Bridge structure

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The subject invention relates to bridge structures and is conceived as an improved structural arrangement that combines multiple types of support systems to increase the bridge strength and stability of the bridge.

The purpose of increasing a bridge strength is manifest when consideration is given to the fact that most highway bridges are now subjected to heavier loads, all with increasing frequency. This load factor is caused in large party by heavy truck traffic, along with the increased passenger vehicle traffic. These load factors yield considerable stress on a bridge's strength and stability. Railroad bridges are generally subjected to the same type of structural stress.

Moreover, in certain geographic areas, highways and railroad bridges are subjected to severe winds that appear to be increasing in intensity by reason of developing unusual weather patterns. These and other factors, including earth tremors, create a need for bridges of greater strength and stability, and as a result, the invention herein is conceived as a means to provide additional strengthening factor for bridges and the objects sets forth below for the subject invention are directed accordingly.

In discussing the variant aspects of the subject invention, note is made that the inventive concepts herein apply to suspension bridge structural concepts, arch support structures and other structural systems, such as truss bridges, beam bridges or cantilever bridges, and the fact that the subject invention is described as being directed to only a few of such types of bridge structures shall not limit the scope of the subject invention, as embraced by the following described objects.

OBJECTS

It is an object of the subject invention to provide an improved bridge structure;

Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved, multi-support bridge support structure and system;

Another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved bridge structure having more than one type of basic support system;

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved structural system for improving the strength of a bridge;

A further object of the subject invention is to provide an improved supplemental system for increasing the base support strength of a bridge structure;

Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved structural system for bridge support purposes;

It is also a purpose of this invention to provide multiple systems for supporting a single bridge structure, which multiple systems are structurally cooperative and not physically antagonistic;

- Another purpose of this invention is to improve existing bridge structure.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the subject invention shown in the overall perspective of a total bridge structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the subject under-support member used in conjunction with the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view, in cross-section, of the subject under-support member, as embracing the under surface of a bridge deck;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the subject under-support member shown as embracing the under surface of a bridge deck.

DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL EMBODIMENT

The subject invention is an improved bridge structure comprising the use of both arch structural support systems along with suspension systems, combined together to support a multiple bridge support structure, with such multiple support systems being focused and combined through a unitary member in a center portion of the bridge, with the unitary member being an under support member in one embodiment, with such under support member supporting a portion of the bridge deck. More particularly, the subject invention is focused on utilizing multiple structural support systems for a bridge, with such multiple support systems being centered on a longitudinally extending secondary under support member, which is supported and held partially by the supplementary bridge support system, such secondary support member structurally having multiple and varied support systems and being adapted to provide an under support system as a supplementary support mechanism for the bridge structure. In summary, the subject invention comprises a secondary support system for a bridge to provide additional support to the primary support system for the bridge, such secondary support system having its forces focused on an undersupport system that is positioned beneath the bridge deck as an undersupport member that helps hold the bridge deck, along with the support provided by the primary support system.

In further summary, the subject invention is focused on the use and deployment of an under-support member that is supported independently and separate from the support member for the bridge, which under-support member is basically a cradle like member that provides an uplifting force for the bridge deck. This supporting force can be directed and applied to any portion of the bridge deck and may include any means of system of support as supplementary to the main support system for the bridge.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF SUBJECT INVENTION

The following description of a preferred embodiment is set forth as one specific embodiment. Such description of a preferred embodiment shall not be considered as limiting the scope of the subject invention to only the type of bridge described with its multiple support systems.

Attention is directed at first to FIG. 1 of the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the subject invention is shown. Specifically shown in FIG. 1 is a bridge member 10 incorporating features of the subject invention, such bridge member having an upper deck 20 over which deck vehicular traffic traverses. As can be seen, bridge deck 20 is generally a horizontal, longitudinally extending structure having an upper surface 30 and a lower surface 40. The upper surface of the bridge deck may be other than horizontal in some embodiments, however, and may be curved upwardly in a convex manner to increase the vertical spatial distance under the bridge for accommodation of such things as ship masts passing underneath. It is the bridge deck that is the ultimate structural object of the bridge support system which is the subject of the invention, as in any conceived bridge support system.

