Modular span multi-cell box girder bridge system
First Claim
1. A bridge for carrying traffic between spaced-apart supports for the bridge, having a first module that comprises:
- a plurality of longitudinal sections each having generally horizontal upper and lower members overlapping respectively portions of the generally horizontal upper and lower members of a neighboring section, and each having at least one generally vertical member extending between the upper and lower horizontal members and spaced from a generally vertical member of a neighboring section to define one of a plurality of closed cells, the generally horizontal upper members of the plurality of longitudinal sections including upper surfaces which are substantially aligned with each other, the generally horizontal upper and lower members of each longitudinal section comprising a pair of offset lips at free ends of the upper and lower members, the offset lip at a free end of the upper horizontal member being generally vertically offset from the substantially aligned upper surfaces of the longitudinal sections to form an upper offset protruding generally vertically from the upper surfaces of the longitudinal sections;
a pair of diaphragm plates connected to inner surfaces within each closed cell adjacent longitudinal ends of the closed cell to form an air-tight closed cell; and
a plurality of shear studs connected to the outer surfaces of the diaphragm plates.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bridge is constructed using simply structured, longitudinal, modular deck sections or cells that are fabricated in a shop and shipped to the jobsite for quick assembly and erection. Each section has generally horizontal upper and lower members and at least one generally vertical member connected between the upper and lower horizontal members. The sections may be C-shaped, Z-shaped, or shallow U-shaped, and are connected in series. The upper and lower horizontal members of each section overlap respectively portions of the upper and lower horizontal members of the adjacent section to form overlapped regions. The connection sections define a plurality of closed cells. Open cells at the ends may be closed using appropriate end section(s) that may be shallow C-shaped or J-shaped. The sections are roll-formed or press braked from metal sheets or plates. The sections are connected together to form a multi-cell box girder bridge module by mating and welding or bolting the overlapped regions. Various corrugations or support plates may be added for strength. A bridge system may be formed by a single bridge module or by connecting a plurality of bridge modules.
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Citations
62 Claims
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1. A bridge for carrying traffic between spaced-apart supports for the bridge, having a first module that comprises:
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a plurality of longitudinal sections each having generally horizontal upper and lower members overlapping respectively portions of the generally horizontal upper and lower members of a neighboring section, and each having at least one generally vertical member extending between the upper and lower horizontal members and spaced from a generally vertical member of a neighboring section to define one of a plurality of closed cells, the generally horizontal upper members of the plurality of longitudinal sections including upper surfaces which are substantially aligned with each other, the generally horizontal upper and lower members of each longitudinal section comprising a pair of offset lips at free ends of the upper and lower members, the offset lip at a free end of the upper horizontal member being generally vertically offset from the substantially aligned upper surfaces of the longitudinal sections to form an upper offset protruding generally vertically from the upper surfaces of the longitudinal sections;
a pair of diaphragm plates connected to inner surfaces within each closed cell adjacent longitudinal ends of the closed cell to form an air-tight closed cell; and
a plurality of shear studs connected to the outer surfaces of the diaphragm plates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
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8. A bridge for carrying traffic between spaced-apart supports for the bridge, having a first module that comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections each having generally horizontal upper and lower members overlapping respectively portions of the generally horizontal upper and lower members of a neighboring section, and each having at least one generally vertical member extending between the upper and lower horizontal members and spaced from a generally vertical member of a neighboring section to define one of a plurality of closed cells;
- a pair of diaphragm plates connected to inner surfaces within each closed cell adjacent longitudinal ends of the closed cell to form an air-tight closed cell; and
a plurality of shear studs connected to outer surfaces of the diaphragm plates. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
- a pair of diaphragm plates connected to inner surfaces within each closed cell adjacent longitudinal ends of the closed cell to form an air-tight closed cell; and
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58. A bridge for carrying traffic between spaced-apart supports for the bridge, having a first module that comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections each having generally horizontal upper and lower members overlapping respectively portions of the generally horizontal upper and lower members of a neighboring section, and each having at least one generally vertical member extending between the upper and lower horizontal members and spaced from a generally vertical member of a neighboring section to define one of a plurality of closed cells, a second module having a plurality of the series of longitudinal sections connected adjacent to each other substantially the same as the first module;
- a third module having a plurality of the series of longitudinal sections connected adjacent to each other substantially the same as the first module, the first module having a longitudinal lip along a longitudinal side, the second module having a longitudinal groove along a longitudinal side for cooperating with the longitudinal lip of the first module to connect with the first module, the second module having a longitudinal lip along another longitudinal side opposite from the longitudinal groove, and the third module having a longitudinal groove along a longitudinal side for cooperating with the longitudinal lip of the second module to connect with the second module; and
a series of parallel wood panels each disposed over and extending across the first, second, and third modules, the wood panels being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the first, second, and third modules. - View Dependent Claims (59)
- a third module having a plurality of the series of longitudinal sections connected adjacent to each other substantially the same as the first module, the first module having a longitudinal lip along a longitudinal side, the second module having a longitudinal groove along a longitudinal side for cooperating with the longitudinal lip of the first module to connect with the first module, the second module having a longitudinal lip along another longitudinal side opposite from the longitudinal groove, and the third module having a longitudinal groove along a longitudinal side for cooperating with the longitudinal lip of the second module to connect with the second module; and
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60. A bridge for carrying traffic between spaced-apart supports for the bridge, having a first module that comprises:
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a plurality of longitudinal sections each having generally horizontal upper and lower members overlapping respectively portions of the generally horizontal upper and lower members of a neighboring section, and each having at least one generally vertical member extending between the upper and lower horizontal members and spaced from a generally vertical member of a neighboring section to define one of a plurality of closed cells, wherein the longitudinal sections are connected in a skewed manner relative to each other, wherein the plurality of longitudinal sections comprise a plurality of C-shaped sections oriented in a first direction and connected to each other in series to form a plurality of the closed cells and one open cell at an end with the upper and lower horizontal members pointing in the first direction, wherein the plurality of longitudinal sections further comprise a shallow C-shaped end section oriented in a second direction opposite from the first direction, the upper and lower horizontal members of the shallow C-shaped end section coupling with the upper and lower horizontal members of the C-shaped section of the open cell to change the one open cell to a closed cell;
a pair of diaphragm plates connected to inner surfaces within each closed cell adjacent longitudinal ends of the closed cell to form an air-tight closed cell; and
a plurality of shear studs connected to the outer surfaces of the diaphragm plates.
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61. A bridge for carrying traffic between spaced-apart supports for the bridge, having a first module that comprises a plurality of longitudinal sections each having generally horizontal upper and lower members overlapping respectively portions of the generally horizontal upper and lower members of a neighboring section, and each having at least one generally vertical member extending between the upper and lower horizontal members and spaced from a generally vertical member of a neighboring section to define one of a plurality of closed cells;
- a guardrail post;
at least one bolt connected to the guardrail post; and
an anchor connected to at least one upper horizontal member for anchoring the at least one bolt connected to the guardrail post. - View Dependent Claims (62)
- a guardrail post;
Specification