Based on our benchmarking of typical customer projects, this update should analyze structures 3 to 4 times faster than before. It is due to using a custom tapered beam element to model pole sections. There may be some small differences in analysis results, in some cases. This update has been re-verified against our large set of PLS-CADD project results for assurance.
As you know, various vendors of Pole Line Design tools offer slightly different ways of incorporating the changes in wire tensions as the connected structures deflect. Generically it is called Load Nonlinearity. The upcoming CSA Standard C22.3 No.1 Overhead Systems (2025) is positioned to align all tools in how they handle this feature. The NESC is silent on any type of Nonlinearity. This update addresses this new requirement now as the recommendation provides a better estimate of how the structure and attached guys/anchors will actually respond to changes in wire tensions in the field. If you are using Load Nonlinearity in your projects, this update will generally increase structure, guy and anchor loads; but still to lower values than a regular geometric nonlinear analysis.
A few minor bug fixes are included in this update as well.
RS-Poles capability is still in Beta availability for anyone that wants to try the new poles out. There is a dataset on the Downloads section of our website that you can download. RS-Poles will be doing a spot review of Quick Pole for us in the near future to help ensure everything is OK. This is the first pole type with multiple modules that need to be assembled (with overlaps) for a complete pole.