Testing of small and large sign support systems Federal Outdoor Impact Laboratory test numbers

1994Test reportKing, RichardPDFTech ReportFHWA-RD-93-104DTFH61-91-Z-00002Sign supportsBreakaway supportsImpact testsPerformance testsHighway safetyUnited StatesTurner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterBrown, Christopher M.Advanced Technology & Research CorporationUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Safety and Traffic Operations Research and DevelopmentNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway SafetyFederal Highway AdministrationThis test report contains the results of a crash test performed at the Federal OutdoorImpact Laboratory (FOIL) in McLean, Virginia. The test was performed on a small signsupport system at 20 mi/h (8.9 m/s), test 92F016. The vehicle used for these test was the FOIL breakaway bogie. The purpose of this test was to evaluate the low-speed safety performance of a single post sign support with a soilcrete foundation in weak soil. The post was made from a single 5-in (127-mm) diameter timber with two 2-in (51-mm) holes. Soilcrete consists of nine parts native soil mixed with one part cement. Because the sign post was tested in weak soil, sand was used as the native soil. The performance evaluation was based on the latest requirements for breakaway supports as specified in Volume 54, Number 3 of the Federal Register dated January 5, 1989. These criteria specify, in part, that the occupant change in velocity must be 16 ft/s (4.9 m/s) or less, that the significant test article stub height remaining after impact be no more than 4 in (102 mrn), and that there can be no occupant compartment intrusion. The test results indicate that the single wood timber sign support in a soilcrete foundation in weak soil meets all of the applicable performance criteria for roadside safety appurtenances specified by the FHWA