( Reaffirmed 2001 )

Indian Standard
CONCRETE POLES FOR OVERHEAD POWER
AND TELECOMMUNICATION LINES -
METHODS OF TEST
( First Revision )

First Reprint JUNE 1993

UDC 621.315.668.3

0 BIS 1990

BUREAU OF INDIAN-STANDARDS
MANAK BHAVAN, 9 BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG
NEW DELHI 110002

July 1990 Price Cramp 3

cantrft mdeoncrete Sectional Committee, CED 2

FOREWORD

This Indian Standard ( First Revision ) was adopted by. the Bureau of Indian Standards on
21 December 1989, after the draft finalized by the Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee had
been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Council.

Apart from the requirements regarding design, materials, process of manufacture, dimensions,
&ape. workmanship, finish, etc, acceptability of a product is determined by the results of various
tests to evaluate the properties stipulated in the relevant specitlcations. This standard lays down
the procedure for testing of reinforced concrete as well as prestressed concrete po!es for street
lighting, overhead electric power transmission, traction and telecommunication lines.

In addition to the test specified in this standard, inspection of the process of manufacture and the
quality of the finished poles and other tests for the quality control of materials during manufacture,
shall becarried out in accordance with the requirements of relevant specifications.
This standard war first published in 1966. In this revision, the test for torsional strength has been
deleted since this test is not considered necessary for poles. In addition, the length of straight
rope required to apply the load on the pole has been modified and the provision regard-
ing tlxing of the pole in conformity with the type of f+ndation to be used has been deleted. The
figure illustrating the testing arrangement has also been modified in this revision.
The composition of the committee responsible for the preparation of this standard is given in
Annex A.
 IS 2905: l!m!a

Indian Standard
CONCRETEPOLES-FOROVERHEADPOWER
ANDTELECOMMUNICATIONLINES-
'METHODSOFTEST
(First Revision )
1 SCOPE 6 TRANSVERSE STRENGTH TEST

1.1 This standard covers methods of test for 6.1 General

concrete poles for street lighting, overhead
The pole may be tested in either horizontal or
electrical power transmission, traction, telephone vertical position. If tested in the horizontal
and telegraph lines, to evaluate the properties position, prpvision shall be made by suitable
stipulated in the relevant speciEcations. supports to compensate for the overhanging
mass of the pole. For this purpose, the over-
2 INSPECTION
hanging portion of the pole may be supported
2.1 The materials to be used, processes of manu- on a movable trolley or si-milar device. The
facture, and finished poles shall be open to frictional resistance of the supporting devices
inspection and approval by the purchaser. should be separately determined and deducted
from the Enal load applied on the pole
3 TESTING FACILITIES ( see 6.2.5 ).
3.1 Unless otherwise specified in the relevant 6.2 Test Equipment
specification or agreed to between the manufac-
turer and the purchaser, the purchaser or his 6.2.1 A schematic drawing of the test equipment
representative shall have, at all reasonable times, and full layout for conducting tests is shown in
free access to the place of manufacture of the Fig. 1. The butt of the pole shall be rigidly
poles For the purpose of examining, sampling clamped by concrete cribs or similar rigid device9
and testing the materials and for inspecting the in such a manner that the- clamped len’gtl
process of manufacture. of the pole shall be equal to the minimum depttl,
of planting specified in the relevant standards:
4’ GENERAL PRECAUTIONS The crib shall check all longitudinal and roti
4.1 Unless otherwise specified in the relevant tional motions of the clamped portion of the
speciEcation for the pole being tested, tests on pole.
poles shall not be carried out earlier than 28 days 6.2.1.1 The pole shall be fixed in the crib
after the date of manufacture for poles manufac- longitudinally from butt to its ground line and
tured from 33 grade ordinary Portland cement, then it shall be secured firmly in place, Wooden
Portland pozzolana cement or Portland slag saddles with concave surfaces and other pack-
cement and not earlier than 14 days after the ings shall be placed around the pole to prevent
date of manufacture for poles manufactured injury to the butt section.
from rapid-hardening Portland cement and 43
grade and 53 grade ordinary Portland cement. 6.2.2 To minimize vertical movement at the point
The test specimens shall not have been exposed of load application and to reduce the stress*
to a temperature below 4°C for 24 hours imme- due to dead mass of the pole, a suitable number
. diately preceding the test and shall be free from of frictionless supports in the form of trolIies
all visible moisture. The specimens shall be shalI be provided between the ground line and
inspected and any specimen with visible flaws the point of applicatioii of the load. Support
shall be discarded. shall be such that any friction associated with
the deflection bf pole under load. shall not be a
4.2 If any test specimen fails because of mecha- significant portion of tthe measured load on
nical reasons, such as, failure of testing equip- the pole.
ment or improper specimen preparation, it shall
be discarded and other specimen taken. 6.2.3 Loading
The load shall be applied at a point stipulated
5 SELECTION OF TEST SPECIMENS in the relevant Indian Sandard by means of a
5.1 In addition to the requirements specified in suitable device, such as, a wire rope t and win&
this standard, the number of test specimens and placed in a direction normal to the direction of,
the methods of their selection shall be in accor- the length. of the pole so that the minimum
dance with speciEcation for the type of pole length of the straight rope under pull is not less
being tested. than the length of the pole. If the loading

