Wind and Structures

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Full-scale investigation of wind-induced vibrations of a mast-arm traffic signal structure

  • Riedman, Michelle (Simpson Gumpertz and Heger Inc.) ;
  • Sinh, Hung Nguyen (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) ;
  • Letchford, Christopher (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) ;
  • O'Rourke, Michael (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
  • Received : 2014.06.14
  • Accepted : 2015.01.21
  • Published : 2015.03.25
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Abstract

In previous model- and full-scale studies, high-amplitude vertical vibrations of mast-arm traffic signal structures have been shown to be due to vortex shedding, a phenomenon in which alternatingly shed, low-pressure vortices induce oscillating forces onto the mast-arm causing a cross-wind response. When the frequency of vortices being shed from the mast-arm corresponds to the natural frequency of the structure, a resonant condition is created causing long-lasting, high-amplitude vibrations which may lead to the fatigue failure of these structures. Turbulence in the approach flow is known to affect the cohesiveness of vortex shedding. Results from this full-scale investigation indicate that the surrounding terrain conditions, which affect the turbulence intensity of the wind, greatly influence the likelihood of occurrence of long-lasting, high-amplitude vibrations and also impact whether reduced service life due to fatigue is likely to be of concern.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : NYSDOT

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