Stobie pole (1924 - )

Summary

The 'Stobie' pole, designed and patented by James Cyril Stobie (1895 - 1953) in 1924, and modified in 1926, is a composite metal and concrete pole for electric power lines, overcoming the lack of suitable trees and the problems of termites in South Australia.

'Stobie' poles use two rolled steel "I" sections as the main members to take the stresses in the structure, and form the sides for moulding the concrete. The shear stresses are taken by bolts which, pass through the webs of the "I" beams, and are embedded in the concrete between.

The poles were adopted by the Adelaide Electric Supply Company Limited who paid Stobie £500 for the patent rights.

The 'Stobie' pole design, with minor changes, such as using galvanised steel and designing for taller towers, continues to be used throughout South Australia today, making it a ubiquitous part of the character and heritage of the State.

Related entries

Published resources

Conference Papers

• McCormack, John, 'Development of 36m Stobie Poles for 275kV transmission line', in Distribution 2003 : 7th International Energy Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exhibition. (Port Melbourne, Vic.: Waldron Smith Management, 2003), pp. 2263-88., https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.341903057420867. Details
• Russack, Andrew, 'The Stobie Pole', in Distribution 2003 : 7th International Energy Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exhibition. (Port Melbourne, Vic.: Waldron Smith Management, 2003), pp. 2255-62., https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.341828525535834. Details

Journal Articles

• Stobie, J. C., 'A design for light concrete steel poles (Abstracts of papers read before Divisions)', Transactions of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 5 (1925), 302-305, https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.862422369644012. Details
• Stobie, J. C., 'Design for light concrete steel poles', Quarterly Bulletin, Institution of Engineers, Australia, 2 (6) (1925), 45. Details
• Stobie, J. C., 'Pole footings', Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 2 (2) (1930), 58-63. Details
• Stobie, J. C. [and others], 'Pole footings (Discussions and communications)', Journal of the Institution of Engineers, Australia, 2 (10) (1930), 385-. Details

Newspaper Articles

• R. L., 'Poles to carry light and withstand the ravages of time ... and White Ants.', The Mail (Adelaide) (1939), 25, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55910705. Details

Resources

• IP Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, 'Application: 1918/1926. Title: Improved pole for carrying electric cables, telegraph and telephone wires and for like purposes', Australian Patent search database, Commonwealth of Australia, 2015, https://ipsearch.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/1926001918. Details
• IP Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, 'Application: 18684/1924. Title: An improved pole for carrying electric cables, telegraph and telephone wires and other purposes', Australian Patent search database, Commonwealth of Australia, 2015, https://ipsearch.ipaustralia.gov.au/patents/1924018684. Details