MXPA99003049A - Modular polymer matrix composite support structure and methods of constructing same - Google Patents

Abstract

A load bearing deck (20) of a modular structural section (30) for use in a support structure such as a load bearing deck or highway bridge. The at least one modular structural section (30) includes at least one beam (50) and a load bearing deck (20) preferably formed of a polymer having elongate core members (46) having a polygonal shape, preferably a trapezoidal shape. Alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel (30) 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 (30) including the polygonal, preferably trapezoidal core deck, and support members (22) are also provided.

Description

STRUCTT-RA OF SUPPORT DB BODY MIXED OF MATRIX OF MODULAR POLYMER AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to support structures such as bridges, palisades, dykes, applications in loading platforms, such as hulls and barge covers, and load bearing walls. Very particularly, this invention relates to a modular support structure of mixed material loading support that includes a modular structural section of polymer matrix mixed material for use in the construction of bridges and other structures and load bearing components.

A TECED? NTExq OF THE INVENTION Spread structures such as bridges, dykes, palisades, load-bearing walls, hulls and decks that have provided an extension through bodies of water or separations of land and water and / or open gaps have long been Made of materials such as concrete, steel or wood. Concrete has been used in the construction of bridges and other structures including the columns, platforms and beams that support these structures. Such concrete structures are typically constructed of concrete cast in itself as well as by the use of some preformed precast components in structural components such as supports and transported to. construction site. The construction of such concrete structures in situ requires the transport of construction materials and heavy equipment and the casting and casting of the components on site. This construction procedure takes a long construction time and is generally costly, time consuming, subject to delays due to weather and environmental conditions, and alters existing traffic patterns when a bridge is built on an existing road. On the other hand, pre-cast concrete structural components are extremely heavy and bulky therefore, they are also typically expensive and difficult to transport to the construction site due in part to their excessive volume and weight. Although the construction time is shortened compared to in-situ emptying, extensive time with resulting delays is still a factor to consider. The construction of bridges with such pre-cast forms is particularly difficult, if not impossible, in distant or difficult terrain such as mountains or jungle areas in which numerous bridges are built. In addition to construction and transportation difficulties with concrete bridge structures, the low tensile strength of concrete can result in faults in concrete bridge structures, particularly on the surface of bridge components. Reinforcement is often required in such concrete structures when subjected to large loads such as on road bridges. Steel and other materials have been used to reinforce concrete structures. If not installed properly, such reinforcements cause cracking and failure in reinforced concrete, thus weakening the structure as a whole. In addition, the inherent hollow spaces that exist in concrete are highly subject to environmental degradation. Also, poor transportation often contributes to the speed of deterioration. In addition to concrete, steel has also been widely used by itself as a construction material for structural components in structures such as bridges, barge covers, hulls. small boats and load bearing walls. Although it has certain desirable strength properties, steel is very heavy and expensive to transport and may share construction difficulties with concrete as described. Steel and concrete are also susceptible to corrosive elements, such as water, salt water and agents present in the environment such as acid rain, road salts, chemical compounds, oxygen and the like. Exposure of concrete structures to the environment leads to pitting and cracking in the concrete and thus produces severe cracking and a significant decrease in strength in the concrete structures Steel is also suscele to corrosion, such as rust, by chemical attack The rust formation of the steel weakens the steel, transferring the stress load to the concrete, thus cracking the structure.The rust formation of the steel in individual applications requires continuous maintenance, and after a certain period the corrosion can result in structural failure The planned life of steel structures is also reduced by rust The susceility to environmental attack of steel requires costly and frequent maintenance and preventive measures such as painting and surface treatments. completed structures, said painting and surface treatment is often endangered bear and requires time, since workers are forced to treat steel components on site while being exposed to hazardous conditions such as road traffic, wind, rain, lightning, sunlight and the like. The susceility of steel to environmental attack also requires the use of expensive alloys in certain applications. Wood has been another building material long used for bridges and other structures. Wood, like concrete and steel, is also suscele to environmental attack, especially rotting by meteorological conditions and by termites. In these environments, wood finds a drastic reduction in resistance that compromises the integrity of the structure. In addition, the wood undergoes accelerated deterioration in structures of marine environments. Along with the environmental attack, deterioration and damage to bridges and other traffic and cargo support structures occur as a result of heavy use. Traffic support structures encounter repeated heavy loads of moving vehicles, wind stresses, earthquakes and the like that cause deterioration of materials and structure. For the reasons described above, the "inventory of bridges" of the United States Department of Transportation shows that several hundred thousand structures, approximately 40% of the bridges in the United States, made of concrete, steel and wood, are poorly maintained. and they need rehabilitation in the United States. The same is believed to be true for other countries. The associated repairs for such structures are extremely expensive and difficult to perform, steel, concrete and wood structures need welding, reinforcement and replacement. The platforms and hulls of structures in marine environments suffer from rust, requiring constant maintenance and surveillance. In many cases, such repairs are not feasible or economically justifiable and can not be performed, so the replacement of the structure is required. In addition, in developing areas where infrastructure needs development or improvement, construction of bridges and other such structures that use concrete, steel or wood face unique difficulties. The difficulty and high cost have been associated with transport materials for remote sites to build bridges with concrete and steel. This procedure is more expensive in marine environments where repairs require dry platforms or the transport of material is expensive. Also, the degree of labor and skill is very high using traditional materials and construction methods. In addition, traditional construction methods have generally required long periods and large equipment as well as large labor costs. Therefore, the development and repair of infrastructures throughout the world has been obstructed or even prevented due to the cost and difficulty of construction. As well, in areas where the structures have been damaged due to deterioration or have been destroyed by natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes, the repair may alter traffic or the use of the bridge or structure or may even be delayed or prevented due to construction costs. When faced with the limitations of existing structures of concrete, wood and steel, some mixed fiber-reinforced polymer materials have been explored for use in the construction of bridge parts including foot traffic bridges, palisades and platforms and hulls of some small boats . Fiber-reinforced polymers have been investigated for incorporation into standing bridges and some other structural uses such as in houses, passages and skyscraper towers. These mixed materials have been used together with steel, wood or concrete, or as an alternative to them, due to their high strength properties, as well as high resistance to corrosion and light weight. However, it is believed that the construction of transit bridges, marine platform systems and other load-bearing applications constructed with mixed polymer matrix materials have not been widely implemented due to extremely high material costs and uncertain performance, including doubts about durability and maintenance. Since cost is important in the bridge construction industry, such materials have not been considered feasible alternatives for many load-bearing transit bridge designs. For example, high-cost mixed materials with relatively expensive carbon fibers have often been eliminated due to cost considerations. These same cost considerations have impeded the use of mixed materials in platform and hull applications. When researching to provide structural components made of mixed fiber reinforced polymer materials, the structures of components of previous materials such as steel, concrete and wood have been investigated. Armor and steel supports have used well welded triangular shapes. The provision of triangular structural components with mixed materials has presented problems of f lla in the knots of <; resin union of the triangular shape. Therefore, a component of modular structural mixed material for structural supports is necessary to solve this problem. In view of the problems associated with bridges and other structures formed of steel, concrete and wood previously described, there is still a need for a bridge support structure or the like with the following characteristics: light weight, low cost, prefabricated, constructed of components structural modules; easy to transport, build and repair without requiring extensive heavy machinery; and resistant to corrosion and environmental attack, even without surface treatment, there is also a need for a support structure that can provide the structural strength and structural rigidity to build a road bridge or similar support structure. There is also a need for a load support platform that can be used in a support structure or a modular structural section as described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is therefore to provide a load bearing platform included in a modular structural section for a supporting structure suitable for a road bridge structure or platform system in marine applications and other constructions, constructed of modular sections formed of a material of light weight, high performance, environmentally resistant. Another object of the invention is to provide a support structure having a platform, such as a road bridge structure that satisfies the accepted design, performance, safety and durability criteria for transit support bridges of various types. It is also another object of the present invention to provide a platform as a part of a modular