Precast bridges

• US 5,870,789 A
• Filed: 09/24/1997
• Issued: 02/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rene Carranza-Aubry
• Original Assignee: Rene Carranza-Aubry
• Inventors: Carranza-Aubry, Rene
• Primary Examiner(s): Lisehora, James
• Application Number:
  US08/937,787
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 14/26, 14/73, 14/73.5, 14/74.5, 14/75, 14/76, 14/77.1, 14/77.3, 405/284, 405/285, 405/286
• US Class Current: 14/73
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 19/02 Piers E01D19/005 takes precedence; towers for suspension bridges E01D19/14; Abutments foundations E02D ; Protecting same against drifting ice against colliding vehicles E01F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2/02 of the I-girder type
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2/04 of the box-girder type
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2101/26 reinforced
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2101/28 prestressed
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 27/16 Foundations formed of separate piles

Abstract

Bearing shoes that run under the abutment'"'"'s axis with cradles whose precast walls are placed over the bearing shoe assembly, so that when the concrete is poured over these bearing shoes, an integral unit of the bearing shoe integrated with the cradle is formed. For the walls, TT (double T) sections are used, which consist of precast elements of reinforced and/or pre-stressed concrete, that are able to resist the horizontal and vertical forces that could act over the bridge'"'"'s abutments. These TT sections are used as abutments, wings and gravity retaining walls; as central piers, precast elements of columns with caps are used, in which rectangular-section beams are simply supported with their integrated bents. Occasionally, when the vehicles access embankment or earth fills to the bridge allow it, the abutment is anchored in order to avoid its horizontal thrust, as reinforced earth.

Claims

1. Precast bridge comprising, in terrain needing deep foundation,

(a) abutments, wings, and gravity retaining walls, each abutment, wing, or retaining wall having (1) a longitudinal axis, (2) a bearing shoe aligned along said axis, (3) precast walls placed over the bearing shoe, (4) a cradle formed as an integral unit prepared on site by positioning and assembling said bearing shoe along said axis, placing said precast walls over said bearing shoe, and after this, pouring the concrete over said bearing shoe and said precast walls to form said integral unit, and (5) TT sections of precast elements of reinforced and/or prestressed concrete able to resist the horizontal and vertical forces said TT sections being vertically erected in said cradle and anchored therein by further poured concrete;

(b) central span supports including precast elements of columns and caps on top of said columns;

(c) rectangular section beams supported by integral bents on said caps;

(d) box beams with horizontal wings resting over said rectangular section beams;

(e) bearing slabs laid over a surface of said horizontal wings of said box beams; and

(f) piles initially formed and poured prior to preparation of said cradle, said cradle being tied to said piles by protruding steel from the top of the piles prior to the concrete being poured over said bearing shoes and precast walls, thereby forming an integral unit of the cradle and the pile.

2. Precast bridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein said central span supports made of precast elements include hollow columns.