Testing Overview (USA)

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR LIFE ®

A

CE AWARD WINNER

MO

ST CREATIV E APPLICATION

2005

COMPOSITESEXCELLENCE

AWARDS FOR

RS Technologies

info@grouprsi.com+1 877 219 8002+1 403 219 8000+1 403 219 8001

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2421 – 37th Avenue NE, Suite 400Calgary, AB T2E 6Y7

www.RStandard.com

1. Bending Tests -1.1HorizontalBendingTests....................................................................................................................... 2

2. Structural Tests -2.1PoleWallLoadingTests......................................................................................................................... 4 -2.2UVandWeatheringTests.................................................................................................................... 5

3. Electrical Tests -3.160HzVoltageDryFlashoverandWithstandTests.................................................................... 6 -3.260HzVoltageWetFlashoverandWithstandTests.................................................................. 6 -3.3LeakageCurrentMeasurements....................................................................................................... 7 -3.4DielectricTestsBeforeandAfterHumidityExposure.............................................................. 7 -3.560HzVoltagePunctureTests............................................................................................................ 7 -3.6FaultCurrentWithstandTests........................................................................................................... 7 -3.7ContaminationTests.............................................................................................................................. 8

4. Polyurethane Resin Tests -4.1VersionResinMaterialPropertiesandCharacteristics •4.1.1PolyurethaneResinMaterialPropertiesandCharacteristics............................. 9 •4.1.2PolyurethaneResinToughnessEvaluation.............................................................. 9 •4.1.3PolyurethaneResinImpactProperties..................................................................... 9 •4.1.4IzodImpactTest................................................................................................................ 9 •4.1.5UnnotchedImpactTest................................................................................................... 9 •4.1.6WaterAbsorptionTest.................................................................................................... 10 •4.1.7InterlaminarShearTest................................................................................................... 10 •4.1.8SpecificGravity.................................................................................................................. 10 •4.1.9IgnitionLossTest.............................................................................................................. 10 •4.1.10CoefficientofLinearThermalExpansion............................................................... 10 •4.1.11GlassTransitionTemperature...................................................................................... 10 •4.1.12SpecificHeat...................................................................................................................... 10 •4.1.13TensileFatigueTest......................................................................................................... 10 •4.1.14CreepTest........................................................................................................................... 11 -4.2VersionResinToughnessEvaluation............................................................................................... 11 -4.3VersionResinImpactProperties....................................................................................................... 11

5. Miscellaneous Tests -5.1PoleStepStaticLoadTest.................................................................................................................... 12 -5.2PoleStepDynamicLoadDropTests............................................................................................... 13 -5.3WindBlownSandTests........................................................................................................................ 16 -5.4FastMovingBrushFireTest............................................................................................................... 17

TestingOverview

Table of Contents

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1. Bending Tests

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1.1 Horizontal Bending Tests

Overview

ToevaluatethestrengthandbehaviorofRStandard®polesunderflexuralloading,RSperformsfull-scaledestructivetestingontheentirerangeofpolesizes.ThistestingwasoriginallyperformedbyEDMInternationalInc.(EDM)–arecognizedindustryleaderinthetestingandresearchofutilityproducts.Afterdevelopinganapprovedin-housetestingfacility,whichwasdesignedandconstructedtoEDM’sspecifications,horizontalbendingtestsarenowperformedatourtestfacilityinCalgary,Alberta,Canada(SeeFigure1fortestset-up).ThetestsetupandtestmethodisbasedontheASTMteststandard,ASTMD1036–StandardTestMethodsofStaticTestsofWoodPoles.Basedonthedatafromeachtest,RScandeterminepoleloadinganddeflectionlevelsthroughoutthebendingtest,uptoandincludingthepointoffailureifthetestwastakentodestruction.

Procedure

Apoleissecuredatthebaseandthegroundlinelocation,andahorizontalloadisappliedat2ft.[61cm]fromthepoletopuntilthedesiredloadordeflectionlevelisachieved,oruntilfailure.Eachtestbeginswithassemblingapoleinthetestingyard.Thepoleisassembledmodule-by-moduleusingcome-alongs,andthejointsaredrilledandboltedastheywouldbeinafieldinstallation.

Next,eitherabaseplateorwoodenbraceisinstalledinthebuttofthebasemoduletosimulatetheconstraintofthegroundduringembedment.Usingforklifts,thebaseofthepoleisthenloadedintothehorizontaltestframe.Topreventthepolefromsagging,thetipisstrappedintoawheeledsteelcartplacedtwo-thirdsofthewayupthepolefromthebase.

