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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION AND RESEARCH APPROACH
1.1 BACKGROUND
NCHRP Project 17-10, whose results are summarized in
NCHRP Report 411 (1), was conducted for the main purpose
of revamping the 1994 edition of AASHTO’s Standard Spec-
ifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Lumi-
naires and Traffic Signals (2) (hereafter referred to as the Sup-
ports Specifications). The project addressed specific technical
topics; provided major updates based on current codes and
standards; presented new wind maps and wind loading crite-
ria; and introduced new sections on fiber-reinforced compos-
ites, wood structures, and fatigue design. NCHRP Report 411
adopted an allowable stress design (ASD) philosophy and was
presented in a user-friendly specification/commentary side-by-
side format. Project 17-10 resulted in a totally revised Supports
Specifications that was submitted to the AASHTO Highway
Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures (HSCOBS), adopted
in 1999 (3), and published in 2001 (4).
1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT
In spite of the extensive research efforts performed under
NCHRP Project 17-10, a number of technical issues still
needed further investigation or refinement. The project panel
identified and prioritized a number of technical topics for
study in NCHRP Project 17-10(2). Addressing these topics
would result in a more comprehensive and enhanced state-of-
the-art Supports Specifications. The 2001 Supports Specifi-
cations also had to be upgraded to the more rational load and
resistance factor design (LRFD) philosophy. LRFD was and
is the basis for most design specifications, since it provides a
consistent approach with respect to strength evaluation and
structural safety. Furthermore, since the Supports Specifica-
tions was and is a comprehensive document incorporating
various materials, design criteria, and structure types, a strate-
gic plan for future enhancement and maintenance of the spec-
ifications was needed.
1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND APPROACH
1.3.1 Objectives
The main objective of NCHRP Project 17-10(2) was to
address a number of additional technical topics to further
enhance the Supports Specifications developed under Project
17-10 and to provide a strategic plan for future development
of the specifications. Topics addressed by Project 17-10(2)
included the following:
• Impact of the newly adopted wind loading criteria and
wind map;
• Treatment of wind-sensitive structures;
• Fatigue of noncantilevered support structures;
• Anchor bolt design details, including embedment length
and pretensioning;
• Foundation selection criteria;
• Drag coefficient transition for multisided tapered poles;
• Connection plate flatness criteria;
• Flexural strength of square or rectangular steel tube sec-
tions bent about the diagonal;
• Performance specifications and acceptance testing for
fiber-reinforced composite members;
• A set of complete and detailed design examples illus-
trating the use of the 2001 Supports Specifications;
• Retrofitting and rehabilitating of fatigue-damaged struc-
tures; and
• Development of a strategic plan for converting the spec-
ifications to an LRFD philosophy and a plan depicting
future enhancements to the specifications.
1.3.2 Approach
The research consisted of an extensive review and analysis
of theoretical and experimental research investigations related
to the project topics. Unpublished works and currently ongo-
ing research studies were also identified and obtained. The
primary focus was to obtain the most up-to-date technical
information that has materialized since the completion of
NCHRP Project 17-10. The assembled information was eval-
uated and presented in the form of design equations, allow-
able stresses, improved methods of analysis, design details,
construction tolerances, procedures for repair of structures,
and recommendations for improved design and fabrication.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION
The planned work for this project consisted of the follow-
ing thirteen tasks: