Abstract: A structural spanning system that may be embodied by a cable array bridge system, which typically includes a pair of inclined towers separated by a horizontal distance spanned by a bridge deck and oriented at an outward angle. On opposing ends of the central bridge deck, the towers, and/or columns are secured at a common fulcrum. The columns are similarly oriented at an angle relative to a horizontal plane between fulcrums. Upper cables between towers extend to the deck and create a perpendicular force vector where they connect and are tensioned across the shallow arch bridge deck. Lower cables extend between opposing inclined columns, with one or more stringer cables extending between the lower cables and the bridge deck. Securing the lower cables to the deck via the stringer cables stabilizes the deck in tension by a counterforce to the upper cables. As a result, the bridge deck experiences a balanced pre-stress of upper cable forces in tension through the network of cables.

Abstract: A platform disposed below at least one bridge main cable and method of erection thereof. The platform comprises a plurality of elongate decking support beams extending cross-wise of and disposed below the main cable and decking applied thereto. In accordance with one embodiment, a plurality of slings are spaced longitudinally of the main cable, and each extends around the main cable and is attached at its ends to a respective one of the support beams. A guy is attached to at least one of the slings for restraining the sling from slippage along the length of the main cable. In accordance with another embodiment, a plurality of main cable clamps are grippingly attached to the main cable and are spaced longitudinally of the main cable. At least one pair of elongate members sre each attached at one end to a respective one of the main cable clamps and at an other end to the respective support beam.

Abstract: A device for holding a material and a method for holding such materials. The device includes a lower part having at least two engagement points, at least one elongated flexible tensioning element that is attached suspended between the engagement points, and traction mechanisms that are attached on the tensioning element or are part of the tensioning element. The tensioning element is connected to, encloses or carries the material, and the device is configured such that all traction mechanisms can be pulled simultaneously with identical or different tensile force in the direction of the lower part.

Abstract: A large-span and special-shaped arch bridge, comprising a main girder (2), a center abutment (11) served as a central bearing point and two auxiliary abutments (12,13) served as bearing points at two ends, wherein further comprising an arch-axis combination (3) and two arch-axis bending beams (4,5) presented as arcs projected upwards, the arch-axis combination being built on the center abutment (11) with two ends connected to the inner ends of the two arch-axis bending beams (4,5), the outer ends of the two arch-axis bending beams (4,5) being built on the two auxiliary abutments (12,13), the two arch-axis bending beams (4,5) being connected to the main girder (2) via a plurality of inhaul cables. A method for constructing said arch bridge is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for assembly of a stay includes a series of steps that include connecting in the vicinity of an anchoring zone, a new group of N reinforcements to a shuttle located within the sheath of a stay to be installed. The shuttle is driven towards another anchoring zone by means of driving and guiding means. When the shuttle has arrived substantially in the vicinity of the anchoring zone, and as long as entangling is detected between the driving and guiding means in a portion contained substantially between the shuttle and the first anchoring zone, the shuttle is rotated about its main axis in the opposite direction to the said entangling. The group of N reinforcements is then separated from the shuttle. Each reinforcement of the group is tensioned between the anchoring zones. The preceding steps are repeated until the installation of the reinforcements is completed.

Abstract: A stay comprises an inclined casing and a bundle of substantially parallel taut reinforcements lodged in the casing and individually anchored in a first and a second anchoring region. According to the invention, the casing and some of the reinforcements are installed by applying substantially uniform tension values to the reinforcements, then several iterations of the following steps are formed: compacting the installed reinforcements, at least at one end of the casing; slipping a further group of reinforcements along inside the casing, in a space left available by the compacted reinforcements; and tensioning each reinforcement of the further group between the first and second anchoring regions so that all the installed reinforcements exhibit substantially uniform tension values.

Abstract: A cable-stayed suspension bridge having characteristics of a cable stayed bridge and those of a suspension bridge at the same and time and using one-box and two-box girders in combination is disclosed. The bridge grinder of the cable-stayed suspension bridge includes one-box girders that each extend to both sides through the respective one tower and a two-box girder set in a central portion of the center span between towers in the length direction of the bridge girder. The cable-stayed suspension bridge includes cable-stayed structures in which a respective one of the one-box girders is supported by the tower with plural cables and a suspension structure in which the two-box girder is supported by the plural towers with two main cables and plural hanger ropes. The two-box girder has a central ventilation opening in the central portion as viewed in a transverse direction thereof.