Figure 1: Horizontal bending test equipment

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Oncethepoleisloadedintothetestframe,itissecuredtotheframewithopposingstraps.Onestrapis

attachedatthebase,andthesecondisattachedtosimulatethegroundlinelocation.Thesestrapssecure

thepoleinthetestframetosimulatedirectembedmentconditions.Afterthepoleisstrappedintothetest

frame,measurementsaretakentodocumentwheretheloadwillbeappliedandwherethedeflectionwillbe

measured.SeeFigure2forpoleset-upprocedures.

Tomeasuredeflectionduringthetest,positiontransducers(deflectionsensors)areattachedatthetip,

groundlinelocationandbaseofthepole.Forthepurposeofthetest,thebaseofthepoleisassumedto

berigid.Thegroundlineandbasepositiontransducersprovidedataonhowmuchthebaseofthepole

shiftsinthetestframe(duetomovementinthetestfixtures,stretchinthestraps,etc).Thisdataallows

thetipdeflectiontobecorrected.

A12,000lb.[5,442kg]capacitywinchisthenconnectedtothepoleattheloadpoint2ft.4in.[61cm]

belowthenominaltip.Aloadcellin-linewiththewinchcablemeasurestheforcebeingappliedtothe

pole.Theloadcellandallthreepositiontransducersareintegratedintoadataacquisitionsystemwhich

recordsreal-timedatafromthesesensors.

Afterasafetycheckandwalk-aroundtoverifypropertestsetup,allbystandersareclearedfromthe

areaexceptfortestingpersonnelresponsibleforoperatingthedataacquisitionequipmentandthe

winchcontrols.Oncethetestingpersonnelarereadytobegin,aflashingstrobelightandsirenare

turnedontoalertpeopleoftesting-in-progress.Thewinchisswitchedonandthepoleistested.After

thetestiscomplete,thepoleisremovedfromthetestcellandtheload-deflectiondataisprocessed.

Figure 2: Setting up the pole

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2.1 Pole Wall Loading Tests

Overview

AsFRPpolesbehavedifferentlythantheirwood,concreteandsteelcounterparts,guidelineshavebeendevelopedregardinghardwareattachments.RShascompletedanextensiveseriesofteststohelpdeterminethestrengthoftheRStandard®polewallunderavarietyofdifferentloadingscenarios.ThesetestswereperformedbyIntecinSeattle,WA–acompanythatspecializesintestingadvancedcompositematerialsandstructures.ThedatafromthistestinghasbeenusedtodevelopcomprehensiveguidelinesregardingtheapplicationofhardwareonRStandardpoles.

Procedure

Thistestingconsistedofsettingupavarietyofboltedhardwareconnectionsandtestingthemtofailure.Thiswasaccomplishedbysecuringpolesectionstoaloadframeandusinghydraulicactuatorstoapplyvariousloadcasestothecompositepolewall.Thistestingyieldedinformationaboutboltsizing,boltspacing,properloadpaths,bearingstrengthofholes,sizingandattachmentofloadspreaderplatesandwaystofield-modifyexistingconnectionstogainextrasafety.Figure11illustratesthetestset-up.

Figure 11: Pole wall loading test set-up

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2.0 Structural Tests

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2.2 UV and Weathering Tests

Overview

Overtime,unprotectedcompositeutilitypolescanbepronetoUVdegradationandweatheringeffects.Aromatic,non-UVstableresinsaretheprimaryresinusedtobindfiberstogetherincompositepoles.Discoloration,fiberbloomingandpotentialstructuraldegradationofthepolecanresultifaromaticresinisleftexposedandunprotected.

Tocombattheseeffects,RStandard®compositeutilitypolesoutermostlayersconsistofaliphaticformulatedpolyurethaneresin(i.e.solvent-freeisocyanate).ThisprovidestheexposedlayersofthepolewithsuperiorUV-stabilityandweatherresistantcharacteristics.Unlikeothercompositeutilitypoleswhichutilizeveilsorcoatings,thisouter-layerofaliphaticresinischemicallybonded(i.e.,cross-linked)withtheunderlyingaromaticpolyurethaneresin,anintegralpartofthepolewallandcannotbescratchedorflakedoff.

Todeterminethelong-termdurabilityandperformanceofthisprotectiveouterlayerofaliphaticresin,RShasundertakenalong-termchamberstudytosimulateUVexposure,moistureandhightemperatureeffects.RStandardsampleshavebeensubjectedto14,000hoursofacceleratedUV/weatheringexposurebyQ-LabWeatheringResearchService(Q-labs)inFlorida,USAinaccordancewithASTMStandardG154Cycle1.ThisexposuresimulatesshortwavelengthUVrays,whichistheformofUVthattypicallycausespolymerdegradationsuchasglossloss,strengthloss,yellowing,cracking,crazingandembrittlement.ThistestingalsoinvolvedauniquecondensationmechanismusedbyQ-Labstoreproducemoistureandsimulateoutdoorconditions.

