Journal Published Online: 02 December 2024
Volume 13, Issue 1

Case Study of Reducing Retroreflection of Road Sign Films: The Relationship between Natural Wear and Degradation due to High Temperatures in Forest Fires

CODEN: ACEMF9

Abstract

The retro-reflectiveness of the vertical signaling films allows drivers to drive more assertively, directly impacting safety. By collecting retroreflectance (RR) data for 24 months on federal highway BR-381 (Brazilian federal highway – Number 381), in Minas Gerais, Brazil, it was possible to evaluate the RR performance over time of films and the influence of high temperatures from forest fires on the loss of retroreflective capacity. Once the performance equations of the films were determined, the minimum residual RR was verified, certifying the durability foreseen by the standard. Films subjected to burning showed partial or total loss of retroreflective capacity. The films were analyzed in the laboratory, and the degradation was evaluated through accelerated tests at high temperatures. The films were subjected to temperatures of 70°C for 736 h and 100°C for 4 h. It was possible to identify a behavior equation for the films at 70°Cand correlate them to the field study, thus defining a degradation acceleration factor that accurately reflects the natural behavior of the films. Exposure to 100°C was very severe, and verifying a behavioral equation for the process was impossible. Optical microscopy allowed the degradation of the films to be observed as a function of degradation time and temperature. Therefore, degradation at 70°C has the potential to be used as a parameter for accelerated durability testing.

Author Information

Oliveira Dias, Thiago Henrique de
Department of Transports Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
de Souza Maciel, Priscila
Department of Transports Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Soares Junior, Paulo Roberto Ribeiro
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Teodoro, Agmar Bento
Department of Transports Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Guimarães Ribeiro, Renato
Department of Transports Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
da Silva Bezerra, Augusto Cesar
Department of Civil Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil Department of Transports Engineering, Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Pages: 11
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: ACEM20240006
ISSN: 2379-1357
DOI: 10.1520/ACEM20240006