Abstract: A decking system provides a surface upon which traffic may travel. Drivable decking surfaces can support heavy vehicles, such as tanks. Exemplary decking systems include a first module, a second module, a first upper fastening assembly, a first lower fastening assembly, a second upper fastening assembly, and a second lower fastening assembly. These fastening assemblies can secure the first module and the second module together. Decking systems may also include side ramp assemblies and/or end ramp assemblies, and such ramp assemblies can be coupled with a decking platform. Fastening assemblies may include a pin, a first clip, and a second clip.

Abstract: Pedestrian-Vehicle safety systems for loading docks are disclosed herein. An example safety system includes a first sensor to monitor a first area adjacent a dock, a bi-directional sensor to signal both incoming movement and outgoing movement of a vehicle relative to the dock, and an incoming sensor to signal only incoming movement of the vehicle relative to the dock. A signaling device is responsive to outputs of at least one of the first sensor, the bi-directional sensor, and the incoming sensor.

Abstract: A method for making a prefabricated, prestressed module includes arranging one or more steel beams atop a supporting formwork element in a direction transverse to the supporting formwork element and arranging one or more precast deck elements across the one or more steel beams to create a substantially continuous surface. The one or more precast deck elements have pockets for receiving connectors that protrude from the one or more steel beams. The method also includes arranging the supporting formwork element to allow the one or more steel beams to bend into a cambered shape to impart compressive stresses to a bottom flange of the one or more steel beams and tension stresses to a top flange of the one or more steel beams and inserting grout into the pockets to hold the cambered shape and to bond the one or more precast deck elements to the connectors and the top flange.

Abstract: A security screening apparatus for use in detecting ferromagnetic objects comprises a detector apparatus which comprises a housing that supports at least one magnetic sensor arranged to produce a signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field or gradient over a zone of sensitivity which extends away from the housing, the size of the zone being large enough to contain the whole body of the person, and a signal processing circuit which receives as an input the signal from the magnetic sensor and which, in response to a change in the signal produces an alert signal. A beacon that comprises a light source is able to emit at least two visually distinct colours of light, and a control means controls the light source such that in a first condition in the absence of the alert signal the beacon emits a first colour light and in a second condition corresponding to the presence of the alert signal the beacon emits a second, different, colour of light.

Abstract: An elongated girder for use in a bridge includes a girder body having a modified V-shaped cross section. The body includes longitudinally extending webs defining sides of the girder, a bottom flange extending between the webs, and top flanges extending outwardly from the webs.

Abstract: A composite action support structure for a bridge or other civil infrastructure includes an elongate member made of a plastic material and providing load bearing capability. A cover plate is made of a plastic material and extends along at least a portion of the length of the elongate member. A lower surface of the cover plate is mated to the upper surface of the elongate member. A plurality of panels made of a plastic material are arranged at an angle to the cover plate, and a lower surface of each of the panels mates with an upper surface of the cover plate. The elongate member, the cover plate and the plurality of panels form a structural unit. The plastic materials used can include virgin plastic, thermoplastic, recycled thermoplastic composite, recycled structural composite, combinations thereof, and the like.

Abstract: A composite floor panel includes a frame assembly having a base plate, a plurality of first lateral supports secured to the base plate, and a plurality of second lateral supports secured to the base plate. The first lateral supports lie in a first plane and the second lateral supports lie in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane each intersect the base plate and the first plane is disposed at an angle relative to the second plane. The composite floor panel also includes a concrete portion coupled to and supported by the first lateral supports and the second lateral supports.

Abstract: A safety system for a truck loading dock with an elevated platform provides an alarm that warns of a hazard at the loading dock such as a forklift operating inside the truck or a falling hazard that may exist due to the dock door being open while a truck is not present at the dock. In cases where a dock's open doorway is protected by a barrier that can be opened or closed, the alarm can be de-activated by closing the barrier. In some embodiments, the safety system includes a remote body sensor that detects when someone or something is near the doorway. In response to the body sensor, a second, more pronounced alarm can warn of more imminent danger where someone on the platform may be too close to an open doorway when a truck is not present.

Abstract: A precast composite flooring system utilizes girders and floor panels having steel lower structures placed in tension and concrete upper structures places in compression. Openings through a stem wall allow ducts, pipes, and conduits to be run therethrough. The system provides reduced weight over conventional precast or pour in place systems, allowing further reduction in the weight and size of other building components. The floor deck does not use tensioning strands, allowing openings to be formed at nearly any stage of construction and with reduced concern over cutting steel reinforcement. The floor panels and girders bolt together and bolt to a steel column frame, allowing for more efficient assembly.

