Abstract: Windbreak barrier for a suspension bridge comprising a substantially rigid flat structure, the top surface of which forms the roadway for the vehicles crossing the bridge, and a suspension system formed of catenary cables and of a plurality of vertical stays or hangers (P) to which is anchored the structure. The windbreak barrier comprises, on the one hand, aerodynamic elements consisting of a pair of horizontal wing surfaces (8, 9) having a symmetrical profile and forming part of a framework, and on the other hand, a vertical grille wall (910) having a transparency of the order of 70% and being mounted on the framework. The wing surfaces have a wing chord of 100 to 150 cm and a thickness, in correspondence of the highest point, of 20 to 30 cm.

Abstract: Sliding joint system in a railway track allowing a great longitudinal excursion--particularly for suspension bridges--comprising, for each rail of the track, a first fixed rail (1) having an end tapered on the outwardly facing sides of the track, and a second rail (2) positioned next to the tapered surface of the first rail (1) and sliding along the same, while continuously extending beyond the tapered surface in an oblique direction, outwardly of the track, at an acute angle. The base flange of the second rail (2) is preferably of reduced width, equal to that of its head, so as to be more flexible.

Abstract: Framework for a suspension bridge of the type comprising an essentially flat main structure, the top surface of which forms the traffic lane for the transport structure crossing the bridge, anchored to a suspension system formed of a plurality of vertical hangers (6) fixed to catenary cables (5) anchored to end piers of the bridge. The framework consists of at least two parallel longitudinal box-like bodies corresponding to two runways of the bridge, reciprocally spaced by an extent equal to their transverse dimension. Said bodies have a cross section with a profile adapted to favor the proper flow of the wind stream and they are interconnected, at regular intervals, by stiff supporting transverse ledgers (4) having in turn a box-like configuration and carrying at their ends means for their anchorage to the suspension hangers (6).

Abstract: A suspension bridge having end piers from which the bridge is suspended. The bridge has a substantially fixed stiff horizontal branch (P1) and a substantially flexible horizontal branch (P2). Each bridge branch (P1, P2) comprises three parallel longitudinally extending mutually spaced box-like bodies comprising a central body (S1) and two lateral bodies (S2, S3). Transverse ledgers (T) are located at regular intervals along the bridge and interconnect the three bodies. There is a gap between the two bridge branches (P1, P2) and in the gap there is a central body section (S1') fixedly interconnecting the central longitudinal bodies (S1) of the two bridge branches (P1, P2). Also in the gap there are two lateral body sections (S") extending between and slidable relative to the lateral bodies (S2, S3) of the two bridge branches (P1, P2). A vertical hinge joint, also in the gap, interconnects the bridge branches (P1, P2) and lies on the central longitudinal axis of the bridge.

Abstract: The invention concerns a suspension bridge comprising an essentially flat main structure, the upper surface of which forms the roadway for the transport means crossing the bridge, and a suspension structure formed of a plurality of catenary wires connected to end piers of the bridge and of a plurality of vertical stays for suspending the main flat bridge structure to the catenary wires. According to the invention, to the bridge structure there are associated wing control surfaces having an aerodynamic lifting and/or negative lifting action, the flutter speed proper to said wing control surfaces being considerably higher than the flutter speed proper to the bridge structure, and furthermore, the bridge structure and the wing control surfaces are stiffly interconnected and interact dynamically in order to shift the flutter speed of the whole at least above the top speed of the wind expected in the bridge area.