US.Deportment 

of Trcnsportotion 

Federal Highway 

Administration 

Bret Eckert, P.E. 

Engineering Applications Manager 

Trinity Highway Products 

3617 Cincinnati Avenue 

Rocklin, California 95765 

Dear Mr. Eckert: 

This letter is in response to your request for the Federal Highway Administration (FHW A) to 

review a roadside safety system for eligibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway 

program. 

October 23, 2013 

1200 New Jersey Ave .. SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Jn Reply Refer To: 

HSST/SS-1 l 5A 

Name of system: U-Bracket Sign Support 

Type of system: Breakaway Small Sign Support 

Test Level: NCHRP Report 350 TL-3 

Testing conducted by: NIA 

Date of request: 511512013 

Decision 

The following device is eligible, with details provided in the fom1 which is attached as an 

integral part of this letter: 

• U-Bracket Sign Support on slip base or breakaway coupling. 

Based on a review of the analysis submitted by the manufacturer certifying the device described 

herein meets the crash test and evaluation criteria of the National Cooperative Highway Research 

Program (NCHRP) Report 350, the device is eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid 

highway program. Eli.gibility for reimbursement under the Federal-aid highway program does 

not establish approval or endorsement by the FHW A for any particular purpose or use. 

The FHWA, the Department of Transportation, and Lhe United States Government do not 

endorse products or services and the issuance of a reimbursement e ligibility Jetter is not an 

endorsement of any product or service. 
2 

Req uirements 

To be found eligible for federal-aid runding. roadside safe1y devices should mee11he crash 1es1 

and e\'aluation criteria contained in the Cl-IRP Repon 350 or 1he American Assoc iation or S1are 

llighway and Transportation O!'licials' Manual fbr Assessing Safety Hardware (tv!ASI I). 

Description 

The device and supporting documen1ation are described in the attnchcd form. 

Summary and Standard ProYisions 

Therefore. the system desc ribed and detailed in the attached form is eligible for reimbursement 

and may be installed under 1he range or condi1ions tested. 

Please note the l"ollowing standard provisions that apply to Fl l'vV/\ cligibili1y letters: 

• This finding or el igibi 1 ity docs not CO\'Cr other structu ral !'ea tu res of the systems. nor 

conformity with the Manual on Uniform Tranic Control Devices. 

• Any changes that ma~ inllucncc system conl"ormance wi1h NCI IRP Repon .350 

cri1cria \\"ill require a new rcimburscmcnl eligibility let1cr. 

• Should the Fl IWA discover that the qua Ii fication testing was !lawed. that in-service 

performance re\·eals sa fety problems. or that the: system is significantly different from 

the \·ersion 1hat was crash tested. we rcscn'C the right to modify or re\·oke 1his lct1cr. 

• You are e:-;pcc ted to supply potential users with sufficient informa1ion on design an<l 

install ation requirements to ensure proper performance. 

• You are expected to ce rtify to poten1inl users that 1he hardware rurnishcd has the 

same chemistry. mechani cal propertit:s. and geometry as that submitted for revie\\. 

and that it \\ ill meet the crash tes1 and C\ nluation cri1eria ol' the CHRP Report 350. 

• To ]XC\'enl misunderstanding b; others. 1his lc11cr or eligibility is designated as 

number SS- I I 5A and sha ll not be reproduced e:-;ccpt in Ii.Ill. This letter and the test 

dl)CumentatiL)ll upon\\ hich it is based arc public information. /\ II such lc1ters and 

clo1..:umentatio11 ma) be re\·ic\\'C<l at our onice upon request. 

• This letter shall not be construed as authori zat ion or consent by the rl-lW !\ to use. 

manufacture. or sell any pate111ecl system for \\'hich the applica111 is not the patent 

holder. The Fl l'v\'A does not become in\'Olvcd in issues concerning pa1en1 la\\'. 

Patent issues. i r any. arc to be resolved by the applicant. 

Enclosures 

Sincerely yours. 

Michael S. Grini1h 

Director. Orticc 0 1· Safety Technologies 

Office or Safety 
Version 7.0 (3/13} 

Page 2 of 3 

Request for Federal Aid Rein1burse1nent Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: May 15, 2013 le New (" Resubmission 

Name: Bret Eckert, P.E. Signature: 

.... 

