Bridge section composite and method of forming same

Abstract

A low cost, structurally superior bridge and fabrication method are described which take maximum advantage of the compressive strength of concrete, and the tensile strength of steel, to give a bridge structure having the lowest allowable depth-to-span ratio and good dead load/live load ratios, as well as minimum deflection under impacting, moving concentrated loads. The bridge is most preferably shop cast in sections which include lowermost, substantially planar structural metallic plates (e.g., 5/16" thick self-rusting steel) of length and width dimensions substantially equal to that of the sections; a separate layer of concrete is then composited to each plate, preferably by means of upstanding studs secured to the plate and embedded within the concrete. Monolithic bridge sections are thus formed which can be transported to the bridge site, erected and connected, typically by welding the respective section plates together at regular intervals. All necessary bridge sections are preferably cast simultaneously on a single bed, so that field construction of the bridge is facilitated and the sections have guaranteed match. It is estimated that bridge superstructures in accordance with the invention can be constructed for a cost significantly less than that of conventional bridge superstructure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.