Stress Analysis of Stiffener Plate at the Base of the

Overhanging Traffic Sign Post under

Effect of Vehicle-Induced Gusts
Luangsod Somchai1, Tempiam Anan1, Fongsamootr Thongchai2 and Chartpuk Prakorb1
1

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Thailand

2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
prakorb.c@rmutp.ac.th

Abstract This research is an analysis of stiffener plate

dimensions at the column base of the overhanging traffic sign
post under effect on vehicle-induced gusts. The finite element
analysis (FEA) result is compared with the result form
computation using mathematical equation and an experimental
result which cited from Fongsamootr T. and Chartpuk P. [2006].
It is found that the FEA result has deviation about 1% and 8%
respectively. Traffic sign post structure is exerted by three forces
in the same time; body force, Vehicle-Induced Gusts and wind
load. The higher stiffener plate leads to decrease of maximum
stress at the column base. Height extension of stiffener plate from
250 to 350 mm with fixed thickness and base width leads to
increase in the safety factor of column and stiffener plate.
Rectangular stiffener plate with cut off a corner (type C) is the
best type for supporting the base of traffic sign post column.
Cutting of a corner of rectangular stiffener plate results increase
of stress in itself but less than maximum stress in traffic sign post
column.

model highway sign (1:30 scale) produced by a model vehicle

passing underneath. Osman Hag Elsafi, Sreenivas Alampalli
and Frank Owens [6] described a computer-aided, spreadsheet
implementation of a new procedure for design of end-plates
and base-plates of sign, signal, and light cantilevered traffic
support-structures and also for base-plates of span-wiremounted traffic-signal structures. However, in previous study
have no researcher analysis stiffener plate stress at the base of
the overhanging traffic sign post for large structure. Thus, the
aim of this study is analysis of stiffener plate stress at the base
of the overhanging traffic sign post under effect on vehicleinduced gusts, equivalent static wind load and its body force.

Keywords-overhanging traffic sign post; stiffener plate; vehicleinduced gusts

I.

INTRODUCTION

Traffic sign is a component for traffic symbol. Traffic sign

is installed on highway area or roadside [1]. It controls and
introduces for the traffic route. Fig. 1 shows the overhanging
traffic sign, stiffener plate and steel column. The structure of
overhanging traffic sign is complex structure particular
stiffener plate which cannot be analyzed by using mathematics
equation. Finite element method is suitable ways to solve this
problem.
According to Fongsamootr T. and Chartpuk P. [2, 3]
analyzed the strength of traffic sign post under wind effect but
theirs in formations still lack of analyzing of strength at
stiffener plate. A.Sanz Andres, J. Santiago Prowald, C. Baker
and A. Quinn [4] presented a mathematical model for the
vehicle-induced load on a flat sign panel, simple enough to
give analytical results, but able to explain the main
characteristics of the phenomenon. Phillip M. Cali and Eugene
E. Covert [5] investigated the induced horizontal loads by
vehicle-induced gusts on an overhead highway sign structure.
The experiment was designed to measure unsteady loads on a

(a) Overhanging traffic sign

(b) Stiffener plate and steel column

Figure 1. Overhanging traffic sign post

II.

STRESS AND STRAIN ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC SIGN

COLUMN ON A MODEL 1:6

In this study there are three methods for analyzing of stress

and strain of traffic sign column; a) Experiment b) Finite
element method c) Mathematical equation.
A. Experimental Setup
Experimental model was fabricated column from stainless
steel 304 (scale factor 1:6). The length of column traffic sign is
123.33 mm with diameter 44.56 mm and thickness 4.7 mm and
size of base steel plate is: width 96.7 mm, length 96.7 mm and
thickness 4.7 mm. There are eight triangular stiffness plates.
Size of stiffness plate size is: width 25 mm, height 43.4 mm
and thickness 2 mm.

978-1-4673-1773-3/12/$31.00 2013 IEEE

Strain gauges KYOWA type KFG-5-120-C1-11L3M2R

with resistance 120.0120.8 at ambient temperature 24 C
and 50 %RH was used. Six strain gauges were installed on the
surface of traffic sign column which installed in pair opposite
at 3 points along the length of column. First point of strain
gauge is higher from column base 75 mm, second point is 370
mm and third point is 815 mm. Strain gauge indicator model
SM-60D and switching balance box SS 24 were used. Stiffener
plate and location of strain gauge are shown in the Fig. 2.

i is angle of center of mass respect x-axis

D is outside diameter of traffic column
d is inside diameter of traffic sign column
ai is position of strain gauge (Outer side)
bi is position of strain gauge (Inner side)
Data reduction: Compressive stresses occur in column at
focused point (ai) can be calculated by (1) as follows.
p ,i =

Pi
Ai

(1)

Bending moment can be calculated by (2)

mi =

Mi C
I

(2)

