The Forgotten Factors of Wood Pole Condition Assessment
Regular inspections of poles is a crucial part in properly maintaining networks Traditional methods of pole inspections have their limitations, and these need to be understood. New technologies will be the way forward in further improving network safety and resilience. Download the Whitepaper Here!
Traditional wood pole inspection methods—such as sound, dig, and drill—only assess part of the picture: the pole’s cross-sectional properties. These methods overlook a critical component of structural integrity: fiber strength. This oversight can lead to unnecessary pole replacements or, worse, the retention of dangerously weak poles.
This whitepaper challenges the status quo by highlighting the limitations of conventional testing and advocating for a more comprehensive approach. It explains how true pole strength is a function of both section modulus and fiber strength, and why relying solely on outdated design tables and shell thickness measurements is no longer sufficient.
With over 100 million wood poles supporting critical infrastructure in the U.S. alone, utilities need accurate, non-destructive testing methods. Enter THOR Poletest—a fast, reliable solution that evaluates both key metrics in under a minute. By integrating fiber strength into assessments, THOR enables smarter maintenance decisions, reduces unnecessary replacements by up to 30%, and enhances network resilience.
Isn’t it time to look at the whole pole?