Abstract: A method of modifying the vertical profile of a cable supported bridge. The method consists of sequentially adjusting a lower end of a series of supporting cables downward relative to the bridge superstructure and sequentially adjusting an attachment structure associated with the lower end of each cable to maintain the distance each cable has been adjusted. The adjustments preferably proceeds according to a pre-specified plan known as an adjustment sequence. The preparation of an adjustment sequence according to the methods disclosed allows the modification of the vertical profile of the bridge superstructure to be completed without overstressing any bridge members, and with predictable results.

Abstract: A device for fixing together a construction element and a structural cable, the device has a rigid housing connected to the construction element and surrounding the cable, a wedging structure comprising at least one deformable material arranged between the cable and housing, and load transmitting means arranged to exert a longitudinal compressive force, parallel to the cable, on the wedging structure. The wedging structure is pressed against the cable and the housing under the action of the longitudinal compressive force, so as to offer resistance to movement of the housing and of the construction element parallel to the cable.

Abstract: An adjustable anchor for a cable bearing a civil engineering structure, comprising two anchoring parts designed to be fixed to a cable and to the civil engineering structure. These anchoring parts are coupled by a linking part including two threaded ends with inverted threads which are screwed to the two anchoring parts.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a building works structure comprising an assembly of solid wires. The wires are mutually parallel to form a bundle and the reinforcement comprises a sheath made of plastic material enclosing the bundle and providing it with cohesion.

Abstract: A cable-stay cradle system (“cradle system”) for cable stayed bridges is mounted onto a cable stay, the opposite ends of which are attached to anchors on a bridge deck. The cradle system is disposed along the length of the cable stay and located in a pre-formed opening in a pylon. The cradle system includes axially spaced sleeve centering plates that have radially spaced holes through which the cable strands of the cable stay are threaded. The cradle system ensures that a distance from center-points of adjacent cable strands remains essentially constant along the entire length of the cradle system. The invention also provides a method of installing a cable stay including a cradle system, which includes the steps of threading the cable stay through the opening in the pylon so as to locate the cradle system in the opening, and attaching the cable stay to anchors on the bridge deck.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a building works structure comprising an assembly of solid wires. The wires are mutually parallel to form a bundle and the reinforcement comprises a sheath made of plastic material enclosing the bundle and providing it with cohesion.

Abstract: Damping arrangement for damping vibrations of cables or ropes, for vibration damping in carrier cables of bridges in particular, with at least one elastic element (5 to 8, 21) for reduction of vibration energy by elastic deformation, wherein said elastic element (5 to 8, 21) is arranged between a plurality of cables (17, 18, 19) to be dampened, in particular, however, between two cables (17, 18) or between said cable (1) to be dampened and a support element (9), as well as a carrier cable arrangement with at least one cable and at least one corresponding damping arrangement.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a building works structure comprising an assembly of solid wires. The wires are mutually parallel to form a bundle and the reinforcement comprises a sheath made of plastic material enclosing the bundle and providing it with cohesion.

Abstract: A device comprising a rigid housing connected to the structural element and enclosing at least partially the cable, a wedging structure arranged between the cable and the housing, load transmitting device arranged to exert a longitudinal compressive stress, parallel to the cable, on the wedging structure. The wedging structure is pressed against the cable and the housing under the action of the longitudinal compressive stress, so as to provide resistance to the movement of the housing and the structural element parallel to the cable.

Abstract: An adjustable anchor for a cable bearing a civil engineering structure, comprising two anchoring parts designed to be fixed to a cable and to the civil engineering structure. These anchoring parts are coupled by a linking part including two threaded ends with inverted threads which are screwed to the two anchoring parts.

Abstract: A bridge cable fixing structure, including a fixing plate having multiple cylindrical insertion holes and cylindrical fixing grips corresponding to the insertion holes, each fixing grip being attached to an end of a twisted steel wire. The fixing grips are positioned in the insertion holes on a compression side of the fixing structure, such that the twisted steel wires extend from a tensile side of the fixing structure. When a load is applied to the twisted steel wires attached to the fixing grips, the fixing plate deforms toward the tensile side, compressing the insertion holes against the fixing grips.

