Patent Application
20190226164
In areas where snow and ice accumulate, the snow and/or ice is usually removed from the road by a snow plow or other snow removal device. Road salts, chemicals, and other materials incidentally adhere to parapets, walls, or border structures along the road. In many instances, parapets are concrete barriers that are placed on the external edges of a bridge and may consist of concrete, which may be porous. Therefore, chemicals (e.g., road salts) and fluids (e.g., rain water, ice, or otherwise) may seep into or be absorbed into the concrete of the parapet. As a result, over time the concrete of the parapet erodes or deteriorates and spalling of the concrete of the parapets occurs necessitating major repair, which is costly. Spalling of the parapets presents a danger as pieces of deteriorated concrete may fall onto the road below.
One of the consequences of this salt usage is the deterioration of concrete structures due to the corrosive effects of that salt. The inevitable consequence of plowing highways is that salt laden snow ends up stacked against the bridge parapets, thus providing more contact with the salt than occurs on other parts of the structure where the salt can simply wash or drain off. Parapet walls present a particular problem. Parapets are more susceptible to cracking and corrosion problems than other members. Parapets are also exposed on the top of the bridges. This makes them more susceptible to thermal cracking and freeze/thaw cycling.
The modular panel for the parapets have multiple panel segments, for instance, that prevent the deterioration of the concrete by protecting it from the elements and chemicals, such as salt and other chemicals. For instance, the modular panels prevent salts, chemical solutions, and other matter from contacting the surface of the parapets, walls, etc. to prevent the deterioration or cracking of the concrete structure that forms the parapet/wall, without affecting the structural integrity of the structure once the panel is installed. The cover may accommodate supports of any height and any shape.
The panel segments when connected together are aesthetically appealing. The modular panel is easy to install, cost effective, and environmentally friendly. The cover is lightweight, may be made of recyclable/recoverable material (green technology), and reduces safety issues/hazards that normally are associated with industry standard maintenance practices, such as the painting along roadways. Upon application of the present invention, road closures would be less frequent and bridge support life cycles would be longer.
One preventative measure available to inhibit corrosion of the concrete support is supplied by routine painting of the parapets. However, painting is expensive, poses a safety risk to workers, and disrupts traffic in areas where the maintenance is taking place. Also, the paint only lasts for a short period of time. Accordingly. the painting process only assists in the preventative maintenance, and becomes a continuous/recurring procedure.
For example, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has identified that premature bridge parapet cracking is a prominent problem. Various districts within ODOT have expressed concerns about bridge parapet cracking. Cracking can range from small hairline cracks to large cracks that expose rebar. Therefore, parapet cracking is not only an aesthetic concern, but it can also be a safety concern. Repairing parapets before the bridge deck needs to be repaired is very costly.
Cracking in concrete can occur for various reasons such as shrinkage cracking, flexural stresses, reinforcement corrosion, and construction practices. The corrosion of steel reinforcement within concrete can also cause the parapet to crack. If the reinforcement is exposed to moisture, oxygen and chlorides, then the steel begins to oxidize. Corrosion of the steel produces iron oxides and hydroxides that have a volume much greater than the volume of the original metallic iron. The best way to reduce the chance of corrosion, is to make sure the concrete cover over the reinforcement is thick enough, and to use concretes that have a low permeability. Corrosion of the concrete can also affect the bond between the reinforcement and concrete. Over a period of time the adhesion bond between the steel and the concrete undergoes breakdown. This breakdown can cause an increase in crack width and depth. When cracking in concrete occurs, it allows water and other contaminants to enter. Once inside, water has the ability to expand as it freezes in colder temperatures which can increase the size of the crack or even break concrete off the structure. Also, salts that enter the concrete can cause reinforcement within the concrete to corrode. This corrosion can compromise the integrity of the structure. Since cracks can allow unwanted substances to enter the concrete, and create ideal conditions for corrosion, it is important to reduce parapet cracks. This is especially important in northeast Ohio where parapet cracking is a significant problem.
