详情

Understanding and Mitigating the Dynamic Behavior of RICWS and DMS Under Wind Loading

项目名称：	Understanding and Mitigating the Dynamic Behavior of RICWS and DMS Under Wind Loading
摘要：	Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) districts have an interest in better understanding the structural behavior and ensuring the required performance of two types of sign panels and supporting structures: Rural Intersection Conflict Warning Signs (RICWS) and the Digital Message Signs (DMS). RICWS blankout signs have exhibited excessive swaying under wind loads, leading to safety concerns regarding failure of the support structure at the base. It is believed the heavy weight of these signs has brought the frequency range of these systems too close to that of the wind excitations. There is a need to investigate the wind-induced dynamic effects on these sign structures and to propose modifications to the systems to reduce the likelihood of failure. There is also interest in investigating the dynamic behavior of the post mounted DMS, particularly the loads on the friction connection and the fatigue lifetime. This research project involves a field investigation to determine the structural performance of these two types of sign structures. Laboratory tests using a towing tank facility and a wind tunnel will be performed on scaled models and opportunely modified models to improve performance and minimize unsteady loads. Numerical models incorporating computational fluid dynamic structure interaction (CFDSI) will be validated with the field and laboratory data and used to investigate a variety of modification schemes. Analytical models based on the numerical results will be generated to optimize potential noncommercial damping strategies. The outcome of this project is expected to develop an understanding of the RICWS blankout and post mounted DMS sign structures, provide guidance on the DMS Type A support design, and to propose modifications to improve the structural performance of the RICWS blankout sign structures without altering the structural supports. The results will help to ensure the uninterrupted service of these sign structures, which are important to public safety.
状态：	Active
资金：	173271
资助组织：	Minnesota Department of Transportation
项目负责人：	Amiri, Farideh
执行机构：	University of Minnesota, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo-Engineering
主要研究人员：	Linderman, Lauren E
开始时间：	20170510
预计完成日期：	20200630
实际结束时间：	0