Abstract: A composite, prestressed structural member, such as a bridge unit and methods of forming such a member. The apparatus includes a plurality of longitudinally extending girders which are transversely spaced and a plurality of adjacent composite units disposed on the girders. Each composite unit has a plurality of beams with a molded deck portion formed thereabove. The beams are positioned transversely with respect to the girders and attached thereto. Additional, longitudinal beams are disposed between the transversely extending beams over the girders. The longitudinal beams are attached to the girders and by connectors to the molded deck. The structure is formed by positioning the girders on a construction support adjacent to a center portion of the girders such that the free ends of the girders cantilever and deflect downwardly. The beams of the composite units are attached to the girders in this construction position. Any gaps between adjacent composite units are filled with a non-shrink, high strength grout.

Abstract: A steel traffic barrier module is provided that is preferably formed a plurality of modified I-beams joined by connecting plates wherein the modified I-beams present on at least one side of the module a profile having a plurality of inclined surfaces corresponding substantially to that of a New Jersey barrier profile. A cover plate spans substantially the entire length of the module and establishes at least one of the inclined surfaces. The module may be anchored to a traffic surface including a highway surface or a bridge deck.

Abstract: To make a reinforced concrete bridge or culvert 10, flat reinforced concrete plates 14A, 14B serving as longitudinally extending side plates and concrete folded plates 18A, 18B serving as shell-like cross members extending from side plate to side plate are formed and carried to the site. Two substantially flat side plates are mounted on drilled piers, driven piles, or other deep foundation structures at their bottom end and extend substantially vertically upward. The cross members are high moment of inertia per unit of weight, thin structures that are mounted on bottom ledges of the two substantially flat parallel vertical side walls and extend laterally between the two to support filler or other parts of the roadway between the side walls.

Abstract: A stress laminated timber bridge deck is disclosed. The deck includes a transversely extending laminate of longitudinally extending timbers and a system for prestressing the laminate. The prestress system includes a pair of longitudinally extending stress distribution channels disposed on opposite sides of the laminate, a number of transversely oriented threaded tension rods, and threaded members, threadably engaged with the tension rods, for tensioning the rods. A disc spring assembly is disposed on each of the tension rods and compressed between the respective stress distribution channels and respective threaded members to reduce the effective stiffness of the deck and thereby reduce prestress losses due to wood creep and temperature variation. A method for measuring prestress in a tensioning rod of the deck of the present invention is disclosed.

Abstract: An arrangement in a bridge deck and the like surface-forming structure to be subjected to mobile concentrated loads of small extent, so-called point loads, moving along the bridge deck, comprises a plurality of neighboring elongate units, so-called deck slabs (1), supported by and anchored to a base in the form of beams or like supporting system (25), the units or slabs (1) being provided with a tongue (8) and groove (9) adapted to laterally join neighboring units. The groove (9) and tongue (8) are located in such manner relative to the unit or slab portions engaging with the base that when the units are positioned on the base (25), at least portions of a first edge part of each unit are directly supported by and anchored to the base, while, by the groove/tongue engagement, an opposite second edge part is supported by the first edge of the neighboring unit, which is directly supported by the base.

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: 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 tip half of the panel. It is now taught that existing deteriorated concrete panels can be reconstructed by removing the upper concrete containing the upper layer of flexural reinforcing means for carrying bending moment tension stressed in the top half of panels (12), over interior supports (14), while maintaining such flexural reinforcing means (20) confined to the lower half of the panel, has sufficient flexural strength of the panel (12) to support expected loads. Such panels (12), will exhibit improved durability and reduced tip surface (16) cracking. Preferred techniques for controlling top half cracking from temperature and shrinkage of the panel are set forth.

Abstract: A pile supported bridge assembly is disclosed in which an array of pilings is set out in a generally regular grid pattern. Temporary support channels are placed on the pilings and cap members are placed onto the supports generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bridge. Slab members are then used to span the cap members and a road surface is laid thereover, whereupon the temporary supports are removed.

