Failure assessment of deteriorated steel light poles

Abstract

Steel poles are extensively used as street light posts and various other applications within the power distribution network. For partially buried pole, the effect of corrosion below and at the ground level significantly controls the overall load capacity. In this study, number of in-service steel pole specimens extracted from field were assessed for the corrosion damage. The level of corrosion was estimated by remaining wall thickness measured using ultrasonic testing and the surface corrosion was estimated using 3D laser scanning to adopt an appropriate existing model for buried steel structures. A relationship between maximum and average corrosion pit depth and loss of embedment depth was then developed. Finally, the corrosion parameters, combined with uncertainty in loading and soil properties were employed to perform time-dependent reliability assessment for steel light poles which can be used to assist the asset maintenance team in planning the replacement or strengthening works for steel pole.

Keywords

• Failure assessment
• Deterioration
• Corrosion
• Power distribution structure
• Condition assessment
• Reliability