National Wood Pole

Standards

Nelson G. Bingel III – NESC Chairman

President
. (678) 850-1461
nbingel@nelsonresearch.net
1
 Benefits of Wood as a Utility Pole Material

• Long-Life Span
• ~45 years national average without remedial treatment

• Lowest cost
• Both initial and full life-cycle costs

• Proven Performance
• “Go to” overhead line construction material since the
early 1900’s

• Climb-ability
• Ability to service attachments without heavy equipment

2
 Benefits of Wood as a Utility Pole Material

• Supply Chain is Proven

• Even in natural disaster events where demand is high, the wood
pole industry has provided poles in required timeline.

• Beneficial Physical Properties

• Good insulator, resilience to wind and mechanical impacts

• Easy Maintenance and Modification in service

• “Green”
• a treated wood pole has a reduced environmental impact when
compared to other utility pole materials.
• A renewable and plentiful resource

“10 Features Often Overlooked About the Extraordinary Wood Pole.” North American Wood Pole Council. www.woodpoles.org

3
ANSI

American National Standards Institute

4 4
ANSI

American National Standards Institute

ANSI accredits the procedures of standards developing organizations

National consensus standards

Openness, balance, consensus and due process

5 5
ASC O5 Committee

American National Standards Institute

American Standards Committee O5

USERS

PRODUCERS

GENERAL INTEREST

6 6
National Wood Pole Standards

ASC O5 NESC
Accredited Standards
Committee O5:
Standards for Wood
Utility Structures

• Secretariat: AWPA

• Revised: 5 year cycle

• Founded in 1924

7 7
ASC O5 Standards http://asco5.org/standards/

Poles Glu-Lam Crossarms

O5.4 - 2009 Naturally Durable Hardwood Poles

O5.5 - 2010 Wood Ground Wire Moulding

O5.6 - 2010 Solid Sawn Naturally Durable Hardwood Crossarms & Braces

O5.TR.01-2004 Photographic Manual of Wood Pole Characteristics

8 8
http://asco5.org/

9 9
http://asco5.org/standards/

10 10
Scope
Simple Cantilever

Transverse

Single Pole

Groundline

11
Maximum Stress Point
Solid, Round, Tapered, Cantilever

Load
(Wind Force on Wires, Equip., etc.)

Max Stress @ 1.5 Diameter Load Point

Distribution Usually Groundline

12 12
ANSI O5.1 – Wood Poles

Wood
Quality

Class Fiber Pole

Loads Strength Dimensions

13 13
Wood Quality

• Allowable knots

14 14
Wood Quality

• Sweep

15 15
Wood Quality

• Growth Rings

16 16
Pole Marking & Code Letters

17 17
Pole Marking & Code Letters

18 18
Transverse Wind Loads

Ice

19 19
Class Loads
Horizontal
2 ft Class Load (lb)
Lc 10 370
9 740
7 1,200
6 1,500
5 1,900
4 2,400
3 3,000
2 3,700
1 4,500
H1 5,400
H2 6,400
H3 7,500
H4 8,700
H5 10,000
H6 11,400
20 20
Class Loads
Horizontal
2 ft Class Load (lb)
Lc 10 370
9 740 Telco
7 1,200
6 1,500
5 1,900
4 2,400
Distribution
3 3,000
2 3,700
1 4,500
H1 5,400
H2 6,400
H3 7,500 Transmission
H4 8,700
H5 10,000
H6 11,400
21 21
Strengths are Average Values

22 22
Pole Populations
P

Steel Poles
Wood Poles

23 23
Applied Bending Load

2 ft
Lc

Applied Bending Load =

Lc x D (ft-lb)
D Class 1 4,500 lb
Class 2 3,700 lb
Class 3 3,000 lb
Class 4 2,400 lb
Class 5 1,900 lb

24 24
L x D = Bending Moment (ft-lb)
50 ft Class 4

40 ft Class 4 2400 lb

2400 lb

41 ft

32 ft

76,800 ft-lb 98,400 ft-lb

25 25
 Fiber Strength

Lc

Bending Capacity =
k x fiber strength x C3 (ft-lb)

Tension Compression Fiber Strength

(psi) (psi)
26 26
Circumference3 Effect

MG/L = .000264 x Fiber Stress x Circumference 3

34”
26”

