International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 2013)
Comparative Study of pre-tensioned pre-stressed Concrete
electric poles of type I, II & III
Shoheb Ahemad1, A. R. Mundhada2
1 2
Final Year Student (M. E. Structure), Professor, Department Of Civil Engineering, Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology
& Research, Badnera, Amravati-444701, Maharashtra, India
Abstract- This paper presents the comparative study of pre-
tensioned pre-stressed concrete electric poles of Type I, Type
II, & Type III. This work includes the design and estimates of
Pre-stressed concrete pre-tensioned electric poles of various
heights. The aim of this paper is to design the pre-stressed
concrete pre-tensioned pole for various lengths as Type I,
Type II & Type III and then compare the results.
Programming in MS EXCEL is done to design the pole. The
idea is to reach a definite conclusion regarding the economics
of poles of Type I, Type II & Type III. Results reveal that
Type III pole is cheaper than Type I & Type II pole for all
lengths and shapes. But durability of a Type III pole will
always be a cause of concern. Hence best choice will be to
adopt a middle path & opt for Type II pole which will be
durable as well as economical.
Keywords-- Economics, Poles, Pre-stressed concrete, Pre-
tensioning, Type I pre-stressing
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Importance & Necessity
First designed and constructed by Freyssinet in the
middle 1930s, prestressed concrete poles are used today
worldwide for flag poles, sign poles, telephone poles,
telegraph poles, and poles that support street lights, electric
power lines, antenna masts, and overhead powerlines for
electric trains. In parts because they can be factory
produced, prestressed concrete poles are now used widely
throughout the world including India.
These poles offer several advantages: Pre-stressed
concrete poles are lighter and stronger, and they require
less reinforcing steel. The concrete is generally in
compression, so cracking is unlikely except from rough
handling, and the concrete used is of higher strength so it
can withstand the pre-stressing operation. Due to the
special manufacturing process, in which the poles are spun
at high speeds, they have a smoother surface that is denser
and less permeable. This lower permeability in
combination with the absence of cracks prevents corrosion
of reinforcement or pre-stressing wires. The pre-stressed
concrete can be made stronger and slender.
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Pre-stressed concrete poles can be made in many shapes.
Poles up to 15 m long with square or rectangular solid cross
sections are easy to manufacture, occupy less space during
transportation, and facilitate positioning of steel at corners
for maximum resisting moment at a given depth.
Pre-stressed concrete is the most recent major form
of construction introduced in the structural engineering.
It has become a well established method of
construction as the technology is now available in all
developed and in many developing countries. Today,
pre-stressing is used in buildings, underground
structures, communication towers, floating storage and
offshore structures, power stations, nuclear reactor
vessels, and numerous types of bridge systems.
The pre-stressing and pre-casting of concrete are
interrelated features of the modern building industry.
Through the application of imaginative design and quality
control, they have, since the 1930s, increasing impact on
architectural and construction procedures, Pre-stressing of
concrete is the application of compressive force to concrete
member and may be achieved by either pre-tensioning high
tensile steel strands before the concrete has set or by post-
tensioning after the concrete has set. Although these
techniques are common place, misunderstanding of the
principles and the way they are applied, still exist.
Pre-stressed concrete poles were among the first
application of pre-stressing that the French pre-stressing
pioneer Eugene Freyssinet developed in the 1930s.Today,
pre-stressed concrete poles are used in the parts of the
world as transmission and distribution structures, substation
structures, lighting supports, highway signs and traffic
signal structures.
Generally, where timber is plentiful, wood poles are
used. However, the increased cost of wood and the
environmental issues associated with the preservation of
trees have resulted in an increased use of concrete poles.
Therefore, the potential for a much greater use of precast
pre-stressed concrete poles throughout the world is
promising. The idea is to reach a definite conclusion
regarding the economics of pole of Type I, Type II & Type
III.
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 2013)
B. Scope
This work includes the design and estimate of pre-
tensioned pre-stressed concrete electric pole of Type I,
Type II & Type III of various lengths & compare their
relative strengths vis-a-vis each other. Concrete grades
were also varied. Two shapes, rectangular & square were
considered. The onus was on economy & durability.
II. CURRENT STATUS
Shen-en Chen, Choo Keong Ong et al [1] studied &
reported the modal behaviour of a spun-cast, pre-stressed
concrete pole in this paper. The goal of this study is to
determine the feasibility of using modal frequencies to
determine the stability of the pole structure as a monitoring
technique. Treating the surrounding soils as stiff springs, a
directly-embedded pole structure roughly behaves as a
cantilevered beam with strong spring supports. To
determine the validity of such assumptions, the pole
structure has been tested both simply-supported on railroad
ties and directly embedded in the ground. Impact
excitations were used in this case. This paper reports the
preliminary results of modal testing and finite element
modeling that were used to determine the fundamental
frequencies of these poles. Since the pre-stressed level
within the poles is only a fraction of its buckling load, the
