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Abstract:Mast arm structures with cantilevered arms are known to be wind-sensitive structures. Previously, research on mast arm structures has primarily focused on vibrations and fatigue analysis under dynamic wind loading conditions (Chen et al., 2001; Zuo and Letchford, 2010; Pulipakaa et al. 1998; Letchford and Cruzado, 2008). The focus of this study is static wind loading of mast arm structures. Based on current Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) static wind load analysis procedures and design specifications, a significant fraction of the existing inventory of mast arm structures in the State of Florida are at maximum capacity with regard to supporting traffic signals and signs. As a result, additional traffic or safety-related hardware cannot be added without changes to or replacement of such structures. The primary objective of this research project is to investigate whether additional residual capacity can be identified in order to increase the quantity of traffic-related hardware components (e.g., signs, traffic signals, safety equipment) that can safely be attached to mast arm structures without necessitating overall structural replacement. There are two approaches that would potentially allow additional hardware installation without replacing the existing structures: (1) determine whether current static wind load analysis methods and design specifications used by the FDOT for mast arms are overly conservative, and (2) design and experimentally test hardware modifications that could reduce aerodynamic drag and/or projected area, thereby reducing the overall wind loads. Structural assessment methods currently implemented by the FDOT for purposes of evaluating mast arm structural adequacy under wind loading conditions conservatively assume that global wind-induced forces can be computed by summing (superimposing) the effects of individual wind forces acting on each component (upright pole, mast arm, signs, signals, etc.). Under this assumption, the design wind pressure (PZ) and wind-induced force (F) for each component are computed and then used in an overall static structural analysis of the mast arm system.
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