Abstract: A multicomponent bridge support system includes: a base portion configured to make contact with bearing soil/strata/bedrock; a support portion configured to engage a bridge deck; and one or more precast intermediate portions configured to space the support portion with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: Several practical refinements, extensions, additions, and improvements to the manufactured three-dimensional continuous convex-concave fairing with attached vortex generators are provided. The piecewise continuously varying slope and curvature fairings provide manufacturing cost reductions, as well as cost reductions by reducing the frequency and complexity of monitoring practices for bridges and elimination of temporary fixes that require costly annual or periodic engineering studies and construction to mitigate scour on at-risk bridges. The probability of bridge failure and its associated liability to the public is totally avoided since the root cause of local scour is prevented.

Abstract: Abutment and bridge designs include a bridge superstructure and abutment wherein the abutment has a vertical portion of a backwall that can be fixedly joined to the end face of the bridge superstructure without an interdisposed expansion joint. A downward facing surface of the bridge superstructure can be fixedly joined to an upward facing surface of the abutment, or alternatively, a bearing pad may be disposed therebetween. The abutment may further comprise a backwall made from a plurality of panels fixedly joined to a plurality of supporting piles. The abutments and bridge superstructure may be made substantially from composite materials including recycled structural composite and other thermoplastics.

Abstract: Abutment and bridge designs include a bridge superstructure and abutment wherein the abutment has a vertical portion of a backwall that can be fixedly joined to the end face of the bridge superstructure without an interdisposed expansion joint. A downward facing surface of the bridge superstructure can be fixedly joined to an upward facing surface of the abutment, or alternatively, a bearing pad may be disposed therebetween. The abutment may further comprise a backwall made from a plurality of panels fixedly joined to a plurality of supporting piles. The abutments and bridge superstructure may be made substantially from composite materials including recycled structural composite and other thermoplastics.

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: Stabilized, durable stream crossings are built from contained plant growth medium secured to the stream banks, bridge footings installed behind the contained growth medium, and an open-construction bridge deck spanning the footings that permits light and rain water to reach the growth medium on the banks underneath the bridge.

Abstract: An arch structure for use in forming an overfilled structure includes at least one footing and at least one precast concrete bridge element forming an open bottom arch structure that is supported on the at least one footing. The arch structure has an upper portion, that may be formed by a first half-ellipse shape, and a lower portion, that may be formed by part of a second half-ellipse shape. The upper portion and lower portion meet at an elevation along the rise of the arch structure, and such elevation defines the largest span of the arch structure. The arch structure includes lower ends that come back inward toward each other, such that the span at the bottom of the arch structure is less than the largest span.

Abstract: A bridge structure, comprising: a deck (1) for supporting a load thereon; first and second abutments (13a, b) which support respective ends of the deck and bear a compressive load from backfill (5) at the respective outer sides thereof; and at least one displacement compensation unit (21) which is configured such as to accommodate longitudinal displacement of the deck and maintain a predeterminable longitudinal force between the abutments, wherein the at least one displacement compensation unit has a load-displacement characteristic which provides for a reduced rate of change in the longitudinal force with longitudinal displacement of the deck as compared to a conventional bridge structure which incorporates no displacement compensation unit.

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: An abutment especially adapted for use with a bridge is provided which incorporates lateral containment elements which prevent undesirable lateral shifting or movement of the bridge during a seismic event. The lateral containment elements are constructed of varying materials, and form an integral part of the bridge abutment. The lateral containment elements are positioned laterally of the bridge sill and in abutting relationship with the lateral ends of the sill. The lateral containment elements may include mechanically stabilized earth, concrete blocks, concrete blocks with micropile tie downs, reinforced concrete blocks with shear keys which extend below ground, or steel piles or beams which are secured in the ground.

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: An abutment especially adapted for use with a bridge is provided which incorporates lateral containment elements which prevent undesirable lateral shifting or movement of the bridge during a seismic event. The lateral containment elements are constructed of varying materials, and form an integral part of the bridge abutment. The lateral containment elements are positioned laterally of the bridge sill and in abutting relationship with the lateral ends of the sill. The lateral containment elements may include mechanically stabilized earth, concrete blocks, concrete blocks with micropile tie downs, reinforced concrete blocks with shear keys which extend below ground, or steel piles or beams which are secured in the ground.

