Floating bridge structure

Abstract

A floating bridge structure, characterized in that the floating bridge structure comprises: a main bridge section above a waterway, an approach bridge section connecting the end of the main bridge section to the land, and a ship lock in the middle of the waterway and below the main bridge section; wherein the main bridge section comprises a plurality of first support structures arranged at intervals along the width direction of the waterway, and a floating box support platform having a first box girder arranged on top of the plurality of first support structures; wherein the approach bridge section comprises a second support structure arranged along the width direction of the waterway and a second box girder arranged on top of the second support structure;wherein the ends of the first box girder and the second box girder are connected to each other and the bridge deck is laid on top of the first box girder and the second box girder;wherein the ship lock is located between the first support structures on either side of the symmetrical center of the main bridge section;a first anchoring component and a second anchoring component distributed under the main bridge section and used to anchor the main bridge section and the ship lock;

Description

Floating bridge structure and its construction technology Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of water transportation facility construction, in particular to a floating bridge structure and a construction process thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the existing technology, floating bridges are mostly made of boat-shaped structures or standard equipment. The boxes are connected by bolts or welding. There is no foundation structure, the structural rigidity is poor, the load-bearing capacity is small, and it is not suitable for waters with large spans and poor wind and wave conditions. The passage of large and heavy-loaded vehicles is restricted. Because floating bridges have no foundation structure and rely on their own buoyancy to support the load, the height of the bridge body should not be too large, otherwise the structure may overturn due to a high center of gravity. Since the floating bridge box floats on the water surface, the bridge body should not be too high, and navigation is restricted. Therefore, it cannot be used in waters with navigation requirements. At the same time, once there is an improved new structure, its construction is relatively difficult due to the need to carry out construction in water.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a floating bridge structure and a construction process thereof, which are used in adverse hydrogeological environments with ultra-deep water and thick soft foundation, as well as low floating bridge structures in inland waters that need to be navigable.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] Floating bridge structure, including,

[0007] A main bridge section located above the waterway, an approach bridge section connecting the end of the main bridge section and the land, and a ship lock located in the center of the waterway and below the main bridge section;

[0008] The main bridge section includes a plurality of first support structures spaced apart along the width direction of the waterway and a pontoon cap with a first box beam disposed on top of the plurality of first support structures;

[0009] The approach bridge section includes a second supporting structure arranged along the width direction of the waterway and a second box beam arranged on top of the second supporting structure;

[0010] The ends of the first box girder and the second box girder are connected, and the bridge deck is laid on top of the first box girder and the second box girder;

[0011] The ship lock is located between the first supporting structures on both sides of the symmetrical center of the main bridge section;

[0012] The first anchoring assembly and the second anchoring assembly are distributed under the main bridge section and are used for anchoring the main bridge section and the ship lock respectively.

[0013] Furthermore, the first supporting structure includes a truss, and the pontoon platform includes a central supporting structure and an intermediate supporting structure;

[0014] The central support structure is located on the main bridge section in a direction close to the ship lock, and the intermediate support structure is located between the central support structure and one end of the main bridge section close to the approach bridge section;

[0015] The truss is connected between the central support structure and the intermediate support structure, or connected between adjacent intermediate support structures;

[0016] The first box beam is arranged on top of the central support structure and the intermediate support structure.

[0017] Furthermore, the central support structure includes a central pontoon base and a central pier located on top of the central pontoon base;

[0018] The intermediate support mechanism includes an intermediate pontoon platform and an intermediate pier located on the top of the intermediate pontoon platform;

[0019] The truss is connected between the central pontoon platform and the intermediate pontoon platforms, or connected between adjacent intermediate pontoon platforms;

[0020] The first box girder is arranged on top of the central pier and the intermediate pier.

[0021] Furthermore, the second supporting structure includes a main pier, an onshore pier and a bridge abutment arranged in sequence along the waterway pointing towards the land;

[0022] The main pier is located at the end of the approach bridge section close to the main bridge section and is downwardly arranged at the junction of the waterway and the land;

[0023] The second box girder is arranged on top of the main pier, the land pier and the abutment;

[0024] The truss is connected between the intermediate pier and the main abutment.

