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 machine for forming corrugated plate from a flat sheet defined by a plurality of serially arranged corrugating stands. At least one stand has cooperating corrugating rolls defined by a plurality of disc shaped dies which, during corrugating, are rotated at differing rates so that the peripheral speed at a selected diameter, of each such disc substantially equals the linear speed of the plate being corrugated. The discs can be constructed of disc shaped die halves, the axial position of which can be varied so as to vary the corrugation pitch or the profile while maintaining the pitch constant. Drives for the corrugating rolls and, in particular, for the disc dies can power rotate all dies or only some of them while others are free wheeling.

Abstract: A corrugated plate is disclosed which has trapezoidal corrugations defined by alternating, side by side, relatively thick corrugation peaks and corrugation troughs and relatively thin, inclined corrugation sides which interconnect edges of adjoining peaks and troughs. A method is also disclosed for corrugating the corrugated plate from flat sheet by providing a flat sheet with spaced apart, longitudinally extending, relatively thick sections which thereafter define the corrugation peaks and corrugation troughs or for forming the thick sections by providing a relatively thin sheet and folding over portions of the thin sheet in the areas which ultimately form the corrugation peaks and corrugation troughs so that the latter are defined by a plurality of staked sheet layers.

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.