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: An object of the present invention is to provide a bridge cable fixing structure in which an outer diameter and a thickness of the fixing plate for use in accepting a tensile load of the cable can be reduced and an anchor socket can be reduced.

Abstract: The device comprises a collar consisting of two shells, designed to provide a link with the load-transmitting element. The cable has an assembly of tensioned strands contained, at the level of the collar, in a matrix filling the interstices between the strands. This matrix is totally or partially made from a plastic material susceptible to creep under the effect of the clamping action of the collar. The clamping action is applied by elongate elements transmitting a clamping force to the shells of the collar. These elongate elements are stressed so as to produce a longitudinal elastic deformation that is much greater than the maximum settlement of the matrix due to creep. This prevents any undesirable loosening of the collar.

Abstract: Suspension cables for an elevated lightweight guideway are arranged so that high-speed traffic along the guideway is not subjected to guideway-induced oscillation. Furthermore, suspension cables are interconnected so that pre-assembled towers and guideway spans can be transported and rapidly installed by helicopter.

Abstract: Wind-rain induced vibrations of a cable-stayed bridge are damped using tuned mass damper(s) (“TMD”). A TMD-damped cable-stayed bridge is comprised of (a) a bridge having at least one span, at least one pylon, and at least one stay cable extending from a point on the pylon to a point on the span and (b) at least one tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. A TMD-damped stay cable is comprised of (a) a stay cable comprised of a core of at least one longitudinal element or strand within a tube and (b) a tuned mass damper in damping communication with the stay cable. The TMD can be mounted on the stay cable in a low-profile position relative the stay cable and/or at any desired position along the length of the cable. The TMD can be of annular configuration and comprised of a viscoelastic spring system and an outer mass. The outer mass can be formed of two mating sections.

Abstract: A bridge deck (10) is supported by tensile supports (11 and 12) and stabilized to reduce the overall aerodynamic lift on the deck (10) by the addition of aerofoil stabilizers (19 and 20) pivotally secured about respective axes (21) generally longitudinal of the deck (10). The stabilizers (19 and 20) are driven by a mechanism (21 to 26) operable by angular movement between the deck (10) and the tensile supports (11 and 12) to articulate the stabilizers (19 and 20) to a position which will generate a force, in the presence of a cross wind, to reduce the overall aerodynamic lift on the deck (10).

Abstract: A tension member is provided for use in erecting structures that has an elongated body with an outer wall defining an inner space. A tendon extends from one end of the body to the other within the defined inner space. The tendon has a tension force placed upon it. Concrete material is added to the inner space to form a concrete holding member which surrounds the tendon and which is in turn surrounded by the outer wall. The concrete holding member thus contacts the tendon and, upon curing, maintains the tension force placed upon the tendon. The tension member is placed in compression when the tension force is released from the tendon. In another aspect of the present invention, an arch member is provided for use as a compression member in a bridge. The arch member has an elongated arcuate body with an outer wall defining an inner space. The inner space of the body is filled with a concrete so that the body provides support for the concrete.

Abstract: A method of mounting and tensioning a freely tensioned tension member, particularly a stay cable for a cable-stayed bridge, and a device for carrying out the method, wherein the polyethylene casing of each individual strand is removed during the tensioning process over the length of the extension distance occurring during tensioning at the tensioning end. The peeling tool of the device for carrying out the method is composed of a sleeve having at one end thereof at least one cutting edge, wherein the sleeve surrounds the respective strand over at least an essential portion of the circumference thereof. The sleeve can be positioned in a stationary manner between the anchoring disk and the tensioning press, wherein the strand is pulled through the sleeve during the tensioning process.

Abstract: A method of tensioning parallel prestressing members of a building or building component of prestressed concrete or a tension member composed of a plurality of individual elements, such as steel rods, steel wires or steel strands, wherein the individual elements are successively tensioned either individually or in groups. The tensioning method described above includes the steps of tensioning a first individual element or a group of individual elements until a predetermined tension is reached and anchoring the first individual element or group of individual elements; tensioning a second individual element or a group of individual elements until the tension thereof is equal to the tension of the previously tensioned individual element or elements at the same time and anchoring the second individual element or group of individual elements; and repeating the preceding step until all individual elements are tensioned and anchored.

