Abstract: A a pier system having at least one shelf beam which has a side panel and a shelf member, the shelf member supporting a decking unit, and a method for constructing the pier system. The decking unit may also be supported by connecting members, such as support bars or inverted trusses, which are attached to and span the distance between points on the shelf members of the shelf beams. Each shelf beam is coupled to at least one support post, and the support post may be connected to a sleeve that slides axially around the support post. The method involves constructing a pier frame out of at least two shelf beams and support posts, placing a decking unit upon the shelf members of the shelf beams, and extending the pier system by repeating the process and coupling successive pier frames to one another.

Abstract: A modular structure construction and repair system for use in new bridge construction and old bridge repair. The invention comprises a plurality of prefabricated modules which have a plurality of longitudinally extending beams and deck portions molded thereto. The modules are positioned over a plurality of girders so that longitudinal joints are formed above the girder. In the repair of an old bridge, an old section of the bridge deck is removed, and the modules are positioned on the existing girders. The modules are attached to the girders such that a shear connection is provided therebetween. Precompression may also be applied to clamp the sides of adjacent deck portions together. Various embodiments disclose this precompression and the shear connections.

Abstract: A heated bridge deck (20) uses electrodes (24, 26) embedded within conductive concrete and connected to a power source to remove snow and ice accumulation. A cement-based mixture containing optimal amounts of conductive materials is molded into pre-formed slabs (22) placed atop the paved surface of a bridge deck. Alternatively, the conductive concrete may be cast in place on top of an existing bridge deck. A control unit with temperature and moisture sensors may be coupled to the heated bridge deck.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure includes a load bearing support and a load bearing deck. Such a support structure may be used in the construction of a bridge.

Abstract: A construction of a floor slab bridge includes a plurality of columnar H-shaped steels each disposed between adjacent bridge legs and arranged in side-by-side relation with an end face of a lower flange abutted with a corresponding end face of the adjacent columnar H-shaped steel. A lower concrete layer is formed by placing concrete in a space defined between the upper and lower flanges and between adjacent web plates through a concrete inlet port formed between the adjacent upper flange, and an upper concrete layer is formed by placing concrete on the upper flange. An iron reinforcement is horizontally disposed on the upper flanges, and an iron reinforcement is suspended in the space from the horizontal iron reinforcement through the concrete inlet port.

Abstract: This application discloses a novel bridge construction for use in affording vehicle and pedestrian traffic over small streams and wetlands. The construction utilizes standardized sizes of pier blocks for supporting standardized deck plates, with interengaging anchor projections and sockets one on the upper ends of the pier blocks and the other on the undersides of the deck plates. Identical sockets also are provided on the bottom ends of the pier blocks for engaging the projections on underlying pier blocks, affording vertical stacking of pier blocks to accommodate varying vertical distances between a stream and an elevated roadway. A V-shaped groove formed by the tapered longitudinal edges of adjacent deck plates, together with a registering outward indentation communicating with the groove, is adapted for filling with a concrete grout, for securing the deck plates against vertical displacement.

Abstract: To properly construct a floor slab bridge by forming a main girder structure of the floor slab bridge in a bridge using commercially available columnar H-shaped steels and then applying concrete thereto.

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: Prior art supported, load bearing concrete panels having flexural reinforcing materials within the top and bottom halves, are over-designed, and experience increased deterioration and increased severity of cracks in the top surface due to flexural reinforcing materials which are located within the top half of the panel. It is now taught that, by removing flexural reinforcing materials which are intended to carry carrying bending moment tension stresses in the top half of panels (12), over supports (14), while maintaining such flexural reinforcing materials (20) confined to the lower half of the panel, does not reduce the flexural strength of the panel (12) below that which is required to support expected loads. Such panels (12), without flexural reinforcing materials in the top half, exhibit improved durability and reduced top surface (16) cracking, and can be produced with fewer production steps and with reductions in the cost of materials.

