ASTM D1036-99(2017)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D1036 − 99 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Test Methods of
Static Tests of Wood Poles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1036; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
One of the important factors involved in the design and economical use of poles for the support of
aerialcommunicationandpowerlinesisthevalueofthemaximumfiberstressforthedifferentspecies
of timber used for poles. In order to gain information on this characteristic, mechanical tests on pole
size specimens have been made by numerous investigators. These tests have been made in various
manners, such as the use of a testing machine, holding the pole butt horizontally in a crib and applying
the load at the tip, setting poles in the earth and applying the load at the tip, and so forth. The amount
of seasoning the test poles have received and the type of preservative treatment applied to the poles
are additional variables. The result is that it is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain sufficient
information pertaining to the various tests to permit accurate comparisons.
It is the purpose of these test methods to cover testing procedures in sufficient detail so that the
results of tests made in accordance with the test methods defined will be comparable. It is, of course,
not intended that using other test methods that may be better adapted to a particular investigation
should be discouraged. However, experience gained from tests of several hundred poles has indicated
the test methods specified are entirely practicable.
The data forms presented have been found to be convenient for recording the test data and for
making the calculations necessary for the proper analysis of the test results.
1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 These test methods cover determination of the bending
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
strength and stiffness of wood poles. Knowledge of these
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
properties is used in providing for reliable and economical
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
design with poles of different species, size, or grade.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 Two test methods are included: the cantilever test
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
method and the machine test method.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.3 Provision is also made for extracting small clear speci-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
mens from the butt section and determining static bending and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
compression parallel to grain strength values in accordance
with Test Methods D143.
2. Referenced Documents
1.4 The procedures specified in these test methods apply to 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tests of either treated or untreated material.
D143 Test Methods for Small Clear Specimens of Timber
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded D198 Test Methods of Static Tests of Lumber in Structural
as the standard. SI values are given in parentheses and are Sizes
provided for information only. 2.2 ANSI Standard:
O5.1 Specifications and Dimensions for Wood Poles
1 2
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Wood and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.04 on Pole and Pile contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Products. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2017. Published October 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1949. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D1036 – 99 (2012). Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
DOI: 10.1520/D1036-99R17. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1036 − 99 (2017)
3. Summary of Test Method
FIELD NOTES
Project No.
3.1 Major Tests:
Locality cut
3.1.1 In the cantilever test method, the pole is supported County
Slope . Elevation
securely from butt to ground line in a horizontal position, and
Undergrowth
a load is applied near the pole tip by means of a pulling line.
Crown
Soil
3.1.2 In the machine test method, the pole is supported near
Shipment No.
the butt and tip, and a load is applied at the ground line by the
Species
moving head of a mechanical testing machine.
Date cut
3.1.3 Determinations of age, rate of growth, moisture, and Seedling or sprout
How and when transported from woods
density are also made.
Age of tree in years
Treatment
3.2 Minor Tests:
Seasoning
3.2.1 Small clear specimens are taken from the butt section
Preservative retention
ofthetestedpolesforthedeterminationofstrengthvaluessuch
Age in service (if pole had been in service)
Age of pole since treatment
as static bending, compression parallel to grain, toughness,
Source of pole (supplier, region, and climate), if pole had been in service
compression perpendicular to grain, and hardness. The overall
Classification standard
objectives of the program will determine which of these tests
Condition of pole (decay, woodpecker holes, splits), if pole had been
in service
are desired.
8. Field Marking
4. Significance and Use
8.1 Each specimen shall be legibly marked on the butt with
4.1 Tests of wood poles are made to determine:
its length, class, and source of supply, in accordance with the
4.1.1 Data for use in establishing allowable stresses,
requirements ofANSI O5.1, using such symbols as may apply
4.1.2 Data upon which to base economical pole line design,
to each specimen.
4.1.3 Data on the strength properties of different species in
pole sizes,
CONDITIONING AND MEASURING OF SPECIMENS
4.1.4 Data as to the influence of defects on the strength
FOR TESTING
properties of poles,
4.1.5 Data as to the effect of preservatives and preservative
9. Conditioning
treatments on the strength properties of poles, and
9.1 Two basic procedures for conditioning and moisture
4.1.6 Data for correlating the strength properties of full-size
content are provided as follows:
poles with those of small clear specimens of the same species.
9.1.1 Test Method A, providing for air seasoning and butt
4.2 Treating procedures to which poles have been subjected soaking of poles prior to test.
may introduce variables that prohibit direct comparisons be- 9.1.2 Test Method B, providing for tests of poles in the
tween different groups of data. Complete information on the full-length green condition.
treating techniques shall form a part of the test records.
NOTE 2—Test Method A, providing for butt soaking of poles after
seasoning, has been used as a preconditioning test method when it is
COLLECTION OF MATERIAL
desired to provide tests simulating, as nearly as possible, actual field use
under certain climatic conditions.
5. Identification
Test Method B, providing for tests of poles in the green condition, has
been used where the stability of moisture-strength relationships thus
5.1 Thematerialfortestshallbeselectedbyonequalifiedto
established is particularly desired for comparison between species, grades,
identify the species.
and testing procedures, and for establishing relationship of strength
between full-size poles and that of small clear specimens taken from the
6. Number of Major Specimens
pole material.
6.1 For each species under investigation it is desirable that
10. Alternative Conditioning Requirements
a minimum of 50 specimens be selected for test. The poles
shall be carefully chosen as representative of the commercial
10.1 Test Method A—All poles tested shall be air-seasoned
product being supplied.
on skids at least 2 ft (600 mm) above the ground. Prior to
testing, the butt sections (from the groundline to the butt) shall
NOTE 1—Tests may be conducted to study the effect of some particular
besoakedinwaterinordertobringthemoisturecontentofthis
characteristic and in such cases the selection of test specimens shall be
made in such a manner as to ensure that the range of the characteristic section equal to or above the fiber saturation point. Butt
under study has been adequately sampled.
soaking shall be conducted in a manner to prevent decay and
withthepolesinaverticalposition.Moisturedeterminationsof
7. Field Notes
the butt section shall be made by means of increment borings.
7.1 Field notes fully describing the material shall be care-
The determinations shall be made by using the portions of the
fully made by the collector. These notes shall, so far as
borings nearest the pole surface with a length of boring equal
possible, supply data outlined as follows and shall be incorpo-
to one-half the pole radius.
rated into the test records:
D1036 − 99 (2017)
NOTE 3—For the purposes of these test methods, poles will be
STATIC BENDING TESTS OF POLES
considered air-seasoned when two successive determinations made one
Cantilever Test Method
week apart indicate the moisture content of the pole to have reached a
practically constant value at or below 22 %.
12. Apparatus
10.2 Test Method B—All poles to be tested shall be selected
12.1 Aschematic drawing of the testing apparatus and field
in the green condition and shall be tested before any seasoning
layout for conducting the tests is shown in Fig. 1. For
hastakenplace.Ifthereisanydelayintestingthatwouldresult
convenience of reference, the principal features of the layout
in seasoning, this shall be prevented by proper storage,
are denoted on the drawing by capital letters. The pole to be
preferably by full-length immersion in water. If other methods
tested shall be held securely from the butt to the ground line in
of maintaining the green condition are employed, care shall be
the crib A. The crib shall be built in such a manner that there
exercised to prevent the development of stain or decay. Special
willbenosignificantmovementofthepolebuttduringthetest.
moisture determinations of the test sections are not required
Thedesignofthecribandholdingdevicesshallbesuchthatall
prior to test (Section 25).
vertical and rotational motion of the pole shall be prevented.
11. Initial Measurements
12.2 A support B shall be provided at a point about three
quarters of the distance from the ground line to the point of
11.1 Before placing a pole in the testing apparatus, a record
shall be made of the following items: load application to minimize vertical movement at that point
and reduce the stress from the weight of the pole. This support
11.1.1 Weight,
shall be such that any friction associated with the deflection of
11.1.2 Length to the nearest 1 in. (25 mm),
the pole under load shall not be a significant portion of the
11.1.3 Class,
measured load on the pole.