contribution of modal frequencies is assumed to be
minimal. The results indicate that the numerical
cantilevered beams have lower vibration frequencies than
the actual beams. Comparative studies of different fixities
are also determined using finite element analysis.
Thomas E. Rodger [2] designed pole, based on weather
bureau records, to withstand an ultimate load of a 165 MPH
wind. The ruling span was established at 1500ft. The cross
arms, which were also concrete, were designed for a dead
load of conductor weight plus -in, radial ice. The pole,
designed by Vepco, was built and load tested by Bay shore
Concrete Products Corporation of Cape Charles, Virginia.
Twelve of these poles were erected across Currituck Sound,
alongside the new Wright Memorial Bridge concrete
structure built at the same time to serve North Carolina's
Nags Head and Kitty Hawk coastal areas. Next, a tapered
square, statically cast, pre-stressed concrete pole was
selected for use.
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This particular shape required a 140-ft. form that had a
constant taper and was fabricated in 10-ft. sections to
permit the manufacture of poles of various lengths and
cross sections.
Rohit U. Pandit, Omkar S. Thakur et al [3], in their
project designed the pole and analysis was done for
different strengths achieved using different grades of
concrete and steel to find out the most economical
combination. Also, transverse strength of pole was
determined by conducting transverse strength test on site.
The effect of stream curing/ hot water curing for increasing
the productivity was also studied.
Between 1982 and 1984, three reports titled Guide
specifications for pre-stressed concrete poles, [4] and
Concrete poles: State-ofthe-art [5] were developed by
members of the Precast/Pre-stressed concrete institutes
committee on Pre-stressed concrete poles and subsequently
published in the PCI Journal. In April 1987, after
approximately 2 years of meetings & discussions, the
Concrete pole Task Committee of the Committee on
Electrical transmission structures of the Structural Division
of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
published a conference paper titled, Guide for the Design
and use of Concrete poles.[6] The committee that
produced this paper encompassed several disciplines: pole
producers, users, designers and members of the academic
community.
As the pole industry grew, however, it became
increasingly apparent that it would be helpful, from the
stand point of both users and designers, to be able to refer
to a single document on concrete poles that combined the
attributes of all four of the above mentioned publications.
More companies were entering into the pole business,
while technological advances were rapidly being made in
the development of new materials and applications of
computers and software. The need for clearer
communication with the end users and the ability to offer
more complete design assistance was also growing.
III. METHODOLOGY
A pole generally acts as cantilevered structure, and
should be designed and analyzed as a member subjected to
flexure due to wind loads.
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 2013)
Because shear forces are small compared to bending
moments, pre-stressed concrete poles are very resilient.
Axial loads are small, too, and are generally ignored except
when the structure is guyed. Stress induced by handling,
transportation and erection should always be considered in
design. A pole has to withstand equal bending moment in
opposite directions. Because this requires uniform pre-
stressing, the magnitude of pre-stressed can only be about
half that normally used to provide for bending in one
direction. To begin with, a Pre-stressed Concrete Pole was
manually designed by using the Limit State Method based
on IS: 1343-1980 & IS 1678-1998. Based on the steps &
formulas involved, a design program was prepared in MS
EXCEL. The veracity of the program was checked by first
designing the manually designed poles by using the
program & comparing the results.
Figure 7 in IS: 1343 were incorporated into the program
as a link so as to directly calculate the permissible
compressive stresses. Separate programmes were
developed for square and Rectangular poles. Programs for
cost estimation were developed & linked with the main
program. Rates were based on the latest CSR in
Maharashtra. In case of pre-stressed concrete, some of the
rates were obtained from a well-known private Pole
manufacturer. Pre-stressed concrete poles of all concrete
grades were designed for TYPE I, TYPE II and TYPE III.
IV. RESULTS & DISCUSSION
Table I below gives the cost/pole in rupees for various
lengths for Type I, Type II & Type III pole in M: 42 grade
pre-stressed concrete.
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Figure 2 below depicts the same statistics with the help
of bar charts. Figure 3 below is a short form of Figure 1
where Type I structures are compared with Type II & Type
III structure for same grade. The cost/pre-stressed concrete
poles include the cost of pre-tensioned pre-stressing, curing
and handling etc. A close scrutiny reveals that Type I poles
are the costliest & Type III poles are the cheapest. Type I
poles end up consuming @ 15 to 20 % more whereas Type
III poles result in a saving of 10 to 15 %. Rectangular poles
are cheaper than square poles. Best concrete grades are M:
42- M: 45 & beyond that the cost increases. This is because
the maximum permissible compressive strength in flexure
for higher grades is lesser as per IS: 1343. Since the
characteristic tensile strength of thicker wires is lesser, their
use results in cost escalation. The thinner wires result in
economy.
Cost Variation
COST/POLE 2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
8 9 10 12 15
Type 1 1094 1211 1427 1620 2120
Type 2 946 1043 1210 1341 1704
Type 3 871 958 1068 1175 1493
Fig. 1 Variation of cost of Pole with Type
 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 2013)
TABLE I
COST/POLE IN RUPEES

