Design of concrete base.

[preetis]

Hi all,
I have a concrete pole flaking at the bottom. I have to design a circular supporting base around it to resist a wind force acting at two-third height form the bottom. The problem is it is not exactly a foundation nor is it a beam. i have no idea how to proceed. Can anybody help me?

 

[msquared48]

This is a basic Civil Engineering problem. What is your background?

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[himat42]

preetis

mssuared48 is right.
There are several unknown factors such as height of pole, flaking size etc.

you may design a pole based on restrained condition at foundation
HTS

 

[preetis]

Thanks for replying. My background is Structural Engineering, but I am an entry level engineer. Therefore the problem. The thing is that the pole already exists, and I need to strengthen it by adding the concrete base. The height is 20 feet. I dont understand what you mean by flaking size?

 

[rday]

There should be somebody in the office to help you. If you are an entry level engineer somebody should be directing your work. Talk to them.

 

[hokie66]

In your initial post, you said the pole was "flaking". Do you mean spalling? If so, and depending on the reason for the spalling, it may be possible to cast a section of new reinforced concrete around the spalled area. You need to know how to design poles for wind loading, and this is not the place to learn that.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

All the above are correct and if the pole is still standing what needs to be designed. The pole just needs a "fix" which may be as simple as new doughnut of concrete??

 

[BarryEng]

I agree with hokie66 - you need to determine the reason for the spalling.

I had a situation with concrete deterioration at the base of 35 m high HT power poles. It was the same situation that I have had on pipe support (concrete) piers. Contact with saline ground water, thermal effect of the pole, osmotic pressure brings the water to the surface, evaporation leaves the salt behind in the concrete (at ground level), result spalling. It was not a strength problem at all.

 

[preetis]

Thank you all so much!