Cuts in Light Pole Base Plate

[22west]

Can anyone tell me why there is a cut from the hole to the corner of this base plate. There is a cut at each corner.

http://www.portlandbolt.com/image/industries/light_pole_traffic.jpg

I see this mostly at the base of light poles in parking lots.

Thanks.

 

[JedClampett]

My guess is that it's there to make the pole break away if it's run into by accident.
Anyone else?

 

[hokie66]

Drainage under the washer?

 

[Bobber1]

Right, hokie66, they are to drain any moisture from the annular space around the anchor.

 

[ToadJones]

Bobber-
Where did you find your answer...I'd be interested in seeing that.

 

[Bobber1]

I did a lot of substation and large diameter utility pole design for SDG&E. It's just one of the ways the electric utility industry does things that is unwritten so far as I know. I'm in Southern California in case this is a regional thing.

Bob

 

[pwht1]

I've noticed the same thing here (Canberra, Australia), except the cuts here are almost the width of the bolts.

 

[amaidjj]

well friend ask the reason not whether you have seen it or not
well i would be honored to know if any one knows the reason so every one would be benefited by that i guess.........!!!

 

[ChaChaMan]

Given the amount of welding and hot dip galvanizing, I wouldn't be surprised if the base plate would curl if it didn't have this tear.

Therefor, maybe it's there to ensure that that base plate can yield enough so as to be tightly sandwhiched between the leveling nut and tightening nut during its' erection.

I am skeptical about wheather reasons is Southern climates as there is no frost and corrosion is not an issue at it is galvanized.

 

[sdz]

I thought the cuts were to allow for automatic cutting from plate, but drainage sounds like a good reason too. These don't comply with normal bolt hole details but are common for poles.