Steel Questions and Answers

AISI General Questions
Cold-Formed Steel
EcoQuiz Questions
Environment
Residential
Steel Utility Distribution Poles

AISI General Questions

Question: I would like to know, is all metal pipe made from plate, then rolled? How is the seam closed?
Answer:  Some pipe is pierced from a billet or bloom.  Other pipe is cast. However, most pipe is rolled from steel plate, that is rolled into a pipe and welded closed.  There are, of course, various forms of nonsteel pipe.

Question:  Where can I find a book, which provides technical information about dimensional steel, specifically I-Beams?
Answer:  The dimensions of heavy sections can be found in the Manual of Steel Construction published by the American Institute of Steel Construction.    You may visit their Web site at http://www.aisc.org/.

Light structural members can be downloaded at http://www.ssma.com/ "Product Technical Information".

Question: Where can I find information about comparable steels, based on chemical composition and/or mechanical properties?
Answer:   You can find this in the 2nd Edition of Handbook of Comparative World Steel Standards available at ASTM at www.astm.org or order the DS67 B (handbook) at 610-832-9585 or fax 610-834-3636 email service@astm.org

Question:   I am interested in finding some reference source on steel properties such as tensile strength, yield, density, etc.  Specifically, I am looking for 1013 steel plate properties at present time. 
Answer:   The best single reference for this information is the "Metals Handbook, Desk Edition, 2nd Edition which can be purchased though http://www.asminternational.org. 

Question:   Where can I get a Design Manual for 14K2 Bar Joist?
Answer:   Bar joist information is available through contacting Vulcraft, Web site: http://www.vulcraft.com/ or Steel Joist Institute, Website: www.steeljoist.org

Question:    Where can I locate a publication called Wire Rope Users Manual, which was a joint effort of the Committee of Wire Rope Producers, AISI, and the Wire Rope Technical Board and was published by American Iron and Steel Institute in 1979?
Answer:   Wire Rope Users Manual is available from the Wire Rope Technical Board, Phone #1-888-289-9782 or 1-816-236-5054, Fax #1-816-236-5040, Web site: WRTB@usa.net

Question:   I am working on regulations associated with Structural Steel Erection in response to federal OSHA’s Final Rule on Safety Standards for Steel Erection.  Where can I obtain an informational handbook on this subject that would have common terms used in the industry and explanations of various connecting work and construction procedures?
Answer:   This information is available from American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), One East Wacker Drive, Suite 700, Chicago, Il 60601,Phone# 312-670-2400, Fax #312-670-5403, Web site: www.aisc.org.

Question:   I’m looking for information on stainless steel, which AISI Committee on Stainless Steel Producers produced, where can I find it?
Answer:   Booklets formerly produced by the AISI Committee on Stainless Steel Producers are now distributed by the Nickel Development Institute, 241 King Street, West, Suite 510, Toronto, Canada, M5H 3S6, Phone #416-591-7999, Fax #416-591-7987, Web site:http://www.NIDI.org and also Specialty Steel Industry of North America, 3030 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20007, Phone #800-982-0355, Fax #202-342-8451, Web site: http://www.ssina.com. 

Question:   AISI at one time published a directory of steel plants in Canada and the United States - do you still have these?
Answer:   The Directory of Iron and Steel Plants and also on Suppliers is published and distributed by the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, 186 Thorn Hill Road, Warrendale, PA 15086, Phone # 724-776-6040, Fax # 724-776-1880, Web site: http://www.aist.org/.

Question:   Where can I find the AISI book on steel entitled: The Making, Shaping and Treatment of Steel?
Answer:   The Making, Shaping and Treatment of Steel was an US Steel publication which is now being published and distributed by the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, 186 Thorn Hill Road, Warrendale, PA 15086, Phone # 724-776-6040, Fax # 724-776-1880, Web site: http://www.aist.org/.