The bridge 10 and the bridge deck 20, as shown in the drawings, is structured to extend from the respective upper portions 50A and 50B of opposing banks 60A and 60B respectively framing the opposing sides of a gorge, valley, ravine or river 70 as schematically shown in FIG. 1. The bridge deck 20 is, as stated above, the ultimate structural focus of any bridge support system or the multiple support system described in the application, as the bridge deck is adapted to bear the weight and stress in any bridge system. As seen, in this respect, the bridge deck 20 has opposing ends 80A and 80B affixed directly or indirectly to the adjoining upper portions 50A and 50B of opposing upper banks 60A and 60B. Moreover, as seen in FIG. 1, the bridge deck 20 may be comprised of two opposing horizontally projecting sections 85A and 85B adjoining at the respective mating ends 85A and 85B at what is optimally the medial portion 90 of the bridge deck. The bridge deck 20 may be formed otherwise as a unitary member or comprising more than two sections interconnected by some means.

Again, as stated, the deck 20 is the main focus of any bridge support system, and in this invention, the support system that is generally provided herein is a dual or multiple support system for the bridge deck 20. Thus, at all times, the bridge deck 20 in the subject invention will have a primary support structural mechanism and a secondary support system, or alternatively stated, there will be multiple support systems for the bridge 20, and either support system may be considered primary or secondary. Moreover, in the subject system, more than two support systems can be used to support the bridge structure. Furthermore, while the support systems described in the preferred embodiment are directed to suspension and arch support systems other support systems may be used to implement the concept of the subject invention. The intent of this invention is to provide such secondary support system or systems with their respective attendant support forces, so that they interact cooperatively, so that the static forces of each attendant support system does not interfere with or tend to weaken or cancel out the support forces provided by the other support systems, but rather complement one another so that the overall support system forces holding the bridge deck are augmented.

The foregoing bridge structure as described in the preferred embodiment is basically a conventionally-structured arch type abutment bridge utilizing opposing support arches 100A and 100B as the primary support elements for the bridge 10 and bridge deck 20. This arch support structure as described is considered to be conventionally-structured to be self-supporting by its intrinsic structure, and therefore, in ordinary circumstances, needs no additional support structure to uphold the bridge deck 20. Additionally, more than two arch support members may be used on a given bridge structure utilizing concepts of this invention. The subject invention is set forth as a supplemental support system for the bridge 10 as described with its attendant base arch support system. Moreover, it is noted that the concepts of this invention are equally applicable to other than arch type bridge structures.

The following described structural aspects, which comprise the main substance of the subject invention, are adapted to aid in the underlying support provided by opposing abutment type arch members 100A and 100B, as described above. As seen, the subject invention and the structural concepts set forth herein are adapted to be supplementary support for such base abutment arch members 100A and 100B to add to the support strength for the bridge 10 as more fully described below. Moreover, it is to be stressed that more than two abutting arch members may be utilized in conjunction with the subject bridge structure.

More specifically as seen in the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, the opposing outer ends 80A and 80B of the bridge deck 20 are integrally affixed directly or indirectly to the opposing upper portions 50A and 50B of the river banks 60A and 60B, as seen. It is not critical that the opposite ends 80A and 80B of the bridge deck 20 be integrally positioned into a portion of the opposing banks 60A and 60B respectively as represented in FIG. 1.

In the usual structural arrangement for an arch support type bridge, such as bridge 10, the bridge deck 20, as stated, is directly or indirectly supported by the arch members 100A and 100B. In the bridge 10 represented in FIG. 1, the bridge deck 20 is positioned and affixed such that the approximate medial portions of the undersurface 40 of bridge deck 20 are integrally positioned and affixed over the upper surface portions 170A and 170B respectively of the respective first and second support arch members 100A and 100B as seen. Other support and attachment means between the respective arch members and bridge deck may be utilized however.

