Integrated Pole Loading Setup from O-Calc Pro Catalog

Learn how to set up your job model to use our Integrated Pole Loading using your own SPIDACalc client file. If you're looking to set up your job model to integrate with a third-party software's pole loading engine, we have an article detailing how to set up your model for external PLA.

When importing pole loading specifications, there are a few details to look out for. Check out this list of details and assumptions and confirm that your new models match your engineering needs!

Tensions

• Tensions for Wires with Static, Slack, and Table type Tensions are brought in directly from the catalog and are assumed to be fully loaded horizontal tensions. No additional ice, temperature, or other parameters are added to the horizontal tension. Static and Slack tensions are imported to the Katapult Pro tension table with a default Span length of 9999'.
• O-Calc has support for setting a static cable's tension based on a percentage of its breaking strength. These percentages can also be set upon import to Katapult Pro per Span Type.
• Tensions for Wires of type "Tension to Sag" are imported by calculating the adjusted tension for the wire at the given loadcase. Tensions in the catalog are assumed to be stored in the O-Calc Catalog with 0 Ice, 0 Wind, 0 Conductor Constant, and at the given temperature (default 60° F). A tension table is generated at set span length increments. This is the method used for calculating the tension:

1. Calculate the initial linear weight density of the cable i.e. linear weight density of the cable under the conditions associated with the lookup tension (0" Ice, 0psf Wind, 0lb/ft Conductor Constant).
2. Calculate the catenary curve of a cable with the initial linear weight and a horizontal tension equal to the lookup tension.
3. Calculate the initial stressed length of cable i.e. the arc length of the initial catenary curve.
4. Calculate the initial unstressed (zero-tension) length of cable i.e. length if the cable was laid on the ground in the initial conditions.
5. Calculate the final unstressed length of the cable i.e. length that the cable will expand or contract to under a temperature change to the final conditions.
6. Calculate the final linear weight density of the cable under the final conditions (including wind, ice, NESC conductor constant).
7. Iteratively solve for the catenary/horizontal tension with the final linear weight that satisfies the cable's elastic elongation under tension and the thermal elongation captured in the final unstressed length. This tension is the output final tension.

• Tensions for Wires with "Sag to Tension" and "Sag Table" are not imported at this time and will need to be configured in the Model Editor.

Communication Wire Specs

• Messengers and bundle components are imported as wire specs in Katapult Pro.
• The description (or description override) for the messenger is what's imported as the bundle name into Katapult Pro.
• The linear weight of the bundle components is added to the messenger weight for total cable weight.
• The minimum enclosing circle of the messenger and bundled components plus two 1.6mm lashing cable diameters are summed for the total cable diameter.
• The import currently supports a maximum number of 3 cables lashed to the messenger.
• Only overlash construction bundle types are supported for import.
• If you want to use a self-supported cable, reach out to support@katapultengineering.com so that we can help set that up in your model.

Arm Specs

• Arms are assumed to be square with a shape factor of 1.6. Round arms can be updated to have a shape factor of 1.0 in the Model Editor.
• Crossarm Offsets are not explicitly defined in O-Calc Catalogs. Upon import, arm offsets are set to:
  • 4 inches if the arm name includes "Alley"
  • 0 inches if the arm name includes "Bracket"
  • Otherwise, half of the length of the arm

Equipment Specs

• Streetlight specs in Katapult Pro are stored like all other equipment with a height, width, and depth used for calculating wind area. Because O-Calc describes streetlights as Arm length, rise, diameter, and Can height and diameter, these properties are used to calculate a lateral and pole side area for the streetlight. The arm rise is used as the height, and the pole side area divided by the height for width, and the lateral area divided by the height for depth.
  • height = armRise
  • poleSideArea = armRise * armDiameter + canDiameter * canHeight
  • lateralArea = armDiameter * (armLength + armRise) + canDiameter * canHeight
  • width = poleSideArea / height
  • depth = lateralArea / height
• Shape factor for Power Equipment is not explicitly defined in O-Calc Catalogs. Transformers, Regulators, Fuses, and Cylindrical Generic equipment are imported to Katapult Pro as round (shape factor of 1.0). All other equipment is imported as square (shape factor of 1.6).

General Details

• It is up to your discretion to choose to include small loading factors such as drip loops. By default, all measured items are included. Specific items can be skipped by adding the PLA Ignore attribute, or entire types of equipment or drip loops can be ignored by adding them in the Model Editor as equipment specs with 0 height, width, depth, and weight.