Question:   I’m looking for a copy of AISI’s Steel Electrical Raceways Design Manual publication has it been updated since 1975.
Answer:   Electrical Raceways and other Methods, 2E, by: Richard Loyd has been updated three times since 1996 with the latest edition scheduled for publication in 2002.  Copies can be obtained from: Heartland Technical Bookstore, 701 Collins Street, Suite D, P.O. Box 949, Little Rock, AR 72203, Phone #1-888-863-8827, Fax #501-372-8184, Web site: www.heartlandbooks.com.

Question:   I’m looking for a copy of AISI 73 Criteria for Structural Application of Steel Cables for Buildings.  Has it been discontinued?
Answer:   We have the 1973 edition in our archives, however this publication has been updated by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191, Phone #703-295-6000, Fax #703-295-6333, Web site: www.asce.org. The new pub is entitled:  ASCE 19-96 Structural Application of Steel Cables for Building.

Question:   I am looking for a cross reference between AISI materials and DIN materials.  I know a list exists but not sure where to look.  Can you help?
Answer:   You may check American Society of Metals International, 9639 Kinsman Road, Materials Park, OH 44073, Phone#800-336-5152, Fax #216-338-4634, Web site: http://www.astm-intl.org.  Look for the publication Worldwide Guide to Equivalent Irons and Steels.

Question:   I would like to purchase an AISI standard 12L14CRS could you give me the purchase price or where I am able to find it?
Answer:   AISI does not sell standards.  The Iron and Steel Society distributes AISI Standard Steels (Handbook).  These handbooks contain the heat chemical ranges and limits for those grades of steel designated as standard by the American Iron and Steel Institute.  The unified numbering system (UNS), the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) designations are shown where appropriate.  The Iron and Steel Society, 186 Thorn Hill Road, Warrendale, PA 15086, Phone #724-776-1535, Fax #724-776-0430, E-mail: mailbag@issource.org, Web site: http://www.issource.org/

Question:   What is a norm?
Answer:   A norm is the same as a standard.

Question:   How can I obtain a copy of Manual of Steel Construction dealing with steel design?
Answer:   Hot rolled steel design manual is available from the American Institute of Steel Construction, One East Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, IL, Phone  #312-670-2400, Fax #312-670-5403, Web site: http://www.aisc.org.  The full name of the manuals: (1)Manual of Steel Construction, Load and Resistance Factor Design (2) Manual of Steel Construction, Allowable Stress Design.

If you are interested in Cold –Formed Steel the Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual is available from American Iron and Steel Institute, 1101 17th Street, N.W., Suite 1300, Washington, DC 20035, Phone #202-452-7100, Fax #202-463-6573, Web site: http://www.steel.org.

Question:    At what strength (PSI) is steel considered structural steel?
Answer:   Structural steel is a term used in the ASTM standards. You may obtain the definition by checking with American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, Phone #610-832-9500, Fax #610-932-9555, Web site; http://www.astm.org. 

Question:    I was interested in the video “Designing with Cold-Formed Steel”, Publication SG-9601, I am trying to determine whether this video would be suitable for 2nd year structural course to Building Technology students can you give me details?
Answer:   The videotape is about one hour long.  It describes how the cold-formed steel members are made and where the cold-formed steel members can apply.  The information is general.

Question:    We are developing concrete construction equipment specifically for steel composite deck construction.  I want to understand the size of the market, U.S. and worldwide.
Answer:   This information can be obtained by contacting the Steel Deck Institute, P.O. Box 9506, Canton, OH 44711, Phone #216-493-7886, Fax #216-493-7886, Web site: www.sdi.org.

Question:    We are looking for a video copy of the old film Steel and America-A New Look.  Any suggestions?
Answer:   We no longer distribute Steel and America-A New Look, copyrights to that film reverted back to Walt Disney Productions.  Contact them or call Westwood Screen, Suite 202, 211 Watling Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L4Z 1P3, Phone #416-890-2305.

