pls-pole-hero.webp

PLS-POLE

Analysis and design of pole type structures  

BENEFITS

Design and analyze single poles to complex frames

Create pole structures made of wood, laminated wood, tubular steel, concrete, FRP, and guyed masts with an intuitive and efficient workflow.
2D engineering schematic of a wood utility pole in PLS-POLE. Detailed drafting view displays multi-angle dimensions, cross-arms, and material component labels for structure detailing.

  • Mixed material pole design flexibility

    Combine materials within a single structure such as wood, steel, and concrete to optimize performance and reduce overall structure costs.

  • Perform reliable structural checks

    Validate pole designs with proven finite element analysis engine, identifying stability issues for reliable guyed and flexible structures. 

  • Increase productivity with reusable libraries

    Standardize components and pole dimensions using component libraries to reduce manual input and modeling errors. 

PRICING OPTIONS

Exclusive pricing options

PLS-POLE

Analysis and design of wood, steel, concrete, and FRP poles

  • Perform design checks of structures under user specified loads and calculate maximum allowable spans
  • Design and analyze structures from simple distribution poles to complex multi-pole transmission and substation frames
  • Rapidly build models from components such as poles, arms, guys, braces, and insulators
  • Utilize a simple graphical interface that rests upon a time-tested finite element analysis engine

More details

Structure modeling

  • Model transmission, distribution, substation, and communication pole‑type structures
  • Build single poles, H‑frames, A‑frames, with or without down guys for diverse structure needs
  • Model wood, wood laminated, steel, concrete, FRP poles, and modular guyed masts
  • Assemble structures from reusable components like arms, guys, braces, equipment, and insulators.

 

Structural analysis

  • Perform structural analysis using proven Finite Element Analysis (FEA) methods
  • Includes nonlinear analysis to capture second order P-Delta effects accurately
  • Detect structural buckling in guyed and highly flexible pole structures
  • Analyze structures under user-defined loading conditions
  • Automated pole loading analysis for complex load cases

 

Design checks and results

  • Compare calculated forces and moments against applicable code calculated member capacities
  • Check steel poles using ASCE/SEI 48and other international standards
  • Evaluate wood poles using ASCE, AS/NZS, or ANSI O5.1 with stresses along the structure, not just groundline
  • Detect wood pole buckling using nonlinear analysis or established industry methods
  • Review results through text reports, spreadsheets, and color-coded graphics

 

Intuitive user experience

  • Visualize pole structures using detailed 3D graphics viewable from any angle
  • Quickly identify and fix modeling errors by selecting and editing elements directly
  • Review analysis results with color‑coded graphics highlighting overstressed elements
  • Catch common modeling errors early with automatic input checks and warnings

 

Interoperability and outputs

  • Export results to text reports, spreadsheets, and XML formats for use with other design tools
  • Save graphical outputs to DXF files compatible with CAD systems
  • Support custom workflows with XML hooks for pre‑ and post‑processing integration
  • Reuse legacy models with backward compatibility for earlier PLS structure programs
  • Connect your preferred AI agent via MCP proxy server to extend the capabilities of PLS-POLE
  • Perform simple or complex natural language queries of models, create custom reports and images
  • Use AI agent to open, check, modify, and analyse models and return reports.

Processor: Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen or better with multiple cores recommended 

Operating System: Windows 10 or 11 (64 bit) 

Memory: 2 GB of RAM  

Disk Space: 50 MB minimum 

Display: One or preferably two large monitors (24”+) with at least HD resolution recommended 

Unlock Your Pole Models with AI in PLS-POLE

Connect AI assistants such as GitHub Copilot, Claude, and Gemini directly to PLS-POLE to accelerate pole design and analysis workflows. Use natural language to run structural analyses, validate models, compare alternatives, generate allowable spans, and create deliverables without scripting or specialized automation skills. 

USER STORIES

Real stories. Real results.

Exo prevents major power outage for Evergy

Using PLS’ digital twin technology, the team stabilized a critical grid tower, preventing a catastrophic and costly power outage for Evergy.

An image illustrating the flood conditions that EXO Grid addressed by retrofitting 44 transmission towers to withstand extreme weather and water loads.

Toth restores power 18 days ahead of schedule

The engineering firm used PLS to quickly develop a line replacement plan, restoring power to 1,500 people for Prairie Power Co-op.

The aftermath of an EF2 tornado, with 11 miles of a 69-kilovolt transmission line destroyed, which Toth redesigned for greater resiliency.

Qualus helps utility reduce unnecessary pole replacements

Qualus cut engineering time by up to 75%, finding $2.5M in potential annual savings by using PLS-CADD for accurate pole analysis.

A digital engineering model of a power line, illustrating how Qualus used terrain alignment and span interaction data in PLS-CADD to challenge legacy workflows.

Osmose assesses aging infrastructure for New England Utility

Using PLS, Osmose gave utility a clear path for upgrades by creating 3D models and simulating weather events on aging structures.

Osmose assesses aging infrastructure for New England Utility

FAQS

Find answers

PLS-POLE is structural analysis and design software used for pole-type transmission, distribution, substation, and communication structures.

PLS‑POLE can model a wide range of pole‑based structures, including single poles, H‑frames, A‑frames, and other multi-pole structures with or without down guys. These structures can be assembled from reusable components such as arms, guys, braces, equipment and insulators.

PLS‑POLE supports structures with wood, laminated wood, tubular steel, concrete, fiber‑reinforced polymer (FRP) poles, and modular guyed masts. Engineers can also combine materials within a single structure to optimize cost, strength, and performance.

PLS‑POLE uses our proprietary SAPS Finite Element Analysis program to calculate forces and moments in pole structures under user‑defined loading conditions. Nonlinear analysis options help capture second‑order effects, such as P‑Delta behavior, and detect structural buckling in flexible or guyed structures.

PLS-POLE automates loading and strength checks for major international standards Pole checks include ASCE, ANSI O5.1, and other international codes. PLS-POLE supports global wind/ice codes like NESC, ASCE, IEC 60826, EN 50341, AS/NZS 7000, IS 802, and various European National Normative Aspects (NNA).

PLS‑POLE can be used as a standalone program or the structure models can be integrated into PLS‑CADD and PLS‑CADD/LITE models for complete overhead line design and automated structural checks. PLS-POLE can be integrated with the CAISSON program for concrete pier and embedded foundation design.

Yes, PLS-POLE includes powerful structure optimization features including tubular steel pole selection, tubular steel pole shaft and davit arm optimizations, X-brace location optimization for frame structures.

RESOURCES

Your hub for all things PLS-POLE

Build your PLS-POLE expertise with free, on-demand webinars, community forums, technical documentation, and more.