1
16 2905:1989

600 mm OR AS SPECIFIED
IN THE RELEVENT STANDARD

CH OR A SUITABLE
DMG DEVICE

STRAW POST ANCHOREQ

Ail dimensions in millimetres.

. FIG. 1 TYPICALARRANGEMENT
FORTESTINGOF CONCRETE
POLES

device is set sufficiently far away from the pole applied to the readings of the dynamometer or
to make the angle between the initial and final other load measuring devices.
positions of pulling line small, the error in
assuming that the pull is always perpendicular to 6.2.6 De$ection
the original direction of the pole axis will be
negligible. The pulling line shaII be kept level The deflection of the pole and the load applied
between the pulling device position and the point shall be measured simultaneously at different
where load.is applied to the pole. The load shall stages of loading to provide at least five *sets of
be applied at a constant rate of 4 percent of the readings. The measurement of deflection of the
specified test load per minute and in accordance load point shall be made in a direction per-
with 6.3.1. pendicular to the unloaded position of the pole
axis. The arrangement for measuring the
6.2.4 Pulling Line deflections is shown in Fig. 1. The measurements
shall be made correct to the nearest 5 mm by
The pulling line shall be secured around the pole the use of a measuring scale.
at the load point. Load measuring device shall
be placed in a way so as to accurately measure A datum line shall be established from which
the tension in the yufling line, the other end of the movement of the ground line, if any, shall
which is attached to the loading equipment. be measured.

6.2.5 Load Measurement 6.3 Procedure

Dynamometer or any other satisfactory method 6-3.1 Load shall be applied as mentioned
of load measurement capable of measuring load in 6.2.3 and shall be steadily and gradually in-
to the accuracy of 50 N may be adopted. The creased to the design value of the transverse load
dynamometer or other load measuring device at first crack. The deflection at this load shall be
shall be calibrated at’ regular intervals. The measured.
load measuring device shall be supported in Deflection at any other test load shall be med-
such a way that it should record only the load sured according to the requirement of the
applied to the pole and th.,t no damage is caused relevant specification for the pole being tested.
to the instrument if the i.ole suddenly breaks
under test. The fricticaal resistance of supporting The load shall then be reduced to zero and
devices and the rope line pulleys shall be sepa- increased gradually to a load equal to the first
rately determined and necessary corrections crack load plus 10 p&cent of the minimum

2
 IS 2905 : 1989

ultimate transverse load and held up for removal or reduction of the test load. Record-
2 minutes. This procedure shall be repeated ing .of loads and deflections shall be made ,
until the load reaches the value of 80 percent of according to the requirements specified in
the ultimate transverse load and thereafter in- relevant specification for the pole being tested.
creased by 5 percent of the ultimate transverse
load until failure occurs. Each time the load is 6.3.2.2 The load applied to the pole at the time
applied, it shall be held for 2 minutes. The of failure shall be measured to the nearert 50 N
load applied shall be measured to the nearest ( see 6.2.5 ).
50 N.