Abstract: This invention involves a composite prefabricated deck panel and method of construction. The panel is comprised of a rectangular frame made of steel channel members, a number of structural steel members (I-beams) extending longitudinally through the frame and a reinforcing steel mesh welded to the structural steel members. A concrete topping slab is cast over the top flanges of the rectangular structural steel frame leaving a portion of the channel members and structural members extending outwardly. This construction develops a composite action between the structural steel members and concrete.Locking holes extend through the structural steel members, to accomodate a locking bar which attaches to a locking loop secured to supporting girders. Liquid grout is then pressure forced into locking holes which hardens to produce a rigid composite structure consisting of the panels and girders.

Abstract: A modular overpass that uses interlockable roadway units. These interlockable units include ramp units adapted for fitting together to create entry and exit ramps having a low end and a raised end, cantilever units for attachment to the raised ends of the ramps, and suspended span units for joining the cantilever units. Flexible footings are provided to support the roadway units. The flexible footings comprise a resilient base, a covering cap sealably fitted over the base to define a cavity, and a packable bearing material partially filling the cavity. A system of pilings are used to anchor the roadway units in position. The system can be used to create an overpass over intersections between highways and secondary roads so that highway traffic travels over the overpass and local secondary road traffic is controlled by traffic lights. The modular overpass is shaped to conform to the existing highway surface and is supported on that surface by the flexible footings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to interlocking construction elements useful in being assembled into load bearing traffic ways. The present construction elements are comprised of a flat top slab and at least one support stem attached perpendicularly to bottom of the slab. The top of the slab is a load bearing surface. The support stems have a flared, or finned, portion positioned contiguous to the junction of the stem and the bottom of the slab. A load placed atop the load bearing surface is equally distributed to the support stem, or stems. The slab may be considered as floating, that is, the bottom of the slab is in touch contact but not in support contact with the foundation. Any weight placed load bearing surface is immediately and directly transmitted to the support stem, or stems in substantially equal proportion. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the support stem, or stems, are secured into a anchor boot, which, in turn, is securedly attached to a foundation.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping concrete forms from the undersurface of a concrete roadbed of a bridge under construction has a carriage positioned on and driven longitudinally along the upper surface of the roadbed. The carriage carries spaced apart transversely extending support beams having rack gearing which meshes with pinions carried by housings telescopically received on the support beam and having rollers for rolling on tracks on the support beams. Each support beam has two housings which may move toward and away from each other. The housings carry downwardly depending framework extending beneath the roadbed and supporting a work platform support section. The two work platform support sections associated with each carrier beam may interlock to form a continuous work platform support at each longitudinal end of the apparatus, and may separate when the housings associated with each support beam are driven away from each other to provide a clearance about the pier caps of the bridge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a weldless pavement module and a method for making a weldless pavement module. Each of the primary load bearing bars is formed with openings for receiving slotted secondary load bearing bars which are passed through the primary load bearing bars in a substantially horizontal position and which are rotated into a vertical position. The size and shape of the openings and the slots permit the combination of primary load bearing bars and secondary load bearing bars to be skewed to form a nonrectangular parallelogram configuration. Simple tack welds are used to temporarily hold the grating in its desired configuration. A concrete component encases at least the top surface of the grating base member and permanently secures the elements of the grating base member together. The use of tack welds eliminates the requirement that the grating base member be bent into a convex shape prior to welding. A simple flat jig is used.

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 wetland crossing bridge assembly is disclosed having a plurality of interconnected lower box support members with upstanding columnar members extending from the base thereof. Slab members are laid on the top of these column members in an overlapping arrangement and side members having a general L-shaped configuration line on each side. A conventional road surface is applied over the structural members. The structure allows the bridge assembly to absorb or dissipate stress from shifting caused by wind, water levels, etc. and the even weight distribution through the interlocking arrangement allows construction without requiring pilings sunk to underlying bedrock and with minimal adverse environmental impact.

Abstract: A method of converting a conventional grid deck to an exodermic deck is disclosed. The method includes the steps of removing existing concrete if the deck is a filled grid. Tertiary load bearing bars are placed on top of the grating parallel to and between the primary load bearing bars. Shear members are vertically mounted on the tertiary load bearing bars to provide structural integrity. The interstices of the grating are filled to prevent concrete from penetrating the grating. A concrete overlay is poured and cured on the top surface of the grating and the interstice filling is removed.