structural section of a support structure in the form of a transit support bridge in a variety of designs and sizes constructed of modular sections that can be constructed quickly, effective in terms of cost and with heavy machinery and limited labor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a load-bearing platform for a modular structural section for a support structure such as a bridge, the bridge being constructed of components that can be easily and effectively cost-wise, transported to the site of construction as a complete team. A further object of the present invention is to provide a support structure that includes a modular section that can be used to quickly repair or replace a damaged bridge, bridge section or similar support structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide a load bearing structure that includes a modular structural section having a platform that can be used in roof, hull and wall applications. Still another object of the invention is to provide a support structure or bridge that requires minimal maintenance and maintenance with respect to surface treatment or painting. These and other objects, advantages and features are satisfied by the present invention, which is directed to a modular load-bearing platform of polymer matrix mixed material as a part of a modular structural section for a support structure described herein for illustrative; in the form of a road bridge and platform for it. The support structure of the present invention includes a plurality of support members and at least one modular section located on and supported by the support members. The modular section is preferably formed of a mixed polymer matrix material. The modular section includes at least one beam and a load support platform located above and supported by the beam. The load-bearing platform of the modular section also includes at least one sandwich panel that includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a core. The core includes a plurality of substantially hollow elongated core members located between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of the elongated core members includes a pair of side walls. One of the side walls is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to one of the upper and lower surfaces, when viewed in cross section, and defines a polygonal shape. Each core member has side walls located generally adjacent to a side wall of an adjacent core member. The polygonal shape of the core member preferably defines a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape of a polymer matrix mixed material. The upper and lower surfaces are preferably a top sheet and a bottom sheet formed of a mixed polymeric matrix material. The polymer matrix mixed material support structure of the present invention can provide a sufficient support surface to support vehicular traffic and to conform to established design and performance criteria. Alternatively, the modular structural section, including the platform and load bearing beam, can be used in the construction of other support structures including space extension support structures. In addition, the load-bearing platform can also be used as a single platform, helmet or wall system that can be integrated into a marine or construction system. The load-bearing platform system can be used in numerous applications where load-bearing platforms, helmets and walls are required. The support structure that includes the modular structural section of comfort with the present invention also reduces tool and manufacturing costs. The support structure is easy to build using prefabricated components that are individually lightweight, although structurally sound when used in combination. The modularity of the components increases portability, facilitates pre-assembly and final placement with light load equipment, and reduces the cost of shipping and handling structural components. The support structure allows easy construction of structures such as, but not limited to, construction and transportation applications. In one embodiment of the bridge described herein for a road bridge extending 9 meters, the individual components including the beams and the sandwich panels for the platform of the modular section each weighing less than 1634.4 kg. The bridge, which is being constructed from a number of modular sections including components made of mixed polymer matrix materials instead of concrete, steel and wood, provides individual modular components that are tolerant to fabrication failures, such as torsion and slight bulging can be corrected when assembled. These properties of the bridge components reduce the manufacturing and assembly cost for the bridge. These components, including lightweight modular structural sections manufactured under controlled conditions, also allow a low cost assembly of the number of applications, such as marine structures, including the various applications described herein. Another aspect of the present invention is a method of constructing a support structure such as a road bridge. The method comprises the following steps. First, a plurality of separate support members are provided. Next, a modular section of the type described above is placed on the plurality of separate support members. Preferably, the modular section is placed: first by placing at least one beam of the modular structural section on an adjacent site of the support members preferably supports; then placing the load support platform on the beam, then connecting the beam to the platform. The methods of the present invention provide significantly reduced time, labor and cost compared to conventional bridge and support structure construction methods using concrete, wood and metal structures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a load bearing structure in the form of a load bearing transit road bridge in accordance with the present invention and a truck transiting thereon. Figure 2 is an exploded partial perspective view of a modular structural section of the bridge in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a sandwich panel platform of Figure 2 having trapezoidal core members. Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a plurality of beams placed on support members of the bridge of Figure 2. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a sandwich panel platform that is placed on the beams of the bridge of Figure 2. Figure 6 is an end view of the modular section of the bridge of Figure 2 showing a support diagram placed at the end thereof. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of adjacent panels of the sandwich platform of Figure 2 which is joined with a key lock, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. However, this invention can be modalized in many different forms and should not be considered as limited to the modalities set forth herein; rather, the applicant provides these modalities so that the description is uniform and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Referring now to the Figures, a modular mixed material support structure in the form of a bridge structure 20 including a modular structural section 30 in accordance with the present invention is shown here (Figures 1-2). This type of bridge 20 is designed to exceed standards for bridge construction such as the standards of the American Association sf State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The AASHTO standards include the design and performance criteria for road bridge structures. The AASHTO standards are published in "Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges1," American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Inc., (15th ed., 1992) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. including bridges, of the present invention, can be considered to meet other structure, design and performance criteria for other types of bridge support structures, construction and transportation, and other applications including, but not limited to, platform systems. support of roads and marine applications The support structure is described with reference to the road bridge supporting traffic 20 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Bridge 20 is a simply supported road bridge capable of withstanding road traffic loads such as as the truck T. The bridge 20 has an extension S defined by the length of the bridge 20 in the direction of travel of the truck T. The Figure 20 comprises a modular structural section 30 and includes three beams 50, 50 ', 50"and platform 32 supported on beams 50, 50', 50" and connected thereto (Figure 2). The modular structural section 30 is supported on support members 22. In addition to a simply supported bridge, alternatively, the bridge including the modular structural section can be provided in other types of bridges including lifting extension bridges, cantilever bridges, cable suspension bridges, suspension bridges and bridges through open spaces in industrial establishments. A variety of extensions can be provided including, but not limited to, short extension bridges, medium and long. Bridge technology can also be provided for bridges other than road bridges such as pedestrian bridges and bridges that span through open spaces in industrial facilities. Other space extension support structures may also be constructed in a manner similar to that indicated including, but not limited to, maintenance of bridge components (replacement of platforms, column / beam supports, supports, support shapes and windings), marine structures (platforms, platforms (small / large scale)), load-bearing platform system, drilling platforms, barge covers, parking platforms, palisades and bumper systems, piers, corridors, superstructure in processing and plants with environments corrosive and similar that provide a high support surface over the extension, railway sleepers, space frame structures (conveyors and structural supports) and emission stack linings. Other structures such as rail cars, shipping containers, truck tractors, rail cars, barges and ship hulls could also be considered in a manner similar to that indicated. The components of the bridge 20, including the modular structural section 30 and the constituent platform 32 and the beam 50, as described herein, may also be provided individually and in combination, in other support structures as described. The support members 22 are shown as precast concrete feet with vertical columns 31. As illustrated in Figure 4, the columns 31 preferably have a support pad 24 connected to an upper end. The columns 31 are arranged and spaced a predetermined distance to facilitate support of the beams 50, 50 ', 50"The beams 50 each have flanges 51, 52 which are placed on the loading pads 24 of the support members 22. On bridge 20 of Figure 1, the support members are placed at opposite ends 55, 56 of the beams 50. The support members or other support means may be provided in various shapes, configurations and materials including members Alternatively, the supports 22 can be provided in various shapes and configurations including, but not limited to, a flat support, a scaffolding type support or other supports. beams 50 can be supported by support members 22 in various intermediate positions along beams 50. In other alternative embodiments, support members or other means of support You can include the supports of an existing bridge replaced by the bridge 20 of the present invention. The additional support means depend on the type of support structure constructed.