[0025] Furthermore, the lock ship includes a lock ship bottom plate, and upper and lower lock heads respectively connected to the lock ship bottom plate and the box-type pier in the main bridge section, and a pumping system is respectively provided in the upper and lower lock heads.

[0026] The present invention also discloses a construction process of a floating bridge structure, which includes the following steps:

[0027] 1) Construction of the second supporting structure in the approach bridge section;

[0028] 2) laying out anchoring assemblies for anchoring the ship lock and the first supporting structure around the ship lock;

[0029] 3) Construction of the pontoon cap and the first supporting structure in the main bridge section;

[0030] 4) Prefabricate the sections and install the pontoon caps on the first support structure one by one from the approach section toward the center of the main bridge section, and then connect and tighten the first anchoring assembly used for anchoring the first support structure;

[0031] 5) Construction of the first box girder and the second box girder;

[0032] 6) After the lock is prefabricated and installed, the second anchor assembly for anchoring the lock is connected and tensioned;

[0033] 7) Bridge deck construction.

[0034] Furthermore, the pontoon pedestal includes a central pontoon pedestal and a central pier welded to form a stepped structure, and an intermediate pontoon pedestal and an intermediate pier welded to form a stepped structure.

[0035] Furthermore, adjacent pontoon caps are connected by horizontally arranged trusses.

[0036] Furthermore, water injection holes are provided on the central pier and the intermediate pier. During floating installation, the water injection holes are used to adjust the buoyancy of the pontoon, and a balanced force system is formed by combining the deadweight of the pontoon and the deadweight of the pier column, the tugboat load and the tensioning of the anchor assembly.

[0037] Furthermore, it also includes pier column positioning, specifically, first using a positioning ship to roughly position the central pontoon base, central pier, intermediate pontoon base and intermediate pier, and then using a crane ship to pull the anchor cable of the installed anchor assembly to the pontoon base, tensioning the anchor assembly to fix the pontoon pier, and adjusting the balance system so that the central pier, intermediate pier, ballast water in the central pier, ballast water in the intermediate pier, anchor assembly and buoyancy are in a balanced stress state.

[0038] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0039] In the present invention, the main bridge section and the approach bridge section are combined. The main bridge section floats on the water surface, which can raise the center of gravity of the structure and improve the stability of the floating bridge structure. At the same time, the approach bridge section is set at the junction of water and land, which can improve the rigidity of the structure and further increase the stability of the floating bridge structure. The floating bridge structure is guaranteed to be open to traffic. The floating bridge structure provided by the present invention is suitable for deep water and soft foundation waters, and the bridge span is larger than that of traditional floating bridges. Furthermore, a floating ship lock is set under the main bridge section, realizing navigation in the channel without being restricted by water depth.

[0040] The main section of the floating bridge in this invention utilizes a separate rectangular concrete pontoon, low steel piers, and a box girder structure, resulting in a light weight, a low center of gravity, and excellent stability. Furthermore, the main piers of the approach section utilize a traditional pile foundation and abutment structure, significantly increasing the structural rigidity of the bridge and contributing to its overall stability.

[0041] In the present invention, anchoring components such as land piers, main piers, bridge abutments, and pontoon piers are used to form a dynamic process. Therefore, at different stages of the floating bridge construction, when the load borne by the pontoon changes, the overall balance can be controlled by adjusting the weight of the ballast water in the pontoon. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] FIG1 is a schematic top view of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention;

[0043] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention in the AA direction;

[0044] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention in the direction BB;

[0045] FIG4 is a diagram showing a navigation process of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention;

[0046] FIG5 is a second diagram of the navigation process of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention;

[0047] FIG6 is a third diagram of the navigation process of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention;

[0048] FIG7 is a fourth diagram of the navigation process of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention;

[0049] FIG8 is a fifth diagram showing the navigation process of a floating bridge structure provided by the present invention.