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.

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 system for attaching a bridge deck panel to a bridge structure which allows the panel to expand in lengthwise and sidewise directions independent of a bridge deck support structure. Brackets attached to members of a bridge deck support structure have undercuts on opposing ends which accommodate flanges on the bridge deck panel. Portions of the bracket overlying the undercut and flange prevent the deck panel from being separated from the deck support structure, but do not prevent the deck panel from lengthwise movement independent of the bridge structure due to temperature changes. To enable the panel to move in a sidewise direction, a space is provided between the outermost edge of the deck panel flange and the length of the undercut.

Abstract: A slab-type short span bridge constructed of at least one corrugated plate having parallel, longitudinally extending corrugations of a generally trapezoidal cross-section. A layer of concrete which defines the traffic carrying surface of the bridge and a generally flat plate are secured to the corrugated plate. The flat plate can be interposed between the concrete layer and the corrugated plate, or it may be spaced from the concrete layer by the corrugated plate. The flat plate can simultaneously define portions of the corrugated plate. Means is provided for rigidly interconnecting all members of the bridge into a unitary, load carrying structure.

Abstract: A support system for a multiple-span bridge constructed of reinforced concrete or prestressed concrete includes a primary structure and a secondary structure. The primary structure bridges the spans between intermediate supports or between an abutment and an adjacent intermediate support and includes serially arranged support members elongated in the long direction of the bridge. The width of the support members is a fraction of the full useful width of the bridge. The secondary structure forms the roadway slab and is supported on the primary structure. The secondary structure is made up of serially arranged individual roadway sections extending in the long direction of the bridge. The roadway sections are supported by bearing members resting directly on the support members of the primary structure with the roadway sections being closely spaced in the elongated direction of the bridge as compared to the spans between the intermediate members and the abutments.

Abstract: An elevated bikeway can be constructed to be extremely lightweight and therefore inexpensive by restricting use to bicycle traffic only and by using aluminum as substantially the only structural material. The bikeway includes two spaced apart trusses supporting horizontal bracing, which supports a deck tread surface.

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 prestressed concrete structure which behaves like a hollowed out slab.The structure combines a lattice work structure and a prestress by external cable, maximally optimizing the advantages of these two techniques. The Figure represents a part of the floor of a bridge according to the present invention. The floor comprises two tables 6 and 7 which are joined by a lattice work composed of pyramids P. Prestressing cables 8, 8' and 9' pass between the tables outside the concrete of the bars of the pyramids.The present invention is used for the construction of bridges, roofings and floors.

Abstract: An improved continuous pavement process for a bridge surface comprises the steps of arraying a plurality of bridging metals in a hollow space provided between adjacent floor slabs of a bridge. Each of the plurality of bridging metals comprises a generally U-shaped member, which extends in the direction of a longitudinal bridge axis with its tip end opened and includes pieces being bent 180.degree. and extending outside from the upper edges of the base portions of the respective side pieces thereof so as to form an inverse U-shaped cross-section jointly with the corresponding side piece, in such manner that a side piece of the generally U-shaped member of one of adjacent bridging metals may loosely and movably fit in the inverse U-shaped cross-section of the other bridging metal.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved and more efficient method and articles of manufacture to construct new bridge decks, or to replace existing bridge decks. This unique method of constructing deck slabs utilizes precast, prestressed concrete form panels that are continuous over the floor beams or supporting walls. A cast-in-place concrete topping is placed on the form panels and finished to the proper grade to become the top surface of the slab. The cast-in-place topping also bonds to the roughened top surface of the precast, prestressed form panels and acts with the panels to create a structural deck slab. In addition, this invention embodies a new method and article of manufacture and installation for precast parapets, safety curbs and traffic divisors which are attached to a precast, prestressed continuous panel positioned on the supporting beams, or a conventional bridge deck.

