Finite Element Analyses of Wood Laminated Composite Poles

Finite element analyses using ANSYS were conducted on orthotropic, polygonal, wood laminated composite poles subjected to a body force and a concentrated load at the free end. Deflections and stress distributions of small-scale and full-size composite poles were analyzed and compared to the results obtained in an experimental study. The predicted deflection for both small-scale and full-size composite poles agreed well with the experimental measurement. Maximum stress of a cantilever pole was in parabolic areas of the top and bottom skins near the ground line. The finite element model underestimated the deflection of full-size composite poles over a variable length from the ground line of the poles, depending on the loading levels. At a higher loading level, the finite element model might overestimate the deflection close to the free end of the full-size composite poles.