[0050] FIG9 is a structural diagram of the floating bridge structure provided by the present invention;

[0051] FIG10 is a second structural state diagram of the floating bridge structure provided by the present invention;

[0052] FIG11 is a structural state diagram 3 of the floating bridge structure construction provided by the present invention;

[0053] FIG12 is a fourth structural state diagram of the floating bridge structure construction provided by the present invention;

[0054] In the picture:

[0055] 100, main bridge section; 11, first supporting structure; 111, central supporting structure; 1111, central pontoon cap; 1112, central pier; 112, intermediate supporting structure; 1121, intermediate pontoon cap; 1122, intermediate pier; 113, truss; 12, first box girder; 13, first anchor assembly;

[0056] 200, approach bridge section; 21, second supporting structure; 211, main pier; 212, land pier (210); 213, abutment; 22, second box girder;

[0057] 300, ship lock; 31, bottom plate; 32, upper lock head; 33, lower lock head; 34, lock chamber; 35, second anchor assembly; 36, pumping system;

[0058] 40. Bridge deck; 50. Ship; 001. Waterway; 002. Land. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the various embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but it should be noted that these embodiments are not limitations of the present invention, and any equivalent transformations or substitutions in functions, methods, or structures made by ordinary technicians in this field based on these embodiments are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0060] First, the floating bridge structure in this embodiment is introduced.

[0061] 1 to 3 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a floating bridge structure, comprising: a main bridge section 100 , an approach bridge section 200 , and a ship lock 300 ;

[0062] The main bridge section 100 is located above the waterway 001, the approach bridge section 200 is connected between the end of the main bridge section 100 and the land 002, and the ship lock 300 is located below the main bridge section 100 and in the center of the waterway 001;

[0063] The main bridge section 100 includes a plurality of first support structures 11 spaced apart along the width direction of the channel 001 and a first box girder 12 disposed on top of the plurality of first support structures 11;

[0064] The approach bridge section 200 includes a second support structure 21 arranged along the width direction of the channel 001 and a second box beam 22 arranged on the top of the second support structure 21;

[0065] The ends of the first box girder 12 and the second box girder 22 are connected, and the bridge deck 40 is laid on top of the first box girder 12 and the second box girder 22;

[0066] The ship lock 300 is located between the first support structures 11 on both sides of the symmetrical center of the main bridge section 100.

[0067] As can be understood, the floating bridge structure includes a main bridge section 100, an approach bridge section 200, and a ship lock 300. Spanning the waterway 001, the main bridge section 100 is located above the waterway 001, and the approach bridge section 200 is used to connect the main bridge section 100 to land 002. The main bridge section 100 and the approach bridge section 200 form a cross-river passage.

[0068] Specifically, main bridge section 100 includes a first support structure 11 arranged along the width of waterway 001. Multiple first support structures 11 are spaced apart along waterway 001. A first box girder 12 is positioned atop each of first support structures 11. The same first box girder 12 connects at least two first support structures 11. The first support structures 11 and first box girders 12 constitute the load-bearing structure of main bridge section 100.

[0069] Approach bridge section 200 includes a second support structure 21 arranged along the width of channel 011. Second support structures 21 are arranged sequentially from the end of main bridge section 100 toward land 002, with a second box girder 22 positioned atop them. These second support structures 21 and second box girder 22 constitute the load-bearing structure of approach bridge section 200.

[0070] Furthermore, the ends of the first box girder 12 of the main bridge section 100 and the second box girder 22 of the approach bridge section 200 are connected to form a single unit, extending from land 002 on one side of the waterway 001 to land 002 on the other side of the waterway 001. A bridge deck 40 is laid on top of the first and second box girders 12, 22. The bridge deck 40 can be made of high-performance asphalt concrete.

[0071] It should be noted that the first support structure 11 is placed in the water and bears its own weight and load by its own buoyancy, while the second support structure 21 is at least partially placed in the riverbed 003 .