Abstract: A joint for pre-cast concrete twin-leaf arch sections is self-aligning when the two arch sections are initially brought into abutting contact with each other. The joint provides a rigid connection between the twin units and is achieved on site by means of re-inforced cast-in-place concrete. Reinforcement splices for the connection are lap splices, and the joint allows pouring the cast-in-place concrete without the need of formwork. For load distributing purposes, a continuous connection of individual arch rings in the longitudinal direction at the arch crown is possible. An initial abutting contact between the twin units is provided by the joint of the present invention. The contact provided by the joint of the present invention is self-aligning, locking, allows the controlled transmission of the abutting force and allows for a temporary connection. The joint includes mechanical elements for aligning and locking the two arch sections together.

Abstract: An underground structural work, particularly for forming tunnels, underpasses, carparks or the like, includes a pair of containment structures which extend along two opposite sides of the work. These structures include pile elements capable of carrying a deck of the work formed by substantially vaulted deck sections which extend transversely of the containment structure. In at least some of the pile elements there is incorporated a prefabricated supporting element which includes an elongate reinforcement and a concrete body anchored to the reinforcement. Each deck section includes prefabricated elements of concrete defining a pair of side portions and a central portion which can be interposed between them. Between the lateral portions and the concrete bodies are formed free spaced to allow casting in situ of concrete for mutual anchoring.

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: Method for building bridges and bridge built according to the method especially a girder bridge with one, two or more girders or longitudinal beams resting on supports at abutments or the like. The novelty lies therein that the girder or longitudinal beams have end portions extending beyond the supports at the abutments and that between such extending ends and the abutments are arranged anchoring devices which after being fixed to the ends of the extending ends of each girder exert a supporting moment to the portion of the girders between the abutments.

Abstract: A beaching bow for use on watercraft, water vessels and landing craft. The beaching bow has a substantially wedge shape, and is connected to the watercraft by a flexible hinge joint near a top surface. The beaching bow includes a center of buoyancy forward to the flexible hinge joint, allowing the beaching bow to float upward and assume a proper angle depending on the floating displacement of the watercraft, and the hydrodynamic effect when the watercraft moves through the water. Upon reaching a beach or other landing surface, the beaching bow rotates down to securely interface with the beach, and allow the loading and unloading of equipment, vehicles and personnel from the watercraft.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a roadway for supporting vehicular traffic and which can be used over a wide variety of terrains comprises a network of interconnected modular components for supporting a road bed over which vehicles can travel and a plurality of prefabricated panels, overlaying the network of interconnected modular components, which form a road bed. The network of interconnected modular components includes a first layer of interconnected, prefabricated concrete cylinders placed over the terrain to be traversed. The concrete cylinders are formed into a number of rows whose longitudinal axes are parallel to the direction of the road. The network further includes a second layer of interconnected, prefabricated concrete cylinders placed over the first layer and joined to the first layer by a number of intermediate support devices. The concrete cylinders in the second layer have their longitudinal axes extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the road.

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: Accordingly, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes ft and second pontoons; a plurality of removable connector modules located in pockets on each end of the pontoons for absorbing impacts and for locking together joined pontoons; a plurality of retractable, resilient alignment pins located in the ends of the pontoons for initial alignment of the pontoons; and a winch operated bridal line attached to the alignment pins, via guide bores, for drawing together the pontoons in a joined fashion. Each connector module includes, on one end, a compressible locking pin that may be slidably located in the extended position (for joining and locking together with another pontoon) or in the retracted position (for storage). The other end of the connector module includes a receiver bore for receiving the locking pin of a mating pontoon.

Abstract: The present invention includes a structure formed on an earthen surface. The structure includes an abutment, a bridge, a plurality of foam blocks, and a pavement structure. The abutment is constructed on the earthen surface. The abutment and the earthen surface define a cavity. The bridge is placed on the abutment. The plurality of blocks are stacked and connected together in the cavity to a desired height. A pavement structure is then formed on the foam blocks. The foam blocks support and retain the pavement structure at a height that is approximately the same as a height of the bridge.

Abstract: A module for constructing a modular bridge suitable for use in both a dry span and a floating role comprising a buoyant structure having interconnection apparatus for connecting the module end to end to an adjacent similar module to form a bridge and having one or more link members which are releasably securable to the underside of the bridge module by link securing apparatus. Each link is provided at one end with a double limb connection member and at the other with a complementary single limb connection member, both provided with holes for insertion of a pin to connect two links from adjacent bridge modules together. The releasably securable link members are removed from a bridge assembled for a floating role to reduce redundant weight.

