High-Mounting-Height Temporary Single Sign Support with Aluminum Sign

Report Number(s): 9-1002-12-5

Description: Three 1-3/4 inch perforated square steel tubes with a nominal wall thickness of 0.108 inch were welded together to form an H-base assembly system. Each tube forming the H-base was 48 inches long. A 1-3/4 inch square steel tube with a nominal wall thickness of 0.108 inch and a total length of 60 inches was welded to the center of the H-base assembly. A 68-inch piece of 1˗3/4-inch perforated square steel tubing served as the vertical support and bracing for the sign panel. A 32 inch long section of 1-1/2-inch steel tubing was nested inside the vertical support to provide height adjustability of the sign panel. The nested tube extended from the bottom of the vertical support, inserted 4 ½ inches into the top of vertical sleeve, and rested on a bolt to form a slip connection. A 3/8-inch diameter bolt passed through the nested tubes to provide the desired mounting height of 7 ft from the ground to the bottom of the sign panel. A 36-inch × 36-inch × 0.1-inch thick aluminum diamond-shaped sign was attached to the 1-1/2 inch tube in two locations: 18 inches top and bottom of the horizontal centerline of the sign. The sign was attached to the tube using 3/8-inch diameter bolts. Figures 6.1 through 6.3 give details of the sign support system. A 40-lb sand bag was laid on each side of the base assembly. All perforated square steel tubing was 12 gauge. All bolts were ASTM A307, but any grade bolt was considered acceptable. The test installation was placed on a concrete surface. Figure 6.4 presents photographs of the completed test installation.

Test Level: 3

MASH Test Number: 3-72

Proprietary/Non-proprietary: Non-proprietary

Pass/Fail: Fail

Evaluation: Testing + Engineering Analysis

Sponsor: Texas Department of Transportation