Support members 22 are formed from pre-cast concrete feet (Figures 1 and 2). Alternatively, the support members 22 may be formed of mixed polymeric matrix materials, as described herein, or other materials such as concrete cast in situ, steel, wood or other construction materials. In the embodiments of Figures 1-7, the modular structural section 30, including the platform 32 and preferably the beams 50, 50 ', 50"is formed of a mixed polymeric matrix material comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymeric resin. Suitable reinforcing fibers include glass fiber, including but not limited to E glass and S nitride, as well as carbon, metal, high modulus organic fibers (e.g., aromatic polyacids, polybenzamidazoles and aromatic polyimides), and other organic fibers. (for example, polyethylene and nylon) Mixtures and hybrids of the various fibers can also be used Other suitable mixed materials could be used including fine fibers and fibers such as boron silicate, aluminum and basalt. Modular structural section 30, including platform 32 is preferably a thermosetting resin, and most preferably a vinyl ester resin. The term "heat-resistant" as used herein refers to resins that irreversibly solidify or "set" when fully cured. Useful thermosetting resins include unsaturated polyester resins, phenolic resins, vinyl ester resins, polyurethanes and the like, and mixtures and combinations thereof. The thermosetting resins useful in the present invention can be used alone or mixed with other thermosetting or thermoplastic resins. Other illustrative thermosetting resins include epoxy materials. Exemplary thermoplastic resins include polyvinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene copolymers, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, cellulose-acetate-butyrate, saturated polyesters, saturated urethane-extended polyesters, methacrylate copolymers, and the like. Mixed polymer matrix materials, through the selective mixing and orientation of fibers, resins and material forms, can be adjusted to provide mechanical properties as needed. These mixed polymer matrix materials possess high specific strength, high specific stiffness and excellent corrosion resistance. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-7, a mixed polymeric matrix material of the type commonly referred to as glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) or sometimes as glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) is used in the platform 32 and preferably the beams 50, 50 ', 50"The reinforcement fibers of the modular structural section 30, including the platform 32 and the beams 50, 50', 50", are glass fibers, particularly E glass fibers, and The resin is a vinyl ester resin. Glass fibers are easily available and are inexpensive. The glass fibers E have a tensile strength of about 3450 MPa (practical). The higher tensile strengths can alternatively be achieved with glass fibers S having a tensile strength of about 4600 MPa (practical). Mixed polymeric matrix materials, such as fiber reinforced polymer formed from E glass and a vinyl ester resin have exceptionally high strength, good electrical resistivity, resistance to weather and corrosion conditions, low thermal conductivity and low flammability.