Combine stress is calculated by (3)

Figure 2. Experimental setup

B. Finite Element Method Analyses.

SolidWorks program is implement which have been
designed finite element model (scale 1:6) and CosmosWorks
program is used for analysis stress and strain in the column.
Pre-Processing, material properties of stainless steel 304 are
followed; Youngs modulus 193 GPa, Poissons ratio 0.3,
tensile stress 520 MPa, compressive stress 210 MPa, density
8,000 kg/m3 and body force is taken into account. In this study,
ten nodes tetrahedral element type is used all parts of structures
and six nodes tetrahedral element type is used for traffic sign
plate.
Solve-Processing, computer-aid engineering analyzes stress
and strain.
Post-Processing, the results are displayed in form of
numerical value of stress and strain in spreadsheet.
C. Mathematical Equations
Stress and strain in the column of traffic sign is calculated
based on beam equations with respected body force as load.
Parameters of traffic sign column are defined and shown in
Fig. 3 body force as load which exerts on each cross section of
column is determined by SolidWorks. Given density of
column material is 8,000 kg/m3.

i =

Pi
Mi C

Ai
I

Where I = ( D 4 d 4 ) / 64 and A = ( D 2 d 2 ) / 4
Strain is calculated by (4)

i = i
E

(4)

Where E is Youngs Modulus

D. Comparision of the Results
Obtained stress occurs in column of traffic sign was shown
in Fig. 4-5. This figure shows the results which obtain from
three methods; experiment, finite element method and
mathematical equation. It can be seen that the stress occurs in
column of traffic sign on range of 75815 mm agree with each
other. When compared to the result from finite element
method, the obtained result from mathematical equation and
the result from experimental have deviation about 1% and 8%
respectively. However, when considered result as shown in
Fig. 4-5, it can be seen that to solve the problem like this by
experiment and mathematical equation has a limit because
they cannot analysis stress occur throughout the length of
column but finite element method can analyze. The result
from finite element method shows highest stress concentration
at 890 mm from base of column.

Figure 3. Parameters of traffic sign post

Where
x is x-axis coordinate
z is z-axis coordinate
xi is center of mass of structure traffic sign
zi is center of mass of structure traffic sign
ri is displacement of center of mass

(3)

Figure 4. Stress distribution along the length of column at outer side

1) Body Force
Body force is a weight of traffic sign post structure which
calculate by using SolidWorks program. Volume and density
are properties of material that use for this calculation process,
also gravity force.
2) Equivalent Static Wind Load
Equivalent static wind load equation [7] is
2
1
V
2
FA = I w qCeCg C p

q =

Figure 5. Stress distribution along the length of column at inner side

III.

MODELING AND SIMULATION OF REAL SIZE TRAFFIC

SIGN POST

Finite element model scale 1:1 is developed and analyzed

stress concentration in by using SolidWorks program combine
with CosmosWorks program.
A. Model of Overhanging Traffic Sign Post
Size of traffic sign post refer to standard size which
defined by office of transport and traffic policy and planning,
ministry of transport Thailand [1]. The length of traffic sign
column is 8,750 mm with diameter 318.5 mm and thickness 6
mm, size of base steel plate is: width 620 mm length 620 mm
thickness 28 mm and size of traffic sign plate is: width 3,500
mm height 2,400 mm thickness 2 mm.
B. Material Properties
The traffic sign post is made from steel JIS G3444 grade
STK41 and traffic sign plate ASTM A36. The boundary
condition is assumed to be isotropic and linear elastic material.
An element type of tetrahedral 10 nodes has been adopted for
the analysis. The properties of traffic sign post material
including elasticity modulus E, Poisons ratio , and density
are given in Table I.
TABLE I.
Material
Type
JIS G3444
Grade
STK41
ASTM
A 36 Steel

STYLES MATERIAL PROPERTY FOR COLUMN TRAFFIC SIGN

Tensile
Strength

Poissons
Ratio

(MPa)

Yield
Strength

Mass
Density

Elastic
Modulus

(MPa)

(kg/m3)

(GPa)

402

0.3

235.4

7850

200

400

0.26

250.0

7850

200

C. Apply Forces
There are three forces exert on the traffic sign post; body
force, equivalent static wind load and force due to vehicleinduced gusts. Equivalent static wind load [7] can be
calculated by (5,6) and force due to vehicle-induced gusts is
calculated by (7) which proposed by A.Sanz Andres, J.
Santiago Prowald, C. Baker and A. Quinn in 2003 [4].

