Abstract
The existing metallic solutions used for vertical traffic signs are associated with higher costs and environmental issues due to their manufacturing and degradation, when compared with polymeric solutions. Thus, the development of vertical signs considering the injection from polymeric materials in order to overcome problems related with sustainability, maintenance costs, and to achieve higher resistance to corrosion assumes nowadays an important role. The use of eco-friendly and innovative products considering the industrial waste combined with synthetic polymers performing the appropriate mechanical properties, can also be studied to find out new solutions that allow to solve the aforementioned problems. Additionally, these innovative vertical signs can contribute to avoid vandalism events related with theft and graffiti activities. This work presents the prior materials investigation and the structural design of vertical signs that are intended to be produced through polymer injection. Three main steps were considered: i) materials research, ii) materials characterisation through the analysis of polycarbonate resin isolated and in different sets of mixtures with different concentrations through tensile testing and static water contact angle measurements to find the optimal material composition; and iii) structural numerical simulation considering polycarbonate resin and using the current standard EN 12899-1 [1] to compute wind resistance, temporary and permanent deflections. Both experimental and numerical results led to an optimized proposal of the vertical signposting structural design.
Highlights
At present, problems related with sustainability, maintenance, costs and corrosion are at the top of government priorities
When forces are high, the contact angle is less than 90 degrees and it results in the ability of the liquid to wet the solid material
This paper presented the development of a vertical traffic sign using polymer materials
Summary
Problems related with sustainability, maintenance, costs and corrosion are at the top of government priorities. The high tenacity of polymers in terms of corrosion resistance, providing a longer life and a higher elastic recovery when compared with metals, is well known. Characteristics as lightness, easy handling and transport, are major improvements compared with the existing metallic signs. Its current metallic nature makes them expensive and environmentally compromising due to the high energy costs associated with their manufacturing and degradation, not to mention the serious problems of corrosion and oxidation associated, which contribute to their shortened lifespan. Questions related to traffic signs theft and vandalism motivated by their metallic nature are a serious concern, since this can lead to an increase in unsafe driving behaviors.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