[0072] Furthermore, the floating bridge structure also provides navigation. Specifically, a ship lock 300 is located in the center of the waterway 001, beneath the main bridge section 100. The ship lock 300 floats in the waterway 001 and, by adjusting the water level difference between the lock 300 and the waterway 001, allows ships 50 to pass beneath the main bridge section 100.

[0073] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, the main bridge section and the approach bridge section are combined. The main bridge section floats on the water surface, which can raise the center of gravity of the structure and improve the stability of the floating bridge structure. At the same time, the approach bridge section is set at the junction of water and land, which can improve the rigidity of the structure and further increase the stability of the floating bridge structure. Ensure the traffic on the floating bridge structure. The floating bridge structure provided by the present invention is suitable for deep water and soft foundation waters, and the bridge span is larger than that of traditional floating bridges. Furthermore, a floating ship lock is set under the main bridge section to achieve navigation in the channel without being restricted by water depth.

[0074] The detailed structure of the main bridge section is as follows:

[0075] 1 and 2 , the first support structure 11 includes a central support structure 111 , an intermediate support structure 112 and a truss 113 ;

[0076] The central support structure 111 is located on the main bridge section 100 close to the ship lock 300, and the intermediate support structure 112 is located between the central support structure 111 and one end of the main bridge section 100 close to the approach bridge section 200;

[0077] The truss 113 is connected between the central support structure 111 and the intermediate support structure 112 , or connected between adjacent intermediate support structures 112 ;

[0078] The first box beam 12 is disposed on top of the central support structure 111 and the intermediate support structure 112 .

[0079] It will be understood that the first support structure 11 floats on the waterway 001. Specifically, the first support structure 11 includes a central support structure 111, an intermediate support structure 112, and a truss 113. The central support structure 111 and the intermediate support structure 112 are symmetrically arranged about the main bridge section 100. The central support structure 111 is located on the inner side of the main bridge section 100, near the ship lock 300. Generally speaking, there are two central support structures 111, one on each side of the ship lock 300. The intermediate support structures 112 are evenly spaced from the outer side of the central support structure 111 to the end of the main bridge section 100.

[0080] Furthermore, trusses 113 are connected between the central support structure 111 and the intermediate support structures 112, as well as between adjacent intermediate support structures 112. Trusses 113 connect the separate central support structure 111 and intermediate support structures 112 into a single unit. The addition of trusses allows the entire support structure to form a single unit, thereby improving overall stability and strength.

[0081] 2 , the central support structure 111 includes a central pontoon platform 1111 and a central pier 1112 located on top of the central pontoon platform 1111 ; the intermediate support structure 112 includes an intermediate pontoon platform 1121 and an intermediate pier 1122 located on top of the intermediate pontoon platform 1121 ;

[0082] The truss 113 is connected between the central pontoon platform 1111 and the intermediate pontoon platform 1121, or connected between adjacent intermediate pontoon platforms 1121;

[0083] The first box girder 12 is disposed on top of the central pier 1112 and the intermediate pier 1122 .

[0084] In this embodiment, both the central support structure 111 and the intermediate support structure 112 are composed of upper and lower pontoon caps and piers. Specifically, the central support structure 111 includes a central pontoon cap 1111 and a central pier 1112; the intermediate support structure 112 includes an intermediate pontoon cap 1121 and an intermediate pier 1122.

[0085] When selecting materials, both central pontoon platform 1111 and intermediate pontoon platform 1121 are hollow concrete rectangular pontoons. The central pontoon platform 1111 and intermediate pontoon platform 1121 differ in size. Both platforms remain separate in water, eliminating the need for underwater work and simplifying construction.

[0086] Furthermore, the trusses 113 are connected between the central support structure 111 and the intermediate support structures 112 as well as between adjacent intermediate support structures 112. Specifically, they are connected between the central pontoon platform 1111 and the intermediate pontoon platform 1112 as well as between adjacent intermediate pontoon platforms 112.

[0087] The central pier 1112 of the central support structure 111 and the intermediate pier 1122 of the intermediate support structure 112 are both placed on the water. Their height is low, generally not more than 5 meters, which can improve the stability of the structure.