Question:    I’m looking for a copy of Modern Sewer Design – Canadian Edition.  Can you help?
Answer:   Canadian edition of Modern Sewer Design can be obtained from the Canadian Sheet Producers Institute, phone #519-650-1285, Fax #519-650-8081.

Question:     I’m urgently looking for detailed info regarding worldwide pig iron production including: production plant name, production process type, capacity of the plant, type of solid residues/chemical composition of it, reuse of the residues/costs or benefits out of it.
Answer:   Contact the World Steel Association, Rue Colonel Bourg 120, 1140 Brussels, Belgium, Phone #32-2-702-89-00, Fax #32-2-02-88-99, Website: http://www.worldsteel.org  or e-mail: Norris@worldsteel.org.

Question:    I’m looking for a 1992 publication Report on Steel Industry Waste Generation, Disposal Practices, and Potential Environmental Impact, that Baker Environmental did for AISI where can I acquire a copy?
Answer:   A copy of this report is located in AISI’s Environment Department.

Question:    I am looking for Trade Journals relevant to the Iron and Steel Industry.  Can you name a few?
Answer:   American Metal Market Newspaper, 33 Metal Producing Magazines, Iron and Steel Engineer Magazine, New Steel/Iron Age Magazine.  Contact AISI’s Communications Department for more detailed information.

Question:    Our client asks us to carry out reinforcement survey based on the “American Rust Standard Guide – a Guide for Grading Hot Rolled Steel by Surface Condition where can we find a copy?
Answer:    The book has been out of print since the 1960's.  You can contact the Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC), which produces the VIS 1 in both English & Spanish versions and can be purchased from them at www.sspc.org.

Question:    Do you have a publication, or know where I can find, Stress Strain Curves for a variety of automotive steels, specifically for Crash Finite Element Analysis purposes?
Answer:   May I suggest you look into the Technical Papers available at the Society of Automotive Engineer’s (SAE) Web site: http://www.sae.org

Question:    Is the “Making of Steel” still in print?
Answer:   The “Making of Steel” an AISI publication on how steel is made beginning with the history of steel making is no longer being distributed.  However, we do have copies our archives library.

Question:    I would like some information on #10 steel cans used in the food industry.  I would like to know what kind of steel is used?  I would like to know what the dimensions are of a #10 steel can.  I would like to know how much a #10 steel weighs empty?
Answer:   Contact Can Manufacturers Institute, Web site: http://www.cancentral.com.

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   Bridges High Performance Steel

Response by Roy Teal, Consultant to AISI and the HPS Steering Committee & Welding Advisory Group

Sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute Contact: 202-752-7100 or http://www.steel.org

Inquiries about the manufacture and use of high performance steel, grades HPS70W and HPS50W for bridges, plus other steel related topics.

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   Cold-Formed Steel

Question:     When was the first edition of the North American Cold-Formed Steel Specification published?
Answer:   The first edition of the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members was published in   2001. The 2001 edition of the North American Cold-Formed Steel Specification, superseded the previous AISI Specification editions (1996 or older editions) and the previous CSA S136 editions (1994 or older editions published by Canadian Standards Association). Since 2001, new edition has been published with updates and improvements.   To find the most recent edition of the North American Specification, please visit AISI book store (please provide link to the book store). 

Question:    How does AISI number the building construction standards?Answer:    Since 2007, each AISI building construction standard is numbered by a unique standard designation number followed by the edition number.  For example, AISI S100-07 means the 2007 edition of Standard S100.  The standard vs. the corresponding standard designation number is provided as follows:

• AISI S100 – North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members
• AISI S110 – Standard for Seismic Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Systems – Special Bolted Moment Frames
• AISI S200 – North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–General Provisions
• AISI S201 - North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–Product Data
• AISI S210 - North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–Floor and Roof System Design
• AISI S211 - North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–Wall Stud Design
• AISI S212 - North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–Header Design
• AISI S213 - North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–Lateral Design
• AISI S214 - North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–Truss Design
• AISI S230 - Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing–Prescriptive Method for One and Two Family Dwellings
• AISI S9xx – A series of Test Procedures for cold-formed steel members, components and connection.