In some instances a panel may include a main surface and a back surface that is opposite the main surface and span in a width direction of the panel; a first side and a second side spanning in a height direction along opposite sides of the panel, respectively. Further, the main surface may include: a flat and essentially horizontal top surface; an angled surface extending downward at a first angle from the top surface; a first surface extending downward at a second angle, which is different from the second angle, from the top surface; a second surface extending downward at an angle from the first surface; and a lower surface extending downward at an angle from the second surface. In some examples, the lower surface is lower than the second surface, which is lower than the first surface, which is lower than the top surface in the height direction. Additionally, at least two through-holes may be disposed through the main surface and the back surface that are configured to accept respective brackets.
The modular cover panel includes cover panel segments or sections that have side portions overlapping each other to provide a surface of protection while covering the parapet or barrier. The panel may be adapted and modified to fit around parapet structures of many shapes and sizes. The panel also may be used for any type of structure such as those found along road ways including, but not limited to safety barriers, walls, barrier rails, and “Jersey” barriers. Additionally, the parapet segments of the modular panel may be injection molded, by standard plastic manufacturing process methods & materials, such as thermoforming, blow molding, compression, rotomold, and forms of injection molded processes. The panel may be made by structural foam injection molding and may be made according to the shape of the parapet to be covered and the cover is not limited to any of the mold process listed above.
A modular cover panel 10 consisting of multiple cover panels 12 covering portions of the parapets 2 is shown according to some implementations. As described in more detail below, adjacent cover panels 12 may engage or contact one another to form the modular cover panel 10. In some implementations, a side portion of a cover segment may overlap a side portion of an adjacent cover panel 12. Further,
In some implementations, a cover panel 12 may include an outer surface (or main surface) 20 and an inner surface 21 or back surface that is opposite to the outer surface 20. The inner surface 21 faces the outer surface of the parapet 2 when installed. The outer surface 20 may include a top surface 26 that is parallel to a top surface of the parapet (and thus parallel to the road surface according to some examples). The term surface may be used herein to denote a wall, flange, or planar portion of the outer surface 20 or inner surface 21, for example. Additionally, the surfaces 20, 21 and portions thereof may be planar and/or essentially flat. Extending from the top surface 26 and away from the roadway 1, the outer surface 20 may include an angled surface or planar portion 28 that is angled downward with respect to the top surface 26 so as to allow fluid to travel away and off the ultimate edge 29 of the cover panel 12. The angled surface 28 may extend far enough away from the roadway and bridge that the liquid dripping or falling off the edge 29 falls off the bridge without contacting the parapet 2 (and onto the roadway below). In some examples, the edge 29 may be rounded or square or have a different shape in cross-section that allows liquid to fall off the edge 29 due gravity and the downward slope of the edge 29.
The outer surface 20 may also include a first vertical surface 24 that extends downward in the vertical direction toward the roadway 1 and may span the width of the cover panel 12. The angle of the first vertical surface 24 with respect to the top surface 26 is different than the angle of the top surface 26 with respect to the angled surface 28. The first vertical surface 24 may intersect a plane of the top surface 26 at an angle depending on the shape of the parapet 2 to be covered. Further, the dimensions of the first vertical surface 24 may correspond with the dimensions of the corresponding portion of the parapet 2 to be covered by the cover panel 12. The intersection of the planar first vertical surface 24 and the planar top surface 26 may have a rounded or square elbow or corner.
In some implementations, the outer surface 20 may include a second vertical surface extending 23 downward from the first vertical surface 24 and may span the width of the cover panel 12. The second vertical surface 23 may intersect a plane of the first vertical surface 24 at an angle depending on the shape of the parapet 2 to be covered. Further, the dimensions of the second vertical surface 23 may correspond with the dimensions of the corresponding portion of the parapet 2 to be covered by the cover panel 12.
In some implementations, the outer surface 20 may include a lower vertical surface 22 extending downward in the vertical direction from the second vertical surface 23 and may span the width of the cover panel 12. A plane of a lower vertical surface 22 may intersect a plane of the second vertical surface 23 at an angle depending on the shape of the parapet 2 to be covered. Further, the dimensions of the lower vertical surface 22 may correspond with the dimensions of the corresponding portion of the parapet 2 to be covered by the cover panel 12. The lower vertical surface 22 may be perpendicular to the roadway 1. The lower vertical surface 22 may include a lower ultimate edge 30, which may be flat and may be parallel to and face the roadway 1.
The outer surface 20 may include bends or edges which may be round or squared at the intersection of respective planes or surfaces (e.g., lower vertical surface 22, second vertical surface 23, first vertical surface 24, top surface 26 and angled surface 28).
The inner surface 21 or back of the panel 12, which is opposite to the outer surface 20 and faces the concrete of the parapet 2 when installed, may consist of surfaces that are parallel to and correspond with respective portions of the outer surface 20 thereby corresponding to the shape of the parapet 2. The cover panel 12 may be doubled walled for stability and durability. In one example, one wall is the outer surface 20 and another wall is the inner surface 21. Further, the cover panel 12 may have a predetermined thickness.
For example, the inner surface 21 may include an inner lower vertical surface 32 that is parallel to the lower vertical surface 22. The inner surface 21 may include a second vertical surface 33 that is parallel to the second vertical surface 23 and may include an inner first vertical surface 34 that is parallel to the first vertical surface 24. In some implementations, the inner surface 21 includes an inner top surface and may include an inner angled surface 38 that are parallel to the top surface 26 and angled surface 28, respectively.
As further shown, each cover panel 12 has two sides, such as a first side 40 (e.g., left side of cover panel 12 in
On the opposite side of the second side 41, the first side 40 may include a first recessed portion, recessed surface or indentation 42 of the inner surface 21 that spans along the entire length of the first side 40. In some implementations, the first recess portion 42 may span a portion of the length of the first side 40. Accordingly, in some examples, one or more of the inner lower vertical surface 32, inner second vertical surface 33, inner first vertical surface 34, inner top surface 36 and inner angled surface 38 may have a first recessed portion 42 that is lower or recessed than a main portion of the respective surface of the inner surface 21. The recess first 42 may be uniform in depth or may have different depths along the first side 40.
In some examples, in an assembly of a modular cover panel 10, a face 46 of the first recess 42 of the first side 40 of one cover panel 12 may cover or overlap at least a portion of a face 47 of the second recess 43 of the second side 41 of another cover panel 12. That is, upon installation, an outer edge 48 of the first side 40 of one cover panel 12 may contact, abut or engage the recessed edge 45 of the second side 41 of another cover panel 12. Further, a gap or space may be permitted between the recessed edge 45 and the outer edge 48 to allow for thermal expansion, vibration or movement between the adjacent cover panels 12.
Further, in some implementations, a recessed edge 44 of the first side 40 of one cover panel 12 may contact, abut, or engage an outer edge 49 of the second side 41 of another cover panel 12. Further, a gap or space may be permitted between the recessed edge 44 and the outer edge 49 to allow for thermal expansion, vibration or movement between the adjacent cover panels 12.
Additionally, the respective depths of the first recess 42 and the second recess 43 are such that respective outer surfaces 20 and respective inner surfaces 21 of adjacent cover panels are flush or are in the same plane, as shown in
As further shown in
Each opening may receive a bracket 60, which is used to hang or suspend the cover panel 12 upon installation on a parapet 2. That is, upon installation, a bracket 60 is affixed to a parapet 2 and a cover panel 12 hangs or is suspended on the bracket 60. Further, in some implementations, the hole 50 may be tapered or have a conical shape and a hole 51 in the outer surface 51 of the opening 50 may be less in diameter than a hole 52 in the inner surface 21 of the cover panel 12. Of course, the shape of the hole(s) may depend on the shape of the bracket 60.