Abstract: A composite floor panel includes a frame assembly having a base plate, a plurality of first lateral supports secured to the base plate, and a plurality of second lateral supports secured to the base plate. The first lateral supports lie in a first plane and the second lateral supports lie in a second plane. The first plane and the second plane each intersect the base plate and the first plane is disposed at an angle relative to the second plane. The composite floor panel also includes a concrete portion coupled to and supported by the first lateral supports and the second lateral supports.

Abstract: A mine ventilation and bridge structure incorporating a bridge feature enabling a mine vehicle to cross over the structure. The structure comprises a pair of generally parallel and spaced-apart side walls defining opposing side walls and a plurality of elongate deck panels extending between the side walls. At least one deck panel of the plurality of deck panels is a reinforced bridge deck panel constructed to support the weight of a vehicle crossing over the mine ventilation and bridge structure.

Abstract: A bridge supports any desired loading capacity to cross rivers, ravines, highways, wetlands, and other areas where traffic or pedestrians conveniently access the opposite side. The structure is assembled in a number of ways at the bridge site, using smaller equipment and less time than is normally required. The prefabricated and trial fitted elements can be assembled at ground level and the structure can be launched on rollers across the area that is to be crossed, or can be assembled sequentially from one or both sides. The structure includes two or more box girders supporting the bridge deck which is integrated into the structure. The upper portion of the girders form the side barriers of the bridge and the deck with integrated cross members is fastened to the lower portion of the girders, both of which are sized to accommodate the load bearing capacity of the traffic using the structure.

Abstract: A floating platform system comprises first and second outer longitudinal beam members securing a truss frame having a plurality of truss elements. The floating platform system may further include at least one biasing device exerting a force on the longitudinal beam members and/or the truss frame. The floating platform system may further include a platform interface and/or at least one flotation device secured to the longitudinal beam members and/or the truss frame. The floating platform system may further include a plurality of inner longitudinal beam members interposed between the platform interface and/or the flotation device and the outer longitudinal beam members and/or the truss frame.

Abstract: A bridge supports any desired loading capacity to cross rivers, ravines, highways, wetlands, and other areas where traffic or pedestrians conveniently access the opposite side. The structure is assembled in a number of ways at the bridge site, using smaller equipment and less time than is normally required. The prefabricated and trial fitted elements can be assembled at ground level and the structure can be launched on rollers across the area that is to be crossed, or can be assembled sequentially from one or both sides. The structure includes two or more box trusses supporting the bridge deck which is integrated into the structure. The upper portion of the trusses form the side barriers of the bridge and the deck with integrated cross members is fastened to the lower portion of the trusses, both of which are sized to accommodate the load bearing capacity of the traffic using the structure.

Abstract: A mine ventilation and bridge structure incorporating a bridge feature enabling a mine vehicle to cross over the structure. The structure comprises a pair of generally parallel and spaced-apart side walls defining opposing side walls and a plurality of elongate deck panels extending between the side walls. At least one deck panel of the plurality of deck panels is a reinforced bridge deck panel constructed to support the weight of a vehicle crossing over the mine ventilation and bridge structure.

Abstract: Bridges decks or panels for bridge decks made of a metal-plastic-metal sandwich with the plastic bonded to the metal plates so as to transfer shear forces therebetween. The sandwich plates may be constructed with either a solid plastic core or a composite core consisting of plastic, metal plates or structural shapes and forms within or without a frame of girders. Sandwich plate bridge panels without peripheral metal frames are held together only by the adhesion of the plastic to the metal plates.

Abstract: A work platform includes a first elongate side section, a second elongate side section, and a floor section. The first and second side sections each includes a lower beam, an upper beam, and a plurality of support members extending between and coupled to the upper and lower beam. The floor section includes a plurality of cross beams extending between and coupled to the first and second side sections, and a floor panel supported by the cross beams. The work platform also includes a crane assembly movably coupled to the first side section. The crane assembly is longitudinally movable along first side section. The upper beams, lower beams, support members, cross beams, floor panel, and the crane assembly are fabricated from fiber reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Elongated composite deck sections or panels are formed by pultruding a plastics resin material with multiple layers or mats of glass fibers and longitudinally extending unidirectional fibers to form a base wall integrally connecting upwardly projecting and longitudinally extending tubular ribs. Each rib has opposite side surfaces converging towards the base wall, and longitudinally extending ears project laterally outwardly from the side surfaces. The top surface of each panel is coated with epoxy adhesive, and the top surface of the base wall is also coated with an aggregate of crushed stone. The deck panels are assembled in laterally adjacent overlapping relation to form a permanent composite deck form. A mat of fiber reinforced composite rods are spaced above the deck panels which are surrounded by border forms, and concrete is poured onto the deck panels which positively bond with the concrete.