Abstract: A method for fabricating and installation of a floating bridge or the like provides that a bridge superstructure is supported by a number of pontoons and has opposite ends anchored to shore fundaments. Prefabricated pontoons are positioned successively at mutually spaced locations on the water surface along a center line of a part of the bridge superstructure being formed. Such pontoons are suitably ballasted. Further bridge superstructure is fabricated successively in sections in a production unit positioned on a barge or on a platform stationarily positioned by the shore. Such sections are being pushed outwardly of the production unit one after the other, with a new section being made as a continuation of a preceding section. The fabricated part of the bridge superstructure, formed of several interconnected sections which gradually are protruded from the barge or platform, is slid or pushed out onto the pontoons that are positioned one after the other, and are mounted thereon.

Abstract: A bridge span consisting of a series of end-to-end engageable bridge modules can be launched across a gap from a launch vehicle with the aid of an overhead launch rail consisting of a series of end-to-end engageable launch rail modules, the rail having been previously cantilevered out across the gap from the vehicle. The launch rail carries a cable-driven trolley beneath which the leading end of the bridge span is slung, after the leading end of the rail has been located upon the far bank, and the span then winched out so as to bridge the gap.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle, which can be used as a water-crossing ferry or can be assembled with other such vehicles to form a pontoon bridge, includes a hull section hinged to two ramp sections. The hull section includes two lateral inflatable floats, having a length equal to that of the hull, connected to flaps hinged to the hull, the flaps having a length slightly less than that of the hull in order to leave visibility through side portholes located near the ends of the hull. In the inflated position, these lateral flaps form a horizontal extension of the upper surface of the hull, extending over the lateral floats. Each ramp section is equipped with two lateral floats of equal length with the ramps and of equal width with the lateral hull floats. The ramp floats are connected to ramp flaps, hinged to the ramp which extend the horizontal surface of the ramp when inflated and unfolded. Each ramp section is further equipped with a central float which extends between the two lateral floats.

Abstract: The invention provides a stabilized earth bridge abutment comprising a compacted earth mass containing reinforcing members therein to stabilize the mass, there being provided, in contact with said mass and close to a substantially vertical surface thereof, support means which bear the vertical load of the deck of the bridge while substantially all horizontal forces are absorbed by the stabilized earth mass.In the method of constructing the stabilized earth bridge abutment an earth mass is built up from successive layers of earth and reinforcing elements and facing elements are attached to the ends of the reinforcing elements to provide a substantially vertical face, vertical spaces being provided close to said vertical face for subsequent introduction of support means to carry the deck of the bridge, and after the earth mass has been built and deformation of the earth mass due to its own weight has taken place, support means are introduced into said spaces.

Abstract: A foldable, multi-hull pontoon suitable for use in bridging or as a ferry, has a sequence of trapezoidal hull plates (1) successively hinged to one another at their parallel edges so as to fold in concertina fashion, alternate pairs of the plates being mutually and transversely webbed at each end with collapsible triangular bulkheads (7) which define with the hull plates a series of triangular section hulls (13). Gunwale spacing beams (40) are provided to stabilise the opened pontoon and to provide trackways.

Abstract: The present invention is a floating highway unit which has a structure which facilitates both removal from linkage in a series of units forming the highway, provides for simple alignment of the units during assembly, and also allows vertical movement caused by tides and waves. Protection is provided for the highway by use of a partly floating barrier, for damping wave motion, thus substantially reducing the amount of absolute and relative movement of the floating highway units. Each of the floating units of the present invention is comprised of a generally rectangular horizontal pontoon including provisions for floatation of the pontoon, the pontoon having a centrally located horizontal tongue extending outwardly from a short side of the pontoon whereby the top surface of the tongue is an extension of the top surface of the pontoon. A recess is located in the opposite side of the pontoon having a shape for enclosing the tongue which matches the shape of the tongue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for the lap joint connection of two bridge elements to each other on intrados or extrados, the lower bridge element being capable of becoming the upper element and vice versa. A first bridge element according to the invention has movable fingers (1, 2) which can retract into the structure of the bridge or protrude therefrom into a position in which they cooperated with boreholes (11, 12) in a second bridge element, in which holes they can be locked. This invention may be used for the construction of floating or nonfloating bridges of any length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for lap joint connection of two bridge elements to each other on extrados and intrados. Each bridge element comprises at least one flap (2) on the extrados and one flap (3) on the intrados, a means (6, 9, 10) for the combined displacement of the extrados and intrados flaps and means (16, 18) for locking the first of these flaps on the first bridge element and the second flap on the second element to be connected. This invention may be used to bridge gaps of all lengths.