The platform On the bridges 20, including the modular section 30 shown in Figures 1-2, the platform 32 includes three sandwich panels 34, 34 ', 34"Alternatively, any number of panels can be used on a platform depending on the length of the desired extension, as shown in Figure 3, each sandwich panel 34 comprises a top surface shown as a top sheet 35, a bottom surface shown as a bottom sheet 40 and a core 45 that includes a plurality of elongated core members 46. The core members 46 are shown as hollow tubes of trapezoidal cross section (Figures 2-3 and 5-7). Each of the trapezoidal tubes 46 includes a pair of lateral walls 48, 49. One of the side walls 48 is disposed at an oblique angle A to one of the upper and lower sheets 35, 40 in such a way that the side walls 48, 49 and the upper wall 64 and the lower wall 65, when viewed in cross section, define a polygonal shape, such as a trapezoidal cross section (Figure 3). The oblique angle A of the side wall 48 with respect to the top wall 64 is preferably about 45 °, but angles between 30 ° and 45 ° can also be provided in alternative modes. Each tube 46 has a side wall 48 located generally adjacent the side wall 48 'of an adjacent tube 46"(Figure 3) Alternatively, the tubes 46 could be aligned in other configurations such as having a space between the adjacent side walls. side walls 48, 48 'arranged at an oblique angle A provide transverse shear stiffness for the platform core 45. this increases the transverse bend stiffness of the overall platform 32. The side wall 48 shown at the preferred angle of 45 ° Á provides the highest bending stiffness Trapezoidal tubes 46 also preferably have a vertical side wall 49 located between adjacent diagonal side walls 48, 48 'The vertical side wall 49 provides structural support for localized loads subjected to platform 32 to prevent the excessive deflection of the topsheet 35 along the extension between the intersection of the diago walls 48, 48 'and top sheet 35. In this manner, the shape including an angled side wall 48 of trapezoidal tube 46 provides stiffness through the cross section of tube 46. An adjacent tube 46' includes a side wall 48 at an angle in an opposite orientation between the upper and lower surface of the adjacent angled side wall 48. Providing side walls 48, 49 in variable orientations preserves the mathematical symmetry of the cross section of the tubes 46. When normalized in weight between the side wall 48 and one of the upper wall 64 and the lower wall 65, the trapezoidal tube 46 with at least an angle of 45 ° has a transverse shear stiffness 2.6 times that of the tube with a square cross-section. Alternatively, for a tube with an oblique angle of approximately 30 °, the transverse shear stiffness is 2.2 times that of a tube with a square-shaped cross section. The extension between the side walls 48, 48 'and the vertical side wall 49 can be provided in a variety of predetermined distances. A variety of sizes, shapes and configurations of the elongated core members can also be provided. Various polygonal cross-sectional shapes may also be employed, such as quadrilaterals, parallelograms, other trapezoids, pentagons and the like. As explained, adjacent tubes 46 of the core 45 have adjacent side walls 48, 48 'aligned with each other (Figure 3). The elongated tubes 46 extend, depending on the design load parameters, in their longitudinal direction preferably in the direction of the extension of the bridge (Figure 1). Alternatively, tube 46 can be provided to extend transverse to the direction of travel. In addition, alternatively, tubes and other polygonal core members of a variety of cross-sectional lengths and heights and width dimensions can be provided in the formation of a platform of the modular structural section in accordance with the present invention. The tubes 46 are also preferably formed of a mixed polymer matrix material comprising fibers of • Reinforcement and a polymer resin. Suitable materials are the same mixed polymeric matrix materials as those described hereinabove, the discussion of which is incorporated herein by reference. Tubes 46 are most preferably E glass fibers in a vinyl ester resin (Figure 3). The tubes 46 can be manufactured by pultrusion, hand laying or other suitable methods including resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum curing and filament winding, automated laying methods and other methods known to one skilled in the art of manufacturing mixed materials and therefore are not described in detail herein. The details of these methods are described in Engineered Materials Handbook, Composites, Vol. 1, ASM International (1993). When manufactured by manual laying, the tubes 46 can be manufactured by joining a pair of components (not shown). One component includes the vertical side wall 49 and a portion of the upper wall 64 and the lower wall 65. The other component includes the angled side wall 48 and the respective remaining portions of the upper wall 64 and the lower wall 65. The walls upper and lower 64, 65 are joined with an adhesive along the upper wall 64 and the lower wall 65 where stresses are reduced. It is believed that such training overcomes the problem of knot failure experienced in. the formation of triangular shapes with mixed materials. In a triangular section, the members behave like a spiked armor. Said armor system transfers the load directly through the vertex. To do that, the armor encounters large amounts of interlaminar shear and strain at the stress. The trapezoidal tube 46 does not undergo forces at a vertex such as those of the triangular section. The trapezoidal section of tube 46 requires that the load be partially carried by bending the cross section. Said bending highlights the interlaminar efforts resulting in a higher load capacity. Also, as described above, the sandwich panels 34 also have a top surface shown as a top sheet 35 and a bottom surface shown as sheet 40 (Figure 3). The tubes 46 are sandwiched between a bottom surface 36 of the topsheet 35 and the top surface 41 of the bottomsheet 40. As seen in Figure 3, the bottom sheet 40 and the topsheet 35 are preferably formed sheets of mixed materials. of polymer matrix and most preferably formed of glass fibers and a vinyl ester resin polymer as described herein. Having manufactured the upper and lower sheets 35, 40 as described herein, the lower surface 36 of the upper sheet 35 is preferably laminated or adhered "to the upper surface 47 of the tubes 46 by a resin 26 and / or other means of joining and joining the tubes 46 by mechanical fastening means, including but not limited to bolts or screws The core 45, including the tubes 46, and the upper and lower sheets 35, 40 can be alternately joined with single fasteners, including bolts and screws, or by adhesives or other bonding means alone, suitable adhesives include epoxy curing materials at room temperature and silicones and the like.In addition, alternatively, the tubes could be provided integrally formed as a unitary structural component with an upper surface and bottom as a sheet by pultrusion or other suitable forming methods.As it is described, panels redados 34, 34 ', 34"of platform 32, which are formed of polymer matrix mixed material, also provide high thickness, stiffness and strength to resist localized wheel loads of vehicles traveling on the bridge in accordance with regulations such as those promulgated by AASHTO. "the platform shown in Figures 1-7, the upper and lower sheets 35, 40 are of manual laying of mixed material of polymeric matrix. In the platform 32 shown in Figures 1-7, the upper and lower sheets 35, 40 are fiberglass cloth, knitted, weighed, hand-stretched. The upper and lower sheets 35, 40 are each manufactured in this embodiment with quasi-isotropic multilayer fabric. Quasi-isotropic fabrics, as used herein, means an orientation of fibers that approximate isotropy by fiber orientation in various directions or more directions. In other words, quasi-isotropic refers to fibers oriented in such a way that the resulting material has uniform properties in almost all directions, but in at least two directions. The laying of the fabric in the sheets 35, 40 is quasi-isotropic having fibers with an orientation of 0 ° / 90 ° / 45 ° / -45 °. The fibers are approximately uniformly distributed in orientations that are approximately 25% with an orientation of 0 °, approximately 25% with a 90 ° orientation, approximately 25% with an orientation of 45 ° and approximately 25% with an orientation of -45. °.

The quasi-isotropic run of the upper and lower sheets 35, 40 prevents the rolling of a non-uniform shrinkage during manufacture. The orientation of the sheets also provides an almost uniform stiffness in all directions of the sheets 35, 40. Alternatively, other types of mixed materials can be used, with varying orientations for manufacturing the upper and lower sheets 35, 40. For example, alternatively , the sheets can be formed with different orientations to the quasi-isotropic run. The upper and lower sheets 35, 40 are manufactured in the present embodiment by the following steps. First, the lower sheets 40 and the upper sheets 35 are manufactured by hand laying using rolls of quasi-isotropic knitted fabric. Alternatively, the sheets 35, 40 can preferably be manufactured by automated laying methods. To the fibers of the upper and lower sheets. 35, 40 are given a predetermined orientation such as the one described depending on the desired properties. Although the upper and lower sheets 35, 40 are manufactured using a manual laying method, the core 45 including the sheets 35, 40 can alternatively be manufactured by other methods such as pultrusion, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum curing. and filament winding and other methods known to one skilled in the art of manufacturing 'mixed material, which, therefore, are described here in detail. The details of these methods are discussed in Engineered Materials Handbook: Composites, Vol. 1, AJM International (1993). In addition, the sheets and the core members can alternatively be manufactured as a single component such as by pultrusion of a single sandwich panel having a top and bottom sheet and a tube core. As shown in Figure 3, a single top sheet 35 and a single bottom sheet 40 can each be attached to a plurality of tubes. Alternatively, any number of sheets and any number of tubes can be connected to form the sandwich panel of the platform for a modular section. Also, alternatively, various sizes and configurations of sheets and cores can be provided to accommodate various applications. The resulting platform 32 is provided as a unitary structural component that can be used by itself or as a component of a modular section 30 to thereby build a support structure including a bridge or other structure thereof. Platform 32 can be used in other structural applications as described herein. As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the three sandwich panels 34, 34 ', 34"are joined to adjacent side edges 33, 33', 33" to form a flat platform sce 29. The platform 32 is generally located by up and coextensively with upper sces 57, 58 of the flanges 51, 52 of the links 50 (Figures 1 and 5).

Each sandwich panel 34 contains a channel C 39 at each end 44 for joining adjacent sandwich panels 34, 34 'in the formation of the shelf 32. As shown in Figure 7, an internal shear spanner lock 67 is inserted in the adjacent C channels 39, 39 'for joining adjacent sandwich panels 34, 34'. The shear spanner key 67 preferably is formed of a volumetric polymer material that includes, but is not limited to, a polymer concrete mixture of polymeric mixed material. Said shear spanner lock 67 formed of a polymer is preferred due to its corrosion and chemical resistant properties. Alternatively, the shear spanner key 67 can be formed from some other materials such as wood, concrete or metal. The shear spanner lock 67 is bonded to the sandwich panels 34, 34 'by an adhesive such as an ambient room temperature epoxy adhesive or other bonding means. Alternatively, the shear spanner lock 67 can be fastened by fasteners including bolts and screws, and the like. Other methods for joining adjacent sandwich panels to form a platform could be used including flat joints with external reinforcing plates on the upper and lower surface of the sandwich panels, depressed splice joints with reinforcing plates, externally trapped joints with sandwich panels joined together in a dual connector, matching fit joints, and lap joint junctions. These junctions and joining methods are known to one skilled in the art and are therefore not described in detail here.

