State-of-the-Practice & Challenges in Non-Destructive Evaluation of Utility Poles in Service

Abstract

In this paper, the state of the practice and challenges in Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of utility poles in service in Australia are discussed. NDE techniques, R&D programs and reliability based maintenance of timber utility poles are reviewed in the context of a systematic asset management system that allows decision-making based on balance of risk and cost. The question is not only which NDE technique should be used, but also when and how the technique should be implemented to provide a cost-effective maintenance strategy. More efforts are needed to develop new or improve existing NDE techniques for more accurate, cost-effective and reliable assessment of utility poles and for better management of these assets.