Generic Small Sign Support System and Validation of Acceptable Support Performance

Details

• Creators:
  Morgan, James R. ; Breaux, L. Dwayne
• Corporate Creators:
  Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
• Corporate Contributors:
  Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Anchors (Structural Connectors) Breakaway Supports Crash Tests Impact Tests Performance Sign Supports
• Publication/ Report Number:
  FHWA/TX-90/1122-1F
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States ; Texas
• Edition:
  Final Report: Sept. 1987 - Aug. 1989
• Corporate Publisher:
  Texas Transportation Institute. Texas A&M University
• Abstract:
  Small sign systems include everything from stop signs and delineator posts to signs up to about 25 square feet. In some cases, multiple small sign support systems are used to support much larger signs (40-50 square feet). This broad class of sign has been and is currently being used along Texas highways. To ensure the safety of vehicle occupants, there have been a series of specifications, guidelines and recommendations which define acceptable vehicle impact performance criteria. Most small sign systems have been tested with vehicles larger than the current standard 1800-pound car. As a result, the first phase of this study was to undertake a series of recertification tests for those systems currently being used in Texas An analytical model also was developed to aid in the evaluation of data from previous crash tests. Although certification was achieved through crash testing, this analytical model proved to be an accurate predictor of impact performance with the smaller 1800-pound vehicle. The crash tests demonstrated satisfactory impact performance for Upost, triangular slip base, and 2-1/2-inch standard pipe with threaded coupler supports, which are all used extensively in Texas. Other currently used systems were not tested because of prior acceptance by FHWA. The second phase of this study consisted of the development and testing of a generic small sign support system. The resulting generic ground anchor system can be used with any tubular signpost. This system has proven satisfactory in both "strong" and "weak11 soils (as defined by NCHRP Report 230) both from the standpoint of drivability and impact performance.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  2-18-89-1122
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:8aaf0775a6bcb6db14984708e3c4dd4c82fa73b8757570d0d417fad6c96eec0773732ee9bda34f00add30845201971d6e7cdb3593c4329d558df706045cc867c
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/85088/dot_85088_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 117.69 MB ]