The beam Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the modular section 30 also includes three beams 50, 50 ', 50. Any number of beams, alternatively, may be used to construct a modular section 30 of the bridge 20 depending on the requirements of width, extension and load desired, each of the beams 50, 50 ', 50"in the bridge 20 is generally identical in length, width and depth. However, beams of different lengths and / or widths can be used in the modular section 30 of the bridge of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, each of the beams 50 comprises side flanges 51, 52 that are placed on one of the two support members 22. Each of the beams 50 has a middle band 53 between and extending below the base. the flanges 51, 52. The middle band 53 includes an inclined side wall 54 angled generally diagonally relative to the bottom sheet 40. The flanges 51, 52 and the middle band 53 extend longitudinally along the beams 50. The configuration of the flanges and the middle band can adopt a variety of configurations in alternative modes.

Flanges 51, 52 of beams 50 are spaced apart, and each has a generally planar surface 57, 58. Upper surfaces 57.58 contact lower sheets 40 to provide support thereto. The upper surfaces 57, 58 of each flange 51, 52 also provide a surface for joining or screwing the beam 50 to the sandwich panel 34. The flanges 51, 52 are generally placed parallel to the bottom surface 42 of the bottom sheet 40. The inclined side walls 54 of the beams 50 extend at an angle of the flanges 51, 52. Preferably, this angle is between about 20 to 35 ° (preferably about 28 °) of the vertical perpendicular to the flat upper surfaces 57 , 58 of a respective adjacent flange 51, 52. The beams 50 are designed for easy manufacture and handling. The middle band 53 also has a curved floor 68 between the inclined side walls 54. The floor 68 extends the entire length of the beam 50. The floor 68 defines a lower channel of the U-shaped beam 50. The fibers in the floor 68 are preferably substantially unidirectionally oriented in the longitudinal direction of the beam 50. Said unidirectional fiber orientation provides this beam 50 with sufficient bending stiffness to meet design requirements, particularly over its entire length .

The fibers in the inclined side walls 54 of the strip 53 are oriented in an optimal manner to satisfy the design criteria preferably in a substantially quasi-isotropic orientation. A significant number of layers of ± 45 ° are necessary to carry the transverse shear loads. The inclined side walls 54 and the curved floor 68 provide dimensional stability to the shape of the beam 50 during forming. The flanges 51, 52 and the middle band 53 - form an open U-shaped cross section of the beam 50. The beam 50 is designed to carry. multidirectional charges. The inclined side walls 54 transfer load between the platform (compression) and the floor (tension), and distribute the reaction load to the support members. Since the beam 50 constitutes an open member, the resulting beam 50 provides torsional flexibility during shipping and assembly. However, when the beam 50 is connected to the platform 32, the combination thereof forms a closed section that is extremely strong and rigid. Alternative shapes and configurations of the beam 50 can be provided. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the flanges 51, 52 of the beams 50 can also have respective bottom surfaces 71, 72. The bottom surfaces 71, 72 provide each a surface for placing the beam 50 on the columns 23 of the support members 22 (Figure 5). When building the bridge 20, the beams 50 are placed on the load bearing pad 24 of the columns 23 of the support members 22 to provide a simply supported bridge (Figures 4 and 5). In the bridge 20, the U-shaped supports 50 are supported at opposite ends 55, 56 by the support members 22. The U-shaped beams 50 have sufficient strength, stiffness and torsion resistance for shorter extensions of the unsupported beams provided in the center portion 69 between the ends 55, 56 supported by the support members 22. Alternatively, the beams can be supported in a variety of interior locations between the ends if desired or depending on the requirements of the extension length. The beams 50, 50", 50" are also placed horizontally adjacent to each other on the support members 22. The flanges 51, 52 of each beam 50 each have an outer end 74 (Figure 5). As illustrated in Figure 5, the adjacent outer edges 74, 74 'of the adjacent beams 50, 51' preferably form a support joint 76. As shown in Figure 5, the flanges 51 ', 52 of the beams 50 , Adjacent 50 'are preferably joined in such a way that the flanges do not extend over the overlap one another with the middle band 53 of the adjacent support bands 53, 53'. Alternatively, other joints may be provided including joints where the flanges overlap adjacent flanges without overlapping the middle portion of the beam. Figure 6 illustrates an internal trunnion strut 84 inserted in the open channel at the ends 55, 56 of the beam 50. The strut 84 increases the torsional stability of the beam 50 to handle and maintain wall stability during installation. The beams 50 of the bridge 20 therefore provide an improvement over the above concrete and steel beams which are extremely rigid and may be permanently deformed or cracked if subjected to twisting or loading effects during shipping. Alternatively, various configurations and shapes of deofragnis can be inserted into or on the face of the platform and / or beams of the modular structural section to provide stability to the modular structural system 30. Each beam 50 on the bridge 20 is manually laid using a fabric Heavy-duty fiberglass. The beam 50 can be formed on a mold having a shape corresponding to the contour of the beam 50. Manual laying methods are well known to a person skilled in the art and therefore the details need not be discussed here. Alternatively, each beam 50 can be manufactured by automated laying methods. The fabric used in the inclined side walls 54, 58 is a four-layer quasi-isotropic fabric and a polyester resin matrix. The beam 50 can be manufactured to a predetermined thickness using a manual run or other method. The additional layer of a predetermined thickness of unidirectional reinforcing glass fiber is preferably added to the floor of the beams 50 interspersed between quasi-isotropic fabrics to further increase their bending stiffness. The total thickness of the beams 50 can vary on a thickness scale. Preferably the thickness of the beams is between about 1.27 cm and 7.62 cm. The inclined side walls 54 and the floor 68 provide dimensional stability to the shape of the beam 50 during forming. As explained with respect to the core 45 and the upper and lower sheets 35, 40, the beams 50 can alternatively be manufactured by other methods such as pultrusion, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum curing and filament winding and others. methods known to one skilled in the art of manufacturing mixed materials, the details of which are therefore not discussed here. Being formed of polymer matrix mixed materials, each of the beams 50 shown in Figures 1-7, weighs below 1.634.4 kg for an extension design of 9 meters. The beams 50 can alternatively be provided with appropriate weights corresponding to the extension, height and space applicable. In constructing the bridge 20, the side flanges 51, 52 of the beams 50 are placed on adjacent columns 31 of the support members 22. The median stripe 53, which includes the inclined side walls and the curved floor 68, are placed in the channel portions 38 of the beams 50. The support members 22 provide stability to the components under load, prevents lateral deflection and facilitates load transfer of the platform through the beams and support members. Beams 50 are also preferably provided with longitudinal ends 55, 56 configured to be overlapped and thus longitudinally secure adjacent beams 50, 50 '. Therefore, bridges and support structures of various extensions, including extensions greater than beams 50, can be constructed by joining beams end to end in this manner. If lap joints are used, the overlap will be fixed with an adhesive or by mechanical means. The joints can also be formed with an inherent interlock in the splice joints. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, the platform 32 is positioned on top such that it generally overlaps coextensively with the upper surfaces 58, 57 'of the adjacent flanges 51, 51'. The platform 32 is also generally positioned parallel with the upper surfaces 57, 57 ', 58, 58' of the flanges 51, 51 ', 52, 52' thus providing a surface for joining or screwing the beams to the platform. The platform 32 is connected to the beams 50 by insertion pins 80 through holes 66 through the lower sheet 40 and through the holes 78 through the flanges 51, 52 (Figures 5-7). The bolts 80 are then secured with nuts 81 or other fastening means. The -. Bolts 80 are preferably inserted into holes 78 that extend along the extent of the flanges 51, 52 at intervals of approximately two feet. At the ends 55, 56 of the beams 50 the spacing of the pins 80 is preferably reduced to about 0.3. A row of bolts 80 is preferably inserted through each flange 51, 51 ', 52, 52' of adjacent beams 50, 50 '. To position and access the 80 bolts for , the holes 79 are formed through the upper sheet 35 and the upper surface 47 of the tubes 46. These holes 79 have a predetermined diameter sufficient to allow the insertion of the pins in the hollow center of the tubes 46. These 79 holes are also lined with holes 66, 78 in the lower sheet 40 and the flanges 51, 52. In addition to screwing, the flanges 51, 52 and the platform 32 are also preferably bonded together using an adhesive such as paste or similar adhesives. In this way, a combination of adhesive and mechanical bonding is preferably forms between the beams 50, 50 ', 50"and the platform 32. Alternatively, other connecting means may be provided to connect the platform to the beams including other mechanical fasteners such as structural bolts of high strength and similar. The platform and beams can alternatively be connected only with bolts or adhesives or by other means of fastening. Also, as illustrated in Figure 1, the bridge 20 is preferably provided with a wear surface 21 added to the upper surface 75 of the platform 32. The wear surface 21 is formed of polymer concrete or low temperature asphalt. Alternatively, this wear surface can be formed by a variety of materials including concrete, polymers, fiber reinforced polymers, wood, steel or a combination thereof, depending on the application.

