7.
Backfilling and tamping. The space on a pole hole or anchor hole must be filled with earth after
a pole or guy anchor is in position. This operation is called backfilling.
a. Pack the backfill firmly to prevent poles and anchor from moving.
b. Tamp the earth for the full depth of the hole. Every 6 inches of the backfill must be packed
thoroughly before more earth is added. Use large stones, separated during the digging process, as
wedges where needed.
c. Wedge rock firmly around poles set in solid rock.
d. Do not mix snow or ice with the backfill.
e. Bank and pack excess earth at least 6 inches high around the base of the pole. When
available, use coarse soil or gravel at the top of the backfill.
8.
Rake of poles and struts. A raked pole or strut is one that inclines from a true vertical position.
Poles are raked to ensure the pole top will be in line after the pole settles or after a strain is applied.
Guyed poles are normally raked at the top by pulling them off the vertical position with the guy stand.
Poles are also raked at the butt by offsetting the pole hole.
a. Rake of dead-end corner poles and struts. The tops of both guyed and unguyed corner poles
and dead-end poles should be raked to provide for settling when the line load is applied. The pole top is
raked, after the backfilling operations are completed, by pulling the top of the pole out of line with the
guy. (See Figure 1-13.) The amount of rake is equal, roughly, to the diameter of the pole top. In
addition, the butts of corner poles with a pull of 50 feet or more should be set 12 inches in from the line
to provide rake.
b. Rake of ground-braced guy struts. Ground-braced struts also should be raked. The amount
of rake should be the same as that for the corner poles as described in paragraph a above.
c. Rake off push-braced poles. Push-braced poles are raked with the pole butt in line. The pole
top should be in line after the pole and brace have settled. The amount of rake should be 6 inches for
each 20 feet of pole height above the ground in firm soil. Use half of the specified rake in rock.
1-25
SS0439
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