Abstract: A composite beam system that can be used for the framing system in bridges or buildings and provide enhanced corrosion protection includes a fiber reinforced plastic beam shell with compression and tension reinforcement. The compression reinforcement consists of portland cement concrete which is pumped into a profiled conduit within the beam shell. The conduit for the compression reinforcement is profiled to optimally resist the internal forces in the composite beam for a particular loading. The tension reinforcement consists of carbon, glass or steel fibers anchored by wrapping around the ends of the compression reinforcement. The positioning of the tension reinforcement is optimally designed to equilibrate the internal forces in the compression reinforcement. Each composite beam has a series of internal vertical stiffeners which are perpendicular to the sides of the beam shell. The composite beams can be used in the construction of bridges and buildings using conventional erection techniques.

Abstract: A beam structure designed to be subjected to at least one bending load defining therealong an envelope curve of bending moments (C.sub.1, C.sub.2) comprising at least one first portion in which the bending moments are of a first sign, at least one second portion in which the bending moments are of a second sign opposite to the first, and at least one third portion in which the bending moments are of the first sign or the second sign or are zero. The beam structure includes a first body (11) whose height and length are also those of the beam structure, and a second body (13) joined sideways to the first body (11) along the full length thereof.

Abstract: A twin-axis prestressed single-tee beam with lower flanges and process of construction is previded. The process includes construction of a cantilever prestressed beam and a simple-support prestressed beam. Both of them have a steel skeleton of roughly Y-shaped section including a pair of upward tilted flanges on the top and a pair of narrower flanges on the bottom. The steel skeleton of a cantilever prestressed beam has a flat top and a arcuate bottom, and the steel skeleton of a simple-support prestressed beam has an upwardly arcuate generally rectangular body. Pressures are applied to the upper and lower flange by a plurality of hydraulic presses, so as to force the skeletons to be deflected to become nearly straightened. Then mounts an outer mold conforming the outer shape of the skeletons prior to grouting the concrete. When the concrete is cured.

Abstract: In a device that can be walked on or driven on, for example for bridging under bridges requiring renovation or for bridging over streets, a web that can be walked on is connected to handrails via transverse struts. In this case, the web that can be walked on and/or the transverse struts and/or the handrails comprise extruded aluminum profiles.

Abstract: The composite structure made of wood and reinforced concrete can be used for bridges, roofs etc. In a bridge, a plate of reinforced concrete carries the roadway and rests on a truss comprising lower and upper chords, transversal girders and struts made of wood and posts made of reinforced concrete. The lower struts are reinforced with steel ties, follow a bent curve and are anchored in lateral end sections. Forces in the wooden parts all extend along the wood's fibre, which increases the maximum load capacity. The concrete posts allow a simple assembly of the wooden elements. The weight of the construction is low, its load bearing capacity high.

Abstract: A bridge including a metal tubular space frame enclosed in a housing shell made principally from fibre reinforced plastics material which is maintenance free and protects the frame from corrosion. The upper surface of the housing shell forms a vehicular platform. The lower surface of the housing shell is of a curved aerodynamic shape and forms a load bearing access and maintenance platform. The space frame may include pre-stressing cables running alongside or inside elongate members of the space frame.

Abstract: A light-weight, corrosion-resistant, readily installed bridge deck is formed of modular deck panels spliced to each other on site. Each of the deck panels is shop-fabricated by longitudinally welding flanges of adjacently placed multi-void extruded aluminum alloy structural elements. Transfer splices of longitudinally adjacent elongate elements are made by providing shear elements connecting individual elongate structural elements of each deck panel end-to-end prior to longitudinal welding of adjacent elongate elements, with the end joints between the elongate elements being arrayed in a staggered manner. A safety rail system is mounted to run alongside and above outer edges of the finished bridge deck mounted to a system of support girders.