11.1.4 Circumferenceatbutt,attip,andatthegroundlineto
the nearest ⁄16 in. (1.5 mm),
12.3 As a pole is placed in the testing apparatus, it shall be
11.1.5 Diameter of each knot over ⁄2 in. (13 mm) in rotated to align the pole so as to minimize out-of-plane shear
diameter and its location on the surface of the pole relative to
stresses due to torque. The pole shall be shifted longitudinally
the butt and to the longitudinal center line of the face of the
until its ground line coincides with the front face of the crib,
pole, and
and then it shall be secured firmly in place (see 12.1). A
11.1.6 Any possible strength reducing defects observed wooden saddle C, Fig. 1, with a concave surface on the pole
other than knots, such as sweep, crook, checks, shakes, spiral side and rounded edges, shall be placed against the pole to
grain, insect damage, and the like. prevent injury to the ground-line section. This saddle shall be
FIG. 1 Schematic Layout of Field Mechanical Tests of Wooden Poles
D1036 − 99 (2017)
TABLE 1 Winch Positions
made of wood at least as soft as the pole under test and shall
have dimensions as shown in Fig. 2. Distance M from Distance N from
Pole Length, ft (m)
A A
Pole Axis, ft (m) Ground Line, ft (m)
13. Load 20 (6.1) 100 (30.5) 13.5 (4.1)
22 (6.7) 110 (33.5) 15.5 (4.7)
13.1 The load shall be applied at a point 2 ft (600 mm) from
25 (7.6) 125 (38.1) 17.5 (5.3)
30 (9.1) 150 (45.7) 22.0 (6.7)
the tip of the pole by a power winch, or other means of
35 (10.7) 175 (53.3) 26.5 (8.1)
sufficient capacity and capable of pulling at a constant rate of
40 (12.2) 200 (61.0) 31.0 (9.4)
speed. The pulling line shall be kept level between the winch
45 (13.7) 225 (68.6) 35.5 (10.8)
50 (15.2) 250 (76.2) 40.0 (12.2)
position and the point where load is applied to the pole. The
55 (16.8) 275 (83.8) 44.5 (13.6)
load shall be applied continuously until the pole fails, and at
60 (18.3) 300 (91.4) 49.0 (14.9)
such a rate of speed as to cause a deflection at the point of load
A
See Fig. 1 for location of distances M and N.
of N in./min (mm/min), as determined by the equation:
N 5 2πZL /3C (1)
t
type strain gages, suitably wrapped or housed for protection
where:
against shock when the pole breaks. This method permits
N = rate of deflection, in./min (mm/min),
remote reading of loads and minimizes the possibility of
Z = rate of fiber strain, in./in.·min (mm/mm·min) = 0.0010,
personal injury during test. Alternatively, where electric-type
the value specified in Test Methods D198,
straingagingequipmentisnotavailable,loadmaybemeasured
L = lever arm, in. (mm), and
by a dynamometer of suitable capacity, graduated in 50-lb
C = circumference at point of load application, in. (mm).
t
(200-N) divisions. Calibration of the dynamometer shall be
checked at frequent intervals during the tests. The load-
14. Pulling Line
measuringdeviceshallbesupportedonasledorcradlemoving
14.1 The pulling line shall be secured around the pole at the
on a suitable platform or level space.The sled or cradle and the
load point. The load measuring device shall be placed in series
surface on which it moves shall be such that the force required
with the pulling line and the line to the winch with a
to pull it shall not add materially to the measured load on the
free-running swivel on each side of it.
pole.
15. Winch Positions
17. Deflections
15.1 If the winch G, Fig. 1, is set far enough away from the
17.1 The deflection of the pole at the point of load shall be
pole to make the angle between the initial and final positions of
measured at such intervals of load as to provide not less than
the pulling line small, the error in assuming that the pull is
15 simultaneous readings of load and deflection. A greater
always perpendicular to the original direction of the pole axis
numberofreadings(25to40)ispreferred.Themeasurementof
will be negligible. The winch shall be located at the positions
the deflection of the load point shall be made in a direction
given in Table 1.
perpendicular to the unloaded position of the pole axis. A
measurementofthemovementoftheloadpointtowardthebutt
16. Load Measurement
resulting from the deflection shall also be made at each
16.1 Load shall be measured by a suitable measuring device
increment of load.
placed in series in the pulling line. The recommended method
is a calibrated metal tension bar fitted with calibrated electric-
(a) Wooden Saddle, Solid or Laminated as Shown for Cradle.
(a) Wooden Saddle, Solid or Laminated as Shown for Cradle.
