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CHAPTER 2

RESEARCH FINDINGS

The project initially focused on 12 topics that were identi- It is recognized that a significant portion of NCHRP Proj-
fied as needing revisions and updates. The following is a list ect 17-10(2) work was of a practical nature, depending on
of the topics that were studied in this project: field experiences, and was not readily available in the pub-
lished literature. Hence, much of the information developed
in the project was based on the experiences of state depart-
• Impact of the newly adopted wind loading criteria and
ments of transportation (DOTs), manufacturers of support
wind map;
structures, material suppliers, and engineers. Close contacts
• Treatment of wind-sensitive structures;
with these parties were maintained throughout the duration
• Fatigue of noncantilevered support structures;
of the project and provided an essential ingredient to the suc-
• Anchor bolt design details, including embedment length
cess of the project. Information gained from these sources
and pretensioning;
was studied and evaluated with special care, since no offi-
• Foundation selection criteria;
cial peer-reviewed publication of the material is available.
• Drag coefficient transition for multisided tapered poles
Based on the surveys of Task 1, the state DOTs and manu-
where the cross-section is nearly round;
facturers with the most pertinent information related to Proj-
• Connection plate flatness criteria;
ect 17-10(2) were identified. Typical state DOTs that were
• Flexural strength of square or rectangular steel tube sec-
contacted included Wyoming, Florida, New York, Califor-
tions bent about the diagonal;
nia, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia. Typical manufacturers
• Performance specifications and acceptance testing for
that were contacted included Hapco, Newmark, P&K Pole
fiber-reinforced composite members;
Products, Shakespeare, Strongwell, Union Metal, Valmont,
• Retrofitting and rehabilitating of fatigue-damaged struc-
Walpar, and Whatley. Visits, as necessary, were made to
tures;
gather test data and discuss important details and design
• A set of complete and detailed design examples illus-
information.
trating the use of the 2001 Supports Specifications; and
• Development of a strategic plan for converting the spec-
ifications to an LRFD philosophy and a plan depicting
future enhancements to the specifications. 2.1.1 State DOT Survey and Results

The survey sent by the research team to state DOTs, as

This chapter summarizes the work performed and the research well as the results of that survey, are given in Appendix A.
findings. Where applicable, suggested changes to the speci- Forty-seven agencies responded. Many state DOTs provided
fications are described. materials such as repair manuals, sample calculations, and
sample designs that were referenced in later stages of this
research. Some states also identified additional manufactur-
ers that were contacted.
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW, INDUSTRY
CONTACTS, AND SURVEY

The work for the project included reviewing relevant prac-
tice; performance data; research findings; and other informa-
tion related to sign, signal, and luminaire support structures.
This information was assembled from foreign and domes-
tic technical literature and from unpublished experiences of
engineers, owners, material suppliers, fabricators, and oth-
ers. Information on actual field performance was of partic-
ular interest.
2.1.2 Manufacturers’ Survey and Results
The survey sent by the research team to support struc-
ture manufacturers, as well as the results of that survey, are
provided in Appendix A. In addition to survey responses,
some of the support structure manufacturers provided sam-
ple drawings, test data, calculations, and product catalogs,
which were reviewed as part of the project work. Additional