General Information

Figure 1 shows a pedestrian beam bridge.

Pedestrian beam bridge.
Pedestrian beam bridge made of utility poles and concrete curbs over a creek
Main span: ≅ 7 m
Girder: Prestressed concrete utility pole

Utility Pole as a Bridge Girder

Figure 2 shows the bridge.

Beam bridge.
Pedestrian beam bridge made of utility poles and concrete curbs

The deck, abutments, and stairs are made of concrete curbs; the girders, of prestressed concrete utility poles. Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the bridge.

Utility pole bridge.
Prestressed concrete utility pole bridge viewed from the bottom

There are five prestressed concrete utility poles (marked by the numbers) with a tapered cross-section. Figure 4 shows a back view of the bridge.

Utility pole bridge.
Prestressed concrete utility pole as a bridge girder

The tip end is about 12 cm x 12 cm, and the butt end is about 20 cm x 20 cm. Figure 5 shows a prestressed concrete utility pole.

Prestressed concrete utility pole (tapered cross-section).
Prestressed concrete utility pole

The top region connects a street lamp and electric cables, while the bottom region is embedded in the ground.

  • Assuming that the utility poles are equal, what are the main structural differences between the utility pole used for the bridge girder and the utility pole used for carrying electric cables and a lamp?
    What are the main structural reasons for not using a utility pole as a bridge girder?

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