(5)
(6)

Where
Ce is exposure factor, (1)
Iw is significant factor of the wind force, (1)
CP is external pressure coefficient, (1.52)
Cg is gust effect factor, (2.35)
is air density, (1.2 kg/m3)
V is reference wind speed, (15 m/s)
A is area of traffic sign plate, (3.52.4 m2)
q is reference velocity pressure, (135 N/m2)
FA is equivalent static wind pressure, (482 N/m2)
3) Vehicle-Induced Gusts
Force due to vehicle-induced gusts can be calculated by, (7)
FC =

h B 2U 2 Ab
4

2U 2 t 2 d 2

[(U t )2 + d 2 ]5 / 2

(7)

Where

is air density, (1.2 kg/m3)

h is traffic sign plate height, (2.4 m)

B is half of width of traffic sign, (3.5 m)
U is highest velocity of truck, (90 km/hr)
d is distance between center of truck projection area to center
of traffic sign plate in vertical direction, (4.5 m)
Ab is twofold of projection area of truck, (18.75 m2)
t is time (start -1 to 1 second)
FC is vehicle-induced gusts, (N)
Fig. 6 shows magnitude of force due to vehicle-induced
gusts which exert on traffic sign post by (6)

Figure 6. Relation between vehicle-induced gusts and time from (7)

ANALYTICAL RESULTS OF REAL SIZE TRAFFIC SIGN

POST

IV.

Three types, i.e. type (A) rectangle, type (B) triangle and
type (C) rectangle with cut off a corner have been considered
for stiffener plate. The type of stiffener can be found in Table
II. The height of stiffener plate are vary about 250, 300 and
350 mm with fixed thickness and base width, maximum stress
in stiffener plate and maximum stress in traffic sign post
column have been determined. Safety factor of structure has
been determined. Results have been shown in the Table II.
Since, it has biggest volume of material, stiffener plate
type A is the most strength when it compared with stiffener
plate type B and C.
Fig. 711 show distribution of stress which occurs in
stiffener plate. Extension in height of stiffener plate with fixed
thickness and base width results decreasing of maximum
stress in column for all type stiffener plates. Considering Fig.
8, in area A has lowest stress about 2.3 MPa, thus this area is
redundant part thus it can be cut off and it becomes C type like
shown in Fig. 9 and 10.
For these reasons, stiffener plate C type is the most
suitable for supporting of overhanging traffic sign post.
However, the maximum stress in stiffener plat is less than
maximum stress in column.
TABLE II.
Type of
stiffener
plate

Dimensions

(mm)

(A)
rectangle

w =140
h =250
t =12

w
h
t
(B)
triangle

h
w
(C)
rectangle
with cut
off a
corner

c
w

Max. Stress
at stiffener
plate

Max. Stress
at column

Safety factor

(MPa)

(MPa)

stiffener
plate

81

94

2.90

2.50

2.94

2.55

3.01

2.61

2.58

2.55

2.61

2.55

2.80

2.67

80

92

at
column

90

w =140
h =250
t =12

91

92

w =140
h =300
t =12

90

92

w =140
h =350
t =12

84

88

86

90

2.73

2.61

84

90

2.80

2.61

80

87

2.94

2.70

w =140
h =300
t =12
b= 10
c= 10
w =140
h =350
t =12
b= 10
c= 10

Figure 7. Maximum stress in the column of traffic sign post for type A
rectangle with w =140 mm, h =250 mm and t =12 mm

TYPE OF STIFFENER PLATE AND RESULTS

78

w =140
h =250
t =12
b= 10
c= 10

b
h

w =140
h =300
t =12
w =140
h =350
t =12

Deformed shape

Figure 8. Stress distribution in stiffener plate of type A rectangle with

w =140 mm, h =250 mm and t =12 mm

Figure 9. Stress distribution in stiffener plate of type B triangle with

w =140 mm, h =250 mm and t =12 mm

Figure 10. Stress distribution in stiffener plate of type C rectangle with cut off
a corner with w =140 mm, h =250 mm, t =12 mm b =10 mm and c =10 mm

REFERENCES
[1]

[2]

[3]

Figure 11. Stress distribution in stiffener plate of type 3 rectangle with cut off
a corner with w =140 mm, h =350 mm, t =12 mm b =10 mm and c =10 mm

V.

CONCLUSIONS

The aim of this study is investigation the aspect

(configuration) of stiffener plate which suitable for traffic sign
post structure is exerted by three forces in the same time: body
force, Vehicle-Induced Gusts and wind load. The shape and
size of stiffener plate are designed using SolidWorks program.
Finite element method (CosmosWorks program) has been
used to analyze the stress. The height of stiffener plate has an
effect on stress concentration at the base of column, the higher
stiffener plate results decrease of stress concentration in
column. Rectangular stiffener plate with cut off a corner (Type
C) is the best type for supporting the base of traffic sign post
column. Cutting of a corner of rectangular stiffener plate
results increase of stress in its self but less than maximum
stress in traffic sign post column.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank the University of Chiang
Mai and Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon
Thailand, Mechanical engineering department for facility and
financial support.

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

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