Search

• A comprehensive analysis is conducted to reveal the mechanism of widespread failure of light poles on an elevated bridge. • Large eddy simulation is performed to model the wind filed and aerodynamic pressures on the light poles. • Nonlinear Finite Element modeling is conducted to analyze the structure responses of the light poles. • The bridge superstructure can significantly enhance the local wind field, leading to increased wind loads (mean & fluctuating) on light poles. • Under enhanced wind loads, significant plastic strains/stresses develop at the bottom of the light poles. Light poles are critical secondary structural components that support the functionality and safety of transportation systems. However, they are tall slender structures vulnerable to wind load. This research attempts to analyze the mechanism of the widespread failure (69 poles failed) of light poles on an elevated highway bridge exposed to Category 4 Hurricane Laura (2020). First, large eddy simulation is performed to simulate the wind field and the aerodynamic pressure on light poles considering and without considering the presence of the bridge superstructure, respectively. Simulation result shows that the presence of the bridge superstructure strengthens the local wind field and the aerodynamic pressures. A nonlinear finite element model is created to simulate the structural responses. Research results indicate that, when considering the presence of the bridge superstructure, stresses at the pole bottom exceed the yielding strength and significant inelastic strains are developed, which is the main cause of the widespread pole failure. The present study can be used to evaluate the current design standard for luminaire pole structures on elevated bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]