To obtain the most recent edition of the AISI building construction standards, please visit AISI book store at www.steel.org.

Question:   Does AISI maintain Pocketbook of AISI Standard Steels?Answer:   AISI is no longer directly involved with the development and/or maintenance of AISI Standard Steels. The Association for Iron and Steel Technology [AIST] has assumed these activities. Please contact them at www.aist.org and request their publication.

Question:     What are the improvements made in the 2002 edition of the Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual?
Answer:   In addition to updating the Manual for conformance with the 2001 edition of the North American Specification, the following improvements or additions have been made:

• Standard studs and tracks produced by members of Steel Stud Manufacturers Association are included in Parts I through IV.
• Four new comprehensive design examples are added,
• C-Section with Openings - ASD and LRFD in Part II,
• Unbraced Equal Leg Angle With Lips - Compression in Part III,
• I-Section - Built-Up from Channels in Part III, and
• Bolted Connection with Consideration of Shear Lag in Part IV.

A table of cross references between the Specification provisions and the corresponding illustrative examples is provided in Part V.

Numerical designations have been added to the titles of test procedures in Part VI.

The following three new test procedures are included in Part VI:

• AISI TS-4-02, Standard Test Methods for Determining the Tensile and Shear Strength of Screws,
• AISI TS-6-02, Standard Procedures for Panel and Anchor Structural Tests and Commentary on the Standard Procedures,
• AISI TS-8-02, Base Test Method for Purlins Supporting a Standing Seam Roof System.

Please visit AISI e-store for ordering the publications.

Question:     Where can I find cold-formed steel design software?
Answer: The Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (CCFSS) (Note: the link has been revised to http://ccfss.mst.edu) publishes a catalog of Cold-Formed Steel Design Computer Programs on its website. The catalog provides a brief description of and contact information for each software.

Question:     Does cold-formed steel has standard shapes?
Answer:   Recently, the steel stud industry has standardized steel studs and joists (channel sections with lips) and tracks sections (channel sections without lips). Please review the latest edition of AISI S201 for standard requirements for cold-formed steel framing products and visit the Steel Stud Manufacturers Association Webs ite (www.ssma.com) to obtain the catalog for standardized sections.

There are no standard shapes for other sections.

Question:     How can I find section property tables, load tables, and other design aides?
Answer:   For standardized stud and track sections, information can be found in the catalog published by Steel Stud Manufacturers Association (www.ssma.com).

The 2002 edition of the AISI Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual also provides gross and effective section properties of standardized stud, track sections, as well as channel, zee, hat and angle sections typically used in the cold-formed steel structures.

Question:     How can I order the Specification, Design Manual, and Design Guides?
Answer:   AISI publications can be ordered via AISI e-store. Click here to link to the e-store.

Question:     What is the main difference between hot-rolled steel and cold-formed steel?
Answer:   Cold-formed steel shapes are formed at room temperature, while hot-rolled steel shapes are formed at elevated temperature. From a design point of view, cold-formed steel is much thinner than hot-rolled steel, therefore, local buckling must be considered in cold-formed steel design. Cold-formed steel members are designed following AISI Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members or AISI Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual. Hot-rolled steel members are designed following AISC Steel Construction Manual.

Question:     Where can I find the seminars, short courses or online courses related to cold-formed steel design?
Answer:   Please visit seminar web page for information.

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   EcoQuiz Questions

Question:      What's the most recycled product on earth?
Answer:  According to many, the most recycled product on earth is--The Automobile.  The more than 12 million cars recycled in 1998 would yield enough steel to build two million new steel framed homes. (Will change if we get '99 rates in time). Nearly every car in North America, once scrapped, is sold for its usable parts, drained of its fluids then crushed, shredded and recycled.

