Pivotable Traffic Sign Bridge Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional traffic sign bridges on motorways and expressways often have foundation bases that are too narrow, preventing the necessary free deformation of at least 1 m as required by regulations, which hinders the displacement of concrete guide walls and restricts the mobility of restraint systems.
Innovation Solution
The traffic sign bridge features pivotably connected supports in the median area via a flexible joint, allowing the concrete guide wall elements to move transversely, with A-shaped supports anchored to the concrete guide wall, enabling unhindered displacement of up to 1.1 m, and the outer support taking on wind and lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the foundation base is made narrow to fit the central reservation, then the structure fits the available space, but the mobility and deformation range of the restraint system is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The concrete guide wall is divided into multiple elements that can move independently relative to each other. The supports are segmented into fixed and movable portions, allowing the restraint system to achieve the required 1m deformation range despite the narrow foundation base area in the central reservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates movable and pivotable elements that allow dynamic displacement during vehicle impact. The supports can pivot about horizontal and vertical axes, and the concrete guide wall elements can move relative to each other, enabling the system to adapt to impact forces while maintaining compact foundation dimensions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the supports are rigidly anchored to provide stable support, then structural stability is improved, but the displacement capability of the concrete guide wall is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure exhibits different degrees of freedom at different locations. The outer support is rigidly anchored for stability, while the median supports are pivotably connected to allow displacement. This local differentiation enables the concrete guide wall to achieve the required displacement range in the median area while maintaining structural stability elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The supports are designed with pivotable connections that allow dynamic movement during impact events. The articulated connections enable the supports to pivot about horizontal and vertical axes, and the concrete guide wall elements can move relative to each other, maintaining structural stability while permitting the necessary displacement range.
3Force
If the outer support is rigidly anchored to take on lateral forces, then force dissipation is improved, but the overall mobility of the system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into fixed and movable portions. The outer support is rigidly anchored to dissipate lateral forces, while the median supports are pivotably connected to allow mobility. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both force dissipation and the required 1m deformation range through coordinated movement of the movable supports.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design ensures the mobility of restraint systems and allows for the dissipation of global lateral forces, ensuring the concrete guide wall can move freely without hindrance during impacts, maintaining structural integrity and compliance with regulatory deformation requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the supports (stems) of the traffic sign bridge provided in the area of the median strip are pivotably connected to the (horizontal) transom of the traffic sign bridge via a flexible construction (a joint)
Implementation Method 2
an articulated frame with a one-sided articulated A construction is provided
Implementation Method 3
the concrete guide wall has elements movably connected to one another, which are designed to be displaceable transversely to the direction of the roadway
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The traffic sign bridge (1) has a horizontally arranged bar (4) and supports (2,7) provided at the ends of the bar. The supports arranged in area of a roadside are connected in movable manner, particularly in pivotable or rotatable manner with the bar by a movable construction, particularly a hinge (15). The roadside supports are arranged in the form of an A-support. The feet (9) of the roadside supports are fastened to a concrete guide wall (10). The feet are connected with the concrete guide wall by a double joint (40).