Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Major/Program
Civil Engineering
First Advisor's Name
Ioannis Zisis
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Chair
Second Advisor's Name
Peter A. Irwin
Second Advisor's Committee Title
Co-Committee Chair
Third Advisor's Name
Ziad Azzi
Third Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Fourth Advisor's Name
Arindam Gan Chowdhury
Fourth Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Fifth Advisor's Name
David Garber
Fifth Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Sixth Advisor's Name
Wallied Orabi
Sixth Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Keywords
cable supported traffic signal assembly, span wire traffic signal assembly, span wire traffic signals, traffic signal assembly, traffic signals, span wire, cable supported traffic signals, signal supports, hangers, messenger, catenary, strain poles assembly
Date of Defense
10-31-2022
Abstract
Hurricanes and high speed wind events in general are a major threat to all types of infrastructure. Especially vulnerable are miscellaneous roadway and highway structures that support signs and traffic signals throughout cities. These miscellaneous transportation structures are very important in keeping vehicular traffic flowing along roadways and through intersections. It is essential that these systems remain operable following wind events of this magnitude to aid in recovery and emergency response. The most sensitive to intense wind force damage are cable supported traffic signal systems. A large majority of traffic signalized intersections in Florida roads consist of cable supported systems and are vulnerable to powerful winds. Because of the vulnerability of these signal systems, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has funded research to enhance the strength and serviceability.
Florida International University (FIU) Wall of Wind (WOW), a large wind research facility, has conducted tests of full scale span wire traffic signal assemblies to collect data to determine the dynamic response and the forces incurred by traffic signal components, i.e., hangers, disconnect boxes, etc., to wind induced forces.
Numerous experimental tests of full scale span wire signal assemblies were performed at WOW testing facility. The performance of various hanger support and disconnect box systems were observed. The first batch of tests conducted in 2015 and some in 2016 are reported as part of this dissertation along with an interpretation of their (hangers and disconnect boxes) response to different wind speeds.
This dissertation also presents numerical models that were developed which provide an evaluation of the forces, inclinations and wire deflections experienced by span wire traffic signal assemblies subjected to wind forces prior to unstable oscillations occurring. Results generated from the numerical models revealed that they were similar to the experimental results for wind speeds low enough not to initiate unstable oscillations.
Ultimately, the numerical models allow for the opportunity to learn about the response of these assemblies before instability occurs.
The final phase of this study presents a theoretical buffeting analysis of a span wire traffic signal assembly to estimate its buffeting response due to fluctuating wind velocity. The results from the analysis will be compared to experimental results obtained from tests conducted at the WOW. This analysis will produce information that will allow the evaluation of the magnitude of vibration that a span wire assembly goes through during fluctuating wind velocity. This information can give designers of span wire traffic signal assemblies a notion of the power of the vibration that these assemblies are subjected to.
Identifier
FIDC010953
Recommended Citation
Berlanga, Benito Alejandro, "Dynamic Response of Span-Wire Traffic Signal Assembly to Wind-Induced Forces: A Numerical, Analytical and Experimental Approach" (2022). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5161.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5161
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