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Fatigue evaluations of variable message sign structures based on AASHTO specifications

  • Structural Engineering
  • Published:
KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering Aims and scope

Abstract

Variable Message Signs (VMS) have become a new trend in roadway signs. These signs offer an increase in traffic safety by their ability to relay messages to motorists for warning of hazards ahead such as fog, traffic congestion, accidents, and lane closings. the geometry of these signs sometimes results in significant cyclic loading of the support structure due to wind gusts. This studypresents analytical and experimental investigations of bridge-type VMS structures. GTSTRUDL (2003) is used to perform space frame structural analyses of these welded tubular structures. This paper includes measurements from a static filed test and compariso ns between the measurements and the structural analyses results. Fatigue evaluations are performed based on the stress ranges fromfield measurements and structural analyses. According to this comparative study, the fatigue design loadings derived from AASHTOSpecifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals (2001) can be conservatively used to evaluate the fatigue life of the bridge-type VMS structures.

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References

  • American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (1994).Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals. Washington, D.C.

  • American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (2001)Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals. Washington, D.C.

  • Dexter, R.J. and Johns, K.W. (1998).Fatigue Related Wind Loads on Highway Support Structures, Report to New Jersey Department of Transportation, ATLSS Report No. 98-03, Lehigh University.

  • Dexter, R.J. and Ricker, M.J. (2002).Fatigue-Resistant Design of Cantilevered Signal, Sign, and Light Supports, NCHRP Report 469, National Cooperative Highway Research Program.

  • Fisher, J.W., Nussbaumer, A., Keating, P.B., and Yen, B.T. (1993).Resistance of Welded Details under Variable Amplitude Loading, NCHRP Report 354, National Cooperative Highway Research Program, USA.

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  • GTSTRUDL (2003):User Guide, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engrg., SangMyung University, Korea

    Jong Sup Park (Member, Assistant Professor)

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, 36837, Auburn, AL, USA

    J. Michael Stallings (Professor and Head)

Authors
  1. Jong Sup Park
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  2. J. Michael Stallings
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Correspondence to Jong Sup Park.

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Park, J.S., Stallings, J.M. Fatigue evaluations of variable message sign structures based on AASHTO specifications. KSCE J Civ Eng 10, 207–217 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02824063

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02824063

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