Construction of a support structure in the form of a transit bridge In order to build the bridge 20 referred to in Figure 1, support members 22 including vertical concrete columns 31 with load bearing pads 24 are provided each one in a predetermined position and at a distance depending on the extension. Adjacent vertical columns 31 are placed laterally at a predetermined distance corresponding to the distance of separation between the flanges 51, 52 of the beams 50, 50 ', 50".

The support members 22 are also positioned longitudinally at a predetermined distance about the length of the spacing of the ends 55, 56 of the beams 50, 50 ', 50"to be supported, as shown in Figures 4. and 5, the beams 50 are then placed on the support members 22. The side flanges 51, 52 of each beam 50 are placed on adjacent vertical columns 31 of the support members 22 and are supported by them, as described. In addition, each longitudinal end 55, 56 of the beams 50, 50 ', 50"is placed on and supported by a support member 22. The adjacent flanges 52 and 51 of the adjacent beams 50 and 50 'are placed adjacent one another on a single column 31. The adjacent sandwich panels 34, 34' are then placed and descended on the beams 50, 50, 50". The sandwich panels 34 also immediately align adjacent sandwich panels 34 'and connect with the shear spanner key 67 or other connection means as described above, the platform 32 is preferably aligned with the beams 50, 50, 50"in such a way that the longitudinal ends of the platform 32 are aligned in position with the ends defining the length of the beams 50. Also, the edges 86, 87 defining the width of the platform 32 are preferably aligned above the width of the platform 32. the outer edges 88, 89 of the beams 50 defining the width of the three beams 50, 50, 50. The platform 32 is then fastened to the beams 50 as described above using adhesives, fasteners including, but not limited to, bolts, screws or the like, other means of connection or a certain combination thereof. and connecting each of the sandwich panels 34, 34 ', 34", the platform 32, as shown in Figure 1, is then completed. The bridge 20 includes protection rails along each side of the extension of the bridge 20. Alternatively, protection rails, corridors and other accessory components can be added to the bridges. Said accessory components may be formed of mixed polymeric matrix materials as described herein or other materials including steel, wood, concrete or other mixed materials. Alternatively, the bridge can be constructed using other supports and construction methods known to one skilled in the art. A bridge 20 in accordance with the present invention can also be provided as a kit comprising at least one modular structural section 30 having a platform 32 including at least one sandwich panel 34 and at least one beam 50 and preferably media connection to connect platform 32 and beams 50. Said equipment can be shipped to the construction site. Alternatively, a device for constructing a support structure can be provided comprising at least one modular structural section having at least one sandwich panel configured and formed of a suitable material for building a support structure without the need for a beam. The use of bridge 20 in distant lands (eg, forests, mines, parks or in military uses) is facilitated by such equipment which may have components including modular sections 30 having a platform 32 including sandwich panels 34 and at least one beam 50, each of which can be dimensioned to have dimensions smaller than a variety of dimensional limitations of various modes of transportation including tractors, railways, ships and aircraft. For example, the beam 50 and the sandwich panel 54 can be sized to fit within a normal shipping container having dimensions of 2.44 m by 2.44 m by 6.1 m. In addition, the components can be alternatively sized to fit within tractor cabins having a standard size of up to 3.66 m in width. In addition, said equipment can be provided having dimensions that fit in cargo aircraft or in boat hulls or other means of transport. In addition, the components, including but not limited to the U-shaped beam 50 and the sandwich panel 34, can be provided as described, which are stackable to each other to utilize and maximize the shipping and storage space. The light weight of the components of the modular section 30 also facilitates the comfort and cost of such transportation. The modular lightweight components of the modular structural section 30 also facilitate pre-assembly and final placement with light load equipment in the bridge construction. As described, the bridge 20 of the present invention can be easily constructed. For example, for a bridge 20 of 9.15 m in length, a crew of three men using a front end loader and a lifter and a small crane can build the bridge in less than 5 to 10 business days. Compared to bridges constructed of conventional steel and concrete materials, the highway bridge 20 is approximately 20% of the weight of a bridge of similar size built with conventional materials. Structurally, the bridge 20 also provides a traffic support road bridge designed to reduce the risk of failure by providing redundant load paths between the platform and the supports. further, the specific stiffness and strength greatly exceed the bridges constructed of conventional materials, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-7 which is approximately as much as 60% greater than conventional bridges. The bridge 20 of the present invention can also be constructed to replace an existing bridge, and in this way use the existing support members of the existing bridge. Before performing the steps of building a bridge like the one described above, the existing bridge extension of an existing bridge must be removed, while retaining the existing support members. The beam 50 (at least one) can be placed over the existing support members and the bridge 20 constructed as described.