[0088] The central pontoon platform 1111 and the central pier 1112, or the intermediate pontoon platform 1121 and the intermediate pier 1122, can be constructed using an integral prefabrication and integral floating process, which can reduce underwater operations, lower requirements for ship machinery and equipment, reduce construction difficulty, and improve construction efficiency.

[0089] The first box beam 12 is placed on top of the central pier 1112 and the intermediate pier 1122. The central pier 1112 or the intermediate pier 1122 and the first box beam 12 can be prefabricated as a whole or prefabricated separately, using a segmented assembly process, which is fast in construction speed.

[0090] When designing according to the specifications, the width of the central pontoon platform 1111 is not less than 3 times the width of the bridge deck 40; the width of the middle pontoon platform 1121 is not less than 2 times the width of the bridge deck 40.

[0091] It is understood that the width of the pontoon cap should be greater than the width of the bridge deck 40 to ensure a more stable structure. The central pontoon cap 1111 is located near the center of the waterway 001, while the intermediate pontoon cap 1121 is located closer to the land 002. Therefore, the central pontoon cap 1111, located near the center of the waterway 001, requires a larger size to provide stability. In this embodiment, the width of the central pontoon cap 1111 is no less than three times the width of the bridge deck 40, while the width of the intermediate pontoon cap 1121 is no less than two times the width of the bridge deck 40.

[0092] In this embodiment, the center pier 1112 and the intermediate pier 1122 can be steel structures, and the first box girder 12 can be a steel box girder. The center pier 1112, the intermediate pier 1122, and the first box girder 12 are all steel structures, resulting in a light weight, a low center of gravity, a stable structure, and a large span. The center pier 1112 and the intermediate pier 1122 are low-profile steel piers, which enhance the overall stability of the bridge. The center pier 1112 and the intermediate pier 1122 can be prefabricated integrally with the first box girder 12 using a segmented prefabrication and assembly process, resulting in rapid construction. The first box girder 12 is prefabricated and assembled segmentally, capable of supporting the passage of large vehicles.

[0093] The detailed structure of the approach bridge section is as follows:

[0094] 1 and 2 , the second support structure 21 includes a main pier 211 , an onshore pier 212 and a bridge abutment 213 , which are sequentially arranged along the channel 001 toward the land 002 ;

[0095] The main pier 211 is located at the end of the approach bridge section 200 close to the main bridge section 100 and is set downward at the junction of the channel 001 and the land 002;

[0096] The second box girder 22 is provided on top of the main pier 211, the land pier 212 and the abutment 213;

[0097] The truss 113 is connected between the intermediate pier 1122 and the main abutment 211 .

[0098] It is understood that the second support structure 21 gradually extends from the land-water connection point to the land 002, with the water depth gradually decreasing. Specifically, it includes the main pier 211, the land pier 21 and the abutment 213.

[0099] Specifically, the main pier 211 is located at one end of the approach bridge section 200 close to the main bridge section 100 and at the junction of the channel 001 and the land 002. The main pier 211 includes a pile foundation driven into the riverbed 03, a cap on top of the pile foundation, and a pier column on top of the cap.

[0100] The ends of the trusses 113 in the main bridge section 100 connected to the central pontoon pedestal 1111 and the intermediate pontoon pedestal 1121, or between adjacent intermediate pontoon pedestals 1121, are connected to the main pier 211, so that the main bridge section 100 and the approach bridge section 200 are connected together, which is beneficial to the overall stability of the pontoon structure.

[0101] Furthermore, the second box girder 22 is located on top of the main pier 211, the onshore pier 212, and the abutment 213. Therefore, the main pier 211 is also the joint between the first box girder 12 and the second box girder 22. The main pier 211 adopts a pile group structure and is the main load-bearing body of the floating bridge structure.

