Investigation of the Fatigue Life of Steel Base Plate to Pole Connections for Traffic Structures

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(116)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Texas Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Nov 04, 2005
Solicitation Number: 890
Partners: CA, CO, IADOT, MN, NC, PADOT, SD, TX, WI, WY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Aug 05, 2011
Contract End Date: Aug 31, 2008
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $443,500.00
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $553,500.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Frank Bailey
rtimain@txdot.gov
Phone: 512- 416-4730
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
California Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le
California Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le
California Department of Transportation 2007 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le
California Department of Transportation 2008 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le
Colorado Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Richard Osmun Aziz Khan
Colorado Department of Transportation 2008 $15,000.00 Richard Osmun Aziz Khan
Iowa Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Bruce Brakke Carol Culver
Iowa Department of Transportation 2008 $15,000.00 Bruce Brakke Carol Culver
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2006 $12,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2007 $12,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2008 $12,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2009 $25,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Greg Perfetti Mrinmay Biswas
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Greg Perfetti Mrinmay Biswas
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 William Laubach Bonnie Fields
South Dakota Department of Transportation 2007 $25,000.00 Kevin Goeden David Huft
Texas Department of Transportation 2007 $62,500.00 Charmaine Richardson
Texas Department of Transportation 2008 $0.00 Charmaine Richardson
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Kent Bahler Lori Richter
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2009 $25,000.00 Kent Bahler Lori Richter
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2007 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2008 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch

Study Description

The project is proposed to investigate what improvements can be made to the base plate to pole connections for traffic structures, such as socket welds, to improve their fatigue life. Recent research on the fatigue life of traffic signal mast arm to pole socket welded connections has shown that the fatigue category of this detail is E¿ and sometimes less. The addition of stiffeners did increase the fatigue performance, but not to the level predicted by the AASHTO Specifications. This research has also shown that small changes in various connection details, such as plate thickness, bolt pattern, and stiffener pattern, can improve the fatigue life of the connection. More research is needed to develop a better understanding of the effect of these changes, and to provide a systematic way that this knowledge can be incorporated into the design process and the AASHTO specifications for signal poles, high mast illumination poles, and other traffic structures.

Objectives

Objectives 1.Develop a comprehensive list of connection details that affect the fatigue life of various commonly used connection details 2.Determine which changes to these details could feasibly and most cost effectively be used to increase the fatigue life of base plate to pole connections, with and without stiffeners 3.Determine a quantitative relationship between the changes in the details and their effect on the fatigue life of the connection 4.Develop a fatigue design guide that would show designers how they could quantitatively use the various recommended changes for use in there fatigue designs 5.Develop language to incorporate the above guide into the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals

Scope of Work

Phases 1)Literature review A review of literature and recent research in the field of fatigue to provide a good idea of what kind of tests have been performed, which ones are worth expanding on, and what factors effect the fatigue life of the connection. 2)Develop test plan After a list of fatigue life influencing factors has been put together, develop a test matrix. The matrix will show which factors or details are going to be tested, the range to test over, the number of tests required, and any combination of factors or details that should be tested together. The matrices shall then be reviewed by fabricators and contributing agencies to ensure that all tests are worthwhile and that other factors that may be important or useful will also be considered. This will help to ensure that the results from testing will yield feasible and cost effective solutions. 3)Testing Since the number of tests required to develop an in depth understanding of the wide gamut of connection possibilities would be quite large, and the costs and time required for such tests also quite large, Finite Element Models (FEM) may be used. These models will be correlated with actual tests, and they will allow an increase in the number of combinations and changes that can be evaluated with a fixed budget and in a reasonable amount of time. 4)Summarize Results The results should be summarized in three ways. 1. A final report detailing all of the tests, the test methods, literature review, results, and conclusions. 2. A fatigue design guide which outlines how to quantitatively include improvements in the connection detail in the design process. 3.A list of changes to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals to recommend to the AASTHO T-12 Committee.

Comments

A suggested amount of $25,000 is needed from each study partner.