Alternatively, additional support members can be placed or cast on existing supports and then the bridge can be constructed with the method described herein. In addition, the modular structural section 30 or its components including the vioga 50 or platform 32 can also be used to repair a bridge. An existing bridge section can be removed and replaced by a modular structural section 30 or component of the beam 50 or platform 32 as described. In addition, a bridge 20 once constructed, can be easily repaired by removing and repositioning a modular structural section 30, sandwich panel 34 or 50 beams. Such repair can be done quickly without extensive heavy machinery or extensive labor. The bridge 20 of the present invention can also be provided with a variety of widths and extensions, depending on the number, width and length of the modular structural sections 30. A bridge extension is defined by the length of the bridge extended through the opening or space on which the bridge is laid. In this way, the configuration of the modular structural section 30 with its sandwich panel and beam 50 provides flexibility in the design and construction of bridges and other support structures. For example, in alternative modes, a single sandwich panel can be supported by a single beam or by multiple beams in both the extension and width directions. Likewise, a single beam can support a portion or all of one or more sandwich panels. Also, the length and width of the separate sandwich panels 34 need not correspond to the length and width of the beams 50 in a modular section 30 of the bridge 20 constructed therefrom. Alternatively, a variety of a number of sandwich panels can be used to provide the desired extension and width of the bridge. Adjacent sandwich panels 34, 34 'may be joined longitudinally in the direction of the extension 21 of the bridge 20, as shown in Figure 1, and / or laterally in the direction of the width of the bridge. As such, a bridge can also be provided with a variety of travel lanes. Since the beams 50 can also be supported at a variety of sites along their entire length, the. The extension of the bridge is not limited by the length of the beams. The extent of the bridge 20 shown in Figure 2 coincides with the length of the beams 50. However, in other embodiments beams that can be joined with longitudinally adjacent beams to form can be provided. a bridge that has an extension that includes the sum of the lengths of the beams. Bridge 20 of the present invention is a simply supported bridge that is designed to meet the specifications of AASHTO as previously incorporated by reference herein. As such, the bridge meets at least the specific AASHTO standards and other standards including the following criteria. The bridge supports a load of a tractor AASHTO HS20-44 (32,688 kg) in the center of each of the four lanes. The bridge is also designed in such a way that the maximum deflection (in centimeters) under a live load is less than the extension divided by 800. The allowable deflection for an extension of 18.3 m would be less than 2.28 cm. In addition, the bridge meets California standards that for simple extensions of less than 44.22 m, the HS load as defined by AASHTO standards, produces a greater moment and deflection than lane loads or alternatives. Bridge 20 is also designed to meet certain resistance criteria. Bridge 20 has a positive safety margin using a "first layer" as failure criteria and a safety factor of four (4.0); which is commonly used in bridge construction to explain negligible load, load multipliers and material strength reduction factors. A positive safety margin is understood by a person skilled in the art, and the details therefore are not discussed here. In addition, the bridge is designed and configured in such a way that its buckling eigenvalue (E.V.) Á / FS > 1, where (E.V.) is the eigenvalue of buckling, A is the collapse value of said modular structural section, and FS is the safety factor. Said buckling considerations are also known to one skilled in the art and therefore are not discussed in detail here.

In the bridge shown in Figures 1-7, the shear loads must be transmitted between the strip 53 and the flanges 51, 52 of the beams 50, 50, 50"and the sandwich panels 34, 34 'd the platform 32 This load transfer is achieved in this type of bridge 20 by means of bolting The maximum expected shear load is approximately 1,816 kg, while the capacity exceeds 7,718 kg The deformation and fracture behavior seems ductile leading to redistribution of load to surround the bolts more than catastrophic failure, being made of a mixed material of polymeric matrix that is environmentally resistant to corrosion and chemical attack, the sandwich panels 34, as well as the beams 50 can be stored outdoors, including the site of the construction of the bridge 20, without deterioration or environmental damage The sandwiched panels 34 and the beams 50 are preferably coated with gel or painted with a layer e xterior that contains a UV inhibitor. In addition, the sandwich panels 34 and the beams 50 can be used in applications in corrosive or chemically destructive environments such as marine applications, chemical plants or areas with concentrations of environmental agents. The invention will now be described in greater detail in the following non-limiting example.

EXAMPLE A trapezoidal tube platform was built for the 9.15 m bridge described. Sandwich panels were constructed comprising a trapezoidal glass tube E / vinyl ester of 16.51 m and sheets of all fibers of vidiro E. The trapezoidal tubes were made by manual laying. The tubes had a 0.635 cm thick trapezoidal section of 80% ± 45 ° with 20% 0o fibers of tow. In addition, a 0.635 cm floor of 100% 0o fibers was applied to the top and interior surfaces. The manually laid tubes had a fiber volume of approximately 40%. . . The platform included sandwich panels that were 2.28 m long in the direction of the extension and 4.57 m wide in the direction transverse to the extension. The bridge was simply supported at the ends of the 9.15 m extension. The platform was designed to have a maximum depth limit of 22.86 cm with a wear surface of polymer concrete of 1,905 cm attached to the top of the platform, leaving 20.95 cm for the sandwich panel. The sheets had a thickness of 2,159 cm with a lay of 0 ° / 45 ° / 90 ° / -45 °. The upper and lower sheets were each made with alternating layers of quasi-isotropic and unidirectional knitted fabric. The outer quasi-isotropic layers provide durability while the unidirectional layers add stiffness and strength. The top sheet included a multi-layer construction. The top sheet included a bottom layer of 1474.2 g of quasi-isotropic fabric, a 3-layer unidirectional fabric layer of 1360.8 g and a 12-layer top layer of quasi-isotropic fabric of 1474.2 g. Also, the lower sheet included a multi-layer construction. The lower sheet included a quasi-isotropic fabric upper layer of 1474.2 g, a 3-layer unidirectional fabric layer of 1360.8 g and a 12-layer quasi-isotropic fabric lower layer of 1474.2 g oz. A wheel load was applied to a platform section in accordance with AASHTO standards 20-44 using a hydraulic load frame. A full axle load of 14514.94 kg must be carried by a 19.05 m long panel without any contribution from an adjacent panel. Each wheel load is 727.47 kg. The wheel load is distributed over an area of approximately 40.64 cm by 50.8 cm which is the size of a double truck tire footprint. An ABACUS model was used to generate graphs of the efforts in all directions in the critical region. The bridge satisfies the safety margin defined as MS = permissible stress - 1 applied stress with a positive safety margin indicating that there would be no failure in the design load. Under these loading conditions, the critical conditions for the glass platform E is an interlaminar shear stress. In this platform, the failure occurs first in the upper section of the pultrusion on the outer face between the upper part of the pultrusion and the diagonal member. Failure will occur at 2.51 times the load of 14514.94 Kig or approximately 727.47 Kg. The platform was also designed to maintain a bending stiffness of not less than 727.47 Kg / 2.54 cm which is the rigidity of an equivalent concrete slab. The platform was further designed to withstand a final design load of 40.82 Kg which is approximately two (2) times the AASHTO transit wheel load specifications. The rigidity consistent and exhibited by the platform of 38556 Kg / 2.54 cm under cyclic loading is up to 81648 Kg. The platform also withstood 98884.8 Kips which is the maximum limit of the load fixing before showing a drop in stiffness of up to 35834.40 Kg /2.54 cm In the drawings and the description, a preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth and, although specific terms are used, the terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention will be exposed in the following claims.

