Citation

Park JS, Stallings JM. KSCE J. Civil Eng. 2006; 10(3): 207-217.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/BF02824063

PMID

unavailable

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 AASHTO Specifications 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.