Prepared by the Task Committee on Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Products for Overhead Utility Line Structures of the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Recommended Practice for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Products for Overhead Utility Line Structures, MOP 104, Second Edition, details best practices for the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite poles and crossarms in resilient conductor support applications. With continued advancements and innovations in the composite industry in the 16 years since the first edition was published, this new edition updates and expands on nearly every aspect of FRP pole and crossarm testing, design considerations, installation, and asset management, providing the line designer with another tool in the line design tool box in addition to the traditional materials of wood, steel, and concrete. MOP 104, Second Edition, provides recommendations and suggested guidelines for performance-based tests for all FRP components, discusses factors that could affect the performance of FRP poles after installation, suggests field inspection methods, and provides basic maintenance and field repair techniques.
Notable updates include
- Recommendations on when to utilize FRP products;
- An in-depth review of serviceability equivalency (i.e., deflection) and strength equivalency for optimized FRP composite pole selection;
- Material industry best practice hardware solutions for FRP structures for a range of overhead line framings;
- Comprehensive installation review including foundation options; and
- Field inspection recommendations, including fiber bloom examples, and potential maintenance requirements.
This manual of practice will be valuable to overhead line asset owners and engineers involved in utility, electrical, and structural engineering.