Fatigue Failure and Cracking in High Mast Poles

This report presents the findings of a comprehensive research project to investigate the fatigue cracking and failure of galvanized high mast illumination poles (HMIP). Ultrasonic inspection of poles throughout the state has revealed the presence of weld toe cracks at the shaft-to-base-plate connections of some galvanized poles that the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) owns. However, the effect of these galvanization-induced cracks on the fatigue life of the poles has not been clearly defined. The first phase of this research involved extensive review of published and unpublished data, to identify key factors that contribute to galvanization-induced cracking. Best fabrication practices to minimize such cracking are recommended. In the second phase, a comprehensive reliability analysis of several TxDOT pole configurations was conducted for different regions in Texas to predict the fatigue lives of the cracked poles. Critical pole configurations and locations are identified to facilitate cost-effective decisions related to inspection, repair, and replacement of poles.

• Record URL:
  http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-6650-1.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Project Title: Fatigue Failure and Cracking in High Mast Poles. Report Date: October 2011; Published: March 2012.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Houston

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 4800 Calhoun Road
  Houston, TX  United States  77204-4003

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Implementation Office, P.O. Box 5080
  Austin, TX  United States  78763-5080

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Goyal, Raka
  • Dhonde, Hemant B
  • Dawood, Mina
• Publication Date: 2012-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Technical Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 272p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Failure; Fatigue cracking; Galvanizing; High mast lighting; Inspection; Lighting columns; Support poles; Ultrasonic waves; Weldments
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I60: Maintenance; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01373488
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-12/0-6650-1, Report 0-6650-1
• Contract Numbers: Project 0-6650
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jun 22 2012 4:35PM