Subjects: Highway and Facility Design

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Fatigue Life of Steel Base Plate to Pole Connections for Traffic Structures http://www.utexas.edu/research/ctr/pdf_reports/9_1526_1.pdf Deliverable Final Report Public 2012-04-09
Project Summary Report 9-1526-S-Pub.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2011-05-31
Progress Report: 12/1/10 - 2/28/11 TPF-5(116)_2ndQtr11.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-05-31
Progress Report: 9/1/2010 - 11/30/2010 TPF-5(116)_1stQtr11.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-05-31
Progress Report: 3/1/10 - 05/31/10 TPF-5(116)_3rdQtr10.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2010-06-10
Progress Report: 6/1/10 - 08/31/10 TPF-5(116)_4thQtr10.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2010-09-17
Progress Report: 9/1/09 - 11/30/09 progress_report_2009-11-30.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2009-12-09
Semi-Annual Progress Report: 3/1/09 - 8/31/09 progress_report_2009-08-31.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2009-09-09
Progress Report: 12/1/09 - 2/28/10 progress_report_2010-02-28.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2010-03-22
Semi-Annual Progress Report: February 28, 2009 progress_report_2009-02-28.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2009-03-05
Progress Report: 3/1/09 - 6/30/09 progress_report_2009-06-30.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2009-06-17
Progress Report: September 1, 2008 - November 30, 2008 progress_report_2008-11-30.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-12-16
Progress Report: March - May 2008 progress_report_2008-05-31.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-06-10
Progress Report: March 2008 progress_report_2008-03-31.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-03-25
High Mast Fatigue Reference Sheet (March 2008) High_Mast_reference_sheets.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2008-03-25
Mast Arm Fatigue Reference Sheet (March 2008) Mast_Arm_Reference_Sheets.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2008-03-25
Semi-Annual Progress Report: September 1, 2007 - February 29, 2008 progress_report_2008-02-28.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2008-03-17
Progress Report: October - December 2007 progress_report_2007-12-31.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-01-11
Semi-Annual Progress Report: 3/1/08 - 8/31/08 progress_report_2008-08-31.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2008-09-08
Progress Report: March - May 2007 progress_report_2007-06-01.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2007-08-06
Semi-Annual Progress Report: March 1 - August 31, 2007 progress_report_2007-08-01.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2007-08-06
Progress Report: September 1, 2006 - February 28, 2007 progress_report_2007-02-28.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2007-04-04
Progress Report: January 2007 progress_report_2007-01.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2007-01-22
Progress Report: September 2005 - February 2006 progress_report_February06.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2006-03-28
Quarterly Report: November 4-December 31, 2005 progress_report_December05.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2006-01-19
Progress Report: March - August 2006 progress_report_2006_08_31.pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2006-09-01
Progress Report: March - May 2006 progress_report_2006_05_31.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2006-07-31
Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Investigation of the Fatigue Life of Steel Base Plate to Pole Connections for Traffic Structures 890.pdf TPF Study Documentation Solicitation Public 2011-09-25

Investigation of the Fatigue Life of Steel Base Plate to Pole Connections for Traffic Structures

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(116)
Lead Organization: Texas Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Nov 04, 2005
Solicitation Number: 890
Partners: CA, CO, IADOT, MN, NC, PADOT, SD, TX, WI, WY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Aug 05, 2011
Contract End Date: Aug 31, 2008
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $443,500.00
Total Commitments Received: $553,500.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Frank Bailey
rtimain@txdot.gov
Phone: 512- 416-4730
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
California Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation 2007 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation 2008 $25,000.00 Lian Duan Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
Colorado Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Richard Osmun Aziz Khan aziz.khan@state.co.us
Colorado Department of Transportation 2008 $15,000.00 Richard Osmun Aziz Khan aziz.khan@state.co.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Bruce Brakke Carol Culver 515-239-1208 carol.culver@iowadot.us
Iowa Department of Transportation 2008 $15,000.00 Bruce Brakke Carol Culver 515-239-1208 carol.culver@iowadot.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2006 $12,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2007 $12,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2008 $12,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2009 $25,000.00 Thomas Merritt Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Greg Perfetti Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Greg Perfetti Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 William Laubach Bonnie Fields 717-214-8686 bfields@state.pa.us
South Dakota Department of Transportation 2007 $25,000.00 Kevin Goeden David Huft 605-773-3358 dave.huft@state.sd.us
Texas Department of Transportation 2007 $62,500.00 Charmaine Richardson 512-416-4726 rtimain@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2008 $0.00 Charmaine Richardson 512-416-4726 rtimain@txdot.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Kent Bahler Lori Richter 608-264-8435 lori.richter@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2009 $25,000.00 Kent Bahler Lori Richter 608-264-8435 lori.richter@dot.wi.gov
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2007 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2008 $25,000.00 Gregg Fredrick Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us

Study Description

Study Description

The project is proposed to investigate what improvements can be made to the base plate to pole connections for traffic structures, such as socket welds, to improve their fatigue life. Recent research on the fatigue life of traffic signal mast arm to pole socket welded connections has shown that the fatigue category of this detail is E¿ and sometimes less. The addition of stiffeners did increase the fatigue performance, but not to the level predicted by the AASHTO Specifications. This research has also shown that small changes in various connection details, such as plate thickness, bolt pattern, and stiffener pattern, can improve the fatigue life of the connection. More research is needed to develop a better understanding of the effect of these changes, and to provide a systematic way that this knowledge can be incorporated into the design process and the AASHTO specifications for signal poles, high mast illumination poles, and other traffic structures.

