Condition Assessment of Ground-Mount Cantilever Weathering-Steel Overhead Sign Structures

Abstract

This paper is a part of an expansive research work aimed at assessing 82 weathering steel overhead sign structures (WSOSSs) in the Charleston Interstate System in West Virginia. A total of 26 comprehensive inspection forms were developed to objectively evaluate the current condition of 11 general types of sign structures. This article focuses on analyzing 25 single-armed and double-armed ground-mount-cantilever WSOSSs (GMC-WSOSSs). A reliable ultrasonic testing technique was used to examine key components of the sign structures while the other components were inspected by visual inspection technique. A rating methodology was developed to evaluate the sign structures at both the element level and their overall condition. The element condition was rated based on the developed rating criteria and score. The overall condition of each sign structure was then evaluated by the ratio between the total score of each structure (S) and its maximum possible total score (Smax). As a result of this work, it is concluded that all the GMC-WSOSSs performed relatively well after more than 40 years of service and exposure to moist weather condition of Kanawha County (climate zone 4A). Specifically, as a result of the developed rating methodology, 52% of sign structures were found to be in fair condition and 48% were in good condition. The rating system is intended to assist the West Virginia Department of Transportation in making rational decisions about whether there is a need to repair or replace at-risk elements, connections, or structures.