Traffic signal supporting structures and methods
AssigneeThe Texas A&M University System
InventorsStefan Hurlebaus, John B. Mander
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Abstract
The embodiments presented herein include systems and methods for mitigating fatigue and fracture in mast-and-arm supporting structures caused by wind and other excitation forces. In particular, the embodiments presented herein utilize pre-stressed devices to reduce tensile stresses in arm-to-mast connections and/or mast-to-foundation connections of the traffic signal supporting structures. Present embodiments may employ stressed cables, post-tensioned bars (e.g., DYWIDAG bars), threaded rods, and so forth, to mitigate fatigue and fracture in the traffic signal supporting structures.
Claims18
A mast-and-arm supporting structure, comprising:
- a mast extending substantially vertically from a foundation;
- an arm extending substantially horizontally from an arm-to-mast connection that couples the arm to the mast;
- and
- a post-tensioning device coupled proximate a first end of the post-tensioning device to the arm via a first bearing plate and coupled proximate a second opposite end of the post-tensioning device to the mast via a second bearing plate, wherein the post-tensioning device is pre-stressed, wherein the post-tensioning device is disposed internal to the arm, the arm-to-mast connection, and the mast, and wherein the second bearing plate is positioned vertically above the first bearing plate such that the post-tensioning device angles upward from the first bearing plate toward the second bearing plate within the arm.
A mast-and-arm supporting structure, comprising:
- a metal mast extending substantially vertically from a coupling with a concrete foundation;
- a metal arm cantilevered from the mast via an arm-to-mast connection such that the arm extends substantially horizontally from the mast;
- a post-tensioning device extending through an internal portion of the arm, wherein the post-tensioning device is pre-stressed;
- a first portion of the post-tensioning device coupled to the arm via a first bearing plate;
- and
- a second portion of the post-tensioning device coupled to the mast via a second bearing plate wherein the second bearing plate is positioned vertically above the first bearing plate such that the post-tensioning device angles upward from the first bearing plate toward the second bearing plate.
A mast-and-arm supporting structure, comprising:
- a mast extending substantially vertically from a foundation;
- an arm extending substantially horizontally from an arm-to-mast connection that couples the arm to the mast;
- and
- a post-tensioning device coupled proximate a first end of the post-tensioning device to the arm via a first bearing plate and coupled proximate a second opposite end of the post-tensioning device to the mast via a second bearing plate, wherein the post-tensioning device is pre-stressed, wherein the post-tensioning device is disposed internal to the arm, the arm-to-mast connection, and the mast, and wherein the second bearing plate is positioned vertically above the first bearing plate such that the post-tensioning device angles upward from the first bearing plate toward the second bearing plate within the arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.