37,120 ft-lb
83,010 ft-lb

Circumference Increase - 30%

Bending Capacity Increase - 123%

27 27
Circumference3 Effect

MG/L = .000264 x Fiber Stress x Circumference 3

34”
26”
80-90%
Pole’s Bending Strength
In The Outer 2-3” Of Shell!
37,120 ft-lb
83,010 ft-lb

Circumference Increase - 30%

Bending Capacity Increase - 123%

28 28
Table 1 – Designated Fiber Strength

Group A
Air Seasoning

Group B
Boulton Drying

Group C
Steam Conditioning

Group D
Kiln Drying

29 29
Table 1 – Designated Fiber Strength

Southern Yellow Pine 8,000 psi

Douglas fir 8,000 psi

Western red cedar 6,000 psi

30 30
 Pole Species

Distribution:
Douglas fir
Distribution:
Southern Yellow Pine
Transmission
Douglas fir
Western red cedar
Transmission:
Douglas fir
Western red cedar
Southern Pine

31 31
Table 1 – Designated Fiber Strength

1) The effects of conditioning on fiber strength have been accounted for in the Table 1
values provided that conditioning was performed within the limits herein prescribed.

4) The designated fiber strength represents a mean, groundline, fiber strength value
with a coefficient of variation equal to 0.20.

32 32
Through-boring

33
Oregon State University
-Through-Boring Project-

34 34
35
36 36
Through-boring

37 37
 Table 1 – Designated Fiber Strength

1) The effects of conditioning on fiber strength have been accounted for in the Table 1
values provided that conditioning was performed within the limits herein prescribed.

4) The designated fiber strength represents a mean, groundline, fiber strength value
with a coefficient of variation equal to 0.20.

5) Where Douglas-fir (coastal or Interior North) are through-bored prior to treatment, to

account for the process, the designated fiber strength shall be reduced 5% to 7600 psi.

38 38
2017 Table 1 to add MOE

39
2017 Table 1 to add MOE

40
 2017 Table 1 to add MOE

1) The fiber strength and MOE values in Table 1 apply to wood utility poles meeting this
standard. The effects of conditioning on fiber strength and MOE have been accounted for
………….

7) The Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) represents a mean value.

41
Circumference Dimensions

6ft

G/L TIP

Bending Capacity =
k x fiber strength x C3 (ft-lb)

42 42
Circumference Dimension Tables

1) The figures in this column are not recommended embedment depths; rather,
these values are intended for use only when a definition of groundline is necessary
in order to apply requirements relating to scars, straightness, etc.

43 43
Annex B: Groundline Stresses

44 44
Annex B: Groundline Stresses

Minimum circumferences specified at 6 feet from the butt

Were calculated so each species in a given class

Can support the class horizontal load applied 2 ft from the tip

Applied Bending Load = Bending Capacity =

Lc x D (ft-lb) k x fiber strength x C3 (ft-lb)

45 45
Pole Dimension Table
Southern Pine and Douglas Fir

(in)

46
Pole Dimension Table
Applied Bending Load=
Southern Pine and Douglas
Class Fir
Load x Distance

2,400 lbs x 32 ft =
76,800 ft-lbs

(in)

47
Pole Dimension Table
Applied Bending Load=
Southern Pine and Douglas
Class Fir
Load x Distance

2,400 lbs x 32 ft =
76,800 ft-lbs

(in)

Bending Capacity =
k x fiber strength x C3

.000264 x 8000 x 33.53 =

79,401 ft-lbs

48
40 ft Class 4 Poles

2400 lb

Douglas fir Western Red Cedar

(8000 psi) (6000 psi)

33 1/2” 36 1/2”
49 49
Annex B: Groundline Stresses

Note 7

Average circumference tapers

in the groundline zone of a pole

50 50
 ANSI O5.1 Summary

2 ft
Lc

All Species
Same Length & Class
Similar Load Capacity

Bending
Capacity = k x fiber strength x C3 (ft-lb)
51 51
Fiber Strength Values

Forest Products Lab

1965 Publication

Fiber Strength
Derivation

52 52
FPL 39 Table 4
Final Adopted Fiber Strengths

53 53
FPL 39 Table 4
Final Adopted Fiber Strengths

Near 5% Lower Exclusion Limit

Of Actual Average Bending Strength
Of Three Pole Groups
For Grade B Construction

54 54
Annex C Data < 50 ft

55 55
Annex C Data – 50 ft +

56 56
Full Scale Break Tests

Douglas Fir Poles

16000
14000
12000 ASTM
MORGL (psi)

