TITLE:
Pathological and Physical Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Poles of Electrical Distribution Network in Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Mamery Adama Serifou, Daouda Kone, Brice-Martial Dally, N’Da Miezan Kwamana, Achi Ferdinand N’Guesssan
KEYWORDS:
Concrete Pole, Energy Distribution Network, Pathology, Pathological Investigation, Physical Characterization, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.15 No.11,
October
31,
2025
ABSTRACT: Reinforced concrete electricity poles play a crucial role in public lighting and in supporting electrical equipment. This enables the transmission of electric energy from electricity transformer substations to consumers. The poles are easy to produce and have a relatively long lifespan of around 10 years. However, in recent years, many poles have shown signs of degradation after just a few months of use, crumbling and threatening to collapse. This premature deterioration for the poles, has become a major concern for the Compagnie Ivoirienne d’Electricité (CIE). Hence, this study objective is to control the quality of the concrete used for the manufacture of reinforced poles used for the energy distribution in Côte d’Ivoire. To carry out this feasibility study, an on-site pathological investigation was conducted to identify recurring pathologies, as well as laboratory analyses of concrete samples of the electricity poles for a physical characterization. The survey results showed that the pathologies were of various types, including moulds, pyrites and crazing, as well as structural pathologies such as vertical and horizontal cracks, corrosion, fragility and spalling. Laboratory characterization revealed that 60% of concrete samples exhibited water absorption above the 6% standard limit, a consequence of high porosity that directly contributes to premature degradation. This high porosity is responsible for the high and persistent humidity (due to water infiltration and capillary rise or water vapour condensation within the material), which leads to the proliferation of mould, fungi, bacteria and many other microorganisms. In addition, variations in outside temperatures cause the reinforced concrete to expand and contract to a greater or lesser extent, creating internal stresses that lead to the spread of cracks within the material. These cracks extend to the metal reinforcements, allowing oxidising substances to pass through and corrode them more easily. This leads to the poles deteriorating faster.