Alternative materials for FDOT sign structures : phase I literature review.

Details

• Creators:
  Jackson, N. Mike ; Safty, Adel El ; Baumann, Brooke ; Born, Eric ; Dooley, Adam ; Isildar, Andrew ; Jackson, Georgia
• Corporate Creators:
  University of North Florida
• Corporate Contributors:
  Florida. Department of Transportation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Signs
  • Traffic control devices
  • Traffic signs
  • Sign supports
  • Vertical supports
  • Corrosion
  • Fiber reinforced polymers
  • Fiber reinforced materials
  • Trusses
  • Cantilevers
  More +
• Resource Type:
  Research Paper
• Geographical Coverage:
  Florida
• Edition:
  Draft final report; Jan.-May 2012.
• Corporate Publisher:
  University of North Florida
• Abstract:
  Inspections of tubular sign structures by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have ; revealed occurrences of premature corrosion on the inside of galvanized steel tubes. As a result, FDOT ; engineers are seeking alternative materials that may be employed in such structures. Researchers at the ; University of North Florida (UNF) have conducted a literature review of the state-of-the-practice of ; employing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in such applications. The results of this literature ; review indicate that FRP composites have promising material characteristics for such applications. FRP ; composites do not corrode and possess significantly lower densities, which may result in lower ; construction costs, and extended service life. It is noted however that there will be a short-term ; premium associated with the implementation of new technology, as compared with the use of traditional ; construction materials. Further, it is noted that FRP composites tend to fail in a more brittle manner, ; whereas traditional construction materials are assumed to exhibit greater ductility prior to failure. ; Consequently, the need for proven design standards, and specifically connection details, will be critical ; for widespread implementation. Based on this literature review, it is recommended that FDOT engage ; in a pilot project to test and evaluate the merits of using FRP composites for sign truss structures in ; Florida. It is proposed that different commercially available products and different design details, ; specifically connections be evaluated as part of the proposed further study.
  More +
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  BDK82 977-06
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/24334/dot_24334_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.39 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fe601f7141ce3119161e7759e68528e46b69410ce4b5aabeda18d7a9008094d6f4acbf55d71faacc05919eefe6af856b79fafa963367eaefda98eaad921553be