Composite structural member with pre-compression assembly

• US 6,588,160 B1
• Filed: 08/20/1999
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stanley J. Grossman
• Original Assignee: Stanley J. Grossman
• Inventors: Grossman, Stanley J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Assistant Examiner(s): DORSEY, DENNIS
• Application Number:
  US09/378,326
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 14/73, 14/731, 14/771, 522/231, 522/236, 522/237, 522/231.4, 525/821, 525/841, 404/56
• US Class Current: 52/223.7
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 19/125 Grating or flooring for bridges waterproofing thereof E01D19/083; floors in general E04B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: E01D 2101/268 Composite concrete-metal
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 5/10 with metal beams or girders, e.g. with steel lattice girders E04B5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 3/294 of concrete combined with a girder-like structure extending laterally outside the element light weight girders used as reinforcement E04C5/065; as part of a floor structure E04B5/23

Abstract

A composite structural member with pre-compression assembly. The apparatus comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending composite units. Each composite unit comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending girders or beams disposed on the bridge supports and a deck portion made of a moldable material and attached to the beams. Pre-compression is used for clamping adjacent units together such that a gap or hardened grout-filled joint between the deck portions thereof is substantially closed. The pre-compression portion of the apparatus includes a threaded member disposed through holes in facing beams of adjacent composite units with a fastener engaging the threaded member so that tightening of the fastener on the threaded member pulls the adjacent units together. The deck portions of the composite units may use a tongue-in-groove construction, and adhesive may be placed in the gap between the deck portions. The apparatus is particularly useful in repairing a bridge structure to replace an old concrete deck quickly while providing for minimal traffic interruption.

Claims

1. A structural member for use on a structural support, said member comprising:

a plurality of composite units, each unit comprising;

a plurality of substantially parallel beams adapted for positioning on the structural support; and

a deck portion made of a moldable material and attached to said beams;

wherein, adjacent units have beams facing one another;

pre-compression means for clamping adjacent units together such that a joint formed between the deck portions thereof is pre-compressed;

a diaphragm connection plate attached to the facing beams of adjacent units; and

a diaphragm adapted for attachment to adjacent diaphragm connection plates after said pre-compression means has been actuated.

2. The member of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm connection plate extends substantially transversely with respect to said beams.

3. The member of claim 1 further comprising a stiffener plate attached to said facing beams substantially parallel to said diaphragm connection plate.

4. The member of claim 3 wherein said stiffener plate extends substantially transversely with respect to said beams.

5. The member of claim 3 wherein said pre-compression means is disposed between said diaphragm connection plate and said stiffener plate.

6. A structural member for use on a structural support, said member comprising:

a plurality of composite units, each unit comprising;

a plurality of substantially parallel beams adapted for positioning on the structural support; and

a deck portion made of a moldable material and attached to said beams;

pre-compression means for clamping adjacent units together such that a joint formed between the deck portions thereof is pre-compressed; and

at least one stiffener plate attached to at least one of said beams.

7. The member of claim 6 wherein said stiffener plate extends substantially transversely with respect to said beams.

8. The member of claim 6 wherein said pre-compression means is disposed between a pair of said stiffener plates.

9. A structural member for use on a structural support, said member comprising:

a plurality of composite units, each unit comprising;

a plurality of substantially parallel beams adapted for positioning on the structural support; and

a deck portion made of a moldable material attached to said beams;

wherein, adjacent units have beams facing one another;

pre-compression means for clamping adjacent units together such that a gap between the deck portions thereof is substantially closed and pre-compression is applied to said deck portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to said beams;

a diaphragm connection plate attached to the facing beams of adjacent units; and

a diaphragm adapted for attachment to adjacent diaphragm connection plates after said pre-compression means has been actuated.

10. The member of claim 9 wherein said diaphragm connection plate extends substantially transversely with respect to said beams.

11. The member of claim 9 further comprising a stiffener plate attached to said facing beams substantially parallel to said diaphragm connection plate.

12. The member of claim 11 wherein said stiffener plate extends substantially transversely with respect to said beams.

13. The member of claim 11 wherein said pre-compression means is disposed between said diaphragm connection plate and said stiffener plate.

14. A structural member for use on a structural support, said member comprising:

a plurality of composite units, each unit comprising;

a plurality of substantially parallel beams adapted for positioning on the structural support; and

a deck portion made of a moldable material attached to said beams;

pre-compression means for clamping adjacent units together such that a gap between the deck portions thereof is substantially closed and pre-compression is applied to said deck portions in a direction substantially perpendicular to said beams; and

at least one stiffener plate attached to at least one of said beams.

15. The member of claim 14 wherein said stiffener plate extends substantially transversely with respect to said beams.

16. The member of claim 14 wherein said pre-compression means is disposed between a pair of said stiffener plates.

17. A structural member for extending longitudinally between structural supports, said member comprising:

a plurality of composite units, each unit comprising;

a plurality of longitudinally extending beams adapted for positioning on the structural supports; and

a deck portion made of a moldable material and attached to said beams;

wherein, adjacent units have beams facing one another;

pre-compression means for clamping adjacent units together such that a gap between the deck portions thereof is substantially closed and pre-compression is applied to said deck portions in a substantially transverse direction; and

a transversely extending diaphragm connection plate attached to the facing beams of adjacent units; and

a diaphragm adapted for attachment to adjacent diaphragm connection plates after said pre-compression means has been actuated.

18. The member of claim 17 wherein said diaphragm connection plate extends substantially transversely.

19. The member of claim 17 further comprising a stiffener plate attached to said facing beams substantially parallel to said diaphragm plate.

20. The member of claim 19 wherein said stiffener plate extends substantially transversely.

21. The member of claim 19 wherein said pre-compression means is disposed between said diaphragm connection plate and said stiffener plate.

22. A structural member for extending longitudinally between structural supports, said member comprising:

a plurality of composite units, each unit comprising;

a plurality of longitudinally extending beams adapted for positioning on the structural supports; and

a deck portion made of a moldable material and attached to said beams;

pre-compression means for clamping adjacent units together such that a gap between the deck portions thereof is substantially closed and pre-compression is applied to said deck portions in a substantially transverse direction; and

at least one stiffener plate attached to at least one of said beams.

23. The member of claim 22 wherein said stiffener plate extends substantially transversely.

24. The member of claim 22 wherein said pre-compression means is disposed between a pair of said stiffener plates.