Abstract: A pier and beam bridge structure is formed essentially entirely from steel reinforced, precast concrete elements including elongated, hollow tubular pier members, pier collars, pier base and cap beams, deck beams, deck slabs and side railing members. In forming the support pier structures, the pier members are inserted into dry-drilled pier base excavations through opposite end openings formed in the ground-supported base beams, and are outwardly circumscribed by the collars which are received at their opposite ends in the base beam end openings and openings in the cap beams which are supported at the upper pier ends. A loose aggregate material is dumped into the pier member interiors, and the annular collar and excavation spaces surrounding the pier members. Polymer concrete is then forced downwardly through the pier member interiors, and upwardly through these annular spaces, and cures in a matter of minutes to complete the fabrication of each pier structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shore which has a durability with respect to loads not only in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction but also in a lengthwise direction, and which can be automatically folded without requiring extra work.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bridge or like pillar (1) erected in a moving body of water in which the water may periodically flow in strata in one as well as the other of two opposite main flow directions. The pillar is provided with a flow compensation device including a motor-driven stream generator (9) which functions to set part of the water in motion thus compensating for the flow resistance exerted by the pillar in the water body.

Abstract: A dock plank assembly formed from at least two elongated polymer plastic plank having a first support end, a second support end, a top surface for walking on, and an integral longitudinal web therein for providing rigidity and support to the planks with the webs having an opening therein for receiving a free-span rib with the free-span rib spaced from the support ends of the planks and extending transversely through the opening in the webs of the plank to provide rigidity and additional individual support for each of said planks and for providing coactive support for the planks as a unit to thereby maintain adjacent planks in surface walking condition with respect to one another to prevent a user from tripping over protruding edges on the planks.

Abstract: A suspension bridge having end piers from which the bridge is suspended. The bridge has a substantially fixed stiff horizontal branch (P1) and a substantially flexible horizontal branch (P2). Each bridge branch (P1, P2) comprises three parallel longitudinally extending mutually spaced box-like bodies comprising a central body (S1) and two lateral bodies (S2, S3). Transverse ledgers (T) are located at regular intervals along the bridge and interconnect the three bodies. There is a gap between the two bridge branches (P1, P2) and in the gap there is a central body section (S1') fixedly interconnecting the central longitudinal bodies (S1) of the two bridge branches (P1, P2). Also in the gap there are two lateral body sections (S") extending between and slidable relative to the lateral bodies (S2, S3) of the two bridge branches (P1, P2). A vertical hinge joint, also in the gap, interconnects the bridge branches (P1, P2) and lies on the central longitudinal axis of the bridge.

Abstract: A precast segmental viaduct construction system, comprises an elongated erection and assembly vehicle for spanning between at least two viaduct piers and for moving between successive piers, the vehicle having a top deck, an elongated central longitudinal beam having a down facing elongated planar bottom support surface, a pair of elongated trusses secured to and inclined outward from said beam, and a pair of elongated longitudinal planar top support surfaces extending along opposite side edges of said top deck, a plurality of jacks spaced along the vehicle for cooperatively engaging piers on which the vehicle is supported for positioning the vehicle relative to piers on which it is supported, and a support assembly for supporting the vehicle on a pier, the support assembly having jacks for selectively elevating and lowering the vehicle.

Abstract: An injection-molded plank for forming a dock comprising an elongated member having a generally box-like shape with a top surface for walking on, a front side, and a backside having a plurality of openings therein with the front side having a plurality of spacers mounted on the front side to space one plank from an adjacent plank with a plurality of, pins extending from the front side with the pins having a diameter smaller than mating openings in the backside of the adjacent plank to hold the planks in a shiftable relationship to one another and a separate reinforcing rib secured to the plank with the reinforcing rib having a fastener plate for securing the reinforcing rib to a support member so that the reinforcing rib provides stiffening to the plank and the pin holds adjacent planks in a shiftable relationship to one another while fastener extending through a fastener plate on the reinforcing rib secures the planks to the support member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and structure for quickly assembling road foundation and support of this invention, comprising the following steps (1) first, selecting positions spaced from each other at an appropriate distance for placing the foundation along a road above which an elevated road will be constructed; then digging a groove having appropriate size in the ground surface of each selected position for horizontally placing the foundation and the road asphalt; (2) digging a recess having appropriate dimensions along the periphery of said groove for placing a horizontal supporting frame, and spraying the asphalt adhesive on the recess; (3) mounting the horizontal supporting frame on the recess, and filling the space above a horizontal flange extending outward along the the periphery of the bottom of the horizontal supporting frame with asphalt such that the top surface of the filled asphalt is flush with the top of the horizontal supporting frame; (4) then fully spraying the adhesive on the combina

