Structure Mechanics for Advanced PLDS
ONLINE
Structure Mechanics for Line Design
Course 3 in our Advanced Power Line Design & Staking Certification series
Earn 7.0 UTS Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Time & Location
October 27 - 31, 2025
Online/Self-paced, Flex hours
About this Course
Pre-requisite: PLDS Core (Levels 1-4) Certification, Advanced PLDS - Surveying for Line Design, and Conductor Mechanics for Line Design
Hours: 7 UTS CEUs: 7.0
This course is delivered through the UTS eLearning site. A UTS instructor will be provided and available via email and phone, as needed during course dates.
Structure Mechanics is the third course in our new Advanced PLDS series and is intended to provide advanced concepts in structure mechanics for students who have graduated from our PLDS core (Levels 1-4) program. Line designers and engineering support personnel will learn about the process of evaluating structural characteristics of overhead electric utility lines in order to formulate design guidelines and provide consolidated pole, crossarm and pole top component data and tables.
Students should be prepared to perform basic and algebraic math operations, as well as, having a working knowledge of line design and electric utility operations. The course is intended as a follow up to the PLDS certification or as a stand-alone course for engineering staff tasked with providing designers with information needed to create designs consistent with the PLDS method. Course outline provided.
Course highlights:
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Principals of Structure Mechanics
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The PLDS Process (how poles, equipment, soil conditions and construction practices affect the design and outcome)
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Critical Buckling Axial Ratings (PCR) (how pole class, construction grade, structure orientation type and unbraced column are accounted for in the PCR equation)
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Ultimate Resisting Moment Ratings (URM) (how wood species, pole class and pole setting depth are accounted for in the URM equation)
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Pole Wind Moment (MP) (how NESC Loading, equipment, pole size/class and setting depth affect wind loading on the pole)
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Pole Framing and Adders (determining standards for pole attachments and calculations based on spacing)
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Evaluating NESC strength of pole top components
The Course Process
Course Access: Students will be allowed to log in and work at their own pace (within access dates of the course) and will be responsible for checking assignments, course notes and for submitting all assignments by listed due dates.
Reading Assignments: Students will be responsible for reading assignments (content provided online).
Exercises: Students will complete online exercises to demonstrate comprehension of material
Quizzes/Final Exam: Students will be given opportunity to demonstrate understanding of material by completing online quizzes and a final exam. Quizzes and final exam will consist of T/F, multiple choice, and short answer questions.
Grading – Course Status: Course is a Pass/Retake and grade is a combination of online assignments (quizzes, final exam)
Certificates: Students will receive a certificate of completion upon passing the course
Registration Deadline
Deadline for registration is October 17, 2025. Registrations will be confirmed via email, but participants are not guaranteed space in the class until payment is received. Thank you!
Cancellations/No Shows/Substitutions
Registrants who cancel in writing on or before October 17, 2025 are entitled to a full refund of their registration fee. Registrants who cancel after October 17, 2025 will not receive a refund, but participant substitutions will be allowed for this event only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel by October 17, 2025 are responsible for the full registration.
Registration & Price
Structure Mechanics for Line Design
October 27 - 31, 2025 - ONLINE
Important: When you SUBMIT this Registration Form, you will be taken to a course confirmation page. If you are not routed to this page, please contact us at: 404-890-5514, ext 105 or [email protected].
Pricing - $595/person