Objectives

Objectives 1.Develop a comprehensive list of connection details that affect the fatigue life of various commonly used connection details 2.Determine which changes to these details could feasibly and most cost effectively be used to increase the fatigue life of base plate to pole connections, with and without stiffeners 3.Determine a quantitative relationship between the changes in the details and their effect on the fatigue life of the connection 4.Develop a fatigue design guide that would show designers how they could quantitatively use the various recommended changes for use in there fatigue designs 5.Develop language to incorporate the above guide into the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals

Scope of Work

Phases 1)Literature review A review of literature and recent research in the field of fatigue to provide a good idea of what kind of tests have been performed, which ones are worth expanding on, and what factors effect the fatigue life of the connection. 2)Develop test plan After a list of fatigue life influencing factors has been put together, develop a test matrix. The matrix will show which factors or details are going to be tested, the range to test over, the number of tests required, and any combination of factors or details that should be tested together. The matrices shall then be reviewed by fabricators and contributing agencies to ensure that all tests are worthwhile and that other factors that may be important or useful will also be considered. This will help to ensure that the results from testing will yield feasible and cost effective solutions. 3)Testing Since the number of tests required to develop an in depth understanding of the wide gamut of connection possibilities would be quite large, and the costs and time required for such tests also quite large, Finite Element Models (FEM) may be used. These models will be correlated with actual tests, and they will allow an increase in the number of combinations and changes that can be evaluated with a fixed budget and in a reasonable amount of time. 4)Summarize Results The results should be summarized in three ways. 1. A final report detailing all of the tests, the test methods, literature review, results, and conclusions. 2. A fatigue design guide which outlines how to quantitatively include improvements in the connection detail in the design process. 3.A list of changes to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals to recommend to the AASTHO T-12 Committee.

Comments

A suggested amount of $25,000 is needed from each study partner.

Subjects: Highway and Facility Design

Title File/Link Type Private
Fatigue Life of Steel Base Plate to Pole Connections for Traffic Structures Deliverable Public
Progress Report: 9/1/2010 - 11/30/2010 TPF-5(116)_1stQtr11.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report: 12/1/10 - 2/28/11 TPF-5(116)_2ndQtr11.pdf Progress Report Public
Project Summary Report 9-1526-S-Pub.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: 6/1/10 - 08/31/10 TPF-5(116)_4thQtr10.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report: 3/1/10 - 05/31/10 TPF-5(116)_3rdQtr10.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report: 12/1/09 - 2/28/10 progress_report_2010-02-28.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report: 9/1/09 - 11/30/09 progress_report_2009-11-30.pdf Progress Report Public
Semi-Annual Progress Report: 3/1/09 - 8/31/09 progress_report_2009-08-31.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: 3/1/09 - 6/30/09 progress_report_2009-06-30.pdf Progress Report Public
Semi-Annual Progress Report: February 28, 2009 progress_report_2009-02-28.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: September 1, 2008 - November 30, 2008 progress_report_2008-11-30.pdf Progress Report Public
Semi-Annual Progress Report: 3/1/08 - 8/31/08 progress_report_2008-08-31.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: March - May 2008 progress_report_2008-05-31.pdf Progress Report Public
Mast Arm Fatigue Reference Sheet (March 2008) Mast_Arm_Reference_Sheets.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
High Mast Fatigue Reference Sheet (March 2008) High_Mast_reference_sheets.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: March 2008 progress_report_2008-03-31.pdf Progress Report Public
Semi-Annual Progress Report: September 1, 2007 - February 29, 2008 progress_report_2008-02-28.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: October - December 2007 progress_report_2007-12-31.pdf Progress Report Public
Semi-Annual Progress Report: March 1 - August 31, 2007 progress_report_2007-08-01.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: March - May 2007 progress_report_2007-06-01.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report: September 1, 2006 - February 28, 2007 progress_report_2007-02-28.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report: January 2007 progress_report_2007-01.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: March - August 2006 progress_report_2006_08_31.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Progress Report: March - May 2006 progress_report_2006_05_31.pdf Progress Report Public
Progress Report: September 2005 - February 2006 progress_report_February06.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: November 4-December 31, 2005 progress_report_December05.pdf Progress Report Public
Title File/Link Type Private
Investigation of the Fatigue Life of Steel Base Plate to Pole Connections for Traffic Structures 890.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public

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