Traffic Sign Support and Foundation Design https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=214541&topic=1485800 Sun, 7 Jun 2026 22:21:53 GMT Wed, 1 May 2019 12:30:32 GMT Copyright © 2019 Institute of Highway Engineers Traffic Sign Support and Foundation Design https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=214541&topic=1485800 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=214541&topic=1485800 tony_ruddy
August 2015

I wonder if someone can help me! I have been using the IHE Sign Structures guide September 2010 to help me design supports and foundations for new traffic signs. I was wondering if someone could guide me on what to do to design for two sign plates on the same support? Is it a simple case of increasing the area? There is probably a simple solution, any guidance would be much appreciated. Thank you.

]]> Wed, 1 May 2019 13:28:02 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=214541&topic=1485801 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=214541&topic=1485801 August 2015

Welcome to the forum, Tony.

If the two signs are back-to back, you simply need to take the dimensions of the larger one (or of the smallest rectangle that encloses them both if they are different shapes). If they are one under another, the easiest (but somewhat conservative) approach is again to design for the enclosing rectangle.

If you have time (or your software will let you) it is better to design individually multiple signs that are not on a backing board, so that you don't over state the total sign area subject to wind forces. You should sum the bending moments from the two separate calculations before comparing them with the capacity of the required section. You can also use that combined bending moment for foundation design.

Deflection calculations are complicated for two separate sign plates, so it's sensible to use the 'bounding rectangle' approach when doing them manually.]]> Wed, 1 May 2019 13:28:24 GMT https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=214541&topic=1485802 https://members.theihe.org/forums/posts.aspx?group=214541&topic=1485802 August 2015

Thank you very much Simon, much appreciated.]]> Wed, 1 May 2019 13:30:32 GMT