High-performance precast concrete elements for overhead transmission poles

Figure: Europoles

Fig.1: Visualization of possible designs of compact extra-high voltage poles

Figure: Europoles

Figure: Camenzind Martin

Fig. 2: Application examples of the concrete pole construction in Littau (left [3]), in Berlin (center [4]) and in Nanjing (right [5])

Figure: Camenzind Martin

Figure: Axel Mauruszat

Figure: Nicolas Janberg

Figure: TU Braunschweig

Fig. 3: Compressive strength development in the context of KoHöMaT

Figure: TU Braunschweig

Fig. 4: Long-term behavior (left) and fatigue behavior of the UHPSC (right)

Figure: TU Braunschweig

Figure: Europoles

Fig. 5: Prototypes of high-performance overhead transmission poles: production in a large-diameter centrifuge (left and center) and construction at the factory premises (right)

Figure: Europoles

Fig. 6: Tests under bending, shear, and torsion carried out at the large-scale experimental set-up of Europoles

Figure: Europoles

Figure: TU Braunschweig

Fig. 7: Connection and joining system between pole and foundation element: schematic diagram (left) as well as installation and alignment of the pole (center and right)

Figure: TU Braunschweig

Figure: Europoles

Martin Empelmann
Degree in Civil Engineering from the RWTH Aachen University; since 2006 University Professor of Concrete Construction and Head of the Division of Concrete Construction at the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety (iBMB) of the TU Braunschweig

Jörn Remitz
Studies of Civil Engineering at the RWTH Aachen University; since 2013 Research Associate at the Division of Concrete Construction at the Institute of Building Materials, Concrete Construction and Fire Safety (iBMB) of the TU Braunschweig

Frank Dittmar
1996 Structural engineer at Ingenieurgesellschaft Mann + Bernhardt, Darmstadt; from 2001 Head of structural engineering at Europoles, Neumarkt; from 2008 Head of design; 2009-2012 Manager of the concrete pole plant; since 2009 Technical Manager

Prestressed, high-performance precast elements consisting of ultra-high performance spun concrete and high-strength reinforcement were developed as part of a joint research project of iBMB of the TU Braunschweig with the collaboration of the Europoles company; the elements were optimized for being used as extra-high voltage poles and constitute a cost-effective alternative to steel lattice poles.

1. Introduction

The energy transition in Germany imposes new requirements on the transmission of electricity. The electricity networks landscape shall be upgraded as fast as possible for the switch to renewable energies and designed in a future-proof way, thus building new power lines is unavoidable [1]. This enormous effort has to be ensured in due consideration of the major challenges of „people and the environment“ and „technological alternatives“ and, moreover, taking „cost-effectiveness“ into account as well.

At present, grid operators still rely on the current state of the art for the...