A beam structure for a viaduct comprises hollow beams of reinforced concrete which are joined in end to end relationship. The end portion of each beam has an internally extending flange in which the reinforcing members of the beam are anchored. Adjacent beams are inter-connected by reinforcing cables extending across the joined ends and embedded in the adjacent flanges of the beams. The reinforcing cables and members together act to place each flange under compression. A hardenable mass injected between adjacent beams is also placed under compression by the reinforcing cables joining the two beams and provides a continuous beam structure.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 276,022, filed July 28, 1972, and now U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,023, issued Jan. 29, 1974.
In a multi-span bridge support system, the superstructure includes a row of elongated single-span girders arranged end-to-end and supported at their ends on vertical support columns. At least two adjacent girders in a row are provided with fixed bearings at the juxtaposed ends over a common support column. The opposite ends of the girders are mounted on horizontally movable bearings. The location of the fixed bearing and the common support column forms a fixed point. At the fixed point the ends of the girders are notched so that the vertical and horizontal surfaces within the notched region face corresponding surfaces on the top of the support column. A vertical bearing for transmitting horizontal forces extending in the elongated direction of the girders, is located between the top of the support column and the juxtaposed vertical surface within the notched region of the adjacent girders. Tension members, extending perpendicularly to and through the vertical surfaces on which the vertical bearings are located, are fixed to the girders. The tension members extend through the support column and the girders without any bonding action therewith. Further, a horizontal bearing is mounted between the top of the support column and the horizontal extending surfaces within the notched region of the girders.
The structure is made in several "storeys" (D1, D2, D3). These are floated away from their construction site in conventional manner. Once in sufficiently deep water, the storeys are tilted over so that they float on their side, and they are then joined together end-to-end. With tilting and rotating operations performed by suitable ballasting and unballasting of compartments in the storeys, the joining operations can all be performed on members at or near (just above or just below) the surface of the water. Once the storeys are assembled together, the entire structure may be towed on its side to a point of use, and then immersed so that it stands vertically on the sea bed.
A rapid transit viaduct system includes a central load bearing body having a pair of lateral platform structures mounted on opposite lower side portions thereof for carrying one or more rapid transit vehicles on either side of the central load bearing body. The viaduct system further includes vertically extending piers positioned below and supporting the central load bearing body. Additionally, a central station platform can be formed wherein some of the precast concrete viaduct segments are vertically divided and spaced apart a selected distance. A plurality of spacer blocks are disposed between the spaced apart viaduct segments, and a plurality of platform slabs are disposed between the spaced apart viaduct segments, above the spacer blocks, to form a station platform.
A precast concrete structure has a joint (Js) connecting together a span of two or more beams (Bx, By) supported on columns (c) in which the joint is disposed substantially at the point of contraflexure of the beams away from the support columns and includes two mating inclined faces one inclined face being formed at the end of each of the beam, the beams being connected without pretensioning across the joint.
A prefabricated highway with end supports. The end supports include a first elongated support member for transverse engagement of a longitudinal end of the prefabricated highway section and a second elongated support member parallel to the first support member and aligned with the first member along an orthogonal axis for abutting an earth support of the prefabricated highway. The end supports further include a connecting member joining the first and second elongated members in a rigid spaced-apart relationship. The support structure is used as part of a prefabricated highway system. The prefabricated highway system uses the support structures for support of individual lane sections. The prefabricated lane sections are fabricated out of prestressed concrete and are designed to be supported longitudinally in a direction of traffic flow at each end by an upper surface of the first elongated support member of each support section. Lateral movement of the lane sections are prevented by a rib disposed in a bottom of each lane section and a complementary notch in top of each support structure. Lateral movement of each support structure is prevented by bolting together opposing ends of the first and second elongated support members of adjacent support structures of adjacent traffic lanes. The prefabricated lane sections are delivered to a construction site with lane markers and lane dividers already installed. Sensors are preinstalled in each lane section for purposes of monitoring traffic activity and the structural integrity of the lane section and supporting support structures. Wear sensors and weather condition sensors are also provided within the lane sections. Conduit is provided within each lane section to route sensor wiring to a local department of transportation office.