
Jp
:
r
[
'
A=rJ PL3f2E C t [rbl raP
II
i
'
:X
3.
[
!
QM (} =. [ML/2ECt]* [(ra + rb)/ ra
2
II f'M
rb2]
'
X
4.
I I !If I I 2, w
IIIIIIIIIW
w4 I 2E C t [rb-ra]4
II II
'X
5.

e
() = [TLI GJa]* 1/J
:x
II II

C = Cross-sectional constant related to shape = 3.29 ( 12-sided steel pole)
r= (ATJAa) -1 = (riJr
0
) -1 'f} = [2ln (ri/ra)]- [(rb- ra) I rb]* [3- (r ,/rb)]
= 3ra [-In (ri/r0 )]- [r
0
- rb] + (ri/6 rb2) + lh.] + rb 1 = (1 + {3 + {3
2
)/3 {33,{3 = diJda
510 JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Vol. 38. No.6. FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
at Free End
Col. (6)
A NL/ EAeq
A = P3 /3Eleq
O=MLI Eleq
A= V:,4/SEI
. eq
(J=TLI GJeq
TABLE2-B EQUIVALENCY CONCEPT FOR HOLLOW (STREEL) POLES
STRENGTHS
Oridnal Tapered Hollow beam
Equation for Strength
Col. (7)
6.
Per= ([di/daJ261 n2 E lj4L2)
[ l+-N
7.
[
i
Jp
a=PLI2Sx
:X
8.
[
:
S\M
a=MI Sx
X
9.
!!1 I f I I I IIW
a= 4 wL2 I n'dx3
[ !
J
'x
10.
~ =0
r = 16 TIn d 3
,X
:X
All bending and shesr stresses refer to mid-span.
r = (Ai/Aa) -l = (ri/ra) -l
TABLE3 EQUIVALENT DIAMETER FOR SOLID (WOOD)
POLES
Load Expression for Equivalent Dilm:_).eter deq
Case#
Stiffness Criteria Strength Ch.teria
1 [r/ln (l+r)]O.SO da [ db2.67 dal.33]0.25
2 [db3 da]0.25
Y:z (1+,8) da
3 [1.075 db!.581 d}.413]0.25
Y:z (1+,8) da
4 [0.984 db3.282 da0.718]0.25
Y:z ( 1+,8) da
5 [3,83/l + ,8 + ,82]0.25 da
Y:z (1+,8) da
TABLE4 EQUIVALENT DIAMETER FOR HOLLOW
(STEEL) POLES
Load Expression for Equivalent Diameter deq
Case#
Stiffness Criteria Strength Criteria
1 [rlln (I+ r)] da [db2.61 dal.33]0.33
2 [(5.34!1]) (rb- ra)3]0.33
Y:z ( 1+,8) J a
3 2.52*[ra2 rb2! ra + rb]0.33
Y2 (1+,8) da
4 [(l/8;) (db- da)4]0.33
Y2 (1+,8) da
5 [3,83/l + ,8 + ,82]0.33 da
Y:z (1+,8) da
It is observed that for wood poles, the maximum
equivalent diameter from deflection point of view
corresponded to the case with uniform load whereas
Equivalent Constant Section Equation for Stre
Hollow Beam
Col. (8)
I
1-N Per= n
2
E Ieq I
;
tp
I
a= PL/2 S e ~
:
I
! ~
a= M/ Seq
I I I I I I I IIW
I i I
a= 4 wL2 In'
f
II
II (T
r= l6Tind
it referred to axial compressive load for
pole. Equivalent diameters determined frc
perspectives came from bending stress for W
and axial compressive stress for steel poles.
19
18
..-._ 17
3 16
!:)
0 15
~
0 14
13
12
v
L:-:
v
/
v
/
/
~
45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
Pole Height (ft)
Fig. 6 Equivalent diameters for steel poles
For example, the maximum equivalent di<
a 55 ft wood pole is 14.11 "and that of a sir
pole is 13.46". These values are shown on I
Fig. 6, respectively.
Applications
The above model is applied to four transmis:
each in wood and steel, sizes ranging from 5
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERIN<
TT ,..,... ..,.T ~ T"'T""'T"\'nTT4n"Cr , ... 'n,..,TT,..,A1
ft (16.5 m to 25.5 m). Steel and Wood pole properties
are obtained from Catalog
20
and RUS Bulletin
21
,
respeCtively. For HV (high-voltage) transmission
lines, 12-sided (dodecagonal) steel poles are industry
da = 8.6"
z
T
standard
14
; the flat faces provide means for welding
connector plates and attaching insulator hardware and
climbing grips. Steel section properties used in this
study therefore refer to 12-sided poles.
1000 lbs
0.5'
o- 1000lbs
/
1000 lbs
variable
db = variable
variable
Wood Pole
L
All Poles are Southern Pine, MOR = 8000 psi, E = 1.8 X 10
6
psi
55-ft Class-1 Pole
Mcap at GL = 204 kip-ft
65-ft Class-1 Pole
Mcap at GL = 242 kip-ft
75-ft Class-1 Pole
Mcap at GL = 284 kip-ft
(1 in= 25.4 mm, 1 ft = 30 em, 1lb = 4.45 N,
1 psi= 6.89 kPa, 1 ksi = 6.89 _Mpa, 1 kip-ft = 1.356 kN-m)
Fig. 7(a) Wood poles analyzed by PLS-Pole
512 JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Vol. 38, No.6, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
85-ft Class-1 Pole
Mcap at GL = 322 kip-ft .
Tapered Poles
For the poles with tapered sections, the geometrical
and strength data are shown in Fig. 7. All were Class 1
poles subject to a combination of loads covering those
considered in the previous derivations. Pole
.--
da = 7.25"

