TEST OF 120-FT SANTA FE RAILWAY FLOODLIGHT TOWER

This report contains a description and analysis of a field test on a 120-ft floodlight tower in the Santa Fe Railway yard at Clovis, N. Mex. This location was selected because of the high wind velocities that prevail there. Towers similar to the one tested have collapsed under wind loading, and this test was performed to obtain data on the relation between the wind velocity, stresses in the tower legs, and displacement of the top of the tower. Some of the conclusions are: 1) The tower continually oscillated during wind generally in an eliptical path and at a natural vibration of 0.8 cps. 2) Wind velocity continually increased or decreased. 3) Wind velocities were recorded increasing at one level on the tower and at the same instant decreasing at another level. 4) There was an increase in the mean stress in the tower legs with an increase in wind velocity. 5) Semi-amplitude stresses in the tower legs were not related to the mean stresses or wind velocities, but are related to the frequencies of wind gusts. 6) Mean stresses in the tower legs at the 40 and 80 ft levels were not always proportional to the mean stresses at the base. 7) Displacements of the tower at the top were not related to the wind velocities or the stresses in the tower legs.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Railway Engineering Association

  59 East Van Buren Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60605
• Publication Date: 1960-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 133-152
• Serial:
  • AREA BULLETIN
  • Volume: 62 N
  • Issue Number: 559
  • Publisher: American Railway Engineering Association

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Lighting equipment; Railroad yards; Wind
• Old TRIS Terms: Yard design
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00052331
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1974 12:00AM