Question: What is the recycled content of steel products?
Answer:  All steel products contain at least 25 percent recycled content.  Some steel products contain up to 100 percent recycled content.  There are two processes for making steel. The Basic Oxygen Furnace process, which is used to produce the steel needed for packaging, car bodies, appliances and steel framing, uses a minimum of 25% recycled steel. The Electric Arc Furnace process, which is used to produce steel shapes such as railroad ties
and bridge spans, uses virtually 100 percent recycled steel. 100% recycled steel.

Question:  What types of products are packaged in steel cans?
Answer:  A variety of products are packaged in steel cans including food, paint and aerosol products.  For example, fruits, vegetables, soup, coffee and pet food are all packaged in steel cans.  In 1998, almost 56 percent of the steel cans produced were recycled.  The steel industry remelted more than 17 billion steel cans. That's about 1,000 cans for every visitor to Walt Disney World in 1998. (Will change if we get '99 rates in time).

Question: You've all seen the universal recycling logo -- those three bold looping arrows.  The logo was designed to symbolize the three steps in the recycling process.  Do you know what those three steps are?
Answer:  The three arrows in the recycling logo stand for collecting recyclables, processing and manufacturing recyclables into new items, and buying recycled products.  Most people don't realize how important the third arrow in the loop really is.  Purchasing recycled products helps sustain markets for recycled goods.  The process of recycling just won't work if these end markets don't exist.  With steel, you always buy recycled products because all steel products contain at least 25 percent recycled steel.

Question:  What was the overall steel recycling rate in 1998?
Answer: The overall steel recycling rate in 1998 was 63.8 percent.  The drop in the 1998 rates can be attributed to U.S. steel industry production cutbacks cause by record increases in unfairly traded foreign steel imports. (Will change if we get '99 rates in time).

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Environment - Pertaining to the MIT Study on the Relative Consequences of Material Choice Alternatives Over Time

Question: Why are the results of the MIT study being announced at the AISI General Meeting?
Answer: The Material Systems Laboratory (MSL) at MIT has been evaluating alternative materials - steel, aluminum, and composites - for automotive applications for several years. AISI has been a member of the MSL consortium. Late last year the Chairman of the Aluminum Association stated: "In conventional automotive power plants, a one tonne increase in the use of aluminum in automotive applications in place of steel would reduce 20 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the life on an average vehicle." The steel industry questioned the validity of that statement and asked MIT, based on its experience studying both steel and aluminum, to evaluate the premise. AISI felt the findings were important to announce in this setting.

Question: Most aluminum is produced using hydroelectric power. In fact, some aluminum companies operate their own hydroelectric generating facilities and have under-utilized capacity. If this is the case, won't additional aluminum production be CO2-free?
Answer: It is true that hydro power is generated without releasing any significant CO2. (Some CO2 emissions may be associated with decomposing vegetation in flooded valleys.) However, it is important to note that hydro power, like nuclear power, is already used to meet base loads throughout the world today. As a result, any added incremental energy needs must be met by fossil fuel generation or construction of additional hydro capacity. New hydro facilities are extremely expensive to build, are fraught with environmental problems of their own, and can be built only with government financing or subsidization. For example, one existing Canadian hydro facility owned by an aluminum company currently sells excess power to customers in upstate New York.  If the facility was to produce additional aluminum for automotive applications and begin to utilize its excess hydro power, other energy users would need to make up the difference with additional fossil fuel-fired
generation capacity, and no CO2 benefit would result. Incidentally,
environmental impacts other than CO2 that might be associated with
additional hydro-generated capacity were not addressed in this study.

