Optimized Adhesive Performance in Electronic Transportation Sign Construction

The ultimate objective of this project was to determine the structural performance of the Dynamic Message Sign (DMS) bonded with chemical adhesive in terms of ultimate strength and fatigue strength. To achieve this objective, this project first investigated the effects of various parameters (i.e., conditioning humidity and conditioning temperature) on tensile, shear, peel, and cleavage strength through small‐scale tests of adhesive specimens with variation in specimen width. Numerous data resulting from the tests were analyzed through graphical comparisons and statistical analysis to explore the effect of the considered parameters on each of the strengths. It was found that conditioning humidity and width were the most significant parameters negatively affecting the tensile and peel strength, respectively. Four full‐scale DMS tests were also performed to examine their structural performance. Specifically, the ultimate strength testing was carried out on one DMS with adhesive joints and one with typically welded connections, and the fatigue testing was also conducted for one DMS system with adhesive joints and one with welded connections. The ultimate strength testing demonstrated that the adhesive DMS failed at 125 kN, while the weld DMS failed at 146 kN. During the fatigue test, stress ranges observed in the panel were much below the threshold of the aluminum panel of the DMS. No sign of damage was observed in both adhesive and welded DMSs from the fatigue tests. The results indicated that DMS with adhesively bonded connections is relatively better than welded DMS with respect to the stress induced in the panel.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=1050
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60193
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  South Dakota State University, Brookings

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Brookings, SD  United States  57007

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Daktronics

  USA
  ,    

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Seo, Junwon
  • Amatya, Ibin
• Publication Date: 2021-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 174p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesion; Adhesives; Fatigue strength; Structural analysis; Variable message signs
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01831621
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 21-442
• Contract Numbers: MPC-563
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 28 2021 9:30AM