Pole Loading Program

(Transverse, Vertical, Guying & Buckling)

User's Guide

______________________________________________________________________________

Version 4.0
LineDesign Engineering
11/1/04
 Contents
Page numbers are not all correct in this DEMO version of the User's Guide, since
several pages have been deleted.
Introduction 3

Description of Tabs 4-7

Pole Data 7

Wire Data 8-9

Inputs, Drives & Folders ..... 10

Input Data Cell Reference List .... 11-16

Outputs & Saving Files .... 17-18

Items Modeled, Assumptions & Unknowns .... 19

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) ..... 20-21

Macro Descriptions 22-23

Wire Data Table 24

Equipment Data Table 25

Grades & Loading Districts 26

References 27

License Agreement 27

Contact Information 27

Examples 28-

Page numbers are not all correct in this DEMO version of the User's Guide, since
several pages have been deleted.

______________________________________________________________________________
-2-
Introduction

Purpose
The main purpose of the Pole Loading program is to compare the rated ground-line strength of a
pole to the applied loads acting on the pole. The strength of the pole and the applied loads are
adjusted by using the appropriate overload factors and strength factors, as specified in the
National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) or other specialized requirements such as GO95, etc.
The program will show if the pole is capable of supporting the applied loads by calculating the
moments (ft-lb's), percent loading, and stress values (psi). If the pole is not capable of
supporting the applied loads, then alternate designs must be modeled, such as increasing the class
of the pole, shortening span lengths, reducing conductor tensions, lowering attachment heights,
reducing the diameter of the cables, reducing unguyed angles, guying the pole, etc. These
alternate designs can be modeled within the program, until an acceptable result is obtained.

Transverse Loading
The limiting condition on most distribution and transmission wood poles is the transverse
loading. Transverse loading means wind blowing at a 90 degree angle to a pole line, producing a
moment at the ground-line of the pole. The transverse load calculation consists of wind blowing
on conductors & cables (with and without ice covering), wind blowing on the pole itself, and
wind blowing on other attached equipment. Also included in the calculation are other loadings
due to line angles, tension taps, and slack spans, cantilever (or eccentric) loading of imbalanced
conductors and equipment. This is the moment calculation that is made on the "calculation" tab
of the program. The results are also summarized on the "sum" tab of the program.

Vertical Loading
Vertical loading is rarely a limiting factor in pole loading, unless there is very heavy equipment
attached to the pole, or the pole has downguys with very short guy leads (distance from pole to
anchor). The "sum" tab displays a total stress value which includes the transverse loading
moments and also adds in any vertical loading on the pole. The vertical loading is usually a very
small component in the overall stress on a pole.

Ice and Wind

Whether the conductors need to have a radial thickness of ice build-up assumed, before the
application of wind, depends on the loading district requirements of your part of the country (see
the NESC, GO95 or other loading requirements). The wind speed required to be used in the
calculation also depends on your location.

Joint Use
The Pole Loading program is a very useful tool when dealing with joint-use pole contacts,
CATV/communication company make-ready work, adding additional conductors,
reconductoring, or checking your existing pole loading.

______________________________________________________________________________
-3-
Description of Tabs
The program consists of the following tabs (or sheets): Calculation, picture, other, guys, taps,
sum, guying, headguy, buckle, stress, deflect, all points, fixed pt. The tabs are selected at the
bottom of the screen.

Many users only utilize and print out the "calculation" and/or the sum tab. The additional tabs
cover more complex modeling (taps), guying calculations (guys, guying, headguy), mid-span
clearance and other information (other), or cover special calculations that were requested by
users and are sometimes required (buckle, stress, deflect, all points, fixed pt). Following the
calculation and sum tabs, the other most frequently used tabs are the "taps", "guying",
guys, and headguy tabs (if applicable). Each of these tabs and their use will be discussed
below.

The info at the top of each tab (map, pole, location, etc, is carried over automatically from what
is entered on the "calculation" tab.