Question: Besides hydro, isn't it possible to expand electricity
generation capacity without increasing CO2 by installing additional
nuclear power or using renewable fuels, such as wind, solar, or
geothermal?
Answer: Nuclear power capacity is diminishing in North America as
existing facilities reach the end of their useful life, and that capacity will likely be replaced with fossil fuel. New nuclear capacity is unlikely within the time frame under consideration because of high
costs, environmental issues, and public opposition. Similarly, power
generation from renewables is not expected to be cost-competitive in any significant capacity in the foreseeable future and has other physical and geographical limitations.

Question: CO₂ is an important environmental issue, but there are many other factors having environmental implications. What else is the North American steel industry doing to address these issues?
Answer: The North American steel industry is heavily involved in efforts to evaluate the life cycle impacts of steel products using internationally accepted methodologies. These studies integrate life cycle inventory data, life cycle impact assessments, and risk assessment into an overall life cycle evaluation. This life cycle impact assessment is currently being peer-reviewed and is being broadened from a site-specific to an industry-wide basis. The study addresses all relevant environmental issues, including resource depletion, for the full life cycle of a steel product from mining of raw materials through the manufacturing and use phases of the product and ultimate disposal or recycling of the material used in the product.

Question: The study evaluates a typical steel automobile, a steel auto utilizing the ultra-light steel auto body (ULSAB) design, and an aluminum-intensive vehicle. Recognizing that aluminum vehicles will eventually recover the excessive CO₂ generation associated with the manufacture of the first few generations of vehicles, shouldn't the automobile industry begin down that path today to achieve longer term CO₂ reduction goals?
Answer: As the study shows, the ULSAB vehicle concept, a technological advancement in itself, would extend the break-even point for aluminum to the year 2032 or later. It is important to place this CO₂ recovery period into a proper perspective and time frame when trying to evaluate options for responding to CO₂ reduction goals of the Kyoto Protocol, which are much more short-term (2008-2012).

Question: How do the results of this analysis change with the eventual development of other technologies, such as fuel cells or more efficient engines?
Answer: Other automotive technological improvements - such as those involving propulsion systems, drive trains, aerodynamics, tires, alternative fuels, or additional light-weighting of steel - will have the effect of further extending the environmental payback period for aluminum well into the next century. Any improvements of this type diminish the importance of vehicle weight as a factor in making materials decisions. Note that the Aluminum Association statement is itself qualified by reference to "conventional automotive power plants."

Question: Has MIT evaluated other aspects of automotive material substitution, such as insurability, affordability, repair, production costs, etc.?
Answer: For the past 10 years, the MIT MSL has worked on a systems approach with a variety of constituents, including automobile companies and their materials suppliers, on a wide range of manufacturing and materials management aspects of the automotive system. Numerous papers have been developed and published and are available through the MIT MSL website (http://msl1.mit.edu/msl/index.shtml).

Question: Who paid for this study?
Answer: The study was conducted by the MIT Materials Systems Laboratory as part of its continuing program of automotive research into factors affecting material choice. Funding for the research program comes from a variety of sources, including auto companies and their material suppliers. The Materials Systems Laboratory identifies projects based on its own research interests and those of its industry partners.

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   Residential Related Questions

Please visit Steel Framing Alliance Web site.

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   Steel Distribution Poles Questions and Answers

Contributed by Valmont Industries, Inc.

Question:    Please explain how steel poles can be called equivalent to wood poles, the materials are so different?
Answer:    The equivalency is based on loading specified by ANSI 05.1 for each wood pole class and then modified by a ratio of overload factors for wood and steel.

Question:    Would you comment on the deterioration of wood versus steel?
Answer:    Wood, being a natural grown material, deteriorates with age. It is subject to rot, fungus and decay as well as attack by insects and woodpeckers all of which will reduce the strength of the material. In most utility applications, the "normal" life of a wood pole is approximated 30 years. Steel on the other hand has an infinite life span when corrosion is kept in check. The use of galvanizing has proven to be an effective deterrent to corrosion for above ground and many below grade applications. There are some very good coatings which have been developed for below grade protection when soil conditions warrant it. These coatings, in conjunction with galvanizing, can extend the life span of steel considerably.

