Pre-Fabricated Link Slab - Ultra High Performance Concrete
OwnerMathew Chirappuram Royceinventor
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Abstract
Disclosed invention comprises innovations related to the fabrication process and the associated design of Prefabricated Link Slabs made using Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) for bridges hereinafter referred as PLS-UHPC. This disclosure is regarding methods of designing, manufacturing, and installing PLS-UHPC as connections between bridge spans. The invention includes the concept of installing PLS-UHPC which will provide numerous benefits such as faster construction in the field, and better maintenance of established systems.
Claims12
1-7. (canceled)
A method of manufacturing a prefabricated link slab, the method including:
- determining a size and shape of the prefabricated link slab;
- first, in a controlled factory environment, setting reinforcing bars;
- and
- second, in the controlled factory environment, pouring Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) including over at least a portion of the reinforcing bars;
- third, in the controlled factory environment, curing the UHPC to form a prismatic portion of the prefabricated link slab.
A method of manufacturing a prefabricated link slab, the method including;
- on-site, measuring geometry and one or more structural aspects of connecting spans of a bridge;
- determining a size and shape of the prefabricated link slab to connect the spans of the bridge based on the geometry and one or more structural aspects;
- assembling a form for the prefabricated link slab based on the determined size and shape of the prefabricated link slab;
- first, a controlled factory environment, setting reinforcing bars corresponding to the one or more structural aspects of the connecting spans;
- second, in the controlled factory environment, pouring Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) into the form including over at least a portion of the reinforcing bars,
- third, in the controlled factory environment, curing the UHPC into the prefabricated link slab, and
- on-site, installing the prefabricated link slab to connect the spans of the bridge.
A prefabricated link slab, comprising:
- a prismatic portion of the prefabricated link slab, the prismatic portion being formed of factory cured Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC);
- and
- factory-set reinforcing bars projecting from one or more sides of the prismatic portion of the prefabricated link slab.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.