WO1994004756B1

WO1994004756B1 - Bridge construction

Info

Publication number: WO1994004756B1
Application number: PCT/CA1993/000324
Authority: WO
Filing date: 1993-08-13
Publication date: 1994-03-31

Abstract

A method of constructing a bridge using a two step composite construction process. In the first step, the region to be spanned is bridged with precast prestressed concrete elements (8) that are designed as beams and complete permanent formwork to carry the dead load of the bridge, to provide a high density concrete protective shell giving a greater degree of protection against deterioration from the elements and to provide a very high quality of finish and architectural design, to provide a complete working platform for construction, and to eliminate the need for temporary scaffolding and formwork. In the second step, additional poured in place concrete (14) is cast into the spaces (12) created by the precast elements (8) and serves as beams, post-tensioned (13) to carry the live loads of the bridge. A bridge is thus created comprised of precast elongated elements (8) supported on abutments at the sides of the spanned region, reinforced concrete beams contained by and between the adjacent elements (8), and a deck (14) supported by the beams and elongated elements (8).

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 6 February 1994 (06.02.94); original claims 1-7, 10, 14-20, 23, 25-36 and 42 cancelled; original claims 8, 11-13, 21, 24, 37, 38, 40 and 43-45 amended; remaining claims unchanged (6 pages)]

8. A method of constructing a bridge comprising: (a) spanning a region to be covered with elongated U-shaped precast prestressed concrete elements having legs mutually spaced so as to define regions for containing the concrete of beams,

(b) pouring concrete beams into said regions,

(c) reinforcing said beams as structural supports for said bridge,

(d) exposed surfaces of the formwork having a smooth finish to a polished quality.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 in which exposed edges of said precast elements are rounded.

11. A method of constructing a bridge comprising:

(a) spanning a region to be covered with elongated U-shaped precast prestressed concrete elements having legs mutually spaced so as to define regions for containing the concrete of beams,

(b) pouring concrete beams into said regions,

(c) reinforcing said beams as structural supports for said bridge, and (d) spanning and closing the bottoms of the regions between the precast elements with temporary formwork or permanent precast concrete formwork prior to pouring the concrete beams, the precast concrete formwork being permanently held in place from legs of the precast elements. 12. A method of constructing a bridge comprising:

(b) pouring concrete beams into said regions,

(c) reinforcing said beams as structural supports for said bridge,

(d) spanning and closing the bottoms of the regions between the precast elements with temporary formwork or permanent precast concrete formwork prior to pouring the concrete beams, (e) said spanning and closing step being comprised of suspending the temporary formwork by cables hung through the region between said precast elements.

13. A method of constructing a bridge comprising:

(b) pouring concrete beams into said regions,

(c) reinforcing said beams as structural supports for said bridge, (d) spanning and closing the bottoms of the regions between the precast elements with temporary formwork or permanent precast concrete formwork prior to pouring the concrete beams,

(e) all exterior exposed surfaces of the precast elements and precast formwork are finished to a polished quality. 21. A method of constructing a bridge comprising:

(a) spanning a region to be covered with precast prestressed elements for creating and providing permanent formwork for poured concrete beams and a permanent protective layer around said beams and finished surfaces between said beams,

(b) closing the bottoms of said spaces, (c) pouring concrete beams into the formwork,

(d) reinforcing said beams as structural supports for said bridge.

(e) said spaces being closed by said elements,

(f) said elements having arms extending outwardly therefrom, abutting adjacent arms of adjacent elements, the elements being elongated container shaped for receiving and retaining the beam concrete and defining shapes of the beams.

22. A method as defined in claim 21 including the further step of pouring a concrete deck over said beams and the exterior top sides of said precast elements.

24. A method of constructing a bridge comprising:

(b) pouring concrete beams into said regions, (c) reinforcing said beams as structural supports for said bridge, and (d) supporting a pair of precast prestressed architecturally shaped side beam-defining permanent formwork at the edges of outwardly opposite legs of said elements to define a beam space between each formwork of said pair of formwork and an adjacent element, pouring concrete beams into said beam spaces, and pouring a concrete deck over said beams and the exterior top sides of said precast elements, but avoiding top edges of said pair of formwork, whereby curb, rail and/or utility supporting surfaces for said bridge are provided thereby.

37. A bridge comprised of precast elongated elements supported by abutments at the sides of a spanned region, the elements having spaced legs, poured reinforced concrete beams contained by the legs of elements or between the legs of adjacent ones of said elements, a deck supported by the beams and said elongated elements, precast prestressed architecturally shaped permanent formwork forming architectural sides to the bridge, extending at the sides of opposite ones of said elements and containing poured concrete beams between said opposite elements and said architecturally shaped formwork, including a traffic barrier extending upwardly from and integral with upper edges of at least one of said architecturally shaped permanent formwork.

38. A bridge comprised of precast elongated elements supported by abutments at the sides of a spanned region, the elements having spaced legs, poured reinforced concrete beams contained by the legs of elements or between the legs of adjacent ones of said elements, a deck supported by the beams and said elongated elements, precast prestressed architecturally shaped permanent formwork forming architectural sides to the bridge, extending at the sides of opposite ones of said elements and containing poured concrete beams between said opposite elements and said architecturally shaped formwork, and in which said architecturally shaped permanent formwork is abutted adjacent bottom edges thereof against arms extending from said opposite elements

39. A bridge as defined in claim 38, in which the deck is contained between upper edges of said architecturally shaped permanent formwork.

40. A bridge as defined in claim 39 including utility structures extending upwardly from the upper edges of said architecturally shaped permanent formwork.

41. A bridge comprised of precast elongated elements supported by abutments at the sides of a spanned region, the elements having spaced legs, poured reinforced concrete beams contained by the legs of elements or between the legs of adjacent ones of said elements, a deck supported by the beams and said elongated elements, and including at least one of said elements supported right side up on said deck to form a walkway, or traffic barrier.

43. A method of forming a bridge comprising at least one arch and cantilevered arms over a region to be spanned by supporting at its ends at least one permanent elongated precast concrete element defining at least two containers for containing the concrete of at least a pair of beams, pouring said concrete beams and arms and a deck over said beams and arms before the concrete of the beams has cured, retaining said elements in place as protective surfaces of said bridge, the beams and deck being poured in a single step.

44. A method of forming a bridge comprising at least one arch and cantilevered arms over a region to be spanned by supporting at its ends at least one permanent elongated precast concrete element defining at least two containers for containing the concrete of at least a pair of beams, pouring said concrete beams and arms and a deck over said beams and arms before the concrete of the beams has cured, retaining said elements in place as protective surfaces of said bridge, said element being formed of plural abutting architecturally shaped segments.

45. A method of forming a bridge comprising at least one arch and cantilevered arms over a region to be spanned by supporting at its ends at least one permanent elongated precast concrete element defining at least two containers for containing the concrete of at least a pair of beams, pouring said concrete beams and arms and a deck over said beams and arms before the concrete of the beams has cured, retaining said elements in place as protective surfaces of said bridge, said arch being formed of a pair of identical abutting architecturally shaped elements.