Vehicle Impact Testing of Lightweight Lighting Standards

摘要

The results of seven full-scale vehicular crash tests on 35-ft-high breakaway lighting standards with 20-ft-long mast arms are presented and compared with the recommended crash test criteria in NCHRP 230 and with the new 1985 AASHTO standard specifications for structural supports. The test devices consisted of an aluminum lighting standard with cast aluminum breakaway couplings; a lightweight steel lighting standard with cast aluminum breakaway couplings and with a triangular slip base; and a typical California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) type 31 lighting standard with triangular slip base. Honda Civic automobiles (1979 vintage) each weighing 1800 lb were used as the crash vehicles. Tests were performed at 20 and 60 mph with centered and off-centered impacts. The Caltrans triangular steel slip base proved to be an effective breakaway device when impacted by 1800 lb cars.