Claims (25)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A load bearing structure comprising: at least one section of modular structure; and support means supporting at least one modular structural section; said modular structural section (at least one) supported on said support means and connected thereto; said modular structural section (at least one) comprising: a load-bearing platform that includes at least one sandwich panel, said sandwich panel (at least one) having: a top surface; a lower surface; and a core including a plurality of elongated, hollow core members located between the upper surface and the lower surface, each of the elongated core members including a pair of side walls, at least one side wall of said pair of walls The side walls are disposed at an oblique angle to one of the upper and lower surfaces such that said pair of side walls, when viewed in cross section, define a polygonal shape, and each of the elongated core members has one of the walls generally located adjacent to one of the side walls of an adjacent elongated core member and another of the side walls located adjacent to another of the side walls of an adjacent elongated core member.

2. - The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said modular structural section (at least one) comprises: at least one beam having a pair of side flanges, each flange of said pair of side flanges located on one of the support means and supported by it, said beam (at least one) also comprising a middle band between said pair of side flanges and extending between them.

3. - The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said elongated core members are aligned longitudinally in a direction of an extension of said support structure.

4. - The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said elongated core members have a cross section that defines a trapezoid.

5. - The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said elongated core members are formed of a mixed polymer matrix material comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin.

6. - The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said upper surface comprises an upper sheet and said lower surface comprises a lower sheet, the upper surface and the lower surface being formed by a mixed material of polymeric matrix that comprises reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin.

7. - The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that at least one sandwich panel comprises a plurality of interconnected sandwich panels.

8. - The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that said support means are connected to the modular structural section (at least one), such that said support structure is a support structure simply supported .

9. - The support structure according to claim 2, further characterized in that said support structure comprises at least one support member, wherein at least one of the beams (at least one) and the support member (at least one) are formed by a mixed polymeric matrix material comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin.

10. The support structure according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a wear surface that overlaps an upper surface of said platform to withstand vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

11. A modular structural section for constructing a support structure comprising: a load-bearing platform that includes at least one sandwich panel that has: a top surface; a lower surface; and a core including a plurality of elongated, substantially hollow core members located between the upper surface and the lower surface, each of the elongated core members including a pair of side walls, at least one side wall of said pair of The side walls are disposed at an oblique angle to one of the upper and lower surfaces such that said pair of side walls, when viewed in cross section, define a polygonal shape, and each of the elongated core members has a the walls generally located adjacent to one of the side walls of an adjacent elongate core member and another of the side walls located adjacent to one another of the side walls of an adjacent elongated core member; and modular support means supporting said platform, the platform being connected to the modular support means and supported thereon.

12. - The modular structural section according to claim 11, further characterized in that said means of modular support of the modular structural section (at least one) comprises: at least one beam having a pair of side flanges, each flange of said pair of side flanges located on and supported by one of the support means, said beam (at least one ) further comprising a middle band between said pair of side flanges and extending therebetween, said sandwich panel (at least one) being supported by the beam (at least one).

13. - The modular structural section according to claim 11, further characterized in that said plurality of elongated core members are aligned longitudinally in the direction of an extension of the support structure.

14. - The modular structural section according to claim 11, further characterized in that said elongated core members have a cross section defining a trapezoid.

15. - The modular structural section according to claim 11, further characterized in that said elongated core members are formed of a mixed polymeric matrix material comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin.

16. - The modular structural section according to claim 15, further characterized in that a portion of the reinforcing fibers of at least one of the elongated core members is unidirectionally oriented between longitudinally opposite end portions of said elongated core members.

17. - The modular structural section according to claim 11, further characterized in that at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface comprise sheets formed by a mixed polymer matrix material comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin .

18. - A method of constructing a support structure comprising: providing at least one support member; placing at least one modular structural section on said support member (at least one), said modular structural section (at least one) comprising: at least one beam supported on the support member (at least one), and a load-bearing platform supported on the beam (at least one), said platform including at least one sandwich panel having: a core having a plurality of elongated core members each having side walls which, when they are seen in cross section, define a polygonal shape, and each of the elongated core members has one of the walls located generally adjacent to one of the side walls of an adjacent elongated core member and another of the side walls located adjacent to each other. another of the side walls of an adjacent elongated core member: and connecting said modular structural section and said support member (at least one).

19. - The method of construction of a support structure according to claim 18, further characterized in that said polygonal shape is a trapezoid.

20. The method of construction of a support structure according to claim 18, further characterized in that the step of placing the modular cross section further comprises the steps of: placing the beam (at least one) on the support member (at least one); place the load support platform on the beam (at least one); and connect the beam (at least one) and the platform.

21. The method of construction of a support structure according to claim 20, further characterized in that the step of positioning the platform comprises placing the elongated core members in a longitudinal direction generally parallel to a direction of an extension of said structure of support.

22. - The method of construction of a support structure according to claim 18, further characterized in that it comprises the step of: applying a wear surface to an upper surface of the platform to withstand vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

23. - The method of construction of a support structure according to claim 18, further characterized in that the step of placing the platform comprises the steps of: placing a plurality of load-bearing panels formed by a mixed material of polymeric matrix; and interconnecting each panel of said plurality of load bearing panels with an adjacent platform panel.

24. - The method of construction of a support structure according to claim 18, further characterized in that the connection step consists in connecting the support member (at least one) and the modular structural sections in such a way that the sections Modular structures are simply supported.

25. - The method of construction of a support structure according to claim 18, characterized in that the provision step consists of placing existing supporting structure support members located to receive and support said modular structural section (so minus one). The construction method of a support structure according to claim 18, further characterized in that it comprises the step of removing an existing support structure extension while retaining existing support members separated at a predetermined distance and removing the step that precedes the placement step. 27. A load-bearing platform structure comprising: at least one sandwich panel including: an upper surface and a lower surface; and a core including a plurality of elongated, substantially hollow core members located between the upper surface and the lower surface, each of the elongated core members including a pair of side walls, at least one of the side walls is disposed at an oblique angle to at least one of the upper and lower surfaces such that said pair of side walls, and said pair of surfaces when viewed in cross section, define a polygonal shape, and each of the core members elongate has one of the side walls located generally adjacent to one of the side walls of an adjacent elongated core member and another of the side walls located adjacent to one another of the side walls of an elongated core member adjacent said platform to be supported by support averages in the construction of a structure wherein at least one of said plurality of The elongated core members are formed of a mixed matrix of polymeric matrix comprising fibers and a polymer resin. 28.- The platform structure according to claim 27, further characterized in that said upper and lower surfaces are generally parallel and each of the elongated core members further includes at least one vertical side wall arranged generally perpendicular to the upper surfaces and lower, said vertical side wall providing structural support for the upper and lower surfaces. 29. The platform structure according to claim 27, further characterized in that said upper surface comprises an upper sheet and said lower surface comprises a lower sheet, the upper surface and the lower surface being formed by a mixed material of polymeric matrix that comprises fibers 30.- The platform structure according to claim 27, further characterized in that at least one of the elongated core members is formed by a mixed polymeric matrix material comprising reinforcing fibers and a polymer resin. 31.- The platform structure according to claim 30, further characterized in that a portion of the fibers are unidirectionally oriented between the longitudinally opposite end portions.