Develop Performance of Baseplate Connections in COSS and Traffic Signal Structures
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) cantilever overhead sign structures (COSS) and traffic signal pole structures have a socketed fillet welded connection between the column and the baseplate. While economical, this connection has a low fatigue-resistance threshold. Some current and past TxDOT designs and contractor submitted alternates involving multi-sided bent plate columns were not designed using fatigue provisions. Fatigue provisions did not exist in the design specification of the time. TxDOT is currently updating various ancillary structure standards for Load and Resistance Factor Design - Luminaires and Traffic Signals (LRFD-LTS) specifications, which does include fatigue provisions. Research is needed to ascertain the best connection type and design, while balancing economy and performance for new structures. The research team will identify the fatigue life of existing structures, including critical cases and means of repair and retrofit, in this research. The results of this research will lead to improved ancillary structure details with mitigated fatigue risk, as well as a method of identifying existing inventory with fatigue risks. The objectives of this research are to (1) outline fabrication practices and economic considerations that may affect proposed connection type and design, (2) develop an inventory database of COSS and traffic signal pole structures that are representative, (3) utilize structural modeling to identify from within the inventory critical cases that should be advanced to a testing program, (4) develop and execute a targeted testing program that isolates critical design parameters for the fatigue performance of both the critical cases found in the inventory and recommended connection types and designs, (5) provide recommendations for connection types and designs based on fatigue provisions, and (6) provide recommendations for identifying fatigue-critical of existing inventory.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $988605
-
Contract Numbers:
0-7192
-
Sponsor Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483 -
Managing Organizations:
Texas Department of Transportation
125 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX United States 78701-2483 -
Project Managers:
Odell, Wade
-
Performing Organizations:
Texas A&M Transportation Institute
Texas A&M University System
3135 TAMU
College Station, TX United States 77843-3135 El Paso, TX United States -
Principal Investigators:
Hurlebaus, Stefan
- Start Date: 20230901
- Expected Completion Date: 20260831
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Cantilevers; Failure; Fatigue (Mechanics); Load and resistance factor design; Overhead traffic signs; Performance tests; Structural connection; Traffic signals
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01894846
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 0-7192
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Sep 27 2023 3:54PM