I want to try something new....

Status
Not open for further replies.
2

220/221

Senior Member
Location
AZ
I recently removed and replaced a concrete light pole base. In my opinion it was a waste of time and money as there was NO damage to it, it was just knocked over a bit. I got paid well do do it but it still bothered me to waste resources.

DSC01923.jpg


I have a job coming up where I have to relocate 5 parking lot lights.

They are bolted onto concrete bases, 24" round, 6' deep and 30" above ground. I need to remove the bases to make room for a parking canopy.

I want to relocate the bases instead of pulling them out, throwing them in the landfill and then spending another 2K for concrete, steel and bolts.

I can't see any structural/electrical issues with my plan but I want to be prepped when I ask the city for permission. The bases are newer and were installed/inspected within the last 5 years.

I have read here that installing prefab bases is common in some places so this seems to me to be the same aplication.

Logistically/mechanically it will be easy enough and well worth the effort. Bureaucratically, who knows?

Any experience here???
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
I have done the precast deal a few times, I have never pulled one back out but I do not see much trouble if you dig around it first.

You will want to make a bracket that can bolt onto the the anchor studs, miss the conduits and still be strong enough.

The precast ones I have worked with were between 6,000 and 8,000 lbs. That is not really that big of a base either.
 
2

220/221

Senior Member
Location
AZ
The precast ones I have worked with were between 6,000 and 8,000 lbs
Click to expand...

Wow....those are huge! These are about a yard of concrete and 50 pounds of steel....probably around 4000 pounds.
 
W

wireguru

Senior Member
i see them saying no. these were cast in place per whatever engineered drawing was used. wheres the engineering for what you want to do?
 
iwire

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
220/221 said:
Wow....those are huge!
Click to expand...

They were close to 7 - 8' long and they where squares, I think about 20"

The excavating contractor would dig the hole to the correct depth set the base in with a large back hoe. Then they would use the back hoe to hold it straight while a Bobcat backfilled. They also used a compactor as they backfilled. Major overkill, the poles where not that high.

My only part in the setting was to connect the PVC to the stubs sticking out of the precast.
 
W

wireguru

Senior Member
220/221 said:
On the original plans????

Same poles = same amount of concrete, steel and bolts.
Click to expand...

yeah but those plans are for pouring the concrete into undisturbed soil. i dont think what you want to do will fly. I am very interested to see what the AHJ has to say about it, make sure you keep us updated.
 
charlie

charlie

Senior Member
Location
Indianapolis
We use precast concrete bases all the time. 18" X 18" X 69", set in soil with an auger, just like setting a pole, and use a power tamp. We then will use a 40' aluminum column with as much as a 16' arm (actually a little shorter with 4' up-sweep in the arm to get a 40' luminaire height). :smile:
 
2

220/221

Senior Member
Location
AZ
How tall are the poles?
Click to expand...

Appx 20' high, 4" square. Typical for the area.

I'm thinking that the only issue would be with compaction.

I could dig the holes a foot larger than the base and use slurry to fill the gap??
 
S

SmithBuilt

Senior Member
Location
Foothills of NC
Compaction could be a big issue. You will most likely have to meet a % compaction by an engineer. An engineering firm will have to come out and test the fill to be sure it is compacted to the proper %. It's not a huge expense for the compaction test, maybe $200-300 each time I've called them out. It can be labor intensive.


220/221 said:
I could dig the holes a foot larger than the base and use slurry to fill the gap??
Click to expand...

I think that's a good idea.
 
2

220/221

Senior Member
Location
AZ
Update:

The city said that they don't look at engineering on poles/bases less than 35' high.

I'm going to give it a shot.

Job starts in a couple weeks. It will be a little different than the mundane bread and butter stuff I do to keep the bills paid.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top