Calculation
The "calculation" tab of the program is where the majority of the input data is entered for
common cases. The pole information, calculation loading criteria (NESC or GO95 grade of
construction, loading district, or other ice and wind loading conditions), and conductor
information are specified on this tab. The equivalent results from the taps and guys tab are
also displayed and used in the calculations on this tab. The transverse and cantilever moments
are calculated and displayed here.

Picture
The "picture" tab allows a digital picture to be inserted of the pole. This can be done manually,
or the use of the "Ctrl-J" macro can automate the process (see details in the macro description
section).

Other
The "other" tab is supplied for those who wish to record mid-span clearance and temperature
information for the wires, cables or equipment. It can also be used to enter any other information
you may want to record for later reference.

______________________________________________________________________________
-4-
Guys
This tab differs in functionality from the "guying" and headguy tab. The guys tab allows the
user to enter existing or proposed guy information to model their effect on pole loading
(transverse & vertical), and to see the guys ability to hold the transverse moments from the pole,
conductors, equipment, etc. The results of the forces due to these guy wires are transferred to
other tabs (calculation, sum, and buckle). Status indicators displayed on the calculation and
sum tab will indicate whether the guys are strong enough to hold the required load.

Please remember that the pole and guys cannot "share" load, per the NESC. Either the pole or
the guys must handle the entire load in the particular direction they are resisting. When guys
are used to meet strength requirements, they shall be considered as taking the entire load in the
direction in which they act, the structure acting as a strut only. See NESC Rule 261C2.

The forces from the "guys" tab are NOT included on the "guying" or headguy tab. In many
cases, most users will probably use either the "guys" tab or use the "guying" or headguy tab,
but not both methods. The guys tab was requested by users who prefer to use this method & to
be comparable to other pole loading programs. The guy wire status indicators (on the
calculation and sum tabs) only reflect guy information entered on the guys tab.

A suggested method for using this tab is to model your pole "as-is", then see if you need
additional guying (i.e., if the pole is over 100% loaded). If so, you can then use the "guying" tab
(or headguy tab if applicable) to see what guying is required. Then enter the required guying
on the "guys" tab, so the forces are reflected on the "calculation", "sum", and "buckle" tabs. The
default values used for the guy tensions on the "guys" tab are the rated strengths of the guys.
You may elect to type over these values with the actual values required to hold your loads,
obtained from the "guying" tab.

If you are concerned with buckling, then the use of this "guys" tab will be required, since the
vertical downguy forces are carried over to the "buckle" tab. The forces from the "guying" tab
however, are NOT carried over to the "buckle" tab, and are NOT included in any of the other
calculations, or other tabs. So when you are concerned with buckling of guyed structures, you
will need to use the "guys" tab.

Taps
The "taps" tab allows the user to model taps, slacks, service drops, or complex modeling not
available on the "calculation" tab. This tab is useful when modeling taps that are not
perpendicular to your main line (perpendicular taps can either be modeled on the calculation
tab, or on this tab). It is also used to model multiple taps at various angles (which may also have
various conductor sizes and/or tensions), or other complex modeling not easily modeled on the
calculation tab. The equivalent span lengths perpendicular to the wind direction and the
equivalent tensions parallel to the wind direction are returned to the calculation tab for use in
the transverse moments calculations.

______________________________________________________________________________
-5-
Sum
The "sum" tab summarizes the moments applied to the pole (as calculated on the "calculation"
tab), and also includes additional stresses due to the vertical loading components acting on the
pole. A breakdown of the moments and stresses for each load category is shown on this tab.

Guying
The "guying" tab allows the calculation of the required strength of downguys and anchors, if the
pole is not capable of supporting the applied loads by itself (i.e., if the pole is over 100% loaded).
In many cases, this "guying" tab will be the only guying calculations required (since in most
cases, buckling is not a concern). The Overload Factors (OF's) used in guying calculations are
based on the NESC or GO95 overload factors for guying. The OF's used to calculate the pole
loading may be different. For example, NESC table 253-1 OF's will be used for guying, even
when "alternate" table 253-2 OF's are used for pole loading (on the "calculation" and other tabs
relating to pole loading). The only OF's for guying specified by the NESC are the values in table
253-1. The guying OF's are listed in a table on the "guying" tab, and are automatically filled in
based on the loading Grade & District selected on the "calculation" tab. Also refer to the
description of the "guys" tab for additional information on guying.

