ACI STRUCTURAL JOURNAL
Title no. 105-S69
Flexural Load Tests on New Spun-Cast Concrete-Filled
Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Tubular Poles
by Yazan Qasrawi and Amir Fam
This paper presents an experimental investigation of the flexural
performance of a novel spun-cast concrete-filled fiber-reinforced
polymer tube (SCCFT) proposed for pole applications. Eight
specimens, including six 2.8 m (9.2 ft) long SCCFT and two control
specimens, were tested in three- and four-point bending. Glass
fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP] tubes of 326 mm (12.8 in.)
diameter and different thicknesses and laminate structures were used
in the SCCFTs and in one control specimen completely filled with
concrete. An additional control specimen was cut from a conventional
prestressed spun-cast pole and tested for comparison. The main
parameters studied were the tubes laminate structure and thickness,
concrete wall thickness, and the effect of adding longitudinal steel
reinforcement. SCCFTs showed similar strength to conventional
prestressed spun-cast poles of equivalent reinforcement index, but
were lower in stiffness. The SCCFT with a 0.6 inner-to-outer diameter
ratio (Di / Do) achieved the same strength of the totally filled tube,
and failure occurred in the FRP tube. On the other hand, the
SCCFT with a 0.72(Di / Do ) failed at a lower strength by an
inward spalling of the thin concrete wall, and the FRP tube did not
reach its full strength.
Keywords: bending; centrifugally cast; FRP tube; pole.
INTRODUCTION
Spun-cast concrete poles are becoming increasingly
popular as they are generally lower in cost and quicker
to manufacture than steel poles.1 They are also available in
large sizes, unlike wooden poles, which are susceptible to
rotting and attack by insects. Spun-cast poles are generally
prestressed, and as such are typically elastic and crack-free
under service conditions. Several studies have been performed
on spun-cast poles and comprehensive state-of-the-art
reviews of this technology have been reported.2,3 A guide for
the design of spun-cast poles has also been published.4 A
field assessment study conducted after hurricane Andrew
shows that spun-cast poles can survive the severe winds.5
Cracks that occurred in the lower part of the poles were
closed due to the prestressing effect. Some studies show
that during the spinning process, segregation of concrete
may occur.6 Special concrete mixtures have been designed
to overcome this problem, ensuring long-term durability.7
Under certain conditions, spun-cast poles have shown dete-
rioration due to corrosion or sulfate attack in certain soils. The
requirement of adequate concrete cover, to guard against
corrosion, usually leads to thick concrete walls. In some
cases, serious design errors have also been discovered after
installation.8 Attempts were successfully made to use fiber-
reinforced polymer (FRP) wraps to retrofit poorly designed
or deteriorated poles.8,9
Thin-walled glass FRP (GFRP) hollow tubular poles have
been developed.10 The poles have the advantage of being
durable and very lightweight. Flexural tests were conducted and
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TECHNICAL PAPER
showed that most of the poles failed by local buckling in
compression prior to fracture of the fibers. As such, the
strength of the GFRP material was underused.
The concept of concrete-filled FRP tubes (CFFTs) has
emerged over the past 10 to 15 years and has been studied
extensively in flexure and under axial loads by several
researchers.11,12 CFFTs (completely filled with concrete)
provide a versatile system suitable for several applications,
but have mostly been used in marine pile applications.13 The
FRP tube serves as a structural stay-in-place form that
protects and confines the concrete core, whereas the core
prevents local buckling of the tube, allowing it to reach its
full strength.14 Recently, the concept of spin-casting
concrete into FRP tubes and the fabrication process have
been developed by the second author.15 This paper presents
the results of a comprehensive experimental investigation of
the spun-cast concrete-filled fiber-reinforced polymer tube
(SCCFT) system in flexure. Analytical modeling of SCCFT
poles, their dynamic and fatigue behavior, and cost
comparisons are beyond the scope of this paper.
RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE
This experimental study provides unique test results of a
novel system consisting of SCCFTs tested in flexure and
proposed for pole applications. The tube provides a formwork
during and after spinning, a replacement of the longitudinal
and spiral reinforcement, and protection for concrete. On
the other hand, the thin and dense concrete wall prevents local
buckling of the tube while maintaining a relatively lightweight
system. Even if longitudinal steel reinforcement is added, it is
protected from external environments by the tube. The system
was fabricated using conventional spinning facilities in a
precast plant. SCCFT specimens with FRP tubes of different
wall thicknesses and laminate structures and different concrete
wall thicknesses were fabricated and tested for the first time
and compared with a segment of a conventional spun-cast
prestressed concrete pole.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
This section provides a description of test specimens,
various parameters investigated, materials used, a summary of
the fabrication process, and test setup and instrumentation.
Test specimens and parameters
A total of eight beam specimens were tested in the
experimental program, including six spun-cast concrete-filled
ACI Structural Journal, V. 105, No. 6, November-December 2008.
MS No. S-2007-169.R2 received May 8, 2007, and reviewed under Institute publication
policies. Copyright 2008, American Concrete Institute. All rights reserved, including the
making of copies unless permission is obtained from the copyright proprietors.
Pertinent discussion including authors closure, if any, will be published in the September-
October 2009 ACI Structural Journal if the discussion is received by May 1, 2009.
ACI Structural Journal/November-December 2008