US 6,023,806 A · Modular polymer matrix composite support structure and methods of constructing same

Abstract

A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section and support members are also provided.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A high load bearing support structure comprising:

at least one modular structural section;
and
support means having a surface having a predetermined contoured shape for supporting said at least one modular structural section,
at least one oblong beam having a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between said pair of lateral flanges, said pair of lateral flanges and said medial web having a predetermined shape adapted to mate with a predetermined shape of a surface of said support means, each flange of said pair of lateral flanges and said medial web positioned on and supported by said support means, said at least one oblong beam being formed of a polymer matrix composite comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin, a portion of said fibers on a floor portion of said medial web being unidirectionally oriented between longitudinally opposite ends of said at least one oblong beam,
wherein said at least one oblong beam is a unitary structure, and
a load bearing deck mounted to said at least one oblong beam,
wherein said at least one oblong beam provides primary longitudinal support in said high load bearing support structure;
and
wherein said at least one oblong beam transfers load from said deck to said support means.

6 more elements

A modular structural section for constructing a support structure for supporting a high load, said modular structural section comprising:

at least one oblong beam having a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between said pair of lateral flanges, each flange of said pair of lateral flanges and said medial web having a predetermined shape adapted to mate with a predetermined shape of a surface of at least one support member, each flange of said pair of lateral flanges and said medial web adapted to be positioned on and supported by said at least one support member, said at least one oblong beam being formed of a polymer matrix composite comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin, a portion of said fibers on a floor portion of said medial web being unidirectionally oriented between longitudinally opposite ends of said at least one oblong beam,
wherein said at least one oblong beam is a unitary structure, and
a load bearing deck mounted to said at least one oblong beam,
wherein said at least one oblong beam provides primary longitudinal support in said high load bearing support structure;
and
wherein said at least one oblong beam transfers load from said deck to said at least one support member.

3 more elements

A method of constructing a high load bearing support structure comprising:

providing a support member having a surface having a generally flat portion for receiving and supporting structures thereon;
providing at least one modular structural section comprising:
at least one oblong beam having a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below said pair of lateral flanges, said medial web having inclined side walls and a floor therebetween, said at least one oblong beam being formed of a polymer matrix composite comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin a portion of said fibers on said floor being unidirectionally oriented between longitudinally opposite ends of said at least one oblong beam wherein said at least one oblong beam is a unitary structure;
and
mounting a load bearing deck to said at least one oblong beam,
wherein said at least one oblong beam provides primary longitudinal support in said high load bearing support structure;
and
wherein said at least one oblong beam transfers load from said deck to said support member.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular polymer matrix composite support structure and methods of constructing same

Life of this patent

Modular polymer matrix composite support structure and methods of constructing same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims40