TITLE:
GFRP Poles for Traffic Signs and Signal Poles: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia
AUTHORS:
Waseem Ahmad Khatri, Muhammed Al Mehthel, Mirza M. Baig, Tariq Al Baker
KEYWORDS:
Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP), Poles, Foundations, Filament Winding, Pultrusion
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Civil Engineering,
Vol.12 No.4,
December
15,
2022
ABSTRACT: GFRP
poles have been widely used as lighting poles but their use as traffic signs
and signal poles is still under development. This paper highlights the
literature review and case study of using GFRP poles for traffic signs and
signal poles in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The case study details the
design of poles, construction, maintenance and their performance. Traffic sign
poles were manufactured using filament winding and signal poles using
pultrusion process. AASHTO Standard “Specifications for Structural Supports for
Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic Signals” and ANSI 136.2. were used as
materials specification and design for the pole. There is a need to develop
dedicated design and construction guidelines to standardize the construction process.
Further study about the crash resistance of GFRP poles at different speeds
needs to be explored. In addition, the paper presents a high level comparison
between the different materials like weight, safety, environmental degradation,
strength, service life, durability in an aggressive environment, carbon footprint
and economics.