Hand hole design in steel poles.
Hand hole design in steel poles.
(OP)
I'm looking for an analysis procedure for designing hand holes in steel poles. It must allow not only for simple shear and bending along the axis of the pole, but also allow me to consider the effects of torsion. I am concerned that a taller cutout would leave the pole more vulnerable to buckling, and I would like to know if anyone has attempted this. Rotational moment of inertia is a good place to start, but when you make the cut out, it seems to me that the edge of the hole takes the load as a beam. Has there been any testing done to determine the amount of the pole from that open edge that can be considered to be part of the beam? Any other theories would be appreciated.






RE: Hand hole design in steel poles.
RE: Hand hole design in steel poles.
RE: Hand hole design in steel poles.
This is done by adding a ring to the opening. The thickness can be varied to provide the equivalent I, but generally using a ring thickness the same at the upright thickness.
Use full penetration welds at the handhole ring.
RE: Hand hole design in steel poles.
RE: Hand hole design in steel poles.
My application was also for traffic and overhead sign structure uprights. While FDOT has details for handholes in smaller mastarms poles, the sign structures have much larger forces.
If the ring resisting the torsion has the same or larger value for I or J, should it matter? How large of a handhole are you considering?
Regards, RAF