Abstract
This study developed a spatial interpolation technique using Isoparametric finite element shape functions to derive wind speed records for all unsampled Kansas counties from actual data recorded at 17 city locations within and around Kansas. A computational method using the Kaimal spectrum is presented for generating artificial time histories of wind speeds. This is done to extract wind-cycle distribution using the Rainflow counting technique, which can be used as input for fatigue analysis procedures of highway sign structures. Comprehensive validation, verification and benchmarking has been performed in this paper at all spatial and time span levels to guarantee the accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm developed. The comparison of the validation measures strongly suggests a very accurate interpolation scheme that can be confidently used in further fatigue computations and analysis. A user-friendly software was designed using C# to extract wind-speed cycles for all Kansas counties related to different time spans. This software is expected to facilitate fatigue-life prediction because it generates a full range of wind-loading.
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