A Numerical Study of Wind Loads on Large Highway Sign Structures

Accurate estimation of wind forces on large highway sign structures is important due to possible structural failure of these sign structures under strong winds. The use of large panels for the traffic signs is increasingly more common as we attempt to better manage the highway traffic flow and automate the highway systems. In order to be able to predict behavior of these structures, accurate knowledge of the forces on these structures must be known. An important aspect of wind loads on highway structures that is generally not appreciated is the effect of interactions among the panel structures on these forces. The main objective of the proposed study is to use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools to determine the wind loads and pressure distributions by accurate numerical simulations of the air flow characteristics around large highway sign structures under severe wind speeds conditions. The pressure distributions are needed in case a detailed structural dynamics analysis will be performed. In particular, the present study investigates the effect induced by the presence of back-to-back signs.