Citation

Alberson DC, Ivey DL. Transp. Res. Rec. 1994; 1468: 84-94.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Performance-tested breakaway utility poles have been available for almost a decade. The Texas Transportation Institute developed the Hawkins Breakaway System for FHWA under a contract completed in 1985. Design modifications to decrease the tolerance requirements of the upper hinge connection and the base connection have been completed by the Texas Transportation Institute. These modifications have reduced the amount of material used in the base connection, reduced the machining cost for the upper hinge straps, and significantly reduced the maintenance procedures for the upper connection. In turn initial costs and maintenance costs have been reduced. The new design, AD-IV, was subjected to three pendulum tests and was crash tested with a 1,800-lb automobile at 60 mph. AD-IV meets the test evaluation criteria of NCHRP Report 230. FHWA granted approval of the system on June 17, 1993.

Language: en

Keywords

Costs; Testing; Improvement; Specifications; Maintenance; Performance; Highway systems; Structural design; Fits and tolerances; Poles