Abstract: A fatigue resistant shear connector for attaching a bridge deck to a top flange of a girder. The shear connector includes a shear resistor attached to the top flange. A portion of the shear resistor extends upward from the top flange into the bridge deck to cause composite cooperation between the bridge deck and the girder. A resilient spacer is juxtapositioned with top flange and at least one friction plate underlies the top flange. An adjustable fastener attaches between the friction plate and the shear resistor to draw the friction plate and the shear resistor together against the top flange to compress the resilient spacer and firmly attach the shear connector to the girder with a desired amount of force to resist fatigue forces without reducing the strength of the girder.

Abstract: Advantageously, the present invention also facilitates a unique method for post-tensioning segmental viaduct structures, for rapid transit use or otherwise, wherein post-tensioning cables do not follow load diagrams but instead follow uniform paths through each viaduct segment. In this way, each viaduct segment need not be specially fabricated to accommodate uniquely positioned cables.

Abstract: A bridge module for a modular bridge comprises a central deck structure (10), to the lateral edges of which are pivoted first and second main girder structures (12,14). These main girder structures can be pivoted from a use position, in which they define lateral deck surfaces (20,22) (which can carry a military vehicle such as a tank) to a storage position in which they are folded beneath the central deck structure (10). In the storage position, the main girder structures intermesh, one with the other, so enabling the bridge module to be packed for transport into a standard ISO container.

Abstract: The bridge includes a plurality of foldable portions or modules (M) interconnectible releasably in sequence longitudinally. Each module (M) includes a central deck member (9) and two lateral deck members (10, 11) articulated to opposite sides of the central deck member (9). Respective longitudinal beams (13-16) extend from the lower faces of the lateral deck members (10, 11) and, together with the homologous beams of the other modules (M), constitute the load-bearing trusses of the bridge in its condition of use.Conveniently, the bridge is constructed by a method of assembly which provides for the use of a load-bearing assembly structure or forestarling (S). This load-bearing assembly structure (S) is assembled in a position of assembly on a first side (B.sub.1) of the gap (R) to be spanned by the bridge and is then advanced until it reaches the other side (B.sub.2) of the gap.

Abstract: A bridge deck panel support system and method for supporting precast bridge deck panels on a bridge girder. The bridge deck panel support system (10) comprises at least one grade bar support member (24) which is anchored to the bridge girder (14) with a grade bar support anchor (16) so as to extend upwardly from the bridge girder (14). At least one grade bar (28) for supporting one or more deck panels (12) is secured to the upper portion (26) of the grade bar support member (24), the grade bar (28) being selectively spaced from the girder (14) such that a grout receiving space (32) is defined between the grade bar (28) and the girder (14). The grout receiving space (32) is filed with non-shrink grout (34) such that the load of the deck panels (12) is transferred from the grade bar (28) to the grout (34).

Abstract: Bridge comprising a bridge floor, said floor consisting of an upper boom (4) which may form a road section, a lower boom (5) which may be formed by a tubular succession of sections, and diagonal linking girders (6), joining the booms, their axes converging on that of the lower boom. Those elements subjected to high stress are preferably to be provided with individual pretensioning elements. The gussets (15) linking the diagonals with the upper boom carry advantageously the attachment elements of the supporting stay cables (2).

Abstract: A bridge, the deck of which comprises two superimposed frames (4,5) each serving as a roadway. These frames are connected by diagonal connecting girders (6) slanting both relative to the vertical and relative to the length of the bridge and joining the edges of the upper and lower frames, and auxiliary connecting girders (7) situated in vertical planes passing through the edges of the lower frame. The prestressing cables (17) of a diagonal girder (6) are anchored to the edge of the upper frame, pass transversely through the lower frame, and then through the diagonal girder which is symmetrical therewith relative to the longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry of the bridge, and are anchored on the opposite edge of the upper frame.

Abstract: The orthotropic steel plate deck bridge with a double rib system, is a structural steel member with a steel plate deck welded to a closed steel rib which further is welded to an open steel rib. The double rib system has the capacity to transfer the loads from the bridge deck to the steel bridge structure. The double rib system is used for steel bridges particularly for long spans due to its reduced dead load.

Abstract: A composite structural member is formed by fixedly mounting a prestressed concrete slab having compressive stress acting along pc steel wires buried therein on a beam. The compressive stress is thereafter released from the prestressed concrete slab by loosening a turnbuckle or the like provided in the prestressed concrete slab, so as to produce in the beam a tensile force acting in the same direction as the direction of the compressive stress acting in the prestressed concrete slab and a bending moment.The slabs, placed in a side by side and end to end configuration, have undulated end surfaces spaced apart on a beam. The ends abut dowels fixed to the main beam. The space defined by the end surfaces with the dowels is filled with mortar to integrally fix the slab to the beam.