Abstract: A device to be used in inserting the individual tension elements of a freely tensioned tension member, for example, a stay cable for a cable-stayed bridge, into a tubular sheathing. A guide element to be attached to the front end of an individual element includes an expansion member whose diameter in its non-expanded state corresponds approximately to the diameter of the individual element, while the diameter in the expanded state is greater than the diameter of the individual element.

Abstract: This relates to a bridge stay formed by a cable (1) which itself is surrounded by a discontinuous sheath composed of identical successive tubular sections (4) having ends which fit together (at 9). This stay comprises an inextensible cablet (10) pulled taut along the cable, on the inside of the successive sheath sections, which cablet is fastened by equidistant fasteners (11), the number of fasteners being equal to that of the sheath sections, each fastener being fixed to a sheath section at a point on this section and the distance (D) between any two successive fasteners fastened to the cablet being equal to the distance between two identical points on two successive sheath sections, which distance is slightly less than the minimum distance envisageable for each section.

Abstract: To mount a multiple strand stay of a stayed bridge between a tower and a deck of said bridge, one of the strands (4.sub.1) that is to make up the stay is installed in its final oblique position; a guide cage is suspended from said strand installed in this way, the cage being constituted by a sequence of rigid hoops (5) that are interconnected by strings (6), said cage surrounding said first strand and also surrounding a traction cable (9); said cable is used to pull successive strands (4) up inside the cage; after each strand has been pulled up, it is put under tension so that it bears laterally against the already installed strands, and its ends are anchored respectively to the tower and to the deck; and after all of the strands have been installed, the guide cage is removed from the completed stay.

Abstract: An encapsulated cable for a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed bridge, the cable (10) being encapsulated by a wrap (16) which is formed by spirally winding a flexible strand (S) of a synthetic rubber tightly therearound. The strand is wound with each wind thereof overlapping one-half the width of the preceding wind, thereby forming a uniform thickness, double layer wrap. After the spiral winding step the wrap is heated to heat seal the superimposed layers to one another to thereby seal the seam formed therebetween and shrink the wrap into tight engagement with the cable. The strand, specifically the outermost layer of a laminated multiple layer strand, is precolored with a suitable colorant to eliminate the need for after painting the wrap to obtain a suitable color match between it and adjacent portions of the bridge structure.

Abstract: Method of constructing a cable-stayed bridge whose deck (1) is composed of wo parallel series of voussoirs connected together by connecting members known as deltas (7) which carry at their top part (8) the anchorage points for the cable stays (12). When they are placed in position the bottom parts (9) of the successive deltas are fastened to rigid filling members (14), and auxiliary prestressing cables (13) are preferably installed which connect the top part (8) of a delta to the bottom part (9) of the following delta (7), said cables being approximately in line with the cable stays.

Abstract: A composite material, particularly useful for prestressing concrete and in stay cables for cable-stayed bridges and other such uses where strength, corrosion resistance and resistance to fatigue failure are particularly important, comprises high strength wire strand coated and impregnated with an impermeable and strongly adherent epoxy based resin. The impregnated and coated epoxy increases the flexural stiffness of the composite against bending fatigue in the areas of the anchorages in dynamically loaded situations and reduces relative movement and rubbing of the wires of the strand so as to reduce fretting and hence fretting fatigue, the principal mechanism for failure in dynamically loaded strand.

Abstract: A cable-stayed bridge is disclosed comprising at least one pylon (1) and stay cables (2) anchored on this pylon, each stay cable being formed by a bundle of strands or twisted strands (7), the upper portion of each stay cable passing through the pylon from one side to the other and its free end being anchored on a block (3) which bears on the face of the pylon located on the side opposite that where the stay cable is situated. The slightly flared upper portions of two stay cables (2) anchored on the same vertical pylon section (1) and extending on each side of this pylon are crossed with mutual imbrication so that the mean lines of these two portions are both situated in the same vertical plane of the pylon parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bridge.

Abstract: A corrosion protection system for bridge stay cables comprising the immersion of the bridge stay cables in a corrosive resistant liquid retained within a corresponding cable sheath to isolate the bridge stay cables from the surrounding atmosphere, a liquid flow control device corresponding to each cable sheath to selectively drain condensation or purge the corrosive resistant liquid from the respective cable sheaths and a liquid supply reservoir corresponding to each cable sheath to selectively feed the corrosive resistant liquid to and from the corresponding cable sheath in response to changes in the temperature in the surrounding atmosphere, the system having the unique capability of providing a verifiable corrosion protection system for the stay cables.

