Ovalization analysis of fiber-reinforced plastic poles

The nonlinear ovalization behavior of tapered fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP ) poles subject to a bending load is presented in this paper. The finite el ement method was used to perform the ovalization analysis. A parametric stu dy on 6 m FRP poles was carried out to show the effect of the change of wal l thickness and fiber angle on the ovalization behavior. It was shown that the influence of ovalization on the load carrying capacity of FRP poles is very significant and must be taken into account in designing such poles. Ba sed on the finite element results for the critical load, a design model was developed for FRP poles which accounts for the ovalization effect. This mo del which may be included in the design criteria of FRP poles is also prese nted in this paper. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.