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 bridge is made from a plurality of precast arcuate spans of reinforced concrete disposed side by side between concrete facia. The facia project upwardly to an elevation above the crown of the spans. Elongated rods join the spans to each other and to the facia.

Abstract: A cementitious composition comprising a cementitious material and polyethylene glycol or end-capped polyethylene glycol as a phase change material, said polyethylene glycol and said end-capped polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight greater than about 400 and a heat of fusion greater than about 30 cal/g; the compositions are useful in making pre-formed building materials such as concrete blocks, brick, dry wall and the like or in making poured structures such as walls or floor pads; the glycols can be encapsulated to reduce their tendency to retard set.

Abstract: A light weight pavement module is described which comprises a base grating, an impervious intermediate layer, such as a reinforced plastic or fiberglass sheet applied over the base grating, and a concrete top layer wear surface applied over the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer prevents the concrete top layer from penetrating through the base grating. The grating has shear connectors which pierce the intermediate layer and project into the top layer wear surface in order to form an integral pavement module. The pavement module may be formed without an intermediate layer if the module is otherwise constructed so that the top layer wear surface does not penetrate and fill the interstices of the base grating.

Abstract: A light weight pavement module is described which comprises a base grating, an impervious intermediate layer, such as a reinforced plastic or fiberglass sheet applied over the base grating, and a concrete top layer wear surface applied over the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer prevents the concrete top layer from penetrating through the base grating. The grating has studs attached to it which pierce the intermediate layer and project into the top layer wear surface in order to form an integral pavement module.

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 suspension bridge has a pair of horizontally spaced towers between which is spanned a main catenary cable. A flexible spacer element, normally a cable, extends along the main cable between the towers and is provided with generally equispaced spacers. Respective hanger assemblies are fixed at the spacers and can slide on the main cable between the towers. Respective upright hangers defining a vertical plane with the main cable have upper ends connected to the hanger assemblies and lower ends and are provided with adjusters between these ends for shortening and lengthening the distance therebetween. Respective girders are secured to the lower ends and extend generally perpendicular to the plane and respective path sections extend generally horizontally and each have one end hooked over a respective one of the girders and another end hooked over an adjacent girder.

Abstract: A pallet for use in decking a bridge constructed from girder sections of the type disclosed in Patent No. GB 1209747 comprises a plurality of decking units (1) held in pre-determined disposition by tie bars (7) and spacers (6) so as to engage directly with corresponding recesses (4) in the girder sections (5). The pallet is provided with slinging eyes (9) and may be used to carry additional decking units for manual distribution along the girder sections.

Abstract: A suspension bridge has a first deck supported from a pair of suspension cables by hangers and a second deck independently supported from a pair of suspension cables by hangers. The two parallel decks are separated by a gap whose width is not less than that of either of the decks and is preferably three or more times the width of a deck. The decks are joined at intervals along their length by stiff transverse girders 22 and intervening diagonal shear braces so that the two decks behave essentially as a single rigid body in regard to torsional movement. This results in very high aerodynamic damping of both torsional and bending modes of oscillation.

Abstract: In a pier having a series of spaced-apart horizontal pile caps surmounting and connecting the supporting piles together transversely of said pier, there is an integrated one-piece deck supported atop the pile caps so that it can slide thereon. A series of prestressing tendons connect the deck to the pile caps so that when a wharf is struck by a ship, the lengthening and shortening of the tendons and the sliding friction between the deck and the pile caps absorbs the impact load.

Abstract: Polyamide resins are used as primer for highway repairs using asphaltic membranes.

Abstract: A variable thickness fabric mat for use with railroad track right of way beneath the track structure. The mat has a central portion of predetermined thickness, and lateral shoulder portions of a reduced thickness as compared to said cental portion, with the central portion being of a predetermined width of adequate dimension to generally completely underlie the railroad track structure. The mat provides a method for transmission of force from a train on the railroad track structure to be spread over a greater area of the underlying earth bearing surface, and with the mat possessing the capability of passing water, and aiding in draining water from the soil beneath the mat, as well as from the top and sides of the track support.

