Abstract: An arch bridge system including first and second side walls, a foundation, and arch beams. The first and second side walls each include side wall sections supported by the foundation and aligned along the width of the system. Adjacent side wall sections form a column therebetween that defines an interior void extending along a height of the column. A first end of each arch beam is supported at the first side wall at an upper portion of one of the columns and a second end is supported at the second side wall at an upper portion of another one of the columns. Each interior void has reinforced concrete forming cast-in-place columns defining rigid, fixed, monolithic connections between the foundation, the first and second side walls, and the plurality of arch beams. A method of producing an arch bridge system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular highway warning strip system is formed of a plurality of segments assembled together to create a warning strip assembly having a length, wherein each of the plurality of segments are spaced from adjacent ones of the segments along the warning strip length. The segments are assembled together along a cord disposed along the length of the warning strip assembly. A plurality of spacers are disposed on the cord along the length of the warning strip assembly, between adjacent ones of the segments in order to maintain a spacing between each adjacent segment.

Abstract: A first arch and second arch are produced in respective first and second structural portions. Each arch has a tie rod interconnecting the foot points of the arch, where a foot point of the arch is displaceably mounted. Each tie rod is tensioned so that horizontal forces caused by the weight of the arches at the foot points of the corresponding arch, are taken up by the tie rods. A first end point of the tie rod of the first arch is connected in a force-fitting manner to the first abutment, and a second end point of the tie rod of a last arch is connected in a force-fitting manner to the second abutment. The remaining adjoining end points of the tie rods are connected to one another in a force-fitting manner, and corresponding foot points of the arches are connected in a force-fitting manner to the abutments and pillar.

Abstract: An underground support system having an underground reinforcement system that is at least partially encapsulated with concrete or a cement material. The underground reinforcement system includes a flexible wire mesh having a matrix of longitudinally and transversely extending metal wires. The matrix of longitudinally and transversely extending metal wires has at least one three-dimensional sheet, each sheet having at least one raised corrugation, positioned along the length of an underground space. The raised corrugation acts as a template depth girder for application of concrete or cement material at a defined depth such that the underground reinforcement system is at least partially encapsulated with the concrete or cement material.

Abstract: An arch foot maintaining device includes a plurality of supporting structures, and the supporting structure includes a base, two base supporting seats, a hydraulic jack, a roller, and a roller supporting seat. The base is a cuboid with equal length and width, a through hole running through side surfaces of the base is provided on the base. A vertical guide groove is provided on each of the two base supporting seats. The roller supporting seat is U-shaped and located between the two base supporting seats, and the roller is rotatably supported in the roller supporting seat. Two ends of a central axis of the roller are respectively located in the two guide grooves, the hydraulic jack is disposed within the base, and a top of the hydraulic jack abuts against a bottom of the roller supporting seat.

Abstract: Ice mitigation for bridge cables is provided by a system having a plurality of heaters on one or more bridge cables, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof, arranged in a plurality of heater sections, and configured to heat an outer surface of the bridge cables, and a control system including one or more controllers configured to individually activate and regulate heating output of the heater sections to prevent snow or ice from falling from the bridge cables. The heater sections can be arranged radially, about a circumference of the bridge cables, and/or axially, end to end along a length of the bridge cables, so that power can be individually directed to the heater sections to account for differing heating requirements at different radial and/or axial aspects of the bridge cables.

Abstract: A timber I-beam 701 has a top chord 702 and a bottom chord 704 forming the flanges of I-beam and a series of side by side timber blocks 706 each separated from the next by a gap 722, together forming a uniplanar, intermittent web. Cables and pipes for a building may run transversely through the gaps 722. A method of making the I-beam is described.

Abstract: Provided is a wood splitter having a support element, a first elongated element, a second elongated element, and wood splitting components. A support element may be a first elongated element and a second elongated element engaged to the first elongated element. The first elongated element may be subject to a first pre-stress load. The first pre-stress load may be a first moment. The second elongated element may be engaged to the first elongated element and may be subject to a second pre-stress load. Wood splitting components may be engaged with at least one of a first elongated element or a second elongated element, may be adapted to operate to split wood, and may be adapted to apply an operational load during operation to the first elongated element. The operational load may at least partially relax the first moment.