Headyguy
The "headguy" tab allows the calculation of the required strength of headguys or spanguys, if the
pole is not capable of supporting the applied loads by itself (i.e., if the pole is over 100% loaded).
If the headguys or spanguys are attached to another pole (such as a guy stub pole), the required
strength of the downguys and anchors on that pole are also calculated on this tab. This tab uses
the same calculation methods as the guying tab. See the Overload Factor comments in the
description of the guying tab (above). Also refer to the description of the "guys" tab for
additional information on guying.

Buckle
The "buckle" tab allows the user to check for column buckling, using two different buckling
calculation methods. Values calculated elsewhere within the program are used along with a few
additional inputs selected on the "buckle" tab. These two methods use different calculations and
are not expected to produce equivalent results. At the present time, the first of these buckling
methods is the most widely used method.

______________________________________________________________________________
-6-
______________________________________________________________________________
- 30 -
 SAMPLE #1

Pole #25/764
3-Phase Line, with Unguyed Slack Span Tap
(at 90 degree angle)

31
 Transverse Pole Loading Calculations 88.8% 103.6%

map #: 764-- pole #: 25 location: Sample #1 - method 1 c:\company\project1\calc\

pole size class wood type 6' bot top groundline (circum) 7.5 (Ft.) pole setting depth pole rated moments*
55 3 sp 40.5 23 39.9643 (inches) Ansi O5.1 setting depth method 101,050 87,577
NESC Loading: (inches) (#/sq.ft,MPH) (wood) (pole) (wires) (tension) (vertical) pole wind moments**
Grade District ice wind S.F. OF(Pw) OF(Ww) OF(Wt) OF(vert) 20,319 8,575
Case 1 B Heavy (Ice & wind) 0.50 4.0 0.65 2.50 2.50 1.65 1.50 OK Guys Hold
Case 2 B Extreme (wind) 0.00 100.0 0.75 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Case 2 Case 1
Conductor information: attachment (transverse spans) (line angle) (90 deg. tap or deadend) Extreme Heavy
type or # of wire diameter height span #1 span #2 tension angle # of wire tension moments** moments**
company wires code (inches) (ft) (ft) (ft) (lbs.) (deg.) wires code (lbs.) (ft-lbs.) (ft-lbs.)

power 1 397 0.7240 47.5 164 153 3010 1 2/0 100 15,249 18,654
power 1 397 0.7240 44 164 153 3010 1 2/0 100 14,014 17,279
power 1 397 0.7240 40.5 164 153 3010 1 2/0 100 12,789 15,905
power 1 2/0 0.4470 36.5 164 153 2070 1 2/0 100 8,437 12,999
catv 1 d1 1.0000 33.2 164 153 0 9,604 8,770
catv 1 d1 1.0000 32.2 164 153 0 9,272 8,506

Taps & slacks

are to be entered
on the "Taps" tab
(equiv. results are
shown in this area)

Total cantilever (eccentric) loading from imbalanced conductors => 0 0

----------- Equipment wind loading: --------- Equip. cantilever loading:

quantity equip. diameter height area mount. ht. shape factor weight lever arm angle
(inches) (inches) (sq.ft.) (ft) 1.0=cyl, (lbs.) (inches) (deg.)
1.6=flat (wind direction = 90 deg.)
25 kva 16 36 31 1 400 12 90

Comments: Guy Wires (ft-lbs) => (176,465) (176,465)

(-) Total Moments** (ft-lbs) => 89,684 90,688
Method 1 (using the 90 deg. Tap or deadend area (-) Pole Status => OK Guys Hold
to enter the slack span) Pole Rated Moments* (ft-lbs) => 101,050 87,577
(-) Percent Loading => 88.8% 103.6%
Guy Wire Status => Guys Hold Guys Hold
(-) Total Stress** (psi) => 5,325 5,385
Rated Stress* (psi) => 6,000 5,200