10000
8000 EPRI
6000
4000
Mean = 8380 psi
2000 L5 = 6401 psi Mean = 6630 psi
L5 = 4825 psi
0
15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85
Groundline Circumference (GC) (in)

57 57
Full Scale Break Tests

Douglas Fir Poles

16000
14000 No Change
12000 ASTM
to
MORGL (psi)

10000
8000
6000
Previous Fiber Strengths
EPRI

4000
Mean = 8380 psi
2000 L5 = 6401 psi Mean = 6630 psi
L5 = 4825 psi
0
15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85
Groundline Circumference (GC) (in)

58 58
Annex A
Fiber Stress Height Effect

59 59
Annex A
Fiber Stress Height Effect

Round timbers are known to

decrease in ultimate unit strength
with height above ground.

60 60
Actual Pole Dimensions
?
? ?
??
? ?
?? WA ?
?
? ? MT ME
ND
? OR MN
?
? ID
VT NH
? WI MI
SD
? NY MA
RI
WY CT
?
IA PA NJ
NE
NV OH
UT IL IN MCD DE
D
CA CO WV
KS MO VA
KY

NC
TN
AZ
NM
OK
AR ?
??SC
??
? GA
??
MS ? AL
??
??
TX
? LA ?
? Sample Locations
FL ? Coastal Douglas Fir (8)

? Coastal DF & Western Red (3)

? Northern Red Pine (3)
? Southern Yellow Pine (16)
? Western Red Cedar (5)

61 61
Pole Circumference Data

• Coastal Douglas fir 6,997 poles

9 Producers; 11 Locations

• Southern Yellow Pine 6,634 poles

11 Producers; 16 Locations

• Western Red Cedar 6,982 poles

5 Producers; 9 Locations

• Northern Red Pine 2,266 poles

2 Producers; 4 Locations
Grand Total 22,859 poles
62 62
Fiber Stress Height Effect (FSHE)

• Tips average 1.5 to 2 classes larger

• Poles 55 ft and shorter

• Maximum stress is usually at G/L
– FSHE not applied
• Maximum stress for guyed poles may be above G/L
– Oversize offsets fiber stress height effect

• Poles 60 ft and taller

• If maximum stress is at the G/L, no FSHE
• If maximum stress is above ground, tables for
reduction

63 63
ASC O5 Standards http://asco5.org/standards/

Poles Glu-Lam Crossarms

O5.4 - 2009 Naturally Durable Hardwood Poles

O5.5 - 2010 Wood Ground Wire Moulding

O5.6 - 2010 Solid Sawn Naturally Durable Hardwood Crossarms & Braces

O5.TR.01-2004 Photographic Manual of Wood Pole Characteristics

64 64
National Wood Pole Standards

ASC O5 NESC
Accredited Standards
Committee O5:
Standards for Wood
Utility Structures

• Secretariat: AWPA

• Revised: 5 year cycle

• Founded in 1924

65 65
National Overhead Line Standard

NESC
ANSI C2:

National Electrical
Safety Code

• Secretariat: IEEE
(Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers)

• Revised: 5 year cycle

• Established in 1915

66
 NESC Committee Structure

Main Chairman Vice Chair Secretary-IEEE

Committee 25 – 35 Members

Executive Chairman Secretary

Subcommittee 6 - 10 Members

Chairman Secretary
Technical
Subcommittees SC 1 – Coordination; Sections 1,2,3
SC 2 – Grounding
SC 3 – Substations
SC 4 – Overhead Lines – Clearances
SC 5 – Overhead Lines – Strength & Loading
SC 7 – Underground Lines
SC 8 – Work Rules

6767
Purpose of the NESC

68
 Purpose of the NESC

B. NESC rules contain the basic provisions, under

specified conditions, that are considered necessary for
the safeguarding of:
1. The Public
2. Utility workers (employees and contractors), and
3. Utility facilities
C. This code is not intended as a design specification or as
an instruction manual.

