Tapered cylindrical cantilever beam retrofitted with steel reinforced polymer or grout

The application of longitudinal steel reinforced polymer (SRP) or steel reinforced grout (SRG) strips to repair or strengthen electric transmission and distribution poles has been analytically modeled. The analytical method developed in the paper is based on the theory of beams and accounts for the natural taper of wood poles. This method can also be applied to evaluate the effect of local damage due to mechanical impact, rot, woodpeckers, or other detrimental activities. The possibility of delamination of the SRP from the wood substrate was investigated experimentally. It appears, based on the tests, that delamination does not represent the principal mode of failure for a wooden beam retrofitted with SRP. Numerical results imply that the reinforcement of wooden poles with SRP leads to an enhanced stiffness, reduced stresses and a restoration of the load carrying capacity of a damaged pole.