111 Company: Trinity Highway Products ~ .E Address: 3617 Cincinnati Ave., Rocklrn, CA 95765 .JJ 

:I Country: Vl USA 

Michael S. Griffith, Director To: FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

~F >, 71,J.. er 

I request the following devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid 

highway program. 

IHeiPl 

Test 

System Type Submission Type Device Name /Variant Testing Criterion Level 

'SS': Breakaway Sign NCHRP Report 350 TL3 le Physical Crash Testing Small Sign Supports I U- Supports, Mailboxes, & (" FEA & V&V Analysis Bracket other small sign supports 

By submitting this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Highway Administration, I certify 

that the product(s) was (were) tested in conformity with the NCH RP Report 350 (Report 350) and that 

the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the Report 350. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: John lntagliata Same as Submitter D 

Company Name: Trinity Highway Products Same as Submitter 1:8J 

Address: 3617 Cincinnati Ave., Rocklin, CA 95765 Same as Submitter 1:8J 

Country: USA Same as Submitter l:8J 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

(" New Hardware 

Modlflcatfon to le E . t' H d xis mg ar ware 

I . . Non-Significant - Effect Is positive or lnconsequenual 

The U·Bracket post was originally accepted by the FHWA as per Eligibility Letter SS-11 S dated November 13, 

2002. Eligibility Letter SS-11 S Is primarily concerned with the T-Bracket and U·Bracket connection to a three· 

bolt slip base and resultant delta V of the vehicle and occupant Impact speed upon Impacts with these types of 

devices. This modification will not change the slip base or ground connection and is only concerned with the 

U-Bracket. 

This request Is to accept the as-tested article as per SS-1 15 with the following modification: 

1. Incorporate up to a 2· hole within the U·Bracket to stub joint for galvanizing venting and draining. The U· 

Bracket tube will be made from identical 2-3/8" tubing with the only cha nge being the enlarged vent/drain 

hole. There will be no change to the overall weight or dimensions of the U·Bracket post. 

This modification Is considered Non-Significant and will have an inconsequentia l effect. 
Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 1 of 2 

Request for Federal Aid Reimbursement Eligibility 

Of Highway Safety Hardware 

Date of Request: May 15, 2013 r. New r Resubmission 

Name: Bret Eckert, P.E. Signature: 

... 

~ Company: Trinity Highway Products 

E 

.a 

:I 

11'1 

Address: 3617 Cincinnati Ave., Rocklin, CA 95765 

Country: USA 

To: Michael S. Griffith, Director 

FHWA, Office of Safety Technologies 

I request the following devices be considered eligible for reimbursement under the Federal-aid 

highway program. 

System Type Submission Type Device Name I Variant Testing Criterion Test 

Level 

'SS': Breakaway Sign 

Supports, Mailboxes, & 

other small sign supports 

(i' Physical Crash Testing 

(' FEA & V&V Analysis 

Small Sign Supports I LIBracket 

NCHRP Report 350 Tl3 

By submitting this request for review and evaluation by the Federal Highway Administration, I certify 

that the product(s) was (were) tested in conformity with the NCHRP Report 350 (Report 350) and that 

the evaluation results meet the appropriate evaluation criteria in the Report 350. 

Identification of the individual or organization responsible for the product: 

Contact Name: John lntagliata Same as Submitter D 

Company Name: Trinity Highway Products Same as Submitter [8'J 

Address: 3617 Cincinnati Ave., Rocklin, CA 95765 Same as Submitter [8'J 

Country: USA Same as Submitter [8'J 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

Modification to Existing Hardware Non-Significant - Effect is positive or Inconsequential 

The LI-Bracket post was originally accepted by the FHWA as per Eligibility Letter SS-115 dated November 13, 

2002. Eligibility Letter SS-115 is primarily concerned with the T-Bracket and LI-Bracket connection to a threebolt slip base and resultant delta V of the vehicle and occupant impact speed upon Impacts with these types of 

devices. This modification will not change the slip base or ground connection and is only concerned with the 

U-Bracket. 