Additionally, as observed in FIG. 1 in the structure of bridge 10, vertical support stanchion members 180A and 180B are connected in a supporting position between the upper surface 170A of first support arch member 100A and the lower surface 40 of deck 20. In similar manner, vertical support stanchion members 190A and 190B are supportively interconnected between the upper surface portion of support arch 100B and the right portion of lower surface 40 of deck 20. As can be readily observed from the side elevational view of FIG. 1, support arch members 100A and 100B, with such vertical stanchion, as interconnected to the bridge deck are represented as being symmetrically arranged in order to achieve maximal and optimal support features for the bridge 10. However, in some circumstances, this desired symmetry cannot be realistically implemented in every circumstance. This latter facet does not detract from the implementation and realization of the structural practicality of the subject invention. Moreover, any number of vertical stanchions may be used between the arch and bridge deck without detracting from the conceptual scope of the invention herein.

As thusly described, the bridge 10 is structured similarly to a conventional arch type bridge, the structural arrangements of which are well known. The additional support system or systems, which are described hereafter in this application are considered unique, particularly in the manner to which the supplementary forces are direct to the under surfaces of the bridge deck. These latter innovative concepts are the focus of this patent application and are described in detail as follows.

As an overall perspective, it is to be stressed that in the primary and preferred embodiment of the invention herein, the subject support system is focused through a support member that provides upwardly lifting forces on the bridge deck, and preferably such forces are applied directly or indirectly up through the lower surface of the bridge deck. It is not necessary, however, that the supplementary forces be applied to the under-surface of the bridge deck, but rather may be applied upwardly on any portion of the bridge deck However, in the primary embodiment, an under-support member 200 is used as the structural mechanism to focus the supplementary force on the bridge deck as more fully described below.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 the under-support member 200 is shown with the upper surface 210 thereof as being relatively flat and uniplanar, or more simply as being uniformly flat. In another embodiment of the under-support member, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 210 of the under-support member is shown as having a slightly curved upper surface, which curvature is seen as being convex as from an upper position looking downwardly on such upper surface. In this latter respect, as more fully discussed below, the under-support member 200 is adapted to be positioned such that the upper surface 210 of the under-support member 200 embraces conformingly the bottom surface portions 230A and 230B of an arbitrary length of the adjoining upper portions of opposing arch members 100A and 100B, as more particularly seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Thus if the adjoining bottom surface portions 230A and 230B of the adjoining arch members 100A and 100B are curved, the corresponding curved upper surface 210 of the under-support member 200 will more conformingly seat fully and securely against the lower surfaces 230A and 230B of the adjoining arch members 100A and 100B for focusing and directing the secondary support provided by the under-support member to the lower surface of the bridge deck. In this regard, the under-support member is in turn statically supported in a lifting manner by the secondary support forces more fully discussed below.

It is to be stressed that upper surface 210 of under-support member 200 that embraces upwardly in a lifting manner the under surface 40 of the bridge 10 or bridge deck 20 can be correspondingly shaped or configured to conform to whatever type of bridge structure is utilized. Consequently, it is to be understood that the subject support system, with the attendant under-support member, is not limited to arch type bridges. This under-support system is further described in detail in later potions of this application below.

In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the secondary support system set forth herein, focuses its static support forces through the under-support member so that such under-support member 200, as discussed above, provides secondary lifting forces to supplement the support of the opposing arch members 100A and 100B. Shown in the drawings is one example of such a secondary support system which is specifically a suspension system, as shown in FIG. 1. It is understood that other support systems may be used as an additional support system for the bridge and the inventive concepts herein are not to be considered limited to a suspension system as such a secondary support system.