Abstract: A prestressed concrete panel for a bridge construction includes a first section having at least one tension member extending therethrough. A second section of the panel is spaced from the first section to form a gap therebetween. The tension member extends through the second section also and across the gap. The gap is adapted to be aligned above a support beam or girder. At least one compression member also extends between the first and second sections and across the gap in such a manner such that the gap is maintained against the tension forces of the tension member.

Abstract: Novel precast concrete boxes are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, boathouses and the like. The boxes can be sized and proportioned so as to be conveniently assembled in such structures and to be easily transported via intermodal transportation media. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes are disclosed. Shellfish habitats based upon the boxes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) module that interlocks with other similarly designed modules. Specifically, each FRP module has a female, receiver, end and a male, inserter, end such that the inserter of a first FRP module interlocks with, or “snaps into” or “slids into,” a receiver of an adjacent second FRP module. Once interlocked, the two connected FRP modules are further secured by either adhesive and/or thermal connections. An FRP module is made of multiple layers of multi-axial fiber reinforcement and a resin matrix, the layers being continuous throughout the entire shape of the module. An overlay may be placed over the top face of one or more FRP modules joined together to provide a uniform surface. In addition, one or more exterior FRP composite laminates, grids, plates or fabrics may be bonded continuously to the top face.

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.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete deck structure particularly adaptable for bridge spans is made up of superimposed layers of concrete with a corrugated metal pan therebetween along with a plurality of reinforcing bars which extend transversely of and through the corrugations. Individual, partially completed slabs are precast and are then placed on a bridge span and covered with a second layer.

Abstract: A metal bridge includes at least two longitudinal girders connected by a plurality of transversal spacers and on which rests a platform. Each longitudinal girder is built by butt-jointing a number of prefabricated metal elements in the form of tubular hollow coffers of polygonal transversal section, each extending over a length compatible with transport and lifting devices. At least certain coffers of two neighboring girders are connected in twos by a plurality of spacers, each composed of a metal tube.

Abstract: Novel precast concrete boxes are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, boathouses and the like. The boxes can be sized and proportioned so as to be conveniently assembled in such structures and to be easily transported via intermodal transportation media. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes are disclosed. Shellfish habitats based upon the boxes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel precast concrete boxes are disclosed which can be assembled together and/or with structural shapes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,736 to form waterfront structures such as seawalls, boathouses and the like. The boxes can be sized and proportioned so as to be conveniently assembled in such structures and to be easily transported via intermodal transportation media. Novel methods of waterborne transport and installation of the boxes are disclosed. Shellfish habitats based upon the boxes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A load bearing deck structure is made from at least one sandwich panel formed of a ploymer matrix composite material. The sandwich panel comprises a plurality of substantially hollow, elongated core members having side walls, the core members being provided with an upper facesheet and a lower facesheet. Each facesheet is formed integrally with the side walls of the core members and at least one of the side walls is disposed at an oblique angle to one of the upper and lower facesheets so that the side walls and facesheets define a polygonal shape when viewed in cross section.

Abstract: A precast concrete bridge system containing one or more sections wherein each section includes a horizontally disposed, load-bearing span that is integrally cast with a pair of vertical side walls. Each wall contains lightweight cores encapsulated in the concrete to create a series of longitudinally extended beams in each wall so that the beams in one wall are coaxially aligned with the beams in an adjacent wall. The cores constitute between 16-35 % of the total section volume.

Abstract: A clamping device for use with or without a support saddle includes upper and lower filler bars adapted to extend along the upper and lower surfaces of a tongue like connecting member on an upstream deck panel. A pair of clamping bars are operable by a pair of bolts which extend though the filler bars and tongue like member upon placement of the panel atop the underlying support beams. Upon tightening the bolt, the free ends of the clamping bars bear against the underside of the support beam with the bolt head urging the tongue like member against the top of the beam so as to mechanically connect the panel to the beam. A support saddle has a pair of sidewalls of a selected height to space the overlying deck panel from the support beam. The top wall of the support saddle may be inclined to cant the deck panel relative to the support beam.