Length Grade Estima Estimat Percentage of Estimated

of pole ted ed cost cost cost of
cost of of pre- pre-
pre- stressed stressed
stresse concrete concrete
d pole pole
concre (Type (Type (Type (Type I)
te pole III) II) III)
(Type
II)

8m 42 1055 945 -9.98 -19.37 1172

45 1052 941 -17.30 -26.02 1272 Fig. 2 Variation of Cost of pole with Type.

50 1049 938 -17.27 -26.03 1268

9m 42 1129 1003 -18.01 -27.16 1377

30
25
% cost Difference

24.41
45 1125 1000 -18.06 -27.17 1373 20
15 18.13 20.81
50 1237 995 -9.51 -27.21 1367 10 15.64 16.11 Type I
5
Type III
0
10m 42 1199 1065 -18.27 -27.85 1476
-5 0 2 4 6
-10
-7.93 -8.15 -12.38
45 1325 1185 -9.99 -19.50 1472 -15 -11.86
-12.38
Cost variation with length
50 1321 1180 -17.13 -25.97 1594
Fig. 3 % cost difference of Type I & Type III pole with Type II pole
12m 42 1507 1338 -18.23 -27.40 1843
V. CONCLUSION
45 1502 1333 -18.24 -27.44 1837 Type III poles are the cheapest whereas Type I poles are
the costliest. Poles are used in all sorts of situations like in
50 1650 1326 -9.69 -27.42 1827 distant places & hostile climates. Regular maintenance may
not be feasible. Hence, along with strength & economy,
15m 42 1978 1571 -17.65 -34.60 2402 durability has to be a factor. Hence, Type II poles come out
as the best option. Use of small diameter wires is
45 1970 1756 -17.71 -26.65 2394 recommended to attain greater economy. Rectangular poles
may look like a superior alternative vis--vis square poles
50 1963 1746 -23.71 -32.14 2573 but taller poles have to be square or circular.

The statistics makes interesting reading. For all lengths VI. FUTURE SCOPE
Type III structure is much more economic than Type II & The study can be extended to poles of other shapes to
Type III structure. arrive at the best possible shape for pre-stressed concrete
Poles of Type II.

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 International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering
Website: www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459, ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal, Volume 3, Issue 12, December 2013)
REFERENCES
[1] Shen-en Chen, Choo Keong Ong and Kris Antonsson: Modal
Behaviors of Spun-Cast Pre-Stressed Concrete Pole
Structures.Department of Civil Engineering, University of North
Carolina at Charlotte 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
28223-0001 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
University of Alabama at Birmingham 1075, 13th Street South,
Birmingham, AL 35244-4440
[2] Thomas E. Rodger: A Utility Development and use of Pre-stressed
Concrete Poles.Virginia Electric and Power Company Richmond,
Virginia.
[3] Rohit U. Pandit , Omkar S. Thakur , Siddhart A. Gokhale , Amol H.
Bhandare: Manufacturing of pre-stressed concrete pole used for
power transmission and telecommunication line. Department of
Civil Engineering, Datta Meghe Collage of Engineering, Mumbai.
[4] Member of precast/pre-stressed concrete institutes committee; 1982
Guide specification for pre-stressed concrete pole.
[5] Member of precast/pre-stressed concrete institutes committee; 1984
Concrete poles, state-of-arts.
[6] American society of civil engineers (ASCE); April 1987 Guide for
the Design and use of concrete pole.
[7] IS: 456-2000. Indian Standard Code of Practice For Reinforced
Concrete.
[8] IS: 1343- 1980. Indian Standard Code of Practice For Pre-stressed
Concrete (First Revision).
[9] IS: 1678- 1998. Indian Standard Code of Practice For Pre-
stressed Concrete Poles For Overhead Power Traction And
Telecommunications Lines.
[10] Lin, T.Y, and T.R Lakhwara Pre-stressed Concrete, Fifth Edition,
Tata McGraw- Hill Company Ltd. , New Delhi.
[11] N. Krishna Raju, 2007. Pre-stressed Concrete, Fourth Edition,
Tata McGraw- Hill Company Ltd., New Delhi.
[12] Current Schedule of Rates (CSR), 2010-2011, for Public Works
Region, Amravati.

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