Method of supporting bridge structures and like heavy-weight rigid structures upon displacement thereof

An apparatus for supporting a heavy structure during substantially horizontal displacement thereof, at more locations than those required to give statically determined bearing forces therefor, said apparatus including:

• at least one group of support means disposed beneath said structure, where each said group of support means comprises:
• a plurality of means, one at the upper end of each of said support means, for allowing said structure to slide substantially horizontally relative to said support means;
• each of said means at the upper ends of said support means being adjustably connected thereto in such a manner that angular positioning of said means at the upper ends of said support means is permitted about at least two axes;
• equalization means connecting each of said plurality of support means in said group to each other support means in said group and to a source of pressure;
• means operatively connected to said source of pressure for adjusting the support forces applied to said structure by each of said plurality of support means so that the bearing force of the weight of said structure is uniformly distributed in said group of support means independently of any variations in height between the surfaces of said structure which are in contact with said means at the upper ends of said support means;
• actuating means operatively connected to at least one of said means at the upper ends of said support means and to said structure for causing angular adjustment of said means at the upper ends of said support means at least about a substantially vertical axis.