Abstract: A reinforced soil arch having a floating footer is provided. The reinforced soil arch has an archway form, a plurality of layers of reinforcement material and compacted fill associated with the archway form, and a floating footer supporting the archway form. The archway form floats on a compressible squeeze block in the floating footer. Methods of constructing a reinforced soil arch are provided.

Abstract: A combination of a buried pipeline and a pipeline crossing bridge, the pipeline crossing bridge comprising: a first ground contacting pad and a second ground contacting pad spaced apart from one another; plural ribs with lateral stabilizing elements between adjacent ribs of the plural ribs, in which each rib of the plural ribs is supported on the first ground contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad and the ribs collectively form a raised arch extending between the first ground contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad; an upper crossing surface supported by the plural ribs, in which the pipeline crossing bridge is positioned over the buried pipeline, and in which the buried pipeline has a diameter, and the first ground contacting pad and the second ground contacting pad are spaced apart wider than the diameter of the buried pipeline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the live and dead load balance between the arches of an arch bridge and the truss girder that supports the bridge deck. The method is achieved by providing hanger rods disposed between the arches and the top chords of the truss girder whose compression may be adjusted. In which the arch truss counter act the compression in the top chord of the truss. This interaction adds to the strength and safety of both elements of the structure. With this interaction there are no critical members which can cause catastrophic failure of the bridge by failing. By combining two of these bridges side by side, and then connected with the lateral members, both at top and bottom chord of trusses, it is possible to carry vehicular, train, and pedestrian lanes separated and accommodated with safety; all without a critical member.

Abstract: A bridge comprising first and second ground contacting pads spaced apart from one another; plural ribs with lateral stabilizing elements between adjacent ribs of the plural ribs, each rib of the plural ribs being supported on both the first and second ground contacting pads and the ribs collectively forming an arch extending between the first and second ground contacting pads; and an upper crossing surface supported by the plural ribs.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a composite girder for bridge construction. More preferably, a girder is formed in a rectangular shape that is horizontally long and opened at the top portion thereof, wherein the girder is convexly curved in the center so as to be formed in the shape of an arch. The girder has a compression section, a web and a tension section, which are integrally composed together, and is filled with concrete inside the girder so as to increase the sectional strength of the girder. Simultaneously, a stopper is formed on the inside surface of the compression section to prevent the separation of the steel materials and the concrete.

Abstract: A concrete culvert assembly includes a set of spaced apart elongated footers, a plurality of precast concrete culvert sections supported by the footers. Each concrete culvert section has an open bottom, an arch-shaped top wall and spaced apart side walls to define a passage thereunder, each of the side walls extending downward and outward from the top wall. Each of the side walls has a substantially planar inner surface and a substantially planar outer surface. First and second haunch sections each join one of the side walls to the top wall. Each side wall is tapered from top to bottom such that a thickness of each side wall decreases when moving from the top of each side wall to the bottom of each side wall. A bottom portion of each side wall has an exterior vertical flat extending upward from a horizontal bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A bridge comprising a first ground contacting pad and a second ground contacting pad spaced apart from one another, three or more ribs with lateral stabilizing elements extending between adjacent ribs of the three or more ribs, and an upper crossing surface supported by the three or more ribs. Each rib of the three or more ribs is supported on the first and second ground contacting pads. Each of the first and second ground contacting pads extends underneath each rib of the three or more ribs. The ribs collectively form an arch extending between the first and second ground contacting pads.

Abstract: A decoration solar panel bridge supplying power sources, for commercial and residential applications, incorporates at least one solar panel in a decoration bridge comprising members of frame, cross brace and board. The wide boards including solar panels cover straight beams and cross braces as a partial or full surface of the bridge. The slice boards cover the top arc beams or alternative round beams as partial surfaces of the bridge. Each solar panel output power and dimension can be designed for desired power consumption and needed. The alternative frame members can be used to construct different shapes of the bridge and can replace the curve shape frame members. The decoration bridge includes optional members: safety fence members, supporting members and handrail members. Solar powered lights can be installed at the top of safety poles and solar powered light stands can replace the vertical spindle of handrails.

Abstract: A light to medium-duty bridge structure suitable for use in golf-courses, parks and similar settings. The bridge structure comprises at least one corrugated metal plate having corrugations oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bridge structure. Applied to the upper surface of this corrugated metal plate is a layer of concrete or like material to provide a support/running surface. The corrugated metal plate is provided with a plurality of devices adapted to engage the concrete or like material so as to provide a composite corrugated metal plate-concrete structure capable of supporting light to medium-duty loads.