AftercertainintervalsofacceleratedUVexposure,sampleswerevisuallyinspectedbyQ-LabsandsenttoRSforstructuraltesting.

Procedure

Sampleswerepreparedas1ft.x0.5ft.[0.35mx0.15m]sectionscutfromatypicalRStandardpolewallcross-section.Thesizeofthesampleswerecalculatedinordertoobtainanaverageoffourtestablespecimensforflexuralstrength,flexuralmodulusandinterlaminarshearstrengthaccordingtotheASTMStandardD790[6]andASTMD2344[7],respectively.Thetestspecimenswerecutfromtheexposedblock1in.[2.5cm]awayfromtheedgesnottohavetheedgeeffectontheresults.

AtQ-Labs,sampleswereexposedtoacceleratedUVlightusingUVA340nmlamps,equivalentto0.77W/m2[v1.0calibration],8hUVlight@140ºF[60ºC]and4hcondensation@122ºF[50ºC].TodateQ-Labshasprovidedvisualobservationreportsonsamplesinthefollowinghoursofexposure:500h,1,000h,2,000h,4,000h,6,000h,8,000,10,000h,12,000hand14,000h.

Asthesamplesarrivedaftereachdesignatedexposuretime,mechanicaltestswereperformedontheweatheredandUVexposedsamplesattheRStestlab.TheincludedASTMD2344flexuraltestingandASTMD2344interlaminarsheartesting.

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3. Electrical Tests

Overview

RShasundertakenavarietyofelectricaltestsonRStandard®polesthroughKinectrics–anindependenttestlaboratorylocatedinToronto,Ontario,Canadaspecializingintestingproceduresfortheutilityindustry.Thegoalofthesetestswastodeterminethedielectricandinsulatingpropertiesof

RStandardpolesinvariouselectricalexposuresituations.

3.1 60 Hz Voltage Dry Flashover and Withstand TestsThedryflashoverandwithstandtestswereperformedusingclauses4.2and4.4ofANSIC29.1asaguide.Thedrywithstandvoltageofthepolewasinitiallysettobe97%ofthedryflashovervoltagevalueandverifiedthroughtesting.Thedurationofthewithstandtestswasoneminute.Thetestwasrepeatedatalowerleveltoseeifaflashoveroccurredattheprevioustrialvoltage.Thetestindicated

thatunderdryconditions,RStandardpolesareagoodinsulator(SeeFigure12).

3.2 60 Hz Voltage Wet Flashover and Withstand TestsThewetflashoverandwithstandtestsinvolvedmountingRStandardpolesectionsinvertical,45degreeandhorizontalorientations.Thesamplesperformedinaccordancewithclauses4.3and4.5ofANSIC29.1witha1mm/minute[2.36in./hour]precipitationrateperclause9.1ofIECstandard60060-1(SeeFigure13).

Figure 12: 60 Hz Voltage Dry Flashover and Withstand Test

Figure 13: 60 Hz Voltage Wet Flashover and Withstand Test

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3.3 Leakage Current MeasurementsRStandard®polesmetandexceededtheleakagecurrentrequirementsofanapproved“hotstick”orinsulatedboom.ThemaximumleakagecurrentonanRSpolesectionwas54uAatavoltageof240kV

(SeeFigure14).

3.4 Dielectric Test Before and After Humidity ExposureBeforehumidityexposure,theRStandardsampleswereinitiallymeasuredformaximumleakagecurrentof50kVforoneminute.After168hoursofhumidityexposure,thesampleswereretested.Theresultsrevealednoflashovers,puncturesorvisualsignsoftracking(SeeFigure15).

3.5 60 Hz Voltage Puncture TestsThreetestswereconductedtoassessthedielectricpuncturestrengthofRStandardpolesusingpuncturevoltagelevelsof240kVand250kV.Theresultwasanaveragedielectricpuncturestrengthofapproximately774kV/in.[30kV/mm]ofwallthickness,basedonawallthicknessof0.32in.[8mm](SeeFigure16).

3.6 Fault Current Withstand TestsAseriesoftestswereperformedon#4and#2/0copperwires.Faultcurrentsof3.0kAto27.3kAwereappliedwithfaultdurationsvaryingfrom1/20secondsto4.5seconds.Additionally,conductortemperaturesof1,981°F[1,083°C]wereused.Undertheworstcasesustainedfaultcurrentthepolesurfaceexperiencedlimitedcharring,withnoapparentstructuraldamage(SeeFigure17).

