Wind-Induced Harmonic Resonance:
Considerations for Light Pole Design
Design Factors Reduce Probability of Weld Damage or Failure
By Peter Manis, PE, and Wes Jones, PE
On nearly every building project there are
non-building structures that require some
design and/or engineering. These structures
range from trash enclosures and culverts to
flagpoles and light poles. In the case of light
poles, a common design approach is to either
specify a light pole or have the contractor or
light pole supplier submit one for approval.
In many instances, specifying a light pole is a
straightforward process; however, under certain
circumstances, additional effort and attention
is required to avoid wind-induced resonance.
On a recent project, most of the installed
light poles were swaying under recorded wind
velocities of 17 to 28 mph with gusts up to 46
mph. The estimated top-of-pole movement was
approximately 8 to 12 inches from horizontal
repetitive motion, or vibration (see Figure 1).
The next day, one of the light poles was found
on the ground with what appeared to be fatigue
cracking at the weld between the base plate and
the pole. The project was under construction,
so subcontractors took down the remaining
poles to prevent further failures. Fortunately,
there were no injuries since the failure occurred
during the night.
Review of the light pole submittal revealed that
the subcontractor had proposed a different size
and type of pole than what had been originally
specified — a 30-foot-tall, 6-inch square
aluminum pole. Instead, the subcontractor
proposed a 30-foot-tall, 4-inch square steel pole,
which was approved because the 4-inch pole
more than met the performance specification
according to the manufacturer’s literature.
Consultations with the light pole supplier
and manufacturer indicated that the failure
of the light pole was most likely due to wind-
induced harmonic resonance of the light pole
and subsequent fatigue cracking of the weld
between the base plate and the pole. The light
pole manufacturer responded to a request
TECHBriefs 2008 No. 3 10 Burns & McDonnell
for replacement light poles by saying that its
standard one-year warranty does not cover
naturally occurring harmonic vibration light
pole failures. Additional calls to various light
pole manufacturers revealed that none of them
warrant failure due to harmonic vibration.
Selection Procedures
It is important to note that the failed light pole
met all manufacturer requirements and had
been properly selected and installed based
on its criteria. Many light pole manufacturers
publish wind speed maps and light pole
selection criteria for their products. A common
light pole selection procedure:
1. Select the light fixture, and obtain its
effective projected area (EPA) and weight.
The EPA is the area that is loaded by
wind. This information is located on the
fixture cut sheet.
2. Determine the number of light fixtures and
any special mounting methods (arm or
bracket) to be installed on the pole. Obtain
the EPA and weight for any arms or brackets Figure 1: Wind velocities of
from the corresponding cut sheets. 17 to 28 mph caused side-to-
3. Total the EPA and the weights of all fixtures, side swaying of 8 to 12 inches.
arms and brackets. (Graphic courtesy of Structure
4. Select the design wind speed for the project magazine.)
location from the light pole manufacturer’s
wind map. Typically, this is a fastest mile
wind speed, which is different from the
current building code values for a 3-second
gust. Conversion tables exist.
5. Select a pole and compare the EPA and
fixture weights with the allowable EPA and
weights for that pole. If the actual EPA and
fixture weights are less than the allowable
EPA and maximum weight listed on the cut
sheet, the pole meets the requirements.
In this project, both the specified and
subcontractor-proposed light poles met
these criteria, yet still failed under the
destructive effects of vibration under modest
wind speeds. The design wind speed was 80
mph ( fastest mile). Generally, when the wind