Abstract: A transportable bridge comprises two parallel trackway girders 2 interconnected by articulated decking members 3 which permit the bridge to be contracted in width for transportation upon a launcher vehicle 20. The bridge is loaded in an inverted position upon a launch frame 23 tiltable about the rear of the vehicle, from which frame it may be deployed end-over-end by upward rotation of the frame by jacking means 25, 27 to a vertical position, from where the bridge is further downwardly rotated to a horizontal position by winch means 35 attached to the launch frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for connecting two fixed or floating bridge elements together. A first bridge element comprises at least two retractable studs (1, 2) oriented obliquely with respect to the surface of the element, one on the intrados and the other on the extrados, so as to cooperate with a recess (3', 4') either of the extrados or of the intrados of a second bridge element. This invention may be used to assemble all types of bridges.

Abstract: A folding pontoon arrangement comprises one, or preferably two pairs of pontoons. The pontoons in each pontoon pair are mutually, pivotably connected about a hinge line at the upper side of the pontoons. One of the pontoons of each pair has a chamber situated below the hinge line, which can be opened to the outside of the pontoon via a closable connection. The second pontoon in the pontoon pair has a wheel housing with a ground wheel mounted therein under the hinge line. When the pontoon pair assumes an extended floating position and the connection is then opened, the chamber is filled with water causing the pontoon pair to fold about the hinge line. The weight of the wheel contributes to the folding tendency. If two pontoon pairs are pivotably interconnected with the aid of a third hinge joint, a pontoon unit is obtained which is a self-contained vehicle on the wheels when the pontoons are locked together in an upstanding, juxtaposed position.

Abstract: A transportable floating bridge includes a bridge unit, a buoyant pontoon for supporting the bridge unit, a device carried by the pontoon for lifting and pivoting the bridge unit, a coupler for swingingly linking the bridge unit to a like pontoon supported bridge unit, and a coupling for rigidly coupling the bridge units together, whereby the floating bridge is easily formed from a plurality of bridge units regardless of whether the bridge units are located end-to-end or side-by-side after off-loading from their transport vehicle.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle is disclosed including at least one outrigger pontoon member connected with the vehicle body for pivotal movement about a horizontal longitudinal pivot axis between retracted and laterally extended positions relative to the vehicle body. The pivot axis is adjacent the bottom portion of the vehicle body, seal means being provided for sealing the space between the vehicle body and the pontoon member.

Abstract: Precast concrete footings, stretchers, road slabs, and curbing in conveniently transportable sizes are used to construct road bridges and supporting abutments with a minimum of heavy equipment at the construction site. Each stretcher module comprises an elongated concrete body having at least two support heads with flat upper and lower surfaces for stacking one on another. All support heads are equally spaced and each contains a vertical hole for receiving a steel tie rod that extends from the footing to the top surface of the abutment for tying together the stacked stretchers. Anchor rods to deadmen and lateral tie rods interconnecting the wing walls of the abutment are connected to the vertical tie rods to form a rigid interlocked retaining structure for supporting the prestressed concrete road slabs.

Abstract: A bridge construction is disclosed in which the ends of a bridge deck are supported by an abutment comprising a mass of internally stabilized earth. A plurality of elongate reinforcing members are arranged in vertically spaced horizontal layers. Within each layer the members are spaced apart laterally and some of the members extend at right angles to other members to form a lattice. Particulate material is placed and compacted into a contiguous aggregate which fills the vertical array of horizontal lattices. The mass of internally stabilized earth is surrounded on three sides by non-load bearing walls constructed from a plurality of facing elements. A portion of the reinforcing members extending from one abutment side wall may be connected with corresponding reinforcing members extending from the other side wall to form a substantially continuous member therebetween. Corner blocks may be provided at the generally perpendicular corners between adjacent walls.