Abstract: A bridge has prefabricated sections and is prestressed externally of the concrete of the sections by cables. Each section has upper and lower decks, interbraced by longitudinal oblique webs which form dihedrons. Certain dihedrons are closed by transverse panels. The panels assure the desired deviations of the prestressing cables as well as their anchoring.

Abstract: This invention relates to a production of a structure by means of arch stones. The arch stones comprise series of mixed steel-concrete arch stones (V.sub.M), each comprising a metal frame of steel integral with an upper concrete slab, these series being separated by interposed concrete arch stones or sections, (V.sub.B), the assembly of the arch stones being reinforced longitudinally by prestress cables which penetrate the metal frames and are attached at their ends to the concrete arch stones. This invention may be applied to bridge floors and similar structures.

Abstract: A tension-band bridge having one or more main openings (2) and possibly subsidiary openings (3), comprises a tension band (4) gripped between abutments (5) and possibly taken over supporting pillars (6). The traffic route over the bridge is disposed on a saddling (7), which bends in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, in the region of the main openings (2), while the tension band (4) can be travelled over directly in the region of any subsidiary openings (3) which may be present. The saddling which bends in the longitudinal direction of the bridge preferably consists of a latticework construction (10, 11, 12) which is rigid in the transverse direction of the tension band (4) and which is connected, in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, by means of diagonal struts (13) in each of which shock absorbers (14) are disposed.

Abstract: A low cost, factory fabricated, force distributing bridge truss assembly is disclosed which includes respective, interconnected, converging pairs of carrier truss structures designed to be composited to an overlying concrete bridge deck such that the latter serves as a top chord diaphragm for absorbing live load-induced compression and bending forces. The carrier truss structures are fabricated using only two standard shapes of plasma arc cut steel angles (normally 6".times.6" for truss webs and 8".times.8" for truss chords) welded directly together without the need for special order steel or supplemental gusset plates. The preferred deck for use with the truss assembly hereof is a concrete structure having a lowermost, spanning metallic plate substrate composited (by means of upstanding studs) to a concrete layer thereon. This assembly may be applied to the carrier truss structure in either precast, sectionalized form or field cast in place.

Abstract: Reinforced concrete bridge decking comprises a plurality of substantially identical, removable, interchangeable reinforced concrete panels having protruding tongues at opposite ends supported on and retained in place by resilient, shock absorbing pads. The panels each have a metallic frame substantially filled with concrete, and an abrasive material layer is bonded on the top surface of the concrete. The abrasive material layer provides a hard, salt resistant, anti-skid surface on the concrete panels, and also serves to strengthen the panels. The resilient pads are readily removable to release the individual panels, so that a tool can be engaged with the panels in the spaces defined between the tongues at the opposite ends thereof to remove the individual panels for maintenance or repair, or to interchange the panels with one another.

Abstract: A bridge which has a bridge deck constructed of corrugated checkered metal plate and which is supported by a plurality of side-by-side box beams carried by spaced apart beam supports. The box beams have upright sides which are connected to upper and lower chord plates all of which are constructed of corrugated plate having corrugations which run parallel to the length of the box beams and which have a large, e.g. 16 .times. 6 inch corrugation pitch and depth. The chord plates and sides are bolted together at spaced apart intervals. Thin walled shear plates are placed against the box beam sides and bolted to the corrugation troughs of the sides and they carry vertically acting shear loads while their connection to the box beams prevents them from buckling. A concrete layer is poured on top of the bridge deck so as to form a mechanical interlock between the concrete and the deck to thereby structurally integrate the concrete layer with the remainder of the bridge.

Abstract: A modular bridge system constructed of parallel, side-by-side bridge modules constructed of components made from large pitch and depth corrugated plate. Each module has an upper chord plate, which ultimately defines the corresponding part of the bridge deck, a spaced apart, parallel lower chord plate and an intermediate, sinusoidal support structure defined by webs which have a width substantially equal to the width of the chord plates so as to define a continuous lateral support for the upper chord plates at intermediate points over the length thereof. Load distributing ribs secured to the underside of the chord plates only are placed at unsupported portions of the upper chord plates between attachment points for the webs and have a width substantially equal to the combined width of all modules to tie the modules to each other and to distribute vehicular (point) loads over a relatively wide lateral extent of the chord plates.