Abstract: This invention concerns an arch structure. In particular, the invention relates to an arch structure comprised of at least two segments which are rotatably linked to each other via hinges or equivalent means to form a continuous bendable chain of attached segments. The segments have magnets above the rotatable or hinged link on opposed end faces, positioned to oppose magnets on confronting end faces of adjacent arch segments, with like poles facing one another, thereby creating a repulsion force. The repulsion force inhibits the arch segments from being brought together and into contact. Due to this effect, the aggregate of the arch segments define an arcuate path (convex upward), maintained by the repulsion forces of the magnets.

Abstract: A concrete building system includes a set of parallel spaced apart strip footers and one or more precast concrete sections supported by the footers in a predetermined alignment. Each precast concrete section has a top slab integrally connected to a pair of equally flared legs. Each leg depends from an end of the top slab at an effective flare angle to form a corner. The precast section includes haunch sections formed between the top slab and each leg resulting in a corner thickness greater than the uniform thickness of the angled leg to which it is integrally formed and the top member. The length of the effective span of each section varies between 60 and 90 percent of the distance between the bottom-of-leg span. The sections can be used to construct bridges, culverts, underground storage units, fluid detention units and dam structures.

Abstract: A decoration solar panel bridge supplying power sources, for commercial and residential applications, incorporates at least one solar panel in a decoration bridge comprising members of frame, cross brace and board. The wide boards including solar panels cover straight beams and cross braces as a partial or full surface of the bridge. The slice boards cover the top arc beams or alternative round beams as partial surfaces of the bridge. Each solar panel output power and dimension can be designed for desired power consumption and needed. The alternative frame members can be used to construct different shapes of the bridge and can replace the curve shape frame members. The decoration bridge includes optional members: safety fence members, supporting members and handrail members. Solar powered lights can be installed at the top of safety poles and solar powered light stands can replace the vertical spindle of handrails.

Abstract: This invention concerns an arch structure. In particular, the invention relates to an arch structure comprised of at least two segments which are rotatably linked to each other via hinges or equivalent means to form a continuous bendable chain of attached segments. The segments have magnets above the rotatable or hinged link on opposed end faces, positioned to oppose magnets on confronting end faces of adjacent arch segments, with like poles facing one another, thereby creating a repulsion force. The repulsion force inhibits the arch segments from being brought together and into contact. Due to this effect, the aggregate of the arch segments define an arcuate path (convex upward), maintained by the repulsion forces of the magnets.

Abstract: A skewed end assembly for connection to an arch culvert structure is provided. The assembly may generally include an arch-shaped inner skewed panel and a wedge member having a partially arch-shaped profile adapted for engagement with the inner skewed panel. The inner skewed panel may include a ledge that may include a plurality of threaded anchors. The wedge member may include a lip adapted for engagement with the ledge. The lip may include a plurality of apertures for receiving a plurality of threaded connectors adapted for threadable engagement with the corresponding threaded anchors in the ledge. Two assemblies, each comprising an inner skewed panel and a wedge member, are placed at opposed ends of an arch-shaped bridge or culvert structure to provide generally co-planar skewed ends to the structure such that it may be positioned at an angle in relation to a roadway such that the skewed ends are generally parallel to the roadway.

Abstract: A mobile compression and tension bridge and shelter structure having a plurality of individual structural elements that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the length of the bridge or shelter. The structural elements are flexibly connected to one another on a bottom surface forming an arch caused by the shape of the elements or by placing spacers between the elements with at least one tension device attached to each structural element.

Abstract: An exemplary bridge includes an arch unit. The arch unit includes a first abutment and a second abutment, a deck extending between the first and second abutments, a pair of asymmetrical arches, and a plurality of suspender members 3 attached between the arches and the deck. The first and second abutments are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The asymmetrical arches are juxtaposedly arranged between and supported by the first and second abutments. Each of the asymmetrical arches includes a first arch foot portion mounted on the first abutment, a parabolic portion proximate to the first arch foot portion, a catenary portion proximate to the parabolic portion, and a second arch foot portion proximate to the catenary portion mounted on the second abutment.