More specifically, the suspension system shown in FIG. 1, is structured in its basic arrangement as being substantially conventional. To this end shown in FIG. 1 is a suspension structural system 300 that is adapted to incorporate support forces to uphold under-support member 200. Included in this suspension support system 300 and attendant structures are opposing suspension support towers 310A and 310B which are respectively embedded into the uppermost portions 50A and 50B of opposing river banks 60A and 60B as seen. These support towers 310A and 310B have lower base portions 320A and 320B that are fixed in position, extending vertically upwardly, as se n. The upper ends 330A and 330B of each support tower 310A and 310B are preferably, but not essentially, at an equal height to each other relative to a base point such as the bridge deck 20 or some other base reference point, however, this latter feature is not critical.

As can be seen from the drawings, the respective suspension support towers 310A and 310B have at least one set of primary bridge support cables, such as cables 340A and 340B and cables 350A and 350B for suspension support. Additional support cables may be utilized. Each of these support guy cables are generally anchored at a distance away from the bridge 10 and towers 310A and 310B. The suspension support towers 310A and 310B generally each have one or more direct tower support cables such as cables 360A and 360B extending downwardly from upper portions of each suspension support tower, with attachment indirectly or directly to some portion of the ground for supporting the towers. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the primary support cables 340A and 340B and 350A and 350B extend downwardly to the bridge 10 from suspension support tower 310A and 310B which each such suspension cable extending downwardly towards the center portion of bridge 10. As shown in the drawings, it must be indicated that the number of suspension support cables, as well as the number of suspension support towers, and the precise structure thereof may vary from that described first above. Moreover, stress is to be made that the subject suspension system as described is relatively simplistic and is relatively standard or conventional as described to this point. The inventive concept of the invention herein is centered on the use of a secondary support system of bridge 10 provided by the above described suspension support system, as preferably directed upon and otherwise focused with the attendant static forces of the secondary support system on the under-support member 200 as briefly described above and more fully described below. To this end, the suspension support cables 340A and 340B from suspension support tower 310A are affixed to a portion of the under-support member 200 so to provide upwardly lifting support for such under-support member, and in similar fashion suspension support cables 350A and 350B emanating from the suspension support tower 310B are also connected to a portion of the under-support member 200; as seen. It is optimal for this latter purpose that the respective suspension cables 340A and 340B and 350A and 350B be connected to a portion of the under-support member 200 with each set of cables affixed in equi-posed disposition on the under-support member 200 relative to one another. This connection is for basic symmetry and balance purposes, as seen in FIG. 1 so that the under-support member 200 is supported by the respective cable members and is held in a level position relative to a base horizontal reference, or any other point of reference.

The general function of the under-support member 200, as set forth above, is to help provide additional support for the opposing abutting arch members 100A and 100B in the support function of bridge 10, with the static upwardly pulling forces provided by the suspension cable members 340A and 340B and 350A and 350B. For this purpose, the under-support member 200 is adapted to function as a lifting member independently supported irrespective of whether the arch support members 100A and 100B directly and physically abut each other or are directly supportive of the bridge deck 20, or even with each such arch directly contacting each other.

As can be determined, both the vertical and horizontal static force components of each such support arch member 100A and 100B provide necessary upward support for bridge deck 20, as well as the necessary horizontal forces to statically project the respective adjoining horizontal portions of the bridge deck 20 towards one another. In some bridge structural arrangements, more than two upright arch members may be used as basic support structures, however, and the concepts of the invention herein will be equally applicable in such latter circumstances.