69
 NESC Committee Structure

Main Chairman Vice Chair Secretary-IEEE

Committee 25 – 35 Members

Executive Chairman Secretary

Subcommittee 6 - 10 Members

Chairman Secretary
Technical
Subcommittees SC 1 – Coordination; Sections 1,2,3
SC 2 – Grounding
SC 3 – Substations
SC 4 – Overhead Lines – Clearances
SC 5 – Overhead Lines – Strength & Loading
SC 7 – Underground Lines
SC 8 – Work Rules

7070
 Overhead Lines Subcommittee 5

Section 24 Section 25 Section 26

Grades of Construction Loading for Grade B&C Strength requirements

• Grades B, C & N • Load Factors • Strength Factors

(B is the highest)
• Rule 250B:
Combined ice and Wind
District loading

• Rule 250C:
Extreme wind Loading

• Rule 250D:
Extreme Ice with concurrent
wind loading

71
 Overhead Lines Subcommittee 5

Section 24 Section 25 Section 26

Grades of Construction Loading for Grade B&C Strength requirements

• Grades B, C & N • Load Factors • Strength Factors

(B is the highest)
• Rule 250B:
Combined ice and Wind
District loading

• Rule 250C:
Section 27
Insulators
Extreme wind Loading

• Rule 250D: • Electrical Strength

Extreme Ice with concurrent • Mechanical Strength
wind loading

72
 Section 24: Grades of Construction

• Grade B: (3.85 SF)

• Crossing Limited Access Highways
• Crossing Railways
• Crossing Navigable Waterways

• Grade C: (2.06 SF)

• All other standard construction

• Grade N: (Strength shall exceed expected loads)

• Mainly used for temporary and emergency construction

73 73
 Section 25 – Loadings for Grade B & C

TRANSVERSE
V
E
R
T
I
C
A
L

74 74
Transverse Loading Usually Governs

Wire with Ice

75
Calculating Transverse Loads

Wind Bending Loads On:

Wires
Ice
Pole
Equipment

Offset Bending Loads

Wire Tension
76
76
 Section 25: Loading for Grade B & C

• Rule 250B: District Loading

Combined Ice and Wind

• Rule 250C: Extreme Wind Loading

(60ft Exemption)

• Rule 250D: Extreme Ice

With Concurrent Wind Loading
(60ft Exemption)

77 77
 NESC District Loading
Winter Storm

½” Ice – 40 mph

¼” Ice – 40 mph

40 mph = 4 lbs/sqft
0” Ice – 60 mph
60 mph = 9 lbs/sqft

78

78
 Medium Loading District

40 mph

¼” Ice

79
 Wind Load Increase per Wire Sizes

0.75” 2x 1.50” 2x 3.00”

+100% +200%

Double wire diameter = Double the load

80 80
Wind Load Increase With 0.25” Radial Ice

0.75” 1.50” 3.00”

.25” Ice

1.25” 2.00” 3.50”

+67% +33% +17%

8181
 District Loads vs Wire Size
9

6
NESC-L
5
RELATIVE LOAD

No ICE
4 NESC-M
3
1/4” ICE
NESC-H
2 1/2” ICE
1

0
4ACSR 1/0 336 556
CONDUCTOR (SMALLEST TO LARGEST)

82 82
 Section 25: Loading for Grade B & C

• Rule 250B: District Loading Deterministic

Combined Ice and Wind

83 83
 Extreme Wind– Rule 250C
(60 ft. Exclusion)

Summer Storm

85 mph = 18.5 lbs/sqft

90 mph = 21 lbs/sqft
130 mph = 43 lbs/sqft
150 mph = 58 lbs/sqft
84 84
 Extreme Ice with Concurrent Wind –Rule 250D
(60 ft. Exclusion)

Winter Storm

Radial
Ice
0”
0.25”
0.5” Wind Speeds
0.75” 30 mph
1.0” 40 mph
50 mph
60 mph 85 85
 Section 25: Loading for Grade B & C

• Rule 250B: District Loading Deterministic

Combined Ice and Wind

• Rule 250C: Extreme Wind Loading Probabilistic

(60ft Exemption)

• Rule 250D: Extreme Ice Probabilistic

With Concurrent Wind Loading
(60ft Exemption)

86 86
 Section 25 Load Cases

• Rule 250 B - Combined Ice & Wind

– Light 0” Ice 60 mph
– Medium ¼” Ice 40 mph
– Heavy ½” Ice 40 mph
– Loads to be Factored

• Rule 250 C – Extreme Wind

– Poles Taller than 60 feet Above Ground
– Wind only (no ice)
– Ultimate Load with probability of occurrence