Abstract: An exemplary bridge includes an arch unit. The arch unit includes a first abutment and a second abutment, a deck extending between the first and second abutments, a pair of asymmetrical arches, and a plurality of suspender members 3 attached between the arches and the deck. The first and second abutments are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance. The asymmetrical arches are juxtaposedly arranged between and supported by the first and second abutments. Each of the asymmetrical arches includes a first arch foot portion mounted on the first abutment, a parabolic portion proximate to the first arch foot portion, a catenary portion proximate to the parabolic portion, and a second arch foot portion proximate to the catenary portion mounted on the second abutment.

Abstract: An ornamental bridge kit includes a frame having a first and second side beams (10, 12) of a length that may fit within a shipping container. The frame further includes a plurality of transverse braces (16) spanning between the internal surface of the first side beam (10) and the internal surface of the second side beam (12). The frame also includes a plurality of lateral stiffeners (18) and at least one longitudinal stiffener (20) secured to the plurality of transverse braces (16). A plurality of boards or planks (52) may further be arranged transversely and extending from the first side beam (10) to the second side beam (12) and secured to the top edge of the first side beam (12).

Abstract: A flat-formed arch ring unit includes a linear array of voussoir portions connected along their upper edges. The unit is then archable. A method is provided for forming an archway including the steps of arching one or more the flat formed arch ring units and locating them between two or more foundation blocks or the like. This provides a simple yet effective process and unit for forming an archway. With ease of production, shaping and transportation, making new archways or carrying out repairs of existing bridge archways is significantly faster and cheaper, minimizing disruption and delay to traffic.

Abstract: A foldable ramp having an improved hinge construction to increase load capacity. The foldable ramp overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a ramp having a first ramp section and a second ramp section, pivotable relative to each other between a folded storage position and an open working position wherein the ramp sections are prevented from pivoting to a coplanar position relative to each other in the working position so as to increase load capacity.

Abstract: A bridge, comprising a set of arches, each extending longitudinally along the bridge, including at least one central arch and at least two side arches, symmetrically disposed about the central arch. The side arches are slanted transversely inwardly so that they are closest at the longitudinal center of the bridge and are generally disposed either above or below the central arch. In addition, transverse members connect the arches together and a deck is suspended from the set of arches.

Abstract: A dismountable bridge, having two track carriers which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, are divided into several identical modules, in which case the two track carriers are each spanned by a vault and are suspended at the latter. The vaults are divided into several modules in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and are adapted in their modular division to the modular division of the track carriers. The vaults and the track carriers are equipped at their ends with end pieces. The modules of the vaults have mutually identical constructions and the end pieces of the vaults are connected in a torque-resistant manner with the end pieces of the respective track carriers. The end pieces are constructed such that they are capable of compensating the length differences between the track carriers and the vaults in the case of different bridge lengths.

Abstract: A hybrid arched overfilled structure includes a combination of pre-cast side elements and at least one cast-in-place crown sector element. The side elements are pre-cast generally in a horizontal orientation and subsequently lifted into place. The crown sector element is cast in place between the side elements. In one form of the invention, each of the three sections makes up about one-third of the overall arch span.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a road along a road axis over an underpass space spanned by the structure. The structure includes two footings underlying the road with each support assembly being securely mounted to the earth. The structure also includes an arcuate support assembly supported by the footings. The support assembly extends at least the width of the road and traverses the underpass space for supporting the road across the underpass space spanned by the structure. The support assembly includes a substantially continuous inner shell, a plurality of spatially disposed, rigid, resilient beams supported by the footings, an insulating material disposed in the cavities formed in between the rigid, resilient beams, and an outer shell encasing the rigid, resilient beams and the insulating material. A substantially fluid impermeable material substantially encases the support assembly and a fill material extends from the substantially fluid impermeable material to support the road.

Abstract: Method of construction of a vault, in which at least two half-shells (1-8; 60) are brought to bear against one another by means of at least two bearing pieces (30, 50; 70) which are mated and, each half-shell (1-8; 60) comprising an upper edge (21; 61) and a bottom lip (22); each bearing piece (30, 50; 70) is fixed removably to a half-shell (1-8; 60), the two half-shells (1-8; 60) are brought to bear against one another temporarily via their bearing piece (30, 50; 70) without their bottom lips (22) being brought to bear against one another, a keystone-forming material is cast between said upper edges (21; 61), on the bottom (14) constituted by the lips (22), so as to bring about continuous transverse joining together of the half-shells (1-8; 60), and then the bearing pieces (30, 50; 70) are removed so as to effect load transfer from the bearing pieces (30, 50; 70) to the half-shells (1-8; 60). The invention is suitable for the construction of a passage under an embankment.

