Design
Design Tools
The latest version of PLS-Pole design software is used for pole shaft, cross arm shaft, gantry and cross beam design.
PLS-Pole is unable to check the structural adequacy of multisided steel tubes to AS/NZS 4600 Cold-formed steel structures and AS 4100 Steel structures. PLS-Pole is configured around ASCE/SEI 48. From extensive previous experience, designs to ASCE/SEI 48 with a capacity reduction factor of 0.9 applied (in accordance with AS/NZS 7000) provides more conservative results than designs to AS/NZS 4600. ASCE/SEI 48 is recognised worldwide as an extremely reliable design base for steel utility poles, hence IUP has adopted the use of PLS-Pole and ASCE/SEI 48 exclusively for pole shaft and multisided cross arm shaft design.
Detailed connection design is carried out using separate programs developed in-house to comply with the standards listed below. PLS-Pole does not have the capacity to do this, and it’s essential that these in-house programs are used in conjunction with PLS-Pole to conform to the relevant standards.
Design Standards
All pole structure design is carried out in Australia to Australian, New Zealand and US standards.
| Item | Standard | Standard Title |
|---|---|---|
| Pole shafts Multi-sided tubular arms | ASCE/SEI 48 | Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures |
| Square hollow section arms | AS 4100 | Steel structures |
| Base plates & gussets | AS 4100 DL/T 5031 | Steel structures Technical regulation for design of steel transmission pole |
| Welds | ASCE/SEI 48 | Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures |
| Foundation bolt strength | AS 4100 ASCE/SEI 48 | Steel structures Design of Steel Transmission Pole Structures |
| Foundation bolt development length & bottom anchorage template | BS EN 50341-1 | Overhead electrical lines exceeding AC 1 kV. General requirements. Common specifications |