Abstract: A method of supporting a transportation surface, such as a vehicular bridge, a railroad trestle or an elevated walkway, that is resistant to unexpected, infrequent shocks such as might be encountered during an earthquake or similar disaster. The method includes arranging laterally spaced apart fixed bearing members on a surface adjacent a path for a transportation surface and supporting elongated elastic members on the bearing members at a distance spaced inwardly from the ends of the elastic members. The transportation surface may be placed in association with the elastic members. Beginning from an equilibrium state, each elastic member is capable of bending in proportion to the magnitude of an additional load applied intermediate the ends of the elastic member, with the ends of the elastic member sliding against the bearing members a distance also proportional to the magnitude of the additional load.

Abstract: An elastically deformable bumper for cushioning impact forces at a relatively rigid member includes a forward bumper wall member having an impact receiving surface at a first side thereof. At least one support web extending from a second side of the forward bumper wall member and providing the primary resistance to deformation of the forward bumper wall member by the impact forces is provided. The support web terminates in a support web abutment surface having a free end adapted for engagement with a rigid member. A bumper anchor aperture accommodates an anchoring device to hold the bumper in position at the rigid member. The bumper anchor aperture extends from the first side of the forward bumper wall member through the support web and support web abutment surface.

Abstract: A pile supported bridge assembly is disclosed in which an array of pilings is set out in a generally regular grid pattern. Temporary support channels are placed on the pilings and cap members are placed onto the supports generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bridge. Slab members are then used to span the cap members and a road surface is laid thereover, whereupon the temporary supports are removed.

Abstract: A swimming pool escape system is provided for use by animals and insects to egress a swimming pool subsequent to inadvertent entry into the body of water contained within the perimeter portion of the pool. The system includes a base member disposed on the perimeter portion of the swimming pool and a ramp system pivotedly coupled to the base member. The ramp system is pivotedly coupled to the base member on one end and an opposing end extends into the volume of water contained within the swimming pool and is buoyantly supported thereby to allow the animal to egress from the body of water to the perimeter portion of the swimming pool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to interlocking construction elements useful in being assembled into load bearing traffic ways. The present construction elements are comprised of a flat top slab and at least one support stem attached perpendicularly to bottom of the slab. The top of the slab is a load bearing surface. The support stems have a flared, or finned, portion positioned contiguous to the junction of the stem and the bottom of the slab. A load placed atop the load bearing surface is equally distributed to the support stem, or stems. The slab may be considered as floating, that is, the bottom of the slab is in touch contact but not in support contact with the foundation. Any weight placed load bearing surface is immediately and directly transmitted to the support stem, or stems in substantially equal proportion. In an alternative embodiment of the invention the support stem, or stems, are secured into a anchor boot, which, in turn, is securedly attached to a foundation.

Abstract: A wetland crossing bridge assembly is disclosed having a plurality of interconnected lower box support members with upstanding columnar members extending from the base thereof. Slab members are laid on the top of these column members in an overlapping arrangement and side members having a general L-shaped configuration line on each side. A conventional road surface is applied over the structural members. The structure allows the bridge assembly to absorb or dissipate stress from shifting caused by wind, water levels, etc. and the even weight distribution through the interlocking arrangement allows construction without requiring pilings sunk to underlying bedrock and with minimal adverse environmental impact.