Abstract: A transit boarding platform panel comprising a base portion formed from a reinforced composite polymer. The base portion has a top deck and a bottom plate, a first end, a second end, a first side and second side. Between the top deck and bottom plate are a series of internal longitudinal and cross support members. The top deck has a central section and opposite end sections. Detectable warning tiles are mounted to the top surfaces of the end sections. The top surface of the central section has a slip resistant surface. In the preferred embodiment the slip resistant surface consists of a non-slip walking surface coating applied to the top deck. The slip resistant coating should be resistant to the effects of ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes and corrosive elements such as acids, alkalis, salts, phosphates, organic chemicals and solvents such as mineral spirits, gasoline etc. It should also preferably be sufficiently hard to protect against abrasion, chipping, scratching or marring.

Abstract: An elongated member suitable for flooring, decking, or seating, having a top plate formed as an extrusion of plastic material, wherein the top plate includes ribs constituted by protruding parts of parallel, spaced, elongated friction elements co-extruded therewith, the friction elements being formed of plastic having distinctly greater softness or flexibility than the main parts of the top plate and suitable for providing a non-slip surface. The member may include an elongated support formed as a relatively rigid extrusion of plastic material having a base plate with upstanding side walls and a central support portion, the top plate overlying the support and having edge formations engaging the side walls. Alternatively, the top plate and support may be formed integrally by extrusion, or the top plate may be part of a plank cover having integrally formed ribs for spacing the top plate above a plank.

Abstract: A deck comprises a plurality of elongate members (11), such as aluminum extrusions, which each comprise a top flange (12) and a bottom flange (13) interconnected by a web (14) and which are laid side-by-side in abutment and intercoupled, either by integrally shaped parts of the webs or by separate components, such as bars (16), to produce a cellular body with a closed top surface formed by the top flanges (12), a closed bottom surface formed by the bottom flanges (13) and internal bracing. A plurality of tie rods (17) extend transversely of the members (11) by way of bores in the webs (14) and, in conjunction with nuts (18), clamp the members together to form the body into a rigid structure which is stressed in both longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: A bridge deck construction form is provided capable of being used in a series of interlocking forms. The system uses an interlocking grid of plastic forms upon which the concrete is poured. The forms have male and female interlocking connectors around their perimeter to allow the forms to lock together end to end and side to side. The top surface of the form is smooth, and a series of hand grip indentations and fork lift fork receiving recess indentations are provided about the vertical perimeter apron to allow for easy handling and manipulation of the forms, whether by hand or by fork-lift, during placement, removal, shipping, storage, transport, or the like.

Abstract: A deck drain apparatus is provided that allows builders to inexpensively configure deck drainage systems from standard AASHTO M180 highway guardrail. The apparatus includes a number of deck drain sections, butted together to form a drain channel. Each of the drain sections consists of a pan section and an inverted W-beam section. The pan section has a longitudinally elongated and flat conducting surface and two perforated sides. The two perforated sides project upwardly along opposite lateral edges of the conducting surface. The inverted W-beam section has a first perforated wall, a first upper surface, a lower surface, a second upper surface, and a second perforated wall. The perforated walls are longitudinally elongated and formed along opposite lateral edges of the inverted W-beam section. The first upper surface is formed between the first perforated wall and the lower surface. The second upper surface is formed between the lower surface and the second perforated wall.

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: An innovative composite decking concept employing a wooden core surrounded by a fiber-reinforced plastic material is described. The invention is low-cost, durable, and performs well structurally.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications.

Abstract: An energy efficient deck framing system and method is disclosed. In a deck framing system having structural framing members that support a deck panel structure, individual deck panels are inserted between pairs of the framing members. Supporting rods extend downward through the top of the framing members and are provided with a support nut that is sized to maintain the framing member in a supported fashion. An insulating subassembly is provided having an insulating washer interposed between a conventional washer or a secondary nut and the top of the framing member, and an insulating retainer clip received in the lower portion of the top of the framing member and the support nut. The insulating retainer clip is constructed and arranged to be securably received within the contours of the framing member.

