Evaluation of Vibration Techniques for KDOT High Mast Illumination Poles

The Kanas DOT has recently discovered many premature failure cases of newly-installed 100-ft tall galvanized steel high mast illumination pole (HMIP) structures. These failed HMIPs all exhibited cracking emanating from the handhole detail near the base of the pole. Video recordings of several HMIPs showed significant vibrations under wind loading that led to large cyclic displacements at the top of the structures. An on-going project is investigating the susceptibility of these HMIPs to frequency lock-in under wind due to vortex-induced vibration through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, which will provide more insights on the cause of the large wind-induced vibrations. A proactive way to address the issue of large-amplitude vibration of HMIP structures is to apply vibration mitigation techniques. While related knowledge is available from the literature on various vibration mitigation techniques, actionable guidelines for the HMIPs in Kansas does not exist. Solutions are urgently needed to reduce vibration-induced stresses at fatigue-critical details in HMIPs to eliminate safety concerns and lengthen the safe service live of these expensive and low-redundancy structures. The research plan is aimed at developing vibration mitigation solutions for KDOT HMIP structures. A primarily experimental approach is proposed, wherein vibration mitigation devices are tested on a full-scale HMIP structure. Computational simulations (finite element models) will be used to augment the scope of the experimental investigation.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $117199
• Contract Numbers:

  RE-0818-01

  C2160

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Kansas Department of Transportation

  Eisenhower State Office Building
  700 SW Harrison Street
  Topeka, KS  United States  66603-3754
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Kansas Center for Research, Incorporated

  2291 Irving Hill Drive, Campus West
  Lawrence, KS  United States  66045
• Principal Investigators:

  Bennett, Caroline

  Collins, William

• Start Date: 20200701
• Expected Completion Date: 20240630
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Failure; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fluid dynamics; High mast lighting; Lighting equipment; Poles (Supports); Vibration
• Geographic Terms: Kansas
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01856809
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Kansas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RE-0818-01, C2160
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 30 2022 5:01PM