In some implementations, a channel or slot 54 may be disposed in one or more portions of the outer surface 20 and the channel or slot 54 may span an entire width of the cover panel 12. An opening 50 may be disposed within the channel or slot 54. As explained in more detail below, a channel or slot 54 may receive, engage, or accommodate a cable 56 for securing the modular cover panel 10. For example, one channel 54 may be disposed in a first vertical surface 24 and another channel 54 may be disposed in a second vertical surface 23.
In some implementations, one or more stand offs or protrusions 58 may be disposed on the inner surface 21 of the cover panel 12. The stand offs 58 may be disposed in a regular pattern and in different portions of the inner surface 21 such as on the inner second vertical surface 33 and inner first vertical surface 24. The stand offs 58 may contact the concrete of the parapet 2 upon installation and therefore the outer surface 21 of the cover panel 12, besides the stand offs 58, may not contact the concrete of the parapet. This is to allow air flow, for example.
As mentioned above, during installation, a cable 56 may be disposed within the channel 54 and may be disposed within the channel portion 68 of the bracket 60. In some examples, a fastener 72, such as a pin or cotter pin, may be used to engage and hold the cable 56.
Further, the stand offs 58 may protrude toward the parapet 2 surface further than the base of the bracket 62 so that, in some examples, the base of the bracket 62 does not contact the parapet 2 surface. As shown, an air gap 80 may exist between the inner top surface 36 and the top surface 82 of the parapet 2. That is, in some examples, the inner top surface 36 may not contact the top surface of parapet 80. Therefore, in some implementations, the weight of cover panel 12 is carried by or on the brackets 60. Further, as discussed above, the outer edge 29 extends further out than an outer edge 83 of the parapet 2 so that fluid, for example, may be carried off the edge and away from the parapet and may avoid the bridge.
For example, the divider panel 102 and the divider panel 103 may include a double wall construction with a main outer surface 120 and a main inner surface 121 each including surface portions that corresponds to one another. For example, the divider panel 102 and divider panel 103 may include a lower edge 130 parallel to the roadway below and having an air gap 80 between the lower edge 130 and the roadway. The divider panels 102, 103 may also include lower vertical surfaces 122 and corresponding inner lower vertical surfaces 123 and may include second vertical surfaces 123 and corresponding inner second vertical surfaces 133.
Further, in some instances, a center divider cover panel 102 may include a first vertical surface 150 of the outer surface 120 and corresponding inner first vertical surface 151 of the inner surface 121. A center divider cover panel 103 on the other side of the center divider may include a first vertical surface 160 of the outer surface 120 and corresponding inner first vertical surface 161 of the inner surface 121.
The first vertical surface 150 may extend upward or away from the roadway further than the first vertical surface 160. The outer surface 120 may further include a top surface 152 extending from the first vertical surface 150 and toward the divider cover panel 103. Similarly, the outer surface 120 of the divider cover panel 103 may include a top surface 162 extending from the first vertical surface 160. As shown, since the first vertical surface 150 may extend upward or away from the roadway further than the first vertical surface 160, the top portion including top surface 152 and corresponding inner top surface 153 may be disposed above the top surface 162 and overlapping at least a portion of the top surface 162 of center divider panel 103. Further, there may be an air gap 80 between the inner top surface 153 and the top surface 162. The outer edge 164 may not contact an inner surface 121 of the divider cover panel 102. There also may be an air gap 80 between inner top surface 163 and the top surface of the parapet 2, as shown.
Similar to the cover panel 12, the center divider cover panels 102, 103 may be hung, suspended, or may engage with brackets 60 upon installation. Further, the divider cover panels 102, 103 have recesses that allow for overlapping respective side portions of the panels. For example,
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/621,680 filed Jan. 25, 2018. The contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62621680 | Jan 2018 | US |
