Experimental Investigation of Wind-induced Response of Span-wire Traffic Signal Systems

Authors

Manuel A. Matus Mr., Florida International University College of LawFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Civil Engineering

First Advisor's Name

Ioannis Zisis

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Amal Elawady

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Arindam Gan Chowdhury

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Peter Irwin

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

Span-wire, Traffic lights, Traffic lights drag coefficient

Date of Defense

3-27-2018

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to identify key design parameters that might significantly affect the response of span wire traffic light systems during extreme wind events. The performance of these systems was assessed through physical testing in an effort to quantify the effect of sag ratio, wire tension and wire clearance. The Wall of Wind experimental facility at Florida International University was utilized for testing the systems at different wind speeds and wind directions.

The findings showed that, at all tested wind directions, lift, drag and tension forces increased with increasing wind speeds. On the contrary, increasing the wind speed resulted in higher inclination on the traffic lights, lower drag coefficients and higher lift coefficients. Overall, when the wind was approaching from the rear face of the traffic signals, increased drag coefficients were recorded. When the sag was set at 7% lower drag coefficients were observed.

Identifier

FIDC006546

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0307-6732

Recommended Citation

Matus, Manuel A. Mr., "Experimental Investigation of Wind-induced Response of Span-wire Traffic Signal Systems" (2018). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3655.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3655