Abstract: A support structure, such as a bridge support structure for long spans between supports, includes a beam-like girder formed of reinforced concrete or prestressed concrete connected to and supported on the upper ends of support piers so that the girder is bending resistant. A strut framework extends between the girder and the support pier and includes a reinforced concrete compression strut extending diagonally upwardly from the lower end of the support pier to the girder at a position spaced outwardly from the support pier whereby the dead load of the compression strut is supported by tie rods extending from the compression strut upwardly to the girder or the pier. The compression strut forms one side of a triangle with the other sides formed by the girder and the support with the tie rods located within the triangle.

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 bridge pier is constructed from a number of serially gradated cribs nestable one within the other for transportation and manually mountable one upon the other in order of decreasing size on arrival at a site by the use of rotatable davits attachable to each upper-most crib in turn. When used for dry gap bridging the cribs are assembled upon a pair of adjustable length telescopic legs each pivotally connected to a load-spreading grillage and adjustable for use on slopes of up to 1 in 20. Both initial levelling and subsequent adjustment for ground settlement can be achieved by adjustment of the telescopic legs. When required for use in deep water bridging the cribs may be mounted directly upon a pontoon.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for structures composed of two main elements each of which forms a portion of either the supported structure or the supporting structure or foundation. One of these main elements is formed in a "U" type shape and provided with flutings on the interior sides facing each other. The other main element is formed to fit into the interior of the other "U" type main element and is provided with flutings on opposing sides of said element. As one main element is inserted into the other, the flutings of both elements can be aligned to face each other, and complementary cores inserted. Two or more of such cores inserted at opposing sides of the inserted element, would position the inserted main element securely into the other main element, the cores filling the flutings of the "U" type main element and thus providing a secure positioning to the supported structure.

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: Supporting apparatus for a portable bridge including a longitudinally telescoping bridge support leg having an intermediate support member at the free end thereof. A pair of foot plate members are pivotally supported at the intermediate support member and are connected by way of a lever linkage so as to pivot together when moving from a storage position with the undersides of plate members extending longitudinally of the leg and in-use positions with the undersides of the plate members extending transversely of the leg. Elastic band members are attached to the upper sides of the foot plate members to continuously apply a force tending to move the plate members to the in-use position. Rollers are provided at the upper sides of the plate members for engagement with bridge members to forcibly move the plate members to the storage position when the support leg is moved into a storage position underneath the bridge plate portion.

Abstract: Supporting apparatus for supporting bridge portions on a portable bridge of the type including a plurality of bridge portions movable from storage positions to positions of use connected to one another in series. The supporting apparatus includes two support legs spaced from one another and swingably supported at respective free ends of a pair of pivotally connected carrier sections. The support legs are further connected with one another by a hydraulic-cylinder arrangement arranged in bypassing relationship to the carrier sections with the holding element designed to absorb relative movement of the support legs resulting from the pivotal connection of the carrier section. Swinging devices are also provided at the free ends of each of the carrier sections for applying forcible swinging movement to the support legs so as to fold same from storage to in-use positions. The pivot axis of the support legs extend at an angle of less than 90.degree. with respect to the longitudinal extent of the support legs.

Abstract: For supporting bridge structures and like heavy-weight rigid structures upon displacement thereof, at more points than those giving statically determined bearing forces, the rigid structure is placed on a plurality of hydraulic jacks distributed beneath it and provided with sliding means at their upper ends facing the structure. The jacks are so coupled hydraulically in groups that the bearing force is uniformly distributed in each group independently of whether there are variations in height between those surfaces of the rigid structure which are in contact with the sliding means at the upper ends of the jacks.Upon displacement of bridge structures and like heavy-weight rigid structures supported on a plurality of sliding means distributed in groups beneath it each of the sliding means in at least one group is associated with a jack for displacement of the structure, the jacks at the sliding means in said group cooperating hydraulically at the displacement.

Abstract: Support leg construction for tank portable bridges including a housing or support leg formed by respective inner and outer sleeve members. A longitudinally movable stanchion is guided intermediate the inner and outer sleeves. A hydraulically operable piston member is disposed in the inner sleeve and includes hydraulically operable detent spring ring locking means for selectively locking the piston to the stanchion. A further hydraulically operable spring-ring locking mechanism is fixedly disposed at the open end of the inner sleeve for selectively locking the stanchion in position with respect to the inner and outer sleeves.