Line direction = east-west * includes wood S.F. , ** includes O.F.'s , (-) without guys
32
9:27 PM 11/06/04
 Summary of Loadings
0
map #: 764-- pole #: 25 location: Sample #1 - method 1
pole size class wood type 6' bot top groundline (circum) 7.5 (Ft.) pole setting depth
55 3 sp 40.5 23 39.9643 (inches) Ansi O5.1 setting depth method
NESC Loading: (inches)#/sq.ft,MPH) (wood) (pole) (wires) (tension) (vertical)
Grade District ice wind S.F. OF(Pw) OF(Ww) OF(Wt) OF(vert)
Case 1 B Heavy (Ice & wind) 0.50 4.00 0.65 2.50 2.50 1.65 1.50
Case 2 B Extreme (wind) 0.00 100.00 0.75 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Moments, Weights & Stresses at Groundline (G.L.) of Pole

(includes NESC Overload Factors)

(case 2) (case 1) (case 2) (case 1) (case 2) (case 1) % Stress Distribution

ExtremeHeavy Extreme Heavy Extreme Heavy (case 2) (case 1)
moments moments weights weights stress stress Extreme Heavy
(Ft-Lbs) (Ft-Lbs) (Lbs.) (Lbs.) (psi) (psi) stress % stress %
transverse wind moment on pole 20,319 8,575 1,206 509 (23.7) (10.1)
transverse wind moment of conductors 69,365 82,113 4,119 4,876 (80.9) (97.2)
eccentric moment of conductors 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
transverse wind moment of equipment 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
eccentric moment of equipment 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
("guys" tab) transverse moment due to guys (176,465) (176,465) (10,478) (10,478) 205.8 208.9
vertical weight of pole above G.L. 1,599 2,398 13 19 (0.2) (0.4)
vertical weight of conductors 201 1,427 2 11 (0.0) (0.2)
vertical weight of equipment 0 0 0 0 0.0 0.0
("guys" tab) vertical down-force of guys 5,882 5,882 46 46 (0.9) (0.9)

TOTAL (86,782) (85,777) 7,681 9,707 (5,092) (5,017) TOTAL

Guy Wires (ft-lbs) => (176,465) (176,465) (10,478) (10,478) <= Stress due to guys transverse load (psi)
(-) Total Moments** (ft-lbs) => 89,684 90,688 5,386 5,461 <= (-) Total Stress** (psi)
(-) Pole Status => OK Guys Hold OK Guys Hold <= (-) Pole Status
Rated moment of pole at G.L.* => 101,050 87,577 6,000 5,200 <= Rated stress of pole at G.L.* (psi)
(-) Percent Loading => 88.8% 103.6% 89.8% 105.0% <= (-) Percent rated stress

Guy Wire Status => Guys Hold Guys Hold Guys Hold Guys Hold <= Guy Wire Status
(-) Total Stress** (psi) => 5,325 5,385
Rated Stress* (psi) => 6,000 5,200

*includes wood S.F. **includes O.F.'s (-) without guys

Buckling Calculation Summary

Case 1, Method 1 Case 1, Method 2

(%bpd 1) (%bpd 2) (L cr 1) (L cr 2)
% of critical buckling load => 202.96% 266.45% 195.46% 173.75% <= % of compression design value
ratio of Pcr to Total "equiv." wt. at H => 0.49 0.38

Buckling Status => Not OK Not OK Not OK Not OK

33
Sum 9:29 PM 11/6/2004
 Existing or Proposed Guy Information
0
map #: 764-- pole #: 25 location: Sample #1 - method 1
pole size class wood type 6' bot top groundline (circum) 7.5 (Ft.) pole setting depth