Abstract: A bridge comprising a set of bases, a deck, an undulating support structure having above-the-deck arch sections and below-the-deck sections and being supported by the set of bases at the below the deck sections. The bridge also includes at least two arrays of load-bearing connectors extending from the above-the-deck arch sections to the deck and supporting substantially the entire weight of the deck. A preferred embodiment of the bridge comprises a deck, a wishbone arch section, including a single topmost middle portion branching transversely into two support legs on either longitudinal side of the topmost middle portion and a set of connectors extending from the wishbone arch to the deck and supporting the deck. The bridge generally includes a deck, an arch and an array of load-bearing connectors extending downwardly and longitudinally inwardly from the arch to the deck and supporting the deck in tension.

Abstract: As a countermeasure against storms for long span, particularly super-long span suspension bridges with the center span exceeding 2,000 m, there is provided a super-long span suspension bridge which can be improved of its static and dynamic wind resistance performance by applying a mass to a portion of the girder. In a suspension bridge with the center span exceeding 2,000 m, a mass application member capable of temporarily carrying a predetermined amount of additional load is provided on either side of the stiffening girder for a distance equal to 1/3 at the maximum of the center span so that a mass weighing 30% or less of the weight of the girder is temporarily applied in the mass application member in the girder on the windward side when the bridge is subjected to a storm, and cross stays are provided each at a point inward from either end of the center span section at a distance equal to 1/4 to 1/3 of the center span.

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

Abstract: An unbalanced bascule bridge having an unbalanced bridge span including a pair of longitudinal girders with a low torsional stiffness interconnected at a pivoting end by a torsionally rigid cross-girder and interconnected along a longitudinal expanse of the longitudinal girders by a steel frame which forms a closely spaced lattice for supporting a relatively thin, lightweight concrete roadway deck. The bascule bridge span is raised and lowered by an actuator assembly including a plurality of hydraulic cylinders pivotally mounted on support columns and corresponding piston rods which apply a torque to the cross-girder through crank-plates welded to the cross-girder and pivotally interconnected to a base. The cross-girder isolates the longitudinal girders from all support and reaction forces while raising and lowering the bascule bridge span.

Abstract: A hybrid bridge construction comprises a pair of piers enclosed in the earth at a fixed predetermined distance apart with a cantilever section supported on each pier. Each cantilever section comprises one or more vertical towers with a pair of inner and outer rigid compression members fixed to and extending upwardly and outwardly from the base of each tower. Outer tension members are attached to the top portions of each tower and to upper end portions of the compression members. A suspension section interconnecting the cantilever sections comprises catenary cable members attached to the upper end portions of inner compression members. A road deck extends between the piers, and vertical suspender members extend between the cable members and the road deck.

Abstract: A bridge structure for large water crossing with inclined towers as main substructure members. The superstructure is a combination of suspension cables and stay cables supported by inclined towers which transfers the bridge loads to the ground. The inclined towers are tied with horizontally cables posttensioned in a such way to introduce a horizontal force which combined with the vertical forces from the bridge gives axial forces for the inclined towers, improving its load capacity.

Abstract: A cable stayed bridge construction having box edge beams to which the deck structure is joined between the top and bottom thereof, and to which the cable stays are anchored.

Abstract: A structural system for use in bridges, buildings and other structures. The system supports part of its load by tension action and part of its load by arch action. Cables are stretched and anchored between end supports. Lateral compressive elements are placed over the cables and fit over grooves across the bottoms of the elements. The grooves vary in depth. The cables are near the bottom of the elements at the center span and near the top of the elements at the end supports.

Abstract: A structural system for use in bridges, buildings and other structures. The system supports part of its load by tension action and part of its load by arch action. Cables are stretched and anchored between end supports. Lateral compressive elements are placed over the cables and fit over grooves across the bottoms of the elements. The gooves vary in depth. The cables are near the bottom of the elements at the center span and near the top of the elements at the end supports.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for use in fluid blending and dispensing devices wherein it is essential to insure that one of the fluids to be blended be maintained below a defined maximum concentration. The apparatus comprises a single valve located in the inlet line of the fluid to be controlled, which is operable upon detection of an increase in the flow rate of the fluid to be controlled or by a decrease in the flow rate of any of the other fluids with which it is being blended.