Abstract: A precast concrete slab for forming a deck in a bridge superstructure has a chamfer on forward and trailing edges so that adjacent slabs can mate. The slab is reinforced with bars which protrude laterally from the slab on opposite sides and which, in use, extend over support beams. Selected bars are formed in a castellated shape of which inverted U-shaped portions extend above the surface of the precast concrete slab. Conveniently, the U-shaped portions anchor a concrete topping which is poured over the slabs at a bridge site and also provide locations for hooking a crane used to transport the slab at a site.

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: Disclosed is a seismic load transmitting system based on impact mechanism for a multi-span continuous bridge, comprising impact assemblies connected to a superstructure of the bridge for colliding with movable support piers according to a longitudinal displacement of the superstructure of the bridge caused by a seismic load and transmitting the seismic load from the superstructure of the bridge to the movable support piers; and impact receiving assemblies installed in the movable support piers for receiving an impact force generated when the movable support piers become collided with the impact assemblies and transmitting the seismic load transferred from the superstructure of the bridge through the impact assemblies to the movable support piers, wherein the seismic load generated in the superstructure of the bridge is transmitted not only to the fixed support piers but also to the moving support piers due to the collision between the impact assemblies and the impact receiving assemblies; and wherein the cont

Abstract: A geocomposite system for increasing the service life of roads, bridges, or the like, includes a geocomposite layer having a geomembrane disposed between two geotextile backings, a structural layer for supporting the geocomposite layer, and a base layer formed on top of the geocomposite layer. The geomembrane is impermeable and the geotextile backings are sufficiently porous to provide a wicking action of moisture or liquid laterally along the geomembrane and out of the geocomposite system to prevent moisture or liquid damage. The geomembrane prevents the intrusion of liquids including deicing salts into the structural layers of roads, bridges, or the like abating deterioration in the structural layers such as corrosion of reinforcing steel. The geocomposite layer is bonded to and conforms to the structural layer, thus reducing reflective, shrinkage and fatigue cracking and increasing the structural capacity of the road or bridge.

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 method for forming a structural panel such as for a bridge deck includes providing a first and a second sheet formed by fibers and settable resin and laminating the sheets with a plurality of parallel side by side connection members. The connection members are formed by filament winding around a core using primarily a large wind angle followed by a final shallow angle of wrap. The connection members are triangular in cross section and each is inverted relative to the next so that the sides are in contact. The connection members are connected together while the resin is uncured so that during lamination they cure together to allow integration of the resin, close matching of the shapes so that the resin at the junction remains thin and intermingling of the filaments. The connection members are dry wound on a core and the resin is applied by infusion. The core carries reinforcing members to tailor strength as required along the length of the member.

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 method for forming a grating suitable for bridge decks using a punch and die, the die having a die opening having a generally cross shaped configuration having a generally vertical or first extent having a top and bottom and a generally horizontal or second extent having a first side and a second side, the distance between the top and bottom of the vertical extent being shorter than the distance between the first side and the second side of the horizontal extent, the opening having a first land and a second land substantially opposite to each other, the first land extending from the top of the vertical extent to the second side, the second land extending from the first side to the bottom, the punch having a cross-section configuration to mate with the die opening to punch the web openings in the web.

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 load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the at least one beam containing a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The at least one beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. Each of the flanges of the at least one beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. Alternatively, the load bearing deck containing at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section and support members are also provided.

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 tendon alignment assembly (20) and method for aligning and providing a bearing surface for externally exposed tendons (10) below a weight bearing structure comprises a tendon slide plate (30) rigidly fixed to the underside of a structure and a tendon alignment shoe (50) in sliding and rotational engagement to the tendon slide plate. The bottom surface (52) of the tendon alignment shoe (50) defines a cavity (54) for receiving a tendon (10). The assembly provides for automatic alignment of the tendons regardless of the skew of the bridge relative to the bridge supports and also for movement caused by dynamic and thermal loading.

Abstract: A railway short span trestle is designed for quick erection at an installation site by assembly of a minimum number of parts. Those parts include a pair of spaced apart girders and whatever number of modular floor assemblies are required to span the length of those girders. Each floor assembly may be preassembled in the shop to include crossbeams for connection to the girders, a ballast floor plate which interconnects the crossbeams, and the bent curb plates which contain and support the ballast for a railway track. The invention is further directed to a method of constructing a railway short span trestle including tho preassembly of the modular floor assemblies and final connection of those floor assemblies to a pair of girders to provide a unitary trestle ready for placement onto a substructure.

