LABORATORY SIMULATION OF WIND VIBRATIONS IN ROADSIDE STRUCTURES

Common transportation structures such as highway signs, traffic signals, and luminaries are often subjected to dynamic wind events. This paper presents a method of frequency domain analysis in a laboratory for simulating wind vibration affecting these roadside structures. The approach is intended to be complementary to or in lieu of a test in a large-scale wind tunnel. A full-size two-pole roadside sign was erected in a laboratory and attached to an electromechanical actuator. Dynamic response of the structure to an impact load from the actuator was converted into the frequency domain to determine a harmonic transfer function. Records of velocities from several actual strong wind events recorded in free-field conditions were combined with drag coefficients to predict the variation of pressure on the structure. Time histories of force that are to be imposed by the actuator on the signposts were developed using frequency response functions and converting them into the frequency domain by fast Fourier transform. Results show that nearly identical structural response of a roadside sign to simulated wind events can be obtained by using an actuator in a laboratory environment.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07339445
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Harrison IV, B F
  • Roschke, P N
• Publication Date: 2000-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1238-45
• Serial:
  • Journal of Structural Engineering
  • Volume: 126
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0733-9445
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/loi/jsendh

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Actuators; Fast Fourier transforms; Frequency domain analysis; Laboratory studies; Lighting columns; Poles (Supports); Roadside structures; Sign supports; Simulation; Street lighting; Traffic signals; Traffic signs; Vibration; Wind
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00800597
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: CMS-9520295, CMS-9710204, NSC 86-2621-P-006-028
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 11 2000 12:00AM