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Finite element analyses of wood laminated composite poles

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Finite element analyses using ANSYS were conducted on orthotropic, polygonal, wood laminated composite poles subjected to a body force and a concentrated load at the free end. Deflections and stress distributions of small-scale and full-size composite poles were analyzed and compared to the results obtained in an experimental study. The predicted deflection for both small-scale and full-size composite poles agreed well with the experimental measurement. Maximum stress of a cantilever pole was in parabolic areas of the top and bottom skins near the ground line. The finite element model underestimated the deflection of full-size composite poles over a variable length from the ground line of the poles, depending on the loading levels. At a higher loading level, the finite element model might overestimate the deflection close to the free end of the full-size composite poles.

Keywords

Composite poles, deflection, finite element analysis, stress, utility poles

Citation

Piao, Cheng; Shupe, Todd F.; Tang, R.C.; Hse, Chung Y. 2005. Finite element analyses of wood laminated composite poles. Wood and fiber science. Vol. 37, no. 3 (2005): Pages 535-541
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/20952