A 100-m high prefabricated concrete pole: why not?

The idea of using concrete to make prefabricated poles is not new. The first poles were built around 1856 and they are at present commonly used in several countries. What is really new is that, using high performance concrete technology, it is now possible to make segmental poles or towers of more than 60 m in height that can be erected in one day. The use of 60 to 80 MPa concrete makes possible the prefabrication of segments whose length and weight are limited by the lifting equipment available in the field and local transport regulations. In Canada, road regulations limit the length (without a permit) to 25 m and the weight to 35 tonnes. In the United States, the length and weight are limited to 20 m and 22 tonnes. These segments can be placed on top of each other through a conical splicing that does not need any portland cement, epoxy grouting, bolts, nuts or welding. These segments can be placed using a crane or even a helicopter (for segments weighing up to 4 tonnes) in areas of difficult access. However, this is not the ultimate possibility offered by the use of concrete in making prefabricated poles, the development of 200 MPa reactive powder concrete, due to its high compressive and flexural strength, enables a reduction in the weight of the segments and makes possible the design and manufacturing of 100 m long prefabricated concrete poles or towers.