The difference between round and square high mast light poles

When choosing a circular or square design for the high mast light poles foundation, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as structural performance, construction conditions, and cost.

 

I. Structural performance

Circular foundation

Uniform force: The circular structure is symmetrical and can evenly disperse loads from different directions such as wind load and earthquake force to avoid stress concentration.

Anti-overturning ability: Because there are no edges and corners, the moment distribution is more uniform when subjected to lateral force, and the anti-overturning performance is better.

Anti-slip performance: The contact area with the soil is larger, the friction force is more evenly distributed, and the anti-slip effect is better.

Square foundation

Directional bending resistance: The long square foundation has stronger bending resistance in a specific direction (such as the long side), which is suitable for scenes with a single wind direction or directional reinforcement.

Stress concentration: Stress concentration is easy to occur at the edges and corners, and additional reinforcement or local reinforcement is required.

 

II. Construction difficulty

Circular foundation

Complex formwork: Customized arc formwork or use of bendable materials (such as steel formwork) is required, and the construction cost is high.

High positioning requirements: The center point positioning needs to be accurate, and the measurement accuracy is strictly required.

Square foundation

Simple formwork: Conventional wooden boards or steel formworks can be used, which is convenient for construction and lower cost.

Simple layout: right-angled edges are easy to align with other structures on the site and are suitable for regular layout.

III. Material consumption and cost

Concrete consumption: Under the same volume, the circumference of a circular foundation is shorter (the circumference of a circle is the smallest when the area is the same), and the template consumption is less, but the template customization cost needs to be weighed.

Reinforcement arrangement: a circular foundation requires annular reinforcement, which is complicated to process; a square foundation uses mesh reinforcement, which is faster to construct.

Earth excavation: a square foundation is easier to excavate (straight-edge operation), and a circular foundation requires special machinery or manual trimming, which may increase earthwork costs.

 

IV. Geological adaptability

Soft soil foundation: a circular foundation is more suitable for soft soil or easy settlement strata due to uniform force, reducing the risk of uneven settlement.

Rock or hard soil: the corners of a square foundation can be embedded in the hard layer to enhance the anchoring effect.

V. Maintenance and durability

Surrounding fill: the backfill around the circular foundation is easy to compact evenly, reducing the lateral pressure difference; the square corners are prone to unsolid fill, which may affect stability in the long run.

Anti-corrosion treatment: round without edges and corners, more uniform surface coating, and better corrosion resistance.

 

VI. Applicable scenarios

Circular foundation:

Applicable to scenarios with multiple wind directions, complex geological conditions (such as soft soil, high water level), and high requirements for anti-overturning (such as coastal areas and open plains).

Square foundation:

Suitable for scenarios with limited construction conditions (such as insufficient template resources), single wind direction, need to align with other square structures, or need to strengthen bending resistance in a directional manner.

 

Summary and suggestions

Give priority to circular foundation: If the project budget allows and the stability requirements are high, the comprehensive performance of the circular foundation is better.

Choose a square foundation: If the construction conditions are simple, the construction period is tight, or the existing template resources need to be used, the square is more cost-effective.

 

The final decision needs to be combined with the geological report, load calculation and construction conditions, and if necessary, consult a structural engineer for special verification.