63.2 Recording nf Data and Measurement 7 MEASUREMENT OF COVER

6.3.2.1 Any hair cracks appearing at a stage 7.1 After completion of the transverse strength
prior to the application of design transverse test, the sample pole shall be taken and checked
load at first crack shall be‘measured using feeler for cover. The cover shall be measured to the
gauges and shall be recorded. It should also be nearest millimetre at three points, one within
recorded whether the hair cracks, if any, pro- 1’0 m of the butt end of the pole, the second
duced on application of 60 percent of the mini- within 0’6 m from the top and the third at any
mum ultimate transverse load close up on the intermediate point.

ANNEX A
( ReJ Foreword )
COMPOSITION OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee, BDC 2

Chairman Representing
tiDr H. C. Visvesvaraya . National Council for Cement and Building Materials,
New Delhi
Members
Shri K. P. Banerjee Larsen and Toubro Limited, Bombay
Shri Harish N. Malani ( Alternate )
Shri S..K. Banerjee National Test House, Calcutta
Chief Engineer (BD) Bhakra Beas Management Board, Nangal Township
Shri J.C. Basur ( Alternate-)
Chief Engineer ( Designs ) Central Public Works Department, New Delhi
Superintending Engineer ( S & S ) ( Alternate )
Chief Engineer ( Research-cum-Director ) Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab
Research Officer ( Concrete
Technology ) ( Afternate )
Director A P Engineering Research Laboratories, Hyderabad
Joint Director ( Alternate )
Director Central Soil and Materials Research Station, New Delhi
Chief Research Officer ( Alternate )
Director ( CtMDD-II ) Central Water Commission, New Delhi
Deputy Director ( C&MDD-II ) ( Alternate )
Shri V. K. Ghanekar Structural Engineering Research Centre ( CSIR ),
Ghaziabad
Shri S. Gopinath The India Cement Limited, Madras
Shri A. K. Gupta Hyderabad Industries Limited, Hyderabad
Shri J. Sen Gupta National Buildings Organization, New Delhi
Shri P. J. Jagus The Associated Cement Companies Ltd, Bombay
Dr A. K. Chatterjee ( Alternate )
Joint Director Standards (B&S)/CB-I Research, Designs and Standards Organization
( Ministry of Railways ), Lucknow
Joint Director Standards (B&S)/CB-II ( Alternate )
Shri N. G. Joshi Indian Hume Pipes Co Limited, Bombay
Shri R. L. Kapoor Roads Wing ( Ministry of Transport ), Department o
Surface Transport, New Delhi
Shri R. K. Saxena ( Alternate )

