Improved Methods for Determining Wind Loads on Highway Sign and Traffic-Signal Structures, TR-559, 2007

(2007) Improved Methods for Determining Wind Loads on Highway Sign and Traffic-Signal Structures, TR-559, 2007. Transportation, Department of

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TR-559 Tech Summary.pdf

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Abstract

The main objective of the proposed study is to use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools to determine the wind loads by accurate numerical simulations of air flow characteristics around large highway sign structures under severe wind speeds conditions. Fully three-dimensional Reynolds- Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are used to estimate the total force on different panels, as well as the actual pressure distribution on the front and back faces of the panels. In particular, the present study investigates the effects of aspect ratio and sign spacing for regular panels, the effect of sign depth for the dynamic message signs that are now being used on Iowa highways, the effect induced by the presence of back-to-back signs, the effect of the presence of add-on exit signs, and the effect of the presence of trucks underneath the signs potentially creating “wind tunnel” effect.

Item Type: Departmental Report
Keywords: Aerodynamic force, Fluid dynamics, Spacing, Traffic signs, Wind tunnels
Subjects: Transportation
Transportation > Research
Transportation > Environment
Transportation > Environment > Weather and climate
ID Code: 20060
Deposited By: Iowa DOT Library
Deposited On: 07 Jul 2015 12:23
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2018 18:13
URI: https://publications.iowa.gov/id/eprint/20060