Reliability Assessment of Highway Truss Sign Supports

Abstract

Structural condition assessment can be made with probabilistic based methods. The structural system is analyzed using a reliability model, based on the different possible failure modes. This paper presents a procedure developed to conduct a systems reliability analysis for highway truss sign supports subject to random wind loading and corrosion. The procedure provides a method for updating the resistance strength as the structure deteriorates. The study has demonstrated that the most effective way to improve the system reliability is to increase the restraint of the connection at the top of the truss where it supports the sign and to increase the column stiffnesses.