Question:    Are Steel Distribution poles on the approved RUS (REA) listing of materials?
Answer:    RUS does not approve material. They have a listing of approved suppliers of material. REA co-ops that have used steel distribution poles have indicated in their work plans they are being used "to gain experience and to look to the future". The application of steel distribution poles may require conditional approval for use on RUS funded projects.

We will use the poles per the A1 and C1 REA applications. Are there any problems using steel distribution poles in these applications?

Steel distribution poles can be used just like their wood counterparts.

Question:    Do steel poles have a provision for grounding equipment such as transformers, arresters, fuse cut-outs, etc.?
Answer:    Some pole manufacturers provide one grounding device at the groundline as a standard for all distribution poles. It is very easy to add an additional ground nut at the transformer location during fabrication should the utility indicate such a need. One manufacturer’s standard is a 3/8" diameter threaded insert. This detail will also accept the grounding stud used with transformers. Additional threaded inserts can be easily be added in the field by the utility at the time of pole installation should they be required.

Question:    Can we mount transformer racks directly to the pole?
Answer:    Because steel poles are round and approximately the same diameter as their wood counterparts, any transformers currently mounted on wood poles should be able to be mounted on steel.

Question:    What precautions are required for installing steel poles during "hot insert" applications?
Answer:    The same safety procedures and precautions currently being used for wood poles should be used for steel poles in this type of application.

Question:    Do you need to guy steel poles; and if so, how do you guy them?
Answer:    Steel distribution poles would need to be guyed if the wood pole it is replacing would have been guyed. The steel pole can be guyed just as you would a wood pole using the same hardware. By using a stronger class steel pole it may be possible to eliminate the need for guys all together.

Question:    Can guy attachments be included on steel poles for attaching guy wires?
Answer:    Steel poles can be guyed using the same hardware currently used for wood poles. Permanent attachments such as vangs can be welded into the poles for attaching guys, but this will increase the delivery times and pole costs. The use of your current hardware and construction standards means no additional changes have to be done to enable a utility to start using steel distribution poles.

Question:    What precautions are required for handling galvanized steel poles?
Answer:    The preferred method of lifting the poles is to use nylon slings. While a galvanized pole is very tough and abrasion resistant, it is not recommended that chains be used when handling them. During storage in the material yard, blocking should be used to keep the poles off the ground and to separate each layer just as you currently are doing with your wood poles.

Question:    Are name plates provided on the poles, and will utilities have problems with tagging the poles with the present lettering systems available?
Answer:    A tag is attached to the pole with the manufacturers name, pole height and class stamped on it. If the utility wishes to tag the poles with other information, they can easily add an aluminum tag that can be either pop-riveted or expoxied onto the pole.

Question:    How many holes do steel poles come with as a standard?
Answer:    For some steel utility pole manufacturers, there is no standard, or default, for the number of holes in a pole. The utility may specify as many holes as they would like and the manufacturer will drill them at the time of fabrication. Additional holes can also be easily drilled in the field, should they be required.

Question:    How difficult is it to drill holes in steel poles in the field?
Answer:    Holes can easily be drilled using either a rotabroach type of drill or standard twist drill. The rotabroach works best since it requires less force or energy to drill a hole.

Question:    Do you recommend a ground sleeve?
Answer:    Some utilities use ground sleeves. The need for a ground sleeve depends on many of the same factors used to determine the need for below grade coatings. Corrosive conditions or areas inaccessible for routine inspection may warrant the additional protection and cost of a ground sleeve, (typically two feet in length centered on the groundline).