3
IS 2905 : 1989

Members Representing
Shri G. K. Majumdar Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation ( India )
Ltd, New Delhi
Shri P. N. Mehta Geological Survey of India, Calcutta
Shri S. K. Mathur ( Afternate )
Dr A. K. Mullick National Council for Cement and Building Materials,
New Delhi
Shri Nirmal Singh Development Commissioner for Cement Industry
( Ministry of Industry )
Shri S. S. Miglani ( Alternate )
Shri S. N. Pal M. N. Dastur and Company Private Limited, Calcutta
Shri Biman Dasgupta ( Ahernafe )
Shri R. C. Parate Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters
Lt-Co1 R. K. Singh ( Alfernare )
Shri H. S. Pasricha Hindustan Prefab Limited, New Delhi
Shri Y. R. Phull Indian Roads Congress, New Delhi ; and Central Road
Research Institute ( CSIR ), New Delhi
Shri S. S. Seehra ( AIfernate ) Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New Delhi
Dr Mohan Rai Central Building Research Institute ( CSIR ), Roorkee
Dr S. S. Rehsi ( Alrernute )
Shri A. V. Ramana Dalmia Cement ( Bharat ) Limited, New Delhi
Dr K. C. Narang ( Alternate )
Shri G. Ramdas Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals, New
Delhi
Dr M. Ramaiah Structural Engineering Research Centre ( CSIR ),
Madras
Dr A. G. Madhava Rao ( Alternate )
Shri A. U. Rijhsinghani Cement Corporation of India, New Delhi
Shri C. S. Sharma ( Alternate )
Secretary Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi
Shri K. R. Saxena ( Alternate )
Shri T. N. Subha Rao Gammon India Limited, Bombay
Shri S. A. Reddi ( Alternate )
Superintending Engineer ( Designs ) Public Works Department, Government ofTami1 Nadu
Executive Engineer ( SMD Division) ( AIIernate )
Shri L. Swlroop Orissa Cement Limited, New Delhi
Shri H. Bhattacharyya ( Ahernute )
Shri S. K. Guha Thakurta Gannon Dunkerley & Co Ltd, Bombay
Shri S. P. Sankarnarayanan ( Alternate )
Dr H. C. Visvesvaraya The Institution of Engineers ( India j, Calcutta
Shri D. C. Chaturvedi (Alternote )
Shri G. Raman, Director General, BIS ( Ex-o$cio Member )
Director ( Civ Engg )
Secretary
Shri N. C. Bandyopadhyay
Joint Director ( Civ Engg >, BIS
Concrete Poles Subcommittee, CED 2 : 12
Convener
Dr N. Raghavendra National Council for Cement and Building Materials,
New Delhi
Members
Shri J. L. Bandyopadhyay Indian Posts and Telegraph’Department, Jabalpur
Shri V. V. Surya Rao ( Alternate )
Shri S. N. Basu Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals, New
Delhi
Shri S. M. Munjal ( Alternate )
Shri R. S. Bhatia Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala
Shri S. K.. Sharma ( Alternate )
Shri P. C. Chatterjee Orissa Cement Ltd, Rajgangpur
Shri U. N. Rath ( AIternafe )

4
 IS 2905 : 1989

Members Representing
Director ( RE ) Central Electricity Authority, Rural Electrification
Directorate, New Delhi
Deputy Director ( RE ) ( Alternate )
Shri G. L. Dua Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd, New Delhi
Shri P. D. Gaikwad ( Alternate )
Joint Director Standards (B&S) CB-II Research, Designs and Standards Organization,
Lucknow
Deputy Director (Civil II) ( Alternate )
Shri N. G. Joshi The Indian Hume Pipe Co Ltd, Bombay
Shri.S. K. Naithani Engineer-in-Chief’s Branch, Army Headquarters,
New Delhi
Shri Subhash Garg ( Alternate )
Shri H. S. Pasricha Hindustan Prefab Ltd, New Delhi
Sbri A. K. Chadha ( Alternate )
Dr C. Rajkumar National Council for Cement and Building Materials,
New Delhi
Shri R. Sampat Kumaram Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking, New Delhi
Shri kamesh Chander ( Alternate )
Shri A. V. Talati The Steel Pipe & Fabrication Works, Vadodara
Shri H. C. Shah ( Alterna?e )
Shri T. G. Tepan Maharashtra State Electricity Board, Bombay
Shri R. B. Joshi ( AIzernate )
Shri S. Theagarajan Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Madras
Shri Lakshminarasimhan ( Alternate )
Prof P. C. Varghese The Concrete Products and Construction Co,
Poonamallee (TN)
Shri K. George ( Alternate )
Dr B, Venkateswarlu Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR),
Madras
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