Peter Manis, PE, is a senior
structural engineer in the
Burns & McDonnell Aviation
& Facilities Group. He has
bachelor’s and master’s degrees
in civil engineering from the
Missouri University of Science
& Technology and 10 years
of experience as a structural
engineer on military and
industrial projects.
Wes Jones, PE, is a senior
electrical engineer in the
Aviation & Facilities Group. He
has eight years of electrical
systems design experience and
expertise in medium-voltage
power distribution, building
electrical systems, central
plants and military projects. He
received his bachelor’s degree
in computer and electrical
engineering from the Georgia
Institute of Technology.
For more information, please e-mail:
pmanis@burnsmcd.com or
wjones@burnsmcd.com
speed matches the natural frequency of
the light pole, resonance will result. In many
cases, the resonance is destructive, leading to
fatigue cracking of the weld at the base plate to
pole interface.
Only in certain circumstances are light
poles designed to resist fatigue, according to
Standard Specifications for Structural Supports
for Highway Signs, Luminaires and Traffic
Signals from the American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO). These include specific high-level
lighting structures, along with overhead
cantilevered traffic signal and sign structures.
AASHTO indicates that light poles do not
normally exhibit fatigue problems, but as this
case study indicates, such failures can occur.
Preventive Design
Rather than investing time and energy into
fatigue analysis and mitigation in common light
poles, a cost-effective approach is to minimize
the probability of resonance. Two contributing
factors to light pole resonance are height and
fixture arrangement. One pole manufacturer
indicates that light poles with a fixture EPA of
less than 2 square feet (very little fixture area) at
a height of 25 feet or greater have an increased
probability of resonance. While such a slender
light pole can withstand the maximum design
wind speeds, which generally are above 70 mph,
it is susceptible to wind-induced vibration,
which typically occurs around 20-40 mph.
As an example, consider the vibration of a
flagpole exposed to wind. When there is no flag
on the pole, it is quite common to hear cables
banging against the pole. This is caused by
movement or vibration of the pole. However,
when there is a flag at the top of the pole, the
wind loading applied to the flag acts to dampen
the resonant movement of the pole, eliminating
the banging sound. Incidentally, flagpoles have
a different foundation anchoring system that
typically does not include a base plate or welds.
See Guide Specifications for Design of Metal
Flagpoles from the National Association of
Architectural Metal Manufacturers (NAAMM)
for more information on flagpole design.
Burns & McDonnell 11 TECHBriefs 2008 No. 3
Reducing Wind-Induced Resonance
Criteria that should be considered to reduce
the probability of wind-induced resonance:
• Use round, tapered light poles less than 25
feet tall, with a minimum 6-inch diameter.
• Use a minimum of two fixtures per pole to
provide weight at the top for dampening.
• Include in the pole specifications a
requirement for factory- or field-installed
vibration dampers to be provided by the
light pole manufacturer.
• Contact the light pole manufacturer when
there are site-specific concerns that should
be considered during light pole design.
• Provide specific wind loading information
in the documents, and indicate whether
wind loading is based on a 3-second gust
or fastest mile wind speed.
Table 1: Study of manufacturer literature yields these
recommendations to reduce the likelihood of wind-induced
resonance.
Consequently, the use of shorter light poles
with multiple fixtures will generally reduce
the chances of resonance. The shorter length
provides a more rigid structure, and having
more fixtures at the top equates to greater
wind loading. The wind loading and the fixture
weight at the top act as dampers to reduce
resonant pole movement.
Additionally, although no shape is exempt from
wind-induced resonance, it has been noted that
round (or octagonal) tapered light poles are
less susceptible than square ones. The natural
frequency of a tapered light pole varies along
its length, which makes it less likely to develop
overall resonance from a constant wind.
Further, the geographic location of a light pole
may also contribute to the steady-state, low
wind speeds that result in light pole resonance.
Features such as unobstructed flat land or low-
level mountains, where wind can be channeled
through an area, may contribute to resonance.
Turbulence created by aircraft or vehicular
traffic may also be a contributor.
 TECHBriefs
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2008 No. 3

• Defining Smart Grid

• Aeration Blowers
for Wastewater
• Building
Information
Modeling
• Wind-Induced
Harmonic
Resonance
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References
Many light pole manufacturers have attempted The client should be notified of the potential 1. AASHTO, Standard
to minimize light pole resonance by offering problem — possibly as part of a specifications- Specification for Structural
factory- or field-installed dampers. A damper required operations and maintenance Supports for Highway Signs,
increases the damping coefficient of the light manual — and a maintenance plan should Luminaires and Traffic Signals
pole, resulting in reduced movement of the be implemented. If there is concern during 2. NAAMM, Guide Specifications
for Design of Metal Flagpoles
light pole. In many cases, these dampers are periodic maintenance, the light pole
3. Lithonia Lighting, Light
hanging weights installed either on the surface manufacturer and a structural engineer should Standards Effects of Vibration
of the light pole or inside the pole near the assist in determining whether wind-induced Technical Bulletin
top. Dampers are not a cure-all for resonance, vibration is the cause. 4. Valmont Structures, “Pole
because they only change the range of wind Owner’s Manual,” Warranty
speeds that can cause wind-induced resonance. One Question Remains and Maintenance
If harmonic resonance is prevalent during or
Best Practices after construction, who picks up the repair bill? This article has been reprinted
Based on this information, best practices can In this case, the light pole supplier replaced from the March 2008 issue of
be gleaned from manufacturer literature. (See all 16 poles on the project (with dampers Structure magazine, published by
Table 1.) Periodic maintenance and inspection installed), since it was discovered that the light the National Council of Structural
Engineers Associations (NCSEA).
of a light pole can help determine if wind- pole manufacturer warranty would not cover
induced vibration is a concern. Items to be this type of failure. The project continued with
inspected include the weld between the base minimal disruption thanks to that supplier.
plate and the light pole shaft and loosening It is in the best interest of all parties to work
or damage of the light fixture. Frequent lamp together to minimize the probability of wind-
replacement is also a sign of pole movement. induced resonance and to establish measures
to monitor future concerns.

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