Pendulum impact testing of metallic, nonmetallic, and hybrid sign posts, phase II [summary].

PDFTech ReportBDV31-977-16Traffic signsBreakaway supportsStructural testsPendulum testsImpact testsFloridaFlorida. Dept. of Transportation. Research CenterConsolazio, Gary R.Hamilton, H. R. (Trey)University of FloridaFlorida. Dept. of Transportation. Research CenterFlorida. Dept. of Transportation. Structures OfficeUS Transportation CollectionRoadside signs on Florida highways must fulfill two seemingly conflicting structural roles. First,they must withstand hurricane-force winds, and second, they must be able to breakaway when struck by a vehicle. The breakaway requirement is intended to reduce the hazardous, sudden deceleration that can occur when a car leaves the roadway and strikes a roadside sign. University of Florida researchers studied the use of steel, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), and steel/FRP components in breakaway devices for roadside signs. The researchers used the pendulum impact test facility at the Florida Department of Transportation State Structures Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida