Support Structure

SupportStructure is a subclass of FacilityStructure describing objects that support electric devices. Although many underground distribution systems are now being built, a tremendous amount of overhead plant is still in use. Overhead poles are subject to vertical and horizontal forces including weight of wires, transformers, and other equipment. Vertical forces are the unbalanced component of wire tension at curves and corners, the pull of service drops, and the horizontal component of weight if the pole is not vertical. Wood poles have long been used for overhead distribution because of abundance of material, ease of handling, and cost. Preservatives help to prolong the life of the pole. The strength of a wood pole must be sufficient to withstand abnormal loads as well such as ice and wind pressure.

SupportStructure features can have streetlights, assemblies, and other attachments associated with them. SupportStructure inherits attributes from the abstract classes Structure and FacilityStructure. Any model names assigned to these classes should be assigned to SupportStructure as well.

The Structural Analysis tool in Designer makes use of the SupportStructure class to perform "what if" scenarios and evaluate the structural integrity of a support structure and its associated features.

Subtypes: H-Frame, Non-Wood Power Pole, Wood Power Pole, Non-Wood Street Light Pole, Wood Street Light Pole, Tower. The use of subtypes is optional. The Subtype attribute can be removed if subtypes aren't used in the model.

Associations: Assembly, Foreign Attachment, StreetLight (valid only for subtypes Non-Wood Street Light Pole and Wood Street Light Pole)

Model Names: STRUCTURE

Attributes:

Class: text - Code indicating class of structure; domain values include Class 1, Class 10, H1, etc. Structural Analysis uses the CLASS model name on this field.

Diameter: double - Diameter of structure. Structural Analysis uses the DIAMETER model name on this field.

FoundationType: text - Code indicating foundation used to set support structure; domain values include Set on Concrete Foundation, Set Extra Deep in Earth, etc.

Grounded: text - Code indicating whether structure is grounded; domain values are Yes or No.

Height: text - Code indicating height; domain values include 20 feet, 25 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, etc. Structural Analysis uses the HEIGHT model name on this field.

Manufacturer: text - Manufacturer of support structure.

Material: text - Code indicating material of structure; domain values include Aluminum, Fiberglass, Wood, etc. Structural Analysis uses the MATERIAL model name on this field.

PoleCount: long integer - Number of poles present in H-frame structure.

Style: text - Code indicating style of SupportStructure; domain values include Decorative and Normal.

TreatmentType: text - Code indicating type of treatment used, if any; domain values include Creosote, Paint, Pentachlorophenol, Chromated Copper Arsenates, etc.

UsageType: text - Code indicating use of structure; domain values include Distribution 2-Pole Structure, Street Light, Transmission, etc. Structural Analysis uses the USAGETYPE model name on this field.

YearManufactured: text - Year structure was manufactured.

International Data Model

In addition to the attributes listed above, the following attribute is used by the international electric data model.

TypeOfTop: text - Identifies the type of pole top assembly for a pole.