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 frame assembly supports a work surface of either flexible material or of sections of foldable and unfoldable relatively rigid material all so that the frame assembly and material may either be unfoldable and rigidized or folded into a compact package. The flexible frame assembly includes a pair of spaced poles and a number of hinged sections aligned so that the poles and material can be folded in sections. The poles rotate to permit either a frame folded disposition or a frame rigidized disposition. Embodiments include stretchers, screens and enclosures. The rigid material assembly provides a collapsible and rigidizable space spanning structure formed with a number of hinged sections of center supports and plates hingedly connected together to be either folded into a relatively compact device or unfolded and hingedly positioned to form rigidized space spanning structures.

Abstract: A modular bridge section including one or more box girders, wherein at least one box girder 1, 1' is equipped with at least one lower chord structure 5, 5', which is mounted floatingly at or in the box girder 1, 1' in the loaded state only between the end stops 6, 6', 6", 6'", which are arranged in the vicinity of the coupling elements 7, 7, 7", 7'".

Abstract: A bridge-laying apparatus has a vehicle adapted to travel in a longitudinal direction and a longitudinally extending laying arm adapted to lay down and pick up bridges formed of at least one bridge section. A rigid link has an upper end pivoted on the laying arm and a lower end pivoted directly on the vehicle and an expansible main cylinder offset horizontally from the link has an upper end pivoted on the arm and a lower end pivoted directly on the vehicle. A pusher cylinder extending nonparallel to the main cylinder has a lower end pivoted on the vehicle and an upper end pivoted on the arm.

Abstract: In a device that can be walked on or driven on, for example for bridging under bridges requiring renovation or for bridging over streets, a web that can be walked on is connected to handrails via transverse struts. In this case, the web that can be walked on and/or the transverse struts and/or the handrails comprise extruded aluminum profiles.

Abstract: A method of constructing a modular bridge across a span (20) is disclosed. A vehicle (1) is positioned next to the span (20). The vehicle has a launching assembly (10) including an A-frame (40) which is moved from a stored position, in the launching assembly, to an upright, deployed position. A modular launching beam (110) is constructed by sequentially attaching modules (90,90') and then booming the launching beam as it is constructed out across the span (20). Once completed, the launching beam is pivoted about the A-frame (40) to lower the far bank end of the launching beam (110) onto the far bank. The A-frame (40) and, consequently, the home bank end of the launching. beam (110) are then raised, with the far bank end of the launching beam (110) remaining on the far bank. Once raised, a modular bridge (220) is suspended from the launching beam (110) and boomed out across the gap, additional modules being sequentially added.

Abstract: The dockboard in one embodiment includes three upper members and two lower members which can be stored and shipped unassembled and readily assembled in the field for use. Each of the members includes a plurality of spaced apart locking members extending from one side between opposite side edges. The locking members are spaced apart from each other between opposite support edges. The five members are assembled to form a dockboard by engaging selected locking members of the two lower members with selected locking members of the center upper member such that the center upper member overlaps adjacent support edges of the two lower members and sliding the center upper member and the two lower members together. Selected locking members of the two outer end upper members are engaged with the outer locking members of the two lower members and the two outer end upper members are slid onto the assembly to form the dockboard.

Abstract: A toy bridge comprising a stand and, supported thereby, a bridge road element having a roadway on each of two opposite flat sides. The stand is turnable and can optionally be placed on a base in a first or second position, in which the bridge road element is arranged at a first or a second distance from the base and its one or other flat side faces upwards. A supporting yoke is arranged at each end of the bridge to form a support for a ramp road element connected to the bridge road element. The supporting yoke is pivotable relative to the bridge road element by the force of gravity between a first and a second stop position, in which it forms a subjacent support for the ramp road element when the stand is in its first and its second position, respectively.

Abstract: A bridging span structure for the crossing of ditches by vehicles has a locking mechanism for locking an upwards swingable access jib to a central box of a bridging span element. The locking mechanism includes at least two tie-rod elements pivotally connected to the access jib by two stationary transverse shafts, and two transverse locking shafts with a controlled displacement permitting fastening of both tie-rod elements to the central box in two different positions, respectively, corresponding to lower and upwards swung positions, respectively, of the upwards swingable access jib, the invention being usable in particular by the Engineering Corps.