Figure 14: Leakeage Current Measurements Test Figure 15: Dielectric Test

Figure 16: 60 Hz Voltage Puncture Test Figure 17: Fault Current Withstand Test

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3.7 Contamination TestsRStandard®wallsamplesweresubjectedtocontaminationlevelsupto240ug/cm2tosimulatecontaminationonaporcelaininsulator.Amixtureofsaltwaterandfineclaywasusedtoasthecontaminationmedia,whichdidnotadherewelltothepolewallduetothepole’sexcellenthydrophobiccharacteristics.Thetestshowedatleastthesameinsulationstrengthasporcelaininsulatorsunderthesameveryheavycontamination(SeeFigure18).

Summary of Key Findings Attained From Electric Tests: • Underthestandard“hotstick”test,RStandardpolesectionsaregoodorbetterthanahotstick orinsulatedboom;

• RStandardpoleshaveahighdielectricpuncturestrengthofapproximately774kV/in.[30kV/mm] ofwallthickness;

• Thepolesurfaceisveryhydrophobic,makingitdifficultforcontaminationstostick;and

• Intheeventahighfaultcurrenttravelsdownacoppergroundwire,thepolesurfacewill experiencenoadversestructuraleffects.

Figure 18: Contamination Test Surface and Chamber

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4. Polyurethane Resin Tests

RStandard®polesaremanufacturedwithapolyurethaneresindevelopedbyRSTechnologies.Tounderstandthecapabilitiesofthepolyurethaneresin,RShasconductednumerousteststhroughtheAlbertaResearchCouncil,anindependentresearchtestinggroupbasedoutofEdmonton,Alberta,Canada.

4.1 Polyurethane Material Properties and Characteristics

Overview

AvarietyoftestswereperformedontheRSpolyurethaneresintoevaluateitsmaterialpropertiesandcharacteristics.ThesetestshavebeenusedtobetterunderstandthecapabilitiesoftheresinsystemusedinRStandardpoles.

Procedures

TodeterminethematerialpropertiesandcharacteristicsoftheRSpolyurethaneresin,thefollowingtestswereperformed:

4.1.1 Tensile TestThetensiletestwasconductedinaccordancewithASTMD3039.Thistestreportsthetensilestrengthandmodulus(stiffness)ofacompositematerialwithalignedfibersorientedinonedirection.

4.1.2 Flexural TestTheflexuralorbendingtestwasconductedinaccordancewithASTMD790,wherearectangularbeamofmaterialisendsupportedandloadedatitscenter.

4.1.3 Compression TestThecompressiontestwasconductedinaccordancewithASTMD695andBoeingSpecificationSupportStandardBSS7260.Tabbedtestspecimenswerepreparedforboththelongitudinaland

transversedirections.

4.1.4 Izod Impact TestTheIzodimpacttestwasconductedinaccordancewithASTMD256.Specimenswerepreparedforboththelongitudinalandtransversedirections.Theimpacttestspecimenswerenotched,usinganaircooledmillingmachine.Thenotchingprovidedthespecimenwithadamagesiteforcrackingcausedbyimpact,soitisfeltbysometobeamorerepresentativetestforratingtheimpactpropertiesofarealmaterial.

4.1.5 Un-notched Impact TestTheun-notchedimpacttestwasconductedinaccordancewithASTMD4812.Thisisaclean,polishedspecimenwithnoobviousplaceforanimpact-generatedcracktostart.Specimenswerepreparedforboththelongitudinalandtransversedirections.

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4.1.6 Water Absorption Test

ThewaterabsorptiontestwasconductedinaccordancewithASTMD570-98.Six3in.x1in.[7.6cmx2.5cm]testspecimenswereobtainedfromeachsamplematerialandwereevaluatedinaccordancewith:(a)24hourimmersionatambienttemperatures,(b)Long-termimmersionatambienttemperatures,and(c)Immersionat122°F[50°C].

4.1.7 Interlaminar Shear Test

TheinterlaminarsheartestwasconductedinaccordancewithASTMD2344.Specimenswerepreparedforboththelongitudinalandtransversedirections.Thetestisconductedonaveryshortendsupportedbeamwithabendingforceappliedtoitscenter.Shearbetweenthelaminaofthe

compositedominates,generatinginterlaminarshearstresses.

4.1.8 Specific Gravity

SpecificgravitydeterminationswereperformedinaccordancewithASTMD792–TestMethodA.

Thespecificgravityisamethodofstatingthedensityofthematerial.