Abstract: A weldless grating comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending primary load-bearing members having an upper portion, a lower portion and a web located between the upper portion and the lower portion, the primary load-bearing member having a plurality of spaced-apart, generally rectangular-shaped openings in the web, the openings in each of the primary load-bearing members being aligned with the openings in adjacent primary load-bearing members. A plurality of secondary and tertiary load bearing members are provided.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications.

Abstract: Method for building bridges and bridge built according to the method especially a girder bridge with one, two or more girders or longitudinal beams resting on supports at abutments or the like. The novelty lies therein that the girder or longitudinal beams have end portions extending beyond the supports at the abutments and that between such extending ends and the abutments are arranged anchoring devices which after being fixed to the ends of the extending ends of each girder exert a supporting moment to the portion of the girders between the abutments.

Abstract: An automated weldless inter-locking grating assembly for bridge decks and the like which includes a plurality of primary load-bearing members located laterally, a plurality of transverse secondary load-bearing members and a plurality of trimorphic load-bearing members. Secondary load-bearing structural members are inserted sideways into apertures of primary load-bearing members and trimorphic load-bearing members. Thus, when a horizontal force is applied to alternate primary or trimorphic load-bearing members or any combination thereof, rotation of secondary load-bearing member or members occur to efficiently and automatically lock secondary load-bearing member or members into primary and trimorphic load-bearing member or members completing assemblage thereof into a rigid structural form.

Abstract: A ramp structure which may be constructed quickly to provide temporary or permanent access to all individuals between two areas of different elevation. A truss design allows long spans to form a bridge without the need for intermediate supports and related support foundations. A truss cross-connector is firmly wedged in place between two trusses and allows the quick, solid joining of two trusses without fasteners to form a strong and stable assembly to serve as ramps, bridges, elevated walkways, etc. The truss cross-connector has resistance to bending and supports the edge of a surface panel and provides a retaining pocket for the surface panel. The truss cross-connector firmly supports the trusses in an upright position when the trusses are used as railings. Surfacing panels placed between the truss cross-connectors provide a high quality, long lasting surface which is quickly installed for temporary or permanent installations, but which can be easily removed for reuse.

Abstract: A bridge deck unit and a process for constructing a bridge deck using the unit, wherein deviation and deflection of reinforcements are prevented, and problems of complicated operation and high cost are solved. Connecting plates for connecting portions of main reinforcements are disposed at a predetermined distance from each other in a longitudinal direction of the main reinforcements such that upper and lower ends of the connecting plates are respectively secured to side surfaces of the main reinforcements.

Abstract: A composite structural member with a thin deck portion. The composite structural member comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending girders with a plurality of composite members disposed thereon. The composite structural member comprises a plurality of transversely extending beams with a molded deck structure thereon. In one embodiment, the composite member is a prefabricated composite unit which is installed on the girders and attached thereto. In a second embodiment, the beams are positioned on the girders, and the deck portion is poured in place. In both embodiments, the molded deck portion is substantially thinner than for the prior art structures, but the present invention has greater strength characteristics. A preferred thickness of the deck portion is in the range of about 4 inches to less than about 6.5 inches, with a preferred thickness of five inches. The thickness of the deck portion is such that a single layer of reinforcing material may be used.

Abstract: The reinforcing method of the invention comprises the steps of removing asphalt from a concrete slab 2 of a road bridge, placing a reinforcing fiber sheet 20 onto the upper surface of the slab, preparing a fiber-reinforced composite material by impregnation with a resin 13 and causing the resin to set, coating an adhesive 22 onto a reinforcing material 21 comprising the foregoing composite material, sprinkling sand 23 thereover to form irregularities of sand 23 on the upper surface of the reinforcing material 21, hardening the adhesive 22, then coating a solvent-based asphalt primer 24 onto the sand 23, and placing asphalt 7 again, thereby completing the reinforcing operation.