Abstract: A bridging span structure intended in particular for the crossing of ditches by vehicles and a system for transporting and depositing such a structure, wherein each connecting arm is rotatably mounted in relation to a bridging span about a pivoted bolt and wherein an arrangement is provided for urging the connecting arm automatically back to its normal position of use and for holding this connecting arm in this normal position, the invention being applicable to military armoured vehicle of the Engineering Corps.

Abstract: The invention effectively multiplies a roadway vertically by allowing automobiles to travel on top of each other. Each section of the invention is a pre-fabricated reinforced concrete multi-level roadway structure that covers an existing lane of traffic on a roadway. The invention is easily cast, transported, assembled and moved, as needed. The cover of the lower roadway forms the roadway of the upper lane of traffic. The bottom section of the invention is made up of two "Jersey-type" barriers which have vertical columns that then support the upper roadway section. The upper section of the invention contains "Jersey-type" barriers for safety.

Abstract: The invention provides a road spillway comprising a porous removable deck over a ditch across a road. The road has a surface for driving on. Solid supports are provided on opposite sides of the ditch and below the surface of the road. Span members span the ditch generally below the surface of the road, removably resting on the solid supports. Deck members are positioned above, and attached to, the span members. A rigid grader bar may be attached to the top of the deck members, spanning the porous deck. The span members and deck members form a porous deck resting on the supports and spanning the ditch. The deck has a top for driving on which is generally at the level of the surface of the road. A settling pond may be provided in fluid communication with the ditch.

Abstract: A curb crossing apparatus having a pivot member and a ramp member for preventing damage to a curb and equipment upon the equipment's transport between a street and elevated subgrade.

Abstract: A bridge section made of light metal including a vertical web, an upper chord section connected to an upper end of the vertical web and a lower chord section connected to a lower end of the vertical web. The upper chord includes a thick-walled horizontal part with a weld seam connection and a thin-walled flange. The thin-walled flange has a wall thickness which is less than the thick-walled horizontal part. The vertical web has a wall thickness which is greater than the thin-walled horizontal part and the lower chord has a wall thickness which is greater than the thin-walled horizontal part. A residual wall is formed by machining the lower chord section and the vertical web over a length area. The residual wall has a residual wall thickness with two planes arranged at right angles to one another over the length area. A T-shaped insert is provided including two legs. A connection device is provided for connecting the two legs of the T-shaped insert to the residual wall portions.

Abstract: A hinge connects the webbing of a first bridge span to the webbing of a second bridge span. The hinge has male hinge plates on opposite sides of the first span's webbing and has female hinge plates on opposite sides of the second span's webbing. A shaft passing through the male hinge plates and first span's webbing is threaded on the ends but is smooth between the ends. Pockets at outer surfaces of the male plates surround the threaded ends and accept torque limiting nuts engaging the shaft. The nuts have heads, recess bodies and frangible necks connecting the heads to the bodies. No part of the bodies extends past the outer surfaces of the male plates. When the nuts are driven onto the shafts at a given torque, the necks break and the heads twist off. Then any remaining parts of the necks are removed. The male hinge plate can then be rotatably mounted adjacently between the female hinge plates.

Abstract: A deployable bridge is assembled from individual components. The components include cross girders and pavement slabs disposed between the cross girders, the cross girders each having opposite ends and first and second continuous girders each disposed along one of the opposite ends, respectively, of the cross girders. Each continuous girder comprises an upwardly pointing truss having top and bottom chords and truss members arranged between the top and bottom chords and connected to the top and bottom chords at top and bottom nodal points, respectively. The top and bottom chords are each divided in regions of the top and bottom nodal points into a plurality of top chord members and bottom chord members. Each continuous girder further includes connecting elements connecting together the top chord members and connecting together the bottom chord members.

Abstract: A deployable and retractable ramp assembly includes at least three Z-foldable ramp sections which are pivotally connected to each other and to a railroad car. A number of mechanical deployment and retraction facilitating elements--preferably gears--are mounted to the ramp sections and operatively connected to a plurality of actuators--preferably linear actuators such as hydraulic cylinders--mounted on and completely contained within ramp sections. Using a linear actuator on the railroad car the ramp sections, once folded, can be pivoted into a position substantially completely supported by the railroad car. The ramp sections (typically six in number and pivotally connected to a lever on the railroad car) may be automatically and positively deployed in less than twenty minutes, and once deployed allow railroad equipment to be moved to and from the railroad tracks.