Abstract: A wood support piling is reinforced by a composite wrapping. The composite wrapping is formed on the wood piling by a filament winding process. Filament strands are impregnated with resin and wrapped around the wood piling under tension. The resin is allowed to cure to form a seamless layer which is uniform in thickness and materials. The composite wrapping is bonded to the wood piling and applies a compressive force on the wood piling to improve its strength characteristics. The composite wrapping may be applied to a portion of the wood piling where reinforcement is needed so that the piling can be manufactured economically. The composite wrapping protects the piling against deterioration and reduces the need for chemical preservatives which are harmful to the environment.

Abstract: A one-piece, unitary, elongate, tubular light pole. The elongate light pole defines a central axis and is constructed from a filament-wound composite of fiber-reinforced bonding agent and has a wall thickness of less than ¾ inch, and preferably ⅜ inch. The pole is configured and adapted to support a lighting structure, thereon without failure of the composite, such that a twenty-foot section of the pole is capable of withstanding a lateral load transverse of the axis of at least 300 pounds without failure of the composite.

Abstract: A method for facilitating removal of a mandrel in the manufacture of hollow composite structures. A mandrel of substantially constant diameter is selected having a composition and coefficient of thermal expansion sufficient to enable it to expand when subjected to an elevated temperature. The mandrel is preheated to at least a predetermined minimum elevated temperature to thereby expand the mandrel radially outwardly. Composite material is wound around the mandrel while the mandrel has a temperature of at least the predetermined minimum elevated temperature. The composite material is then cured using any suitable curing technique. When the composite material has been cured, the mandrel is cooled to contract the mandrel radially inwardly, and the mandrel is removed from the composite material. This method of manufacture and removal is so effective that mandrels of constant diameter have been removed by hand from composite tubes of thirty feet in length.