Abstract: A cable-stayed bridge including at least one concrete platform consisting of an assembly of caisson elements, at least partly prefabricated, extending transversely to the bridge. Each element is composed of an upper table and a lower table separated by spaces which extend transversely to the platform, and are connected by walls at the side and the end, and with longitudinal intermediate partitions and transverse partitions. The piers of the bridge extend preferably upwards to the platform and carry both a part of the platform and the pylon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for fastening a guy to a concrete bridge deck. A metal plate is abutted against the horizontal surface of the deck and retained there with pre-stressing cables at its top surface and an extension which protrudes downward into the deck from its bottom surface. An anchoring device is mounted on the upper surface of the plate. It may be positioned to keep the guy in a plane parallel to the plate and do not require that the cables pass through the deck. The deck may have spaced bearing surfaces that are angled and/or are parallel to one another and support anchoring devices that keep the cables running in different directions from one another.

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: An anchor apparatus which provides corrosion protection for the exposed cable in a region around where the anchor body attaches to a tendon of a prestressed concrete slab is disclosed. A conduit is fastened to the inlet end of the anchor body. The other end of the conduit is taped or connected with heat shrink tubing to the covering of the tendon. The outlet end of the anchor body is closed either with a plug at an end anchor or with a second conduit and tape or heat shrink tubing at an intermediate anchor. Fittings are provided for inserting corrosion resistant grease into interior cavities as a second line of corrosion protection.

Abstract: A cable for structures, especially suspension bridges, has a plurality of bundled tension elements spacedly surrounded by a tubular sheath, the space between tension elements and sheath being filled with a material, preferably injected mortar. To reduce the cost of producing, transporting and assembling such a cable, the tubular sheath is formed at the worksite from at least one sheet-steel strip in a shaping and seaming station and progressed along already tensioned tension elements, then sealed against anchorings for the cable, and filled with the mortar under pressure.

Abstract: A tension tie member is anchored between two spaced locations on a structure, such as a diagonal cable in a stayed girder bridge. The tie member is supported on the structure adjacent at least one anchor location by an annular bearing member encircling an outer protective casing of the tie member. The bearing member is positioned within an annular chamber in the structure at the point where the tie member extends through the structure toward the anchor location. The diameter of the annular chamber is larger than the diameter of the tie member so that there is a certain amount of play between the bearing member encircling the tie member and the surface of the annular chamber whereby lateral movement of the tie member can occur. With the tie member anchored in place the space between the outside of the bearing member and the inside surface of the annular chamber can be filled with grout to support the tie member.

Abstract: A tie member includes at least one tension element, such as a steel wire or strand, enclosed within a tubular sheathing. An anchoring unit is located at each end of the tie member for transmitting the tension force to a part of a structure. Each anchoring unit includes an anchor plate with at least one conically shaped bore so that a tension element can be secured in the borehole by a multi-part annular wedge. To provide additional corrosion protection and improve fatigue strength in the anchorage, the tension element is enclosed within a coating of a synthetic resin for its entire length. The inside surface of the wedge is shaped between the ends with a series of coarse or rough teeth with the tips rounded off.

Abstract: An armor for a bridge cable including a specified number of trough-shaped metal covers for covering a bridge cable formed of PC steel wire bundles, male and female fitting parts provided on both side edges of the covers for being fitted to each other, and elastic spacers fitted into and connected to the inside of the cover and having concave parts formed thereon for maintaining the PC steel wire bundles in a mass or assembled state. A joint of the cable cover includes a seal member constituted by a specified number of elastic trough-shaped divided bodies for covering the outer periphery of the cable cover by abutting against each other on the side edges thereof, protrusions projecting from the middle of the inside of each divided body for insertion between the facing end edges of the cable covers, and engaging parts projecting from both ends of the outer surface of the divided body.