Abstract: A bridge construction includes a bridge deck having a grid system of longitudinally extending members and criss-crossing transverse members supported at a vertically spaced relationship above a base plate. The grid system and base plate are integrally supported by a floor system and main support members. The base plate and grid system act as reinforcements for a fill material like concrete.

Abstract: A low cost, structurally superior bridge and fabrication method are described which take maximum advantage of the compressive strength of concrete, and the tensile strength of steel, to give a bridge structure having the lowest allowable depth-to-span ratio and good dead load/live load ratios, as well as minimum deflection under impacting, moving concentrated loads. The bridge is most preferably shop cast in sections which include lowermost, substantially planar structural metallic plates (e.g., 5/16" thick self-rusting steel) of length and width dimensions substantially equal to that of the sections; a separate layer of concrete is then composited to each plate, preferably by means of upstanding studs secured to the plate and embedded within the concrete. Monolithic bridge sections are thus formed which can be transported to the bridge site, erected and connected, typically by welding the respective section plates together at regular intervals.

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 variable thickness fabric mat for use in railroad track structures, and particularly at stress transition zones in the railroad track; the mat is preferably formed of non-woven, multi-layered fabric, with the layers connected together, as for instance by needle punching to form an integral member. The mats are applicable for use with poor load bearing soils, and form a generally stepped, resilient bed for conventional railroad track structure, to help support and progressively spread the stress from the wheeled traffic, over a wider area. The mats provide for effective passing of runoff water, and aid in drainage of water from the soil beneath the mats, to thus improve the track support. The invention also provides a method of forming a railroad track construction so as to spread the stress from wheeled traffic at stress transition zones, over wider areas.

Abstract: Concrete bridge decks are waterproofed by first applying a primer over sound, dry and clean concrete which forms the bridge deck. A laminated membrane is then installed over the primed concrete surface, the membrane being comprised of reinforced cured and uncured elastomers. The membrane is then heated to the point where the uncured elastomer flows and rolled prior to cooling. A tack coat is then applied over the membrane and a wearing surface, such as asphalt, or the like, applied.The membrane employed is comprised of an upper stratum of a cured elastomer, a reinforcing fabric such as woven fiberglass in the center thereof and a lower stratum of a soft, uncured, form stable elastomer adapted to flow on the application of heat.

Abstract: Concrete bridge decks are waterproofed by first applying a primer over sound, dry and clean concrete which forms the bridge deck. A laminated membrane is then installed over the primed concrete surface, the membrane being comprised of reinforced cured and uncured elastomers. The membrane is then heated to the point where the uncured elastomer flows and rolled prior to cooling. A tack coat is then applied over the membrane and a wearing surface, such as asphalt, or the like, applied.The membrane employed is comprised of an upper stratum of a cured elastomer, a reinforcing fabric such as woven fiberglass in the center thereof and a lower stratum of a soft, uncured, form stable elastomer adapted to flow on the application of heat.

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: An elongated elevated box girder and roadway structure is constructed in a number of individual elongated sections with the support structure and formwork being reused, in turn, for each section. Each section is constructed in a number of stages. Initially, a support structure is built up from grade or is mounted on permanent upright members of the structure being formed, such as piers or abutments. Formwork for the bottom slab and the upright outside webs of the box girders are placed upon the support structure. Concrete is poured into the formwork for the bottom slab and webs and, after being allowed to set for a given period, and posttensioned, if necessary, the formwork is stripped and the support structure is removed. The support structure and formwork are then moved and set up for the next section to be constructed. The roadway slab includes the top slab of the box girder and cantilever sections extending laterally outwardly from each side of the top slab.

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.

Abstract: Each one of a plurality of parallel horizontal beams has longitudinally spaced vertical slots extending transversely through it, with the lower wall of each slot formed by the top of the free end portion of a tongue struck out of the beam. Resting on these tongues are parallel cross bars that extend through the slots and have notches extending downwardly from the tops of the bars receiving the portions of the beams above the slots, with those portions substantially engaging the bottoms of the notches. The height of the tongues is great enough to permit the bars during assembly to be inserted in the slots while the tongues are bent laterally out of the beams, whereupon the bars can be raised in the slots and the tongues bent back beneath the bars to support them.