4.1.9 Ignition Loss Test

Ignitionlossgeneratestheamountoffiberinacompositesampleonaweightpercentagebasis.TheignitionlosstestswereperformedasperASTMD2584-02.Eachsamplewastestedintriplicate,withtheaverageresultbeingreportedastheignitionloss(glasscontent).

4.1.10 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion

Thecoefficientofthermalexpansionishowmuchamaterialexpandsforadegreeoftemperaturerise.ThemethodusedfordeterminingthecoefficientoflinearthermalexpansionwasASTME831-00.Theexpansioncoefficientwasmeasuredforeachdirection(length,width,andthickness).Theexpansion

coefficientswerecalculatedforthetemperaturerangeof32°F[0°C]to392°F[200°C].Theinstrument

usedforthedeterminationswasaTAInstrumentsTMA2940thermomechanicalanalyzer.Theanalyseswere

performedatasampleheatingrateof41°F/minute[5°C/minute]from-22°Fto401°F[-30°Cto205°C].

4.1.11 Glass Transition Temperature

Theglasstransitiontemperatureisthetemperatureatwhichthematerialundergoesamoleculararrangementchange.Itshowsupasaslightchangeindensity,modulus,andthermalexpansion.GlasstransitiontemperaturedeterminationswereperformedinaccordancewithASTME1640-94.TheinstrumentusedforthedeterminationswasaTAInstrumentsDMA983dynamicmechanicalanalyzer.Sampleswererunfromambienttemperatureto257°F[125°C].

4.1.12 Specific Heat

ThespecificheatistheamountofheatperunitofmassrequiredtoraisethetemperaturebyonedegreeCelsius.ThespecificheatwasmeasuredinaccordancewithASTME1269usingthedifferential

scanningcalorimeter(DSC).Thespecificheatvaluesareusedtocalculatethethermalconductivity.

4.1.13 Tensile Fatigue Test

ThetensilefatiguetestsareperformedinaccordancewithASTMD3479.Thespecimensaresubjectedtotension-tensioncyclicloadingwithupperrangevaryingfrom40-90%andalowerrangeof10%.Thenumberofcyclestofailureisrecorded.Thefrequencyoftheloadingrangesfrom2-4Hzdependingontheloadingrange.

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4.1.14 Creep Test

ThecreeptestisaflexuralcreepandwasperformedinaccordancewithASTMD2990.Theflexuralcouponsareendsupportedandloadedinthemiddlewithloadsthatcorrespondtoapercentageofthefailurestress.Therangeofloadshavebeenfrom90%to45%offailurestress.Thetimetofailureisrecorded,ifthespecimendoesnotfailthetestisterminatedafteraminimumof3,600hours.

4.2 Polyurethane Resin Toughness Evaluation

Overview

AvarietyofmechanicaltestshavebeenperformedontheRSpolyurethaneresintodetermineitstoughness.Thistestingwasperformedonthepolyurethaneresinandanalternativeiso-polyesterbasedresintocomparethetoughnessofeachresinsystem.ThiscomparisonisrelevantforanalyzingtheperformanceofRStandard®poles,whichutilizeapolyurethanesystem,becausepolyester-based

resinsarecommonlyusedinothercompositeutilitypolesonthemarket.

Procedures

Fivemechanicaltestswereusedtoevaluatetoughness:

(a) TensiletestbasedonASTMD638M;

(b) IzodimpacttestbasedonASTMD256;

(c) Fallingweightimpacttestatspeedsof4.92ft./sec[1.5m/sec],9.84ft./sec[3m/sec]and16.4ft./sec[5m/sec],usingInstronDynatup8250H;

(d)ModeIdoublecantileverbeam(DCB)testbasedonASTMD5529-94a;and

(e) ModeIIend-notch-flexure(ENF)testbasedonEuropeanStructuralIntegritySociety(ESIS) protocolspublishedin1993.

TheresultsshowthattheRSpolyurethaneresinistougherthantraditionaliso-polyesterbasedresin,especiallyindelaminationresistanceunderimpactloading.

4.3 Polyurethane Resin Impact Properties

Overview

AvarietyofmechanicaltestshavebeenperformedontheRSpolyurethaneresintodetermineitsimpactproperties.Thistestingwasperformedonthepolyurethaneresin,apolyesterresin,avinylesterresinandepoxy.Duetocostlimitations,polyurethaneandpolyesterarethemainresinsystemsusedformanufacturingcompositeutilitypoles.Epoxyresinsarecostprohibitiveforutilitypoles,andaretypicallyreservedforhighperformanceapplications.

Procedures

Thetestsperformedincluded:

(a) Interlaminarshear;

(b) Izodimpactnotched/unnotched;and

(c) Transversetensilestrength.

