Fiber Reinforced Polymer Crossarms: A New Dimension in Communication Cables Management

Abstract

This study can be divided into two parts: the review of fiber reinforced polymer comparing to other traditional materials in the crossarms, and the test of the commercialized crossarms supplied by a Thai company. The review aims to examine fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) as the replacement for the traditional and conventional materials in crossarms. It was shown that the FRP can certainly replace the traditional materials in the future due to its superior engineering properties and its long expected service life. In addition, the overall cost of the FRP crossarms was shown to be cheaper than other materials’. Hence, this will provide a competitive edge for the FRP crossarms. As the testing, inspection, and certification agency, the Department of Science Service has performed the tests of the crossarms supplied by a Thai company. The crossarms was thoroughly tested and investigated according to the domestic (PEA) and international (ASTM) standard. It was found that the crossarms supplied by a Thai company can pass all the required standards. The study may be useful to the interested parties to utilize the information as the support to adopt the use of the FRP materials in related fields.