55 3 sp 40.5 23 39.964 (inches) Ansi O5.1 setting depth method

NESC Loading: (inches) sq.ft,MPH) (wood) (pole) (wires) (tension) (vertical)
Grade District ice wind S.F. OF(Pw) OF(Ww) OF(Wt) OF(vert)
Case 1 B Heavy (Ice & wind) 0.50 4.00 0.65 2.50 2.50 1.65 1.50
Case 2 B Extreme (wind) 0.00 100.00 0.75 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Existing or Proposed Guy Information

o
90
o o
135 45
B A

examples:
o o
180 0 A would be about 30 degrees
B would be about 150 degrees
C would be about -105 (or 255) degrees
o o
-135 -45
o
C -90
Wind direction at 90 degrees Wind direction at 90 degrees

Downguy modeling (assumes fully loaded guys)

wind direction
H L S* T* v
Guy information: Attachment Guy Guy Ultimate Allowed Allowed Vertical Horiz. Transverse Longitudinal Transverse
type or # of guy height Lead angle strength % of strength force force force force moments@GL
company guys code (ft) (ft) (deg.) (lbs.) Ultimate (lbs.) * (lbs.) * (lbs.) * (lbs.) * (lbs.) * (ft-lbs.) *

guy 1 a/w 8M 42.5 30 -90 8,000 90 7,2005,882 4,152 -4,152 0 -176,465

guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
guy 90 0 0 0 0 0
Total => 5,882 4,152 -4,152 0 -176,465

* adjusted by "allowed %"

(ultimate x allowed %)
Comments: Values are returned to appropriate tabs.

34 Guys 9:29 PM 11/6/2004

 Guying Calculations

map #: 764-- pole #: 25 location: Sample #1 - method 1

pole size class wood type 6' bot top groundline (circum) 7.5 (Ft.) pole setting depth Case 1
55 3 sp 40.5 23 39.9643 (inches) Ansi O5.1 setting depth method Grade: B
NESC Loading: (inches) sq.ft,MPH) OF's (pole) (wires) (tension) (vertical) Loading district: Heavy
Grade District ice wind for OF(Pw) OF(Ww) OF(Wt) OF(vert) * (T) (H) (L) * (S) * (S)
Case 1 B Heavy (Ice & wind) 0.50 4.00 guying => 2.50 2.50 1.65 1.50 * NESC OF's & SF's included
This tab uses the Overload factors for "guying", which may be different than OF's for "pole loading". total guy Anchor Guy guy
Conductor information: attachment (transverse spans) (Line Angle) (90 deg. Tap or Deadend) horizontal attach. guy required required cumm.
# of wire diameter height span #1 span #2 tension angle # of wire tension tension height lead strength strength required
company wires code (inches) (ft) (ft) (ft) (lbs.) (deg.) wires code (lbs.) (lbs.)* (ft.) (ft.) (lbs.)* (lbs.)* strength*
Force due to wind on pole => (default attachment ht. uses the "height of center of projected pole area") => 397 21.62 30 489 543 543
power 1 397 0.7240 47.5 164 153 3010 1 2/0 100 393 47.5 30 735 817 1,360
power 1 397 0.7240 44 164 153 3010 1 2/0 100 393 44 30 697 775 2,135
power 1 397 0.7240 40.5 164 153 3010 1 2/0 100 393 40.5 30 660 733 2,868
power 1 2/0 0.4470 36.5 164 153 2070 1 2/0 100 356 36.5 30 561 623 3,491
catv 1 d1 1.0000 33.2 164 153 264 33.2 30 394 438 3,929
catv 1 d1 1.0000 32.2 164 153 264 32.2 30 388 431 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360

----------- Equipment wind loading: --------- Equip. cantilever loading:

quantity equip. diameter height area mount. ht. shape factor weight lever arm angle
(inches) (inches) (sq.ft.) (ft) 1.0=cyl, (lbs.) (inches) (deg.)
1.6=flat (wind direction = 90 deg.)
25 kva 16 36 31 1 400 12 90 30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360
30 4,360

Comments: 2,459 3,924 4,360

(lbs.)* (lbs.)* (lbs.)*
Anchor Guy

* NESC OF's & SF's included

The NESC limits guy loading to 90% of ultimate.
Compare these values to rated values of equipment

35 Guying 9:31 PM 11/6/2004