Recycled content sign blanks. Final research report, December 1994-September 1996

This report documents a study of the feasibility of using sign blanks constructed of reclaimed materials instead of conventional high-grade plywood and aluminum. Traditional sign substrates constructed of wood and aluminum currently are not designed according to engineering formulas. Lack of design and analysis procedures integrated with a set of performance specifications has made it difficult to apply results to field tests conducted by various highway departments. This study presents the engineering techniques necessary for judicious use of recycled materials in roadside sign applications. Various types of recycled materials were solicited from commercial manufacturers and subjected to an array of laboratory tests and numerical simulations. Materials that were received were manufactured from variety of materials including high-density polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, and calcium carbonate. This study discusses analysis, performance, and properties of tested materials. A total of seven recycled materials are tested in flexure, uni-axial tension, creep, free vibration, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Corollaires of this study are development of performance-based specifications and a new design procedure for sign blanks.