TheseseriesoftestsindicatedthattheRSpolyurethaneresinhasasignificantimpactperformanceimprovementoverpolyesterresins.Thesetestsalsoindicatedthatimpactperformanceofthepolyurethaneresinisgood,butnotbetter,thanepoxyandvinylesterresins.

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5. Miscellaneous Tests

5.1 Pole Step Static Load Test

Overview

TocertifythestaticloadcapabilitiesoftheSeniorIndustriesSI-0040climbingstep,aclimbingoptionrecommendingbyRS,SeniorIndustrieshasperformedaseriesofstaticloadtestsonanRStandard®compositepolesection.

SeniorIndustriesperformedtwoteststoevaluatethestaticloadcapabilitiesoftheSI-0040climbingstepasusedonanRStandardcompositepole:

(a)Downwardforceof750-1,100lbs.[340-499kg],startingfrom0lbs.;and

(b)Downwardforceto2,500lbs.[1,134kg],startingfrom0lbs.

Procedure

BothtestsinvolvedmountingaSI-0040climbingsteptoatestfixture,whichwasthenassembledontoaTinius-OlsenTensiletester.Thetensiletesterisdesignedtosimulateloadsatarateofnomorethan3in./minute.

Sample1:

TheTinius-OlsenTensiletesterwasappliedtothestep,installedintoanRStandardpolesection(1in.[2.5cm]installationhole),withadownwardforceto750-1,100lbs.[340-499kg]startingfrom0lbs.Achainwasplaced5in.[13cm]fromthepolesection,within1in.[2.5cm]ofthepolestepend.Sample1heldforcewithlessthan1in.[2.5cm]deformationperSeniorIndustriesqualificationstandardonthestependwherethepressurewasapplied,withpermanentdeformationof1/4in.[0.6cm]occurringbetween1,000and1,100lbs.[454and499kg].Thepolewalldisplayednosignsofdamageorfatigue.

Sample2:

TheTinius-OlsenTensiletesterwasappliedtothestep,installedintoanRStandardpolesection(1in.[2.5cm]installationhole)withdownwardforceto2,500lbs.[1,134kg]startingfrom0lbs.Achainwasplaced5in.[13cm]fromthepolesection,within1in.[2.5cm]ofthepolestepend.Sample2wasbentdownward2in.[5cm]onthestependwherethepressurewasapplied.Thepolewalldisplayednosignofdamageorfatigue.

Summary

Ineveryvariationofthestaticloadtesting,thecombinationoftheSeniorIndustriesSI-0040climbingstepandtheRStandardutilitypolewasfoundtoconsistentlyperformwellunderloadsfromtheTinius-OlsenTensiletester.Aftereverytest,thepolesectionwasfoundtobeundamaged.

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5.2 Pole Step Dynamic Load Drop Tests

Overview

TocertifythefallarrestcapabilitiesoftheSeniorIndustriesSI-0040climbingstep,aclimbingoptionrecommendingbyRS,avarietyofdynamicloaddroptestswereperformedonthepolestepsandRStandard®poles.ThesetestswereperformedinEdmonton,Alberta,CanadaatthetestfacilityofAltalink–anAlbertabasedutility.Thetestsweredesignedtosimulateasituationwhereautilityworkerfallsfromapolewhileclimbingorworkingonthepoleandtheirbeltorotherfallprotectionequipmentcatchesonaclimbingstep.

Altalinkcarriedoutthreevariationsofthesetests:

(a) A220lb.[100kg]weightdroppedatadistanceof2.3ft.[0.7m]fromthetipofasinglestep underambienttemperatureconditions(repeated3times);

(b)A220lb.[100kg]weightdroppedatadistanceof2.3ft.[0.7m]fromthetipofasinglestep underextremecoldtemperatureconditions(repeated3times);and

(c) A220lb.[100kg]weightdroppedatadistanceof4.6ft.[1.42m].Theweightwasconnected totheattachmentpointsofapoleclimbingstrap,whichhadbeenloopedaroundthepole abovetwoopposing,offsetsteps(performedonce).

Procedure

A5ft.[1.5m]RStandardpolesectionwasmountedonasteelI-Beamapproximately16.4ft.[5m]abovetheground(SeeFigure19).Thisconfigurationwasusedforalltests.Priortoeachtesttheweightstackwashoistedtoapre-determinedheightusingtheropeandpulleysystemandsecuredinplace.Alloftheambientandcoldtemperaturedroploadtestsusedthesame0.75in.[19mm]drillholeforinstallingthesamplesteps.Thisholewaslocated23in.[584mm]fromthetopofthepolesectionandwasinspectedfordamagebetweeneachtest.ThetestsetupcanbeseeninFigure20.