This request Is to accept the as-tested LI-Bracket as per SS-115 with the following modification: 

1. Incorporate up to a 2" diameter hole within the U-Bracket to stub joint for galvanizing venting and draining. 

The U-Bracket tube will be made from identical 2-3/8" tubing with the only change being the vent/drain hole 

enlarged from 1 /2" up to 2" in diameter. There will be no change to the overall weight or dimensions of the UBracket post. 

This modification is considered Non-Significant and will have an inconsequential effect. 
CRASH TESTING 

A brief description of each crash test and its result: 

Required Test 

Number 

3-60 (820C) 

53-60 (700() 

Narrative 

Evaluation Results Description 

Not Applicable 

Not Applicable 

The Engineering Analysis shows inconsequential differences 

between stress, strain, factor of safety and fatigue safety when 

3-61 (820() comparing U-Brackets with 1/2" and 2" diameter drain holes. This WAIVER REQUESTED 

modification does not affect the structural integrity or function of 

53-61 (700() 

the U-Bracket. 

Not Applicable 

Version 7.0 (3/13) 

Page 2 of 2 

Full Scale Crash Testing was done in compliance with MASH by the following accredited crash test 

laboratory (cite the laboratory's accreditation status as noted in the crash test reports.): 

Laboratory Name: Texas Transportation Institute 

Laboratory Contact: Dean C. Alberson, Ph.D., P.E. Same as Submitter 0 

3135TAMU Address: Same as Submitter 0 College Station, TX 77843-3135 

Country: USA Same as Submitter 0 

Accreditation Certificate A2LA Certificate Number: 2821.01 

Number and Date: April 30, 2014 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attach to this form: 

1) A copy of the full test report, video, and a Test Data Summary Sheet for each test conducted in 

support of this request. 

2} A drawing or drawings of the device(s) that conform to the Task Force-13 Drawing Specifications 

[Hardware Guide Drawing Standards]. For proprietary products, a single isometric line drawing is 

usually acceptable to illustrate the product, with detailed specifications, intended use, and contact 

information provided on the reverse. Additional drawings (not in TF-13 format) showing details that 

are key to understanding the performance of the device should also be submitted to facilitate our 

review. 

FHWA Official Business Only: 

Eligibility Letter AASHTO TF13 

Number Date Designator Key Words 

Breakaway Sign Support 

B-115A November 1, 2013 Slip Base Sign Support 

U-bracket for breakaway sign supports 
Engineering Analysis for 

Galvanizing Drain Hole Enlargement on 

LI-Bracket Sign Support 

1/2" Drain Hole 

Existing Part 

2" Drain Hole 

Proposed Part 

May 14, 2013 

John lntagliata, Research Engineer 

Trinity Highway Products 

Page 1 of 6 
Photo 1 - U-Bracket mounted on a sign support pole in a standard slipbase mount 

LI-Bracket Application 

U-Brackets are an accessory to sign support slipbase systems and are typically used to display 

several signs together at equal heights. U-Brackets are a non-proprietary item and have been 

tested to NCH RP 350 Test Level 3. Details of the testing can be found in FHWA letter HSA10/SS-115. 

Problem 

Hot-dip galvanizing the U-Bracket in its present design poses a challenge because the single 

drain hole is not large enough for the air in the tubes to escape, which causes the U-Bracket to 

float in the galvanizing tank. 

Normally, when parts are hot dip galvanized per ASTM A 123, for example, several of them are 

hung on a rack to maximize the throughput of the operation. The rack of parts is submersed into 

the molten zinc bath for the specified period of time, then the parts are removed and suspended 

briefly above the tank so that the excess zinc is allowed to drain. 

If the parts have geometric features that trap air, such as tubes and passageways, adequately 

sized drain holes need to be provided so that the part can expel the air as the part is being 

lowered into the galvanizing tank and so that the excess molten galvanizing can drain when the 

part is removed from the tank. If a part has inadequate drain holes, it will not submerse properly 

and it can float on the surface of the molten zinc, not to mention unwanted pools of zinc wi ll 

solidify on the part. 