FIG. 2 Saddle and Cradle
D1036 − 99 (2017)
NOTE 4—These measurements may be facilitated if a piece of plywood
measuringdevice.Afterfailure,estimatethebreaklocationand
(datum board), E, Fig. 1, is ruled with lines perpendicular to the unloaded
measure and record the distance from this location to the point
axis of the pole and spaced 1 in. (25 mm) apart. The edge of the plywood
of load.
board away from the pole may be used as the datum line from which the
deflection is measured. Then as the pole is deflected under load, the tape
19. Test Results
by which the deflection is measured is kept parallel to the ruled lines and
its motion toward the butt may be measured by noting the line to which 19.1 Load Correction—Recordthecorrectedloadreadingin
the tape is parallel when the deflection is measured.
the appropriate column of Table 3 (Data Sheet 2). Determine
these corrected readings from calibration curves of the load
17.2 A second datum line shall be established at F, Fig. 1,
measuring device.
from which movement of the ground line shall be measured.
19.2 Lever Arm Correction—The difference between the t
17.3 Alternatively, the deflection of the pole may be mea-
and s readings and the zero readings made during each test are,
sured with respect to a wire tightly stretched along the upper
respectively, measures of the movement of the point of load in
surface of the pole between the load point and a point 1 ft (300
a direction perpendicular to and parallel to the unloaded
mm) from the butt. The movement of the wire relative to the
position of the pole axis. Deduct the difference between the
position of the pole at the ground line can be observed by
zero and final s readings from the distance from point of load
means of a suitable horizontal scale attached to the upper
to ground line and from the distance from point of load to point
surface of the pole.
of break, to obtain the true lever arm for the calculation of the
18. Procedure fiber stress at the ground line and at the breaking point,
respectively.
18.1 Before any load is applied to the pole, take zero
19.3 Load-Deflection Curve—Plot a load-deflection curve
readings for the following and enter in the appropriate columns
of Table 2 (Data Sheet 1): for each pole tested.
18.1.1 On the tape that measures the deflection of the load
19.4 Calculations—Calculate the maximum fiber stress at
point to the edge of the datum board, t,
the ground line as follows:
18.1.2 On the datum board the line to which the tape of
2 3
F 5 32π P L 2∆ /C (2)
~ !
L
18.1.1 is parallel, s,
18.1.3 On the tape for measuring ground line movement, g,
where:
and
F = maximum fiber stress at ground line, psi (MPa),
18.1.4 On the horizontal scale at the ground line of the pole
P = load at failure (corrected), lbf (N),
when the wire is used.
L = distance from ground line to point of load, in. (mm),
∆ = longitudinal deflection of the load point at the maxi-
L
18.2 At this time also make the following measurements
mum load, in. (mm), and
and record them in the appropriate place in Table 2 (Data Sheet
C = circumference at ground line, in. (cm).
1):
Ifthemaximumfiberstressatbreakisdesired,calculateitas
18.2.1 Actual distance from butt of test pole to ground line
follows:
(that is, point of support),
2 3
18.2.2 The distance from ground line to point of load,
F 5 32π P a 2∆a /C (3)
~ !
b a
18.2.3 Circumference at ground line and at point of load,
where:
18.2.4 Species of timber,
F = maximum fiber stress, psi (MPa),
18.2.5 Source of pole,
b
P = load at failure (corrected), lbf (N),
18.2.6 Preservative treatment if any, and
a' = distance from break to point of load, in. (mm),
18.2.7 Test number.
∆ ' = longitudinal deflection of break point at maximum
a
18.3 Make the circumference measurements to the nearest
load, a lever arm correction for stress at point of break,
0.1 in. (2 mm).
accounting for the lever arm shortening between the
18.4 The difference between the zero and any subsequent t point of break and point of load, in. (mm), calculated
readings measures the movement of the point of load in a as:
direction perpendicular to the unloaded position of the pole
∆ ' 5∆ 1 2 b/L (4)
@ ~ ! #
a L
axis. Similarly, the difference between the zero and subsequent
where:
s readings measures the movement of the point of load toward
the pole butt in a direction parallel to the unloaded position of L = distance from ground line to point of load, in. (mm),
b = distance from ground line to point of break, in. (mm),
the pole axis. The data relative to the ground line movement, g
∆ = longitud
...