Abstract: A method of fitting a generally cylindrical corrosion protective and/or aesthetic sheath on a cable, which method includes the steps of fitting a sheath unit on one end of a cable; shifting the position of the fitted sheath unit toward the other end of the cable; fitting a fresh sheath unit similarly on the cable in continuation from the preceding sheath unit; and repeating the fitting of a fresh sheath unit and the shift of the preceding sheath until the cable is covered with the sheath units substantially over the entire length thereof.

Abstract: An anchor socket for bridge cables having bundles of stranded steel wires. It has a plurality of ribs formed on its inner wall. The larger the inner diameter of the ribs, the smaller the distance from the point where the cables are fastened.

Abstract: An anchorage for a support cable of a bridge construction includes an anchorage block for anchoring one end of the cable relative to a structural bridge component, the block including anchor heads and hollow tubes extending in registry with anchor head passages at one end of wall of the block and terminating at an opposite end wall of the anchorage block. The cable includes a tubular sheath seated against the anchorage block and extending through its bearing plate as well as through a bearing plate on the bride component. Cable strands are threaded through the sheath and through the hollow tubes as well as through the anchor head passages, and the cable strands are simultaneously stressed by means of hydraulic stressing jacks operating between the bearing plates.

Abstract: In an anchored tension member individual elements, such as steel rods or the like, extend between a pair of anchoring discs each of which is secured on a support. One support is spaced horizontally and vertically from the other so that the tension member extends at an acute angle to the horizontal. In assembling and installing the tension member, first one individual element is placed through a tubular casing resting on the support of a support structure which incorporates one of the supports. Next, the individual element is tensioned between and anchored to the anchoring discs. During this operation, the tubular casing is lifted off the surface and extends rectilinearly between and is spaced from both of the anchoring discs. In turn, the remaining individual elements are placed through the tubular casing, tensioned and then anchored to the anchoring discs. As a result, the tension member can be installed in position without additional auxiliary apparatus, such as lifting devices and scaffolds.

Abstract: A cable suspension system for a rotary drum is disclosed which includes cable tension adjustment features providing dynamic load equalization, traction control and variable load distribution. The system includes an endless cable and at least one set of axially aligned support sheaves suspending the drum at its dynamic center of gravity. The system further includes devices for connecting wire rope in endless loops which incorporate load bearing, adjustment, and flexure features minimizing wear of the wire rope.

Abstract: A prestressed steel support structure and method of erecting the same having bearing supports and containing at least one tension element having at least one hollow profile member extending in a catenary configuration between support locations and within which there is arranged at least one prestressing cable. The hollow profile member is provided with a filler and the prestressing cable forms a connection with the hollow profile member by means of such filler.

Abstract: Process for winding and unwinding a parallel wire strand consisting of a multiplicity of individual wires onto and from a cable drum, and apparatus for performing such process. In the winding process, the parallel wire strand which is supplied in generally circular cross-sectional shape is fanned out so as to form a layer or layers of individual wires disposed in generally parallel position. The lead ends of the wires are anchored and such anchored end is mounted in a support therefor in the interior of the drum in such a manner that the subsequent winding of the individual wires in layers on the drum is without tension. In the unwinding operation, the individual wires are reformed into such circular cross-sectional strand shape at the bridge construction site, with corrosion-preventing material being applied to the individual wires during such unwinding, and a tubular casing of metal or plastic subsequently formed around the wires for sealing the same.

Abstract: A composite article comprising at least two load-bearing members one within the other and having mutually contacting surfaces adapted to generate a restraining force resisting relative axial movement of the members, wherein the members are constructed such that a local reduction in said restraining force takes place as the local tensile stress in the article increases.

Abstract: A multiple cable suspension means for connecting the boom point of an earth moving shovel to a rigid gantry. The apparatus generally consists of four cables of predetermined length, an assembly for connecting the cables to the boom point and an assembly for connecting the cables to the gantry. The assemblies connecting the cables to the boom point and the gantry are generally pivotable in such a manner as to equalize the tensile stresses acting on the four cables such that, even if the cables are not of exactly the same length, the tensile stresses will be evenly distributed. The equalizer assembly connecting the four cables to the gantry comprises two plates which are horizontally spaced and which are pivotable around a horizontal axis, each one having two cable ends connected to it. The equalizer assembly connecting the four cables to the boom point similarly generally comprises two spaced apart plates which are connected to the boom point in such a manner that they are pivotable around a horizontal axis.