,__
,__
r-
r-
r-
:::
-
"'
;g
0
-
......
,__
f--
f--
f--
f---
f---
:,f
///
z

LJ
T
is 0.01 *L + 2', which is the nominal industry guideline.
To simulate end moment and torque, a tip load is applied
on a 12" (30 em) bracket shown as "0". All poles were
analyzed using the finite element- based PLS-Pole
software
22
To increase accuracy, second-order
were also modeled.
1000 lbs
0.5'
!-----1 0- 1000 lbs
/
1000 lbs
variable
t = 3/16"
db =variable
variable
Steel Pole
L
All Poles are Galvanized Steel, Yield Strength = 65 ksi, E = 29 x 10
6
psi
55-ft Class- I Pole
Mcap at GL = 132 kip-ft
Fig. 7(b) Bteel poles analyzed by PLS-Pole
65-ft Class- I Pole
Mcap at GL 156 kip-ft
75-ft Class-! Pole
Mcap at GL= 181 kip-ft
(I 25.4 mm, 1 ft = 30 em, lib= 4.45 N,
1 psi= 6.89 kPa, I ksi = 6.89 Mpa, I kip-ft = 1.356 kN-m)
85-ft Class-! Pole
Mcap at GL = 209 kip-ft
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING 513
Vol. 38, No.6, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
I
1000 lbs
0.5'
0-- 1000lbs
/
1000 lbs
variable
deq = variable
z
variable
Wood Pole
L
All Poles are Southern Pine, MOR = 8000 psi, E = 1.8 X 10
6
psi
55-ft Class-! Pole
Mcap at GL = 184 kip-ft
65-ft Class-! Pole
Mcap at GL= 195 kip-ft
75-ft Class-! Pole
Mcap at GL = 205 kip-ft
85-ft Class-! Pole
Mcap at GL =214 kip-ft
(1 in= 25.4 mm, 1 ft = 30 em, 1 lb = 4.45 N,
1 psi= 6.89 kPa, 1 ksi = 6.89 Mpa, 1 kip-ft = 1.356 kN-m)
Fig. 8(a) Equivalent wood poles analyzed by PLS-Pole
Equivalent Poles
Similar PLS analyses were conducted for the four
structurally equivalent poles, of constant section. A
comparison of the selected values of parameters is
shown in Tables 5(a) to 5(d). In the case of steel poles,
the same thickness of3/16" (5 mm) is used for both the
actual and equivalent poles.
514 JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Vol. 38, No.6, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
A detailed discussion of the PLS modeling
process is beyond the scope of this paper. However,
it is worthwhile to note that the program includes
non- linear, 2nd Order (P-o effects). Displacement
limitations are generally not code-mandated but left to
the discretion of the utilities and engineering judgment.
This is because the poles vary from wood to steel to
concrete (and occasionally composites), which makes
1000 lbs
0 -IOOOlbs
/
1000 lbs
deq = variable
z
variable
Steel Pole
L
All Poles are Gaivanized Steel, Yield Strength= 65 ksi, E = 29 X 10
6
psi
55-ft Class-1 Pole
Mcap at GL = 154 kip-ft
65-ft Class-! Pole.
M.:ap at GL = 192 kip-ft
75-ft Class-1. Pole
Mcap at GL = 234 kip-ft
85-ft Class-1 Pole
Mcap at GL.= 284 kip-ft
(1 in= 25.4 mm, l ft = 30 em, l lb = 4.45 N,
I psi= 6.89 kPa, 1 ksi = 6.89 Mpa, lkip-ft = 1.356 N ~ i n
Fig. 8(b) Equivalent steel poles analyzed by PLS-Pole
a single deflection limit impractical. Deflections are
not considered in this present study; but some oft-cited
limits are as follows:
Wood Poles; Total Pole Top Deflection under Extreme
Wind Loading (90 mph or 145 kph) not to exceed 15%
of the pole height above ground.
Steel Poles: Total Pole Top Deflection under Ev
(Normal) Loading (No Wind, No Ice) not to ex'
of the pole height above ground
Concrete Poles; Total Pole Top Deflectior
Every Day (Normal) Loading (No Wind, No Icc
exceed 5% of the pole height above ground
TABLES-A DATA OF ANALYZED 55-FT POLES
ACTUAL EQUIVALENT
Pole Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi) Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi)
Top GL Top GL** Top andGL Top GL**
Wood 8,60 14.60 42.9 3.15 14.11 30.3 3.63
Steel 7.25 12.80 26.5 34.3 13.46 19.3 36.8
TABLE5-B DATA OF ANALYZED 65-FT POLES
ACTUAL EQUIVALENT
Pole Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi) Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi)
Top GL Top GL** Top and GL Top* GL**
Wood 8,60 15.45 63.1 3.29 14.37 36.7 3.47
Steel 7.25 13.84 39.5 38.1 14.82 25.0 37.7
TABLE 5-C DATA OF ANALYZED 75-FT POLES
ACTUAL EQUIVALENT
Pole Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi) Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi)
Top GL Top* GL** TopandGL Top* GL**
Wood 8,60 16.30 86.7 3.39 14.62 48.8 3.65
Steel 7.25 14.92 52.9 39.4 16.25 30.6 38.1
TABLE5-D DATA OF ANALYZED 85-FT POLES
ACTUAL EQUIVALENT
Pole Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi) Diameter (in) Deft (in) Total Stress (ksi)
Top GL
~ t
Top*