Page 2 of 6 
O:Uolhdllll 

_,.,_.., a ..... r•z 

T"mt J.t J/WJIU U, AM 150 lbr 

l!] Foru 1Hlbl 

II F ... d S.ppot< -I 150 lbr Ill t)'inh .. ~poll:. Ill 

@ k•ul 1lt1~ 

264 lbr 

264 lbr 

Figure 1 - Set Up of U-Bracket. 

Proposed Solution 

Increasing the drain hole diameter to 2 inches from the current 1/2 inch will allow the U-Bracket 

part to be fully submersible in the hot dip galvanizing tank so that it does not float on the surface 

of the molten zinc bath. An engineering analysis was performed on the part and it showed that 

increasing the drain hole to 2 inches has no effect on the structural integrity, function and 

performance of the part. 

Set Up 

Engineering analysis, using AN SYS v13.0, was performed on both the U-Bracket with a 1 /2 

inch diameter drain hole and with a 2 inch diameter drain hole. The drain hole is located 

centered inside the mounting nipple. 

To investigate the stress level on the U-Bracket inside the mounting nipple, a horizontal load of 

527 lbt (264 lbt on each arm) was applied to each U-Bracket arm. This load represents a 40 

mph wind acting on a 96" tall x 180" wide x 1/8" thick sign panel mounted on the U-Bracket. 

Additionally, a vertical downward load of 300 lbt (150 lbr on each arm) was applied to the top of 

the U-Bracket arms. This load represents the weight of the signs and hardware. To simulate 

being mounted to a sign support pole, a fixed support was placed on the bottom surface of the 

mounting nipple and a cylindrical support was placed on the inside wall of the mounting nipple. 

Page 3 of 6 
Qo

-·· 

,......,... lJ.ar-..... .U•-t• 2 

T)'pl f~MM-N-1u>!lrtu 

r..,. I 

1/lt/ltU --11UM 

i

Jlfll 

ln11 GRAY COLOR llltl 

ltlll MEANS NO IS<ll STRESS 

.... 

IUU 

lllU 

JM1.J 

I.tot ~:; 1"• Cio) 

Figure 2 - Result for 1/2" Diameter Drain Hole, Bottom View. 

T a e bl 1 - R esu I ts S ummarv 

Results Summary 

The increased drain hole size did not have a significant effect on the structural integrity, function 

or performance of the Li-Bracket. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 the stress level near the hole 

inside the mounting nipple remained effectively the same. This is because the material within 

the mounting nipple is isolated from the rest of the structure by the weld that secures the 

mounting nipple to the Li-Bracket tube. The location of the maximum stress is found at the 

corners of the welded portion of the mounting nipple where it joins the Li-Bracket tube, as seen 

in color red in Figures 3 and 5. 

Parameter 0 1/2" Drain Hole 02" Drain Hole Difference Effect 

Equivalent Von Mises Stress (Max) 34,805 psi 34,166 psi 639 psi lnsionificant 

Equivalent Von Mises Strain (Max) 0.001199 inches 0.001178 inches 0.000021 in lnsionificant 

Safetv Factor (Min) 1.58 1.61 0.03 lnsionificant 

Fatiaue Safety Factor (Min) 0.359 0.366 0.07 lnsionificant 

Page 4 of 6 
ua t•W 

Figure 3 - Result for 1/2" Diameter Drain Hole, Oblique View. 

i

•m 

11111 

11111 

Ulll 

llln GRAY COLOR lllff MEANS NO 11111 

lllJ&.I STRESS a.., 

•111 n• 

Figure 4 - Result for 2" Diameter Drain Hole, Bottom View. 

--

Page 5 of 6 
°'~-, .. - , ... , ·~- T)'PCl.-.,.iMl~·f4M

~ .. · T""'

..... 

I llltnOU UI 

lOllt 

_ l) 11rtn 

AM 

- Mil< 

nm 

Figure 5 - Result for 2" Diameter Drain Hole, Oblique View. 

Conclusion 

The engineering analysis showed that the increased drain hole diameter does not affect the 

structural integrity, function and performance of the Li-Bracket. 

Page 6 of 6