• Rule 250 D – Extreme Ice with Wind

– Poles Taller than 60 feet Above Ground
– Ice Thickness with Concurrent Wind
– Ultimate Load with probability of occurrence

87
 Load

Strength

Strength Load
Pole Strength x SF > Storm Load x LF (B)
Pole Strength x SF > Storm Load x LF (C)
Alternate Method
Pole Strength
> Storm Load x 4 (B)
Pole Strength > Storm Load x 2 (C)
88
Section 25: Table 253.1-Load Factors

Grade B Grade Cx Grade C

Vertical Loads 1.50 1.90 1.90

Rule 250B

Transverse Loads
(wind) 2.50 2.20 1.75

Longitudinal
Loads 1.10 No Req. No Req.
250C

Wind Loads 1.00 1.00 1.00

Ice and Wind

250D

loads
1.00 1.00 1.00

89
 Section 26: Strength Factors

Table 261-1 Grade B Grade C

Metal Structures 1.0 1.0

Rule 250B

Fiber Strength (ANSI)

Wood Structures 0.65 0.85 × Strength Factor (NESC)=
Allowable Stress of Pole
250C & 250D

Metal Structures 1.00 1.00

Wood Structures 0.75 0.75

90
90
 Load

Strength

Strength Load
Pole Strength x SF > Storm Load x LF (B)
Pole Strength x SF > Storm Load x LF (C)
Alternate Method
Pole Strength
> Storm Load x 4 (B)
Pole Strength > Storm Load x 2 (C)
91
 Load

Strength

Strength Load
Pole Strength x .65 > Storm Load x 2.5 (B)
Pole Strength x .85 > Storm Load x 1.75 (C)
Alternate Method
Pole Strength
> Storm Load
3.85 x 4 (B)
Pole Strength > Storm Load
2.06 x 2 (C)
92
 Section 24: Grades of Construction

• Grade B: (3.85 SF)

• Crossing Limited Access Highways
• Crossing Railways
• Crossing Navigable Waterways

• Grade C: (2.06 SF)

• All other standard construction

• Grade N: (Strength shall exceed expected loads)

• Mainly used for temporary and emergency construction

93 93
94
 900 lb

Equate the
Total Storm Load
to a
Single Horizontal Load
applied
2 feet from the tip.

95
Load < Strength

NESC ANSI O5.1

Grade B

900 lb Storm Load Class 1 4500 lb

x 3.85 (Grade B) Class 2 3700 lb
Class 3 3000 lb
= 3465 lb Class 4 2400 lb
Class 5 1900 lb

96
Load < Strength

NESC ANSI O5.1

Grade C

900 lb Storm Load Class 1 4500 lb

x 2.06 (Grade C) Class 2 3700 lb
Class 3 3000 lb
= 1854 lb Class 4 2400 lb
Class 5 1900 lb

97
 IEEE Online Courses – MOOC’s

MOOC #1 NESC Overview

MOOC #2 2017 Changes

http://standards.ieee.org/about/nesc/

98
 Technical Subcommittees

SC1 - Coordination between technical subcommittees

Sections 1, 2 and 3

 SC2 - Grounding Methods - Section 9

 SC3 - Electric Supply Stations - Sections 10-19

 SC4 - Overhead Lines - Clearances - Section 20-23

 SC5 - Overhead Lines - Strength and Loading

 Sections 24-27
 SC7 - Underground Lines - Sections 30-39

 SC8 - Work Rules - Sections 40-43

99
 Online Courses – MOOC’s

MOOC #1 NESC Overview

MOOC #2 2017 Changes

MOOC #3 Grounding Methods

MOOC #4 Electric Supply Stations

MOOC #5 Overhead Lines – Clearances and S&L

MOOC #6 Underground Lines

MOOC #7 Work Rules

10
100
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Released !!!!
• Mobile device or tablet
• iOS, Android, Windows

• Full printed document

• Enhanced features
– Instant access to formulas, equations
and calculations with context
– Quick look-up of terms
– Quick access to sections

http://standards.ieee.org/about/nesc/mobile_app.html
101
 NESC Mobile App

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Tables & Equations

102
 NESC Mobile App

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103
 National Wood Pole
Standards

Nelson G. Bingel III – NESC Chairman

President
. (678) 850-1461
nbingel@nelsonresearch.net
104