Figure 19: Pole section mounting5.

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Test Method I – Dropped Load at Ambient Temperature Ambient temperature: 77°F [25°C] Drop Height: 2.3 ft. [0.7 m] Forthedroppedloadtestatambienttemperaturea4ft.[1.2m]steelcablewitheyehooksoneachendwasconnectedfromtheweightsacktothetipoftheinstalledclimbingstep.Theeyehookwassecuredtothestepwithtapetopreventslippage.SeeFigure21forpolestepresultsafterambienttemperaturetest.

Test Method II – Dropped Load at Extreme Cold Temperature Ambient temperature: 77°F [25°C] Drop Height: 2.3 ft. [0.7 m] Time out of cooler: sample 1 = 1 min 05 sec; sample 2 = 1 min 13 sec; sample 3 = 0 min 47sec

Forthisdroppedloadtest,meanttosimulateanextremecoldweathersituation,eachstephadbeenheldinacoolerofdryicefornearlyaweekpriortothetest.Thecoolertemperaturewasmeasuredtobelessthat-58°F[-50°C].Otherwise,theprocedurewasidenticaltothatdescribedinTestMethodI.

SeeFigure22forpolestepresultsaftercoldweathertest.

Figure 20: Ambient and cold temperature drop test setup

Figure 21: Ambient drop test results

Figure 22: Cold weather drop test results

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Test Method III – Dropped Load Test With Pole Climbing Strap Ambient temperature: 77°F [25°C] Drop Height: 4.7 ft. [1.42 m]

Thistestwasmeanttosimulatealinespersonworkingoverheadonapolewithclimbingstepsinstalledandusingastandardpoleclimbingstrap.Atypicalworkingscenariowasmeasuretodeterminetheworst-casedroppingdistanceiftheworkerwastofall.Thestepswereinstalledonopposingsidesofthepole,withtheleftsteplocated30in.[762mm]fromthetopofthepolesectionandtherightstepoffset18in.[457mm]belowthatinatypicalclimbingconfiguration.Thepolestrapwasloopedaroundthepolesectionabovetheupperstepandconnectedtotheweightstackwiththe2ft.[0.6m]steelcable(SeeFigure23).Afterwitnessingtheresultsofthefirstpolestraptest,itwasdeterminedthatfurthertestswerenotrequired.

Summary

Ineveryvariationofthedroppedloadtest,thecombinationoftheSeniorIndustriesSI-0040climbingstepandtheRStandard®utilitypolewasfoundtoconsistentlyperformwellundersignificantdynamicloads.Notonestepfailedwhenloadsweredroppedatambientorextremecoldtemperatures.Aftereverytestthepolesectionwasfoundtobeundamaged.

Figure 23: Pole strap test setup

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5.3 Wind Blown Sand Tests

Overview

Blowingsandisencounteredinallareasoftheworld.Productsneedtobetestedfortheirabilitytowithstandabrasionbyexposuretotheseconditions.SamplesofRStandard®polesweresubjectedtoblownsandtestingusingequipmentdesignedformilitaryapplicationsinharshclimates.ThistestingwascarriedoutatDaytonTBrown(NY)laboratoriesusingthemilitarytestspecificationMIL-STD-810.

Test Conditions

Air Speed 50 mph [80 km/h]

Temperature 140°F [60°C]

Relative Humidity < 2 %

Sand Concentration 2.15 g/m3

Test duration 90 minutes

Results

Appearance

RStandardsurfacesexposedtotheblownsandtestingweredulled,butshowednoindicationofabrasionwear.Minuteparticlesofsandwerelodgedinthesurfacecausingslightdiscolorationonthesurface.Lightbuffingofthesurfacerecoveredsomeoftheglossandreturnedthesurfacetoitsoriginalcolor.

Physical and Mechanical Properties ThetestedsamplesofRStandardpolessamplesshowednodegradationinphysicalpropertieswithin

therecordedstandarddeviations(seeFigure24).

Summary

RStandardcompositepolesamplesshowednoappreciablewearorpropertiesdegradationwhensubjectedtolimitedwindblownsandtesting.

Figure 24: Physical Properties of RStandard samples prior to and after testing.

