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Title: Fatigue Testing of Traffic Signal Poles
Principal Investigator's Name(s): Jay Puckett & Robert Erikson
Project Sponsor: Wyoming Department of Transportation
Project Timeline: June 2005 - May 2007
Program Overview:
Visual inspections were performed by the Wyoming Department of Transportation
(WYDOT) and indicated that one-third of approximately 840 traffic signal
poles in the state inventory appeared to have fatigue cracks. These crack
lengths were estimated to range from 0.25 inches (6 mm) to 20 inches (508
mm). The visual inspections of the in-service signal poles indicated the
fatigue cracks usually would initiate in the vicinity of the corners of
the box connection and would propagate around the perimeter of the welds
attaching the box’s four gusset plates to the pole. The present
research includes fatigue testing of connections that are presently used
by WYDOT and other local agencies for new traffic signal poles. The research
objective is to characterize the fatigue performance of the stiffened
connection via laboratory testing using the two typical designs. This
work will provide the necessary information to confirm application of
those designs in addition to providing information for possible extension
of mast-arm lengths with the smaller, more economical and aesthetic connections.