Question:    Our standard practice for deadening 3 phase construction is to deaden the outer phases on the arm and the center phase on the pole. When we do this we take advantage of the insulating properties of the wood. What happens when we go to a steel pole, do we have to go to larger insulators?
Answer:    Larger insulators are one solution. One utility still uses their standard wood construction practice when they deaden on the end of the arm. They get the additional insulation they feel they need, for the center phase, by adding a fiberglass link between the pole and the insulator.

Question:    In the western US, there is a great deal of emphasis and effort on raptor protection. Will the use of steel poles pose a threat to raptors?
Answer:    Utilities that are concerned with electrocution of raptors, or bird of prey, have modified their distribution configuration to minimize the threat to the these birds. Typically, this modification on 3-phase construction consists of dropping the crossarm, with the outside phases, 43". This same construction can be used with steel poles. In addition, it may be necessary to field apply a layer of heat shrink wrap just above the crossarm to prevent the possibility of a phase to ground contact.

Question:    What finishes are available?
Answer:    The standard finish is hot dip galvanizing. High-tech coating systems such as powder paint are available to apply over the galvanizing in instances where a particular color is desired.

Question:    How do we climb these poles when we have to?
Answer:    An optional removable climbing safety step can be provided which fits into holes pre-drilled in the pole.

Question:    Can pole manufacturers coat the inside of the poles with galvanizing or paint?
Answer:    During the galvanizing process, the entire pole is immersed in the bath of molten zinc. Because the pole is immersed in both the cleaning solutions, flux and zinc, the inside surface is adequately cleaned and a good layer of zinc bonds to the pole. This process protects the pole inside and out. On painted poles, only the outside of the pole can be painted. Due to their small size, there is no way to mechanically clean the inside of the pole adequately for the paint to bond to the surface. This is why painted steel poles need to be sealed, to prevent moisture from reaching the interior surface and causing corrosion. If paint over galvanizing is specified, there is no need to be concerned about the interior as the zinc will provide protection.

Question:    How does a utility determine which class of steel pole is equivalent to a given class of wood pole?
Answer:    Steel distribution poles are typically designed to be equivalent to wood pole classes under NESC Grade B Construction requirements. Optional designs are available to meet loading criteria such as NESC Grade C Construction, or virtually any other regulatory or custom requirement.

Question:    What prevents a steel pole from sinking into the soil after it has been set in the ground?
Answer:    All poles come with a welded bearing plate to prevent the poles from settling into the soil when a vertical load is applied.

Question:    We presently are using the fiberglass crossarms on our wood construction, will we still be able to use these arms with steel poles?
Answer:    You can use the same hardware currently being used on wood poles.

Question:    Will we need to purchase different bolts, washers, etc., in order to use steel poles?
Answer:    The same hardware currently being used for your wood poles will work with steel poles because they are round and of approximately the same diameter.

Question:    How thick is the pole wall?
Answer:    Most poles are made from 11 gauge material (0.1196"). Some of the taller poles require 10, 7, or 5 gauge material (0.1345", 0.1793", 0.2092").

Question:    Will there be a problem with crushing the pole wall due to over tightening of the bolts?
Answer:    Although it may be possible if excessive force is used, we are not aware of this problem occurring when standard practices are followed. This includes using 4" square washers under the heads or nuts of the bolts.

Question:    Typical wood construction uses grid gains between the pole and the arm, is this required for steel poles?
Answer:    Most utilities who are using steel poles still put a grid gain between the arm and the pole. The gain provides a good flat surface to mount the arm to and due to its curved surface also provides good bearing surface to the pole. It keeps the arm from rocking on the pole. We know of one utility who has not installed gains. Utilities use either the standard gain used on wood poles or have switched to a plastic gain which has a smooth surface both against the pole and the arm.

Question:    Twisting or turning of a pole a problem?
Answer:    Normally twisting or turning of a steel pole is not a problem. However, should a utility feel it could occur for their application, the utility could easily drill a couple of holes in the base and attach either bolts or other equipment to prevent this from occurring.

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