5.3

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Density (g/cc) Density (g/cc) Void PercentActual StDev Actual StDev Actual StDev

Before 1.87 0.01 70.80% 0.65% 3.75% 0.45%After 1.88 0.02 71.30% 1.18% 3.99% 0.49%

Flexural Strength (MPa)

Flexural Modulus (GPa)

Interlaminar Shear Strength (MPa)

Actual StDev Actual StDev Actual StDevBefore 435 43 13.5 0.9 39.9 2.9After 428 67 14.0 1.5 41.5 1.1

17

Density (g/cc) Density (g/cc) Void PercentActual StDev Actual StDev Actual StDev

Before 1.87 0.01 70.80% 0.65% 3.75% 0.45%After 1.88 0.02 71.30% 1.18% 3.99% 0.49%

Flexural Strength (MPa)

Flexural Modulus (GPa)

Interlaminar Shear Strength (MPa)

Actual StDev Actual StDev Actual StDevBefore 435 43 13.5 0.9 39.9 2.9After 428 67 14.0 1.5 41.5 1.1

5.4 Fast Moving Brush Fire Test

Overview

TosimulatetheeffectsofafastmovingbrushfireonRStandard®compositepoles,twosetsofpolesamplesweresubjectedtoflammabilitytestingmodeledaftertheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection(DFFP)testingforfiresheltersurvivalrating.Thistestingsimulatedcontrolledburnswithtemperaturesupto2,012°F[1,100°C].

Procedure

TwoRStandard®polesamplesweresubjectedtotestingmodeledaftertheDFFP.Thistestingadheredtothefollowingconditions:

(a)27.6in.[70cm]standinggrass(or3in.[7.5cm]thickgrassmat);

(b)30°incline;and

(c)Uphillbreezeat9to12mph[15to20km/hr].

Theseparametersresultedincontrolledburnswithtemperaturesupto2,012°F[1,100°C],6.6to9.8ft.[2to3m]flamelengthsandaflamefrontmovingat9.8ft./sec[3m/sec].

Themovingbrushfirecreatedatemperatureprofile(seeFigure25below)thattheRSlabmodeledusingastationarytorchwithaflametemperatureof2,372°F[1,300°C].Thetorchwassetuptoproduceaflameintheverticaldirection.Athermocouplewirewasusedtomeasurethetemperatureoftheflameatspecificdistancesfromtheflametipinordertoexposethesamplepiecestosimilartemperaturesatthedurationsexperiencedinamovingbrushfire.Firesamplesofbotharomaticandaliphaticresinformulationsweretested.

Thepolesamplestestedwere:

•Aliphaticexteriorlayerswitharomaticinteriorlayers(regularproductionpole)

•100%aromaticlayers

Results

Figure 25: Comparison of temperature profiles 5.4

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FromtheinformationprovidedinFigure25,itcanbeseenthatthesamplestestedintheRSlabweresubjectedtoconditionsthat,metorexceededtemperaturesexperiencedduringtheDFFPcontrolledburntest.

Noneofthealiphaticexteriorpolesamplesignitedduringthetest.Thearomaticexteriorpolesdidigniteapproximately36secondsaftertheflamereachedthemaximumtemperature,buttheflamewasinconsistent,andeachsampleself-extinguishedassoonastheflamesourcetemperaturewasreducedbelow752°F[400°C].Itshouldalsobenotedthatthesearomaticexteriorpolesarenotthepolesproducedforusebyutilitycustomers.SeeFigure26forpicturesofbothaliphaticandaromaticsamples.

Summary

FromthesetestsitcanbeconcludedthatRStandard®compositeutilitypolescansurviveamovingbrushfireasdescribedbytheCaliforniaDepartmentofForestryandFireProtection.Thereissomecharringtothesurfaceofthepolebytheheateffects,butthedepthofthecharringisrestrictedtoadepthof0.02to0.04in.[0.5to1.0mm].Thecompositematerialbeneaththecharringappearstobeunaffectedbytheheat.

Figure 26: Aliphatic (left) and aromatic (right) exterior poles with non burned samples

5.4

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DisclaimerTheinformationcontainedhereinisofferedonlyasaguideforRStandard®polesandhasbeenpreparedingoodfaithbytechnicallyknowledgeablepersonnel.Thisdocumentisprovidedforinformationpurposesonly,andduetoongoingcontinuousimprovementeffortsbyRSTechnologiesissubjecttochangewithoutnotice.PleasecontactyourRSAccountExecutiveforupdates.

Dis

clai

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“RStandard” and “Infrastructure For Life” are registered trademarks of Resin Systems Inc.*Disclaimer - The information contained herein is offered only as a guide for RStandard poles and has been prepared in good faith by technically knowledgeable personnel. This sheet is for information only and could be modified without notice. Printed in Canada.

For more information on this product contact:

TSX: RSRSTO V2.2

RS Technologies

info@grouprsi.com+1 877 219 8002+1 403 219 8000+1 403 219 8001

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