Specific attention is directed to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 demonstrating the supplementary under-support structure which is focused on the under-support member 200 that is basically formed as a longitudinally extending member having a longitudinally extending base member 205 that extends over the longitudinal extent of the under-support member with opposing ends 400A and 400B on the under-support member. More particularly, the under-support member 200 is a longitudinally extending member with an upper surface 210 and a lower surface 225 and may be of such a length that equals the entire length of the bridge deck 20 or may be shorter relative to the length of the bridge deck, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the under-support member 200 has laterally disposed upwardly extending support walls 430A and 430B that extend partially or completely along the entire length of the under-support member 200. As stated, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the lateral support walls 430A and 430B are vertically disposed and integrally affixed to opposing lateral sides 440A and 440B of the under-support member, along the entire length of the under-support member 200, as seen. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the lateral, vertically disposed support walls 430A and 430B are joined to the base member 205 of the under-support member 200 such that the lateral walls are disposed perpendicular to the upper surface 210 of the base member of the under-support member 200 as seen. This latter perpendicular relationship is not critical to the subject invention and is not essential that the lateral side walls 430A and 430B described be disposed along the precise sides of the under-support member. It is also not mandatory to implementation of the subject invention that there be lateral walls affixed or formed on the base member 205 of the under-support member 200, so long as there is some means to affix auxiliary supporting members such as suspension support cables described above to the base member.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the under-support member 200, with its longitudinally extending base member 205 and laterally disposed vertical walls 430A and 430B form what may be viewed as a longitudinally extending channel shaped member being open at the top as well as open or exposed at its opposing ends. What is thus essentially formed is a channel shaped cradle like member formed as the basic structure for the under-support member 200 in the main embodiment of the invention. However, as described other structural arrangements may be used for the under-support member and it may be limited to a flat uniplanar member or any other structural arrangements that can focus uplifting forces upwardly to the bridge deck

As shown in the drawings, the suspension cable members 340A and 340B, and 350A and 350B may be attached to the under-support member 200 by being affixed to portions of vertical side walls 430A and 430B as seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, or may be affixed to side or other portions of the base member 205 of the under-support member 200 if the under-support member has no vertical sidewalls. Other attachment arrangements may be used in this regard.

In some embodiments of the subject invention, the under-support member may be formed as an enclosed sleeve member having a hollow longitudinally extending chamber into which chamber the mating ends of support arches 100A and 100B are placed along and adjoining portions of the bridge deck. Other enclosed or open structural arrangements may be used for the bridge under-support member.

As stated above, the under-support member 200 as supported by the described suspension cables, is positioned under the lower surfaces 230A and 230B of the abutting arch members 100A and 100B, in a conforming manner so that the upper surface of the under-support member conformingly embraces in a flush manner such undersurface areas of the abutting arch members. This upward pull by the suspension cables 340A and 340B and 350A and 350B is such that the upper surface 210 of the under-support member 200 is drawn upwardly against the immediately adjoining under surfaces 230A and 230B of the abutting arch members 100A and 100B, as seen in the drawings. In this regard, the length of the under-support member 200 is shown as being relatively short and the upper surface areas of the opposing arch members may be relatively flat, as shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 3, however, on the other hand, as stated, if the under-support member 200 is relatively long, the upper surface 205 is preferably curved, slightly upwardly, to accommodate the curvatures of the surfaces of the abutting arch members. This latter feature functions to both maximize the impact of the upward static forces from the suspension members described as well as evenly distributing the force load over and to the lower surfaces of the abutting arch members. This latter facet will maximize the supportive feature of the under-support member 200 as seen in the drawings and as described. Moreover, in order to maximize the support, the under-support member 200 is best placed under the medial part of bridge deck 20, however, this aspect is not critical to the implementation of the subject invention.

One of the advantages of the subject invention is that the under-support member, as supported by the suspension system or other support system, can be used to retrofit an otherwise weakened bridge structure where the main support system has been weakened by erosion or deterioration of the components of the main support system. This retrofitting can obviously be accomplished by positioning the under-support system under the existing bridge deck with some form of auxiliary support such as the suspension system described above. Moreover, in some embodiments, the under-support member may be braced directly up against the lower surface of the bridge deck. This aspect is not shown in the drawings.

Bridge structure

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