GL** TopandGL Top* GL**
Wood 8,60 17.00 116.8 3.56 14.83 64.4 3.91
Steel 7.25 16.00 68.9 40.5 17.73 36.1 38.4
(1 in= 25.4 mm, 1 ksi- 6.89 MPa,) *At Load Point At Ground Line
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Tables 5(a) to 5(d) show the actual and equivalent sizes,
deflections and stresses, for each of the poles studied.
Deflections shown refer to the resultant of transverse
and longitudinal movements.
Wood Poles
The equivalent diameters of all four poles analyzed
were less than the corresponding ground line diameters
of the actual poles. The difference varied from 3.3%
to 13%. Stresses agreed rather well (+5.5% to +15%
difference) but the equivalent poles showed 29% to
45% less deflection. From deformation point of view,
it appears the equivalent pole is stiffer than the actual
one.
516 JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
Vol. 38, No.6, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
Steel Poles
The equivalent diameters of all four poles analyzed were
more than the corresponding ground line diameters of
the actual poles. The difference varied from 5.1% to
11%. Once again stresses were rather close (differences
ranged from +7% to -5%) but the deflections differed
by -27% to -48%. From deformation perspectives, here
too, the equivalent pole is stiffer than the actual one,
For various pole heights, a correction factor for
deflections can be determined. This aspect could be
addressed as a part of a separate study.
CONCLUSIONS
While this study is by no means aU-inclusive, it appears
that the 'Equivalent Pole' concept can be used for
reasonably accurate, quick modeling of transmission
poles. Further studies in that direction are needed to
generalize the observations made herein. A larger
sample of poles with varied loading conditions can
help expand the concept introduced here. A parameter
study with various pole sizes and configurations can
be undertaken for a larger database of observations,
which can then be synthesized statistically to evolve
adjustment factors for deflections and/or stresses.
Consideration of pole tip deflection constraints may
aJso help in developing a more complete structural
pole.
For this paper, the initial focus was on constant
thickness steel poles to simplify computations. Variable
thickness may be considered in subsequent editions.
Wood and steel poles are studied here but the ideas are
also applicable to concrete and fiberglass (composite)
systems. The concept can eventually be employed
to determine buckling loads of guyed poles by using
constant section FE models.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author wishes to acknowledge the facilities
provided by Allgeier, Martin and Associates, Inc.
during the duration of this study. 'it
APPENDIX
of Eq,uivalent Diameter for Case 2 (Solid
fole)
Equating col. (1) and (2) from Table 1-a:
t1 = PL
3
I 3Ela [db I daJ3 = PL3 I 3Eleq
or, la [db ldaP -Ieq
Using Ia = 1t da
4
164 and Ieq =% deq4164, we have:
d db3
eq a
=> deq = [da

Derivation of Equivalent Diameter for Case 2 (Hollow
Pole)
Equating col. (1) and (2) from Table 2-a:
t1 ='I PL
3
I 2 E C t [rb- raP= PL
3
13 Eleq
or
2 (3.29) t [rb- raP I '7 = 3Ieq = 3 (0.411 delt)
=> 1.233 del= 6.58 [rb- ra]
3
1 '7
or
del= 5.34 [rb- ra]
3
1 '7
=> deq = [5.34 [rb- raJ31q]
113
where; 'J = [2 In [(rb- ra)lrb] * [3- (rafrb,)]
Nomenclature
f3 =

parameters as defined in Table 2-a, b
tjJ = parameter as defined in Table 1-a
a Bending Stress
7:' = Shear Stress
A a Area at top= 1t di/4, Ab =Area at bottom
= 1t dil4
A a = Area at top= 3.22 da t, Ab =Area at bottom
= 3.22 db t (steel)
EI Flexural Stiffness
da
Diameter at Pole Top
db = Diameter at Pole Bottom (ground line)
deq Diameter of Equivalent Pole
dx Diameter at Pole at Mid Span or Height
E Modulus of Elasticity
Fb Maximum Bending Stress
Fy Yield Stress of Steel
G Shear Modulus
I a Moment ofinertia at Pole Top= 1t da
2
164
(wood)
leq Moment of Inertia of Equivalent Pole = 1t
da
2
164 (wood)
I a Moment of Inertia at top = 0.411 da
3
t
(steel)
leq Moment of Inertia of Equivalent Pole =
0.411 deq3 t (steel)
Ja Polar Moment of Inertia at Pole Top= 2*1a
= n d/4132 (wood)
Ja Polar Moment oflnertia at Pole Top= 2*Ia
= 0.822 da3 t (steel)
L Length of Pole
M Moment
N Axial Load
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING 517
Vol. 38, No.(!, FEBRUARY- MARCH 2012
p
= Lateral Load
r parameter as defined in Table 1-a
Ya
Pole Radius at Top
rb
Pole Radius at Bottom (ground line)
t Thickness of Steel Pole
Sa Section 'Modulus at Pole Top = n da
3
132
(wood)
Seq
= Section Modulus of Equivalent Pole = n
dell32 (wood)
Sa
= Section Modulus at top = 0.822 da
2
t (steel)
Seq
Section Modulus of Equivalent Pole =
0.822 deit (steel)
T Torsion
w uniform load on beam
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(Discussion on this article must reach the editor before
May 31, 2012)
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