WO2002090661A1

WO2002090661A1 - Bridge joint

Info

Publication number: WO2002090661A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/002039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seamus Michael Delvin
Original assignee: Seamus Michael Delvin
Priority date: 2001-05-04
Filing date: 2002-05-03
Publication date: 2002-11-14
Also published as: GB0110996D0

Abstract

The bridge joint (1) has steel edge beams (4,5) arranged at the edge of the concrete C of the roadway sections. Each edge beam has a circular cross-sectional groove (9), opening towards the gap G between the roadway sections. Cross beams (10) are regularly spaced along the length of the joint. At each end of the crossbeams, there is a spherical steel ball (14), sized to fit in the groove (9). The crossbeams support a number of intermediate roadway beams (20), of I-beam shape, with grooves (21) in their heads (22). The edge flanges (8) of the edge beams also have such small grooves (21). Via these a diaphragm seal (23) is connected between each adjacent pair of roadway beams. Feet (24) of the intermediate beams rest of the crossbeams. To maintain the intermediate beams (20) evenly spaced, cams (31) are fixed to the topside of the crossbeams (10). They have lips (33) that engage over the lower flanges (24) of the intermediate beams (20), captivating them against lifting off the crossbeams.

Description

BRIDGE JOINT

The present invention relates to a bridge joint, that is to say a joint between two sections of the roadway of a bridge.

Bridge joints are required primarily because of thermal expansion and contraction in the roadway of a bridge. Also they accommodate initial contract on setting of concrete in the roadway and relative shear and rise/fall of adjacent roadway sections.

In International Patent Application No. PCT/GB00/02224, published on 28^th December 2000 under No. WO 00/79055, there is described and claimed a bridge joint comprising:

• a plurality of roadway beams extending laterally of the roadway and including:

• opposite edge beams having support formations extending therealong, the edge beams being adapted to be fixed to respective opposite ones of the roadway sections and

• intermediate beams; • a plurality of crossbeams extending between the opposite edge beams,

• the crossbeams having end formations which are complementary to the support formations of the edge beams,

• the crossbeams being supported by engagement of the end formations with the support formations, whereby the crossbeams remain mutually parallel as the edge beams move with respect to each other, at least whilst the edge beams remain parallel and

• the crossbeams and the intermediate beams being adapted for support of the intermediate beams on the crossbeams; and

• spacing features fixed on at least some of the crossbeams and co-operating with the intermediate beams for evenly spacing the latter.

Hereinafter this joint is called the "Earlier Bridge Joint". The object of the present invention is to provide an improvement on the Earlier Bridge Joint.

According to the invention there is provided a bridge joint in accordance with the Earlier Bridge Joint, wherein: the intermediate beams are supported on top of the crossbeams at flanges abutting the crossbeams; the spacing features are fitted to the top of the crossbeams; and the spacing features have lips engaging over the flanges of the intermediate beams.

Preferably, the spacing features are cams. The cam faces can be provided on either a base part of the cams abutting the crossbeams or on the lips or on both. Basal cam surfaces work against the flanges of the crossbeams. Cam surfaces on the lips work against webs of the intermediate beams.

Conveniently the cams are bolted to the crossbeams, whereby they can be unbolted and the intermediate beams lifted off the crossbeams.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a bridge joint of the invention.

The bridge joint 1 shown in the drawings is set between two adjacent bridge roadway sections 2,3, which are liable to move by a small amount with respect to each other. The joint has steel edge beams 4,5 arranged at the edge of the concrete C of the roadway sections. Each edge beam has a central section 6, which is generally square in cross-section, and is set in asphalt finish over the concrete, and a vertical flange 8, which edges the asphalt. The central section has a circular cross-section groove 9, which opens towards the gap G between the roadway sections and the opposite edge beam. Cross beams 10 are regularly spaced along the length of the joint, i.e. across the width of the roadway. They are of rolled steel sections. To each end of the crossbeams, a spherical steel ball 14 is fixed, as by welding or pinning. The balls are sized to fit in the groove 9. Thus the angle which the crossbeams make with the edge beams is determined by the fixed length of the crossbeams between the balls and the variable separation S of the edge beams. Whilst the edge beams remain parallel, the crossbeams will also remain parallel. To maintain the separation of the crossbeams, a number of spacer balls are arranged in each groove 9 between each adjacent pair of crossbeam balls 14.

The crossbeams support a number, seven as shown, of intermediate roadway beams 20. They are of general I-beam shape, with grooves 21 in their heads 22. The edge flanges 8 of the edge beams also have such grooves 21. Via these a diaphragm seal 23 is connected between each adjacent pair of roadway beams. These seals exclude water and dirt from the parts of the j oint beneath them. The heads of the roadway beams provide the roadway surface between the concrete of the roadway sections 2,3. Lower flanges 24 of the intermediate beams rest on the crossbeams. These transfer road loads to the edge beams via the balls 14.

In respect of the above features, the joint is in accordance with the Earlier

Bridge Joint.

In accordance with the invention, cams 31 are bolted 32 to the top side of the crossbeams 10. They have lips 33 that engage over the lower flanges 24 of the intermediate beams 20, captivating them against lifting off the crossbeams. The cams are contoured 35 to maintain the spacing of the intermediate beams in accordance with the Earlier Bridge Joint.

Whilst it is anticipated that the edge, cross and intermediate beams and the ball ends of the cross beams will be of steel, it is anticipated that they could be of composite, polymer based materials, the beams being extruded and the balls moulded.

Claims

1. A bridge j oint comprising:

• a plurality of roadway beams extending laterally of the roadway and including: • opposite edge beams having support formations extending therealong, the edge beams being adapted to be fixed to respective opposite ones of the roadway sections and

• intermediate beams;

• a plurality of crossbeams extending between the opposite edge beams, • the crossbeams having end formations which are complementary to the support formations of the edge beams,

• spacing features fixed on at least some of the crossbeams and co-operating with the intermediate beams for evenly spacing the latter wherein:

• the intermediate beams are supported on top of the crossbeams at flanges abutting the crossbeams;

• the spacing features are fitted to the top of the crossbeams; and

• the spacing features have lips engaging over the flanges of the intermediate beams.

2. A bridge joint as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the spacing features are cams.

3. A bridge joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein cam faces are provided on a base part of the cams abutting the crossbeams for acting against the flanges of the crossbeams.

4. A bridge joint as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein cam faces are provided on the lips for working against webs of the intermediate beams.

5. A bridge joint as claimed in claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the cams are bolted to the crossbeams whereby they can be unbolted and the intermediate beams lifted off the crossbeams.

6. A bridge joint as herinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.