parking lot light poles

[RHause]

Does anyone design for potential or car impact on the straight shaft piers? I have a 10' pier with an additional 3' above grade to support the light pole, but Im not sure if impact design is required and if so, how much force is required. client is worried about bus impacts.

 

[msquared48]

Seems to me that this has been discussed previously here in another thread. Why don't you try googling the subject.

Also, I think that ASHTO could give some guidance here too.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[spats]

The client needs to get a life... I wouldn't worry about it. You can't design for every contingency. Light poles are designed all the time without consideration of vehicle impact. You wouldn't want to know what the answer is either. Is he willing to pay to make his lightpoles impact resistant?

 

[hokie66]

Again, spats has given sensible advice. The light pole is sacrificial, the occupants of the bus are not.

 

[lexim]

Some impact resistance is required in parking lot light poles but i wouldn't worry about this as the speed of vehicles usually very very low.

This impact force can be taken by the rigid bolted connection at the base plate to forestall the pole breaking and damaging opposite and adjacent vehicles.

However if you want some protection for your light poles add a couple of concrete filled bollards in front of the poles and you can rest the case.

Regards

Lexim

 

[msquared48]

You could always implant some C4 in the bollards used to protect the light pole, so that the bus was destroyed and not the light pole... But I think that this option was mentioned in another thread already.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[beton1]

Most poles are located in either parking spaces (intersection of say 4 spaces; and typically low speed is involved) and subject to a nudge or light impact, or in boulevards (surrounded by curb and some landscape). If it is a concern they can be placed strategically to avoid high impact areas. Agree with the common sense approach mentioned by the knowledgeable participants of this forum who have already responded.