[0102] The second support structure 21 in the approach section features a main pier 211, land pier 212, and abutment 213, all constructed of concrete. The second box girder 22 is a concrete box girder. The main pier 211, land pier 212, abutment 213, and second box girder 22 of the approach section 200 utilize traditional concrete structures, enhancing the overall rigidity of the floating bridge structure. The second box girder 22 utilizes segmental cast-in-place construction and can support heavy vehicles.

[0103] The detailed structure of the ship lock is as follows:

[0104] As shown in FIG3 , the ship lock 300 includes a bottom plate 31 , an upper lock head 32 , a lower lock head 33 and a gate plate;

[0105] The upper gate head 32 and the lower gate head 33 are respectively connected perpendicularly to the two opposite sides of the bottom plate 31 along the extension direction of the waterway 001. The gate plates are perpendicularly connected to the two opposite sides of the bottom plate 31 along the width direction of the waterway 001. The two sides of any gate plate are respectively connected to the upper gate head 32 and the lower gate head 33. The bottom plate 31, the upper gate head 32, the lower gate head 33 and the gate plates are connected to form a lock chamber 34.

[0106] The upper gate head 32, the lower gate head 33 and the top of the gate plate at least partially extend out of the water surface of the channel 001;

[0107] The bottom plate 31 is connected to the riverbed 003 via an anchoring device 35 .

[0108] It is understood that the ship lock 300 is a floating rectangular steel structure with a bottom but no top, specifically comprising a bottom plate 31, an upper lock head 32, a lower lock head 33 and a gate plate, all of which are provided with closed compartments.

[0109] Specifically, the upper lock head 32 and the lower lock head 33 are respectively connected to the two ends of the bottom plate 31 along the extending direction of the channel, and are components for ships to enter and exit the ship lock 300. The gate plates are connected to the other two sides of the bottom plate 31 to form a lock chamber 34.

[0110] Furthermore, the upper lock head 32, the lower lock head 33 and the top of the gate plate at least partially extend out of the water surface of the channel 001, so that the water level in the lock chamber 34 can be controlled.

[0111] The buoyancy force on the ship lock 300 is greater than its own weight, and the remaining force is balanced by the anchoring device 35 connected to the bottom plate 31.

[0112] Traditional ship locks are located at the bottom of the riverbed and have pile foundations and other structures. These locks are difficult to construct and extremely costly when the water depth is too deep. The ship lock 300 provided by the present invention, however, utilizes a floating, bottomed, box-type structure with an anchoring system, making it unrestricted by water depth. Furthermore, traditional ship locks are often constructed using concrete, requiring the construction of deepwater cofferdams during main structure construction. This is complex, difficult, and expensive. The ship lock 300 provided by the present invention, however, is constructed entirely of steel, resulting in a lightweight structure that can be easily assembled using prefabricated methods.

[0113] In order to control the water level, a pumping system 36 is provided at one end of the upper lock head 32 and the lower lock head 33 connected to the bottom plate 31, so that the pumping system 36 is used to control the water level in the lock chamber 35 to enable the ship 50 to navigate.

[0114] Next, the detailed use of the floating bridge structure in this embodiment is shown in Figures 4-8, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0115] Step 1: The vessel 50 sails to the upper lock head 32 , the upper lock head 32 is opened, the vessel 50 enters the lock chamber 34 , and the upper lock head 32 is closed.

[0116] Step 2: Open the pumping system 36 to pump out the water in the lock chamber 34 to lower the water level.

[0117] Step 3: After the vessel 50 is lowered to a certain safe distance from the main bridge section 100, the pumping system 36 is turned off and the vessel 50 sails to the other side of the floating bridge structure.

[0118] Step 4: Open the upper gate 32 to allow water to continuously flow into the gate chamber 34 until the water levels inside and outside the gate chamber 34 are flush, and then close the upper gate 32.

[0119] Step 5: Open the lower lock head 33 and the vessel 50 sails out of the lock chamber 34 .

[0120] The embodiment provided by the present invention can be built in waters without water level differences, and the water level inside and outside the lock chamber 34 can be changed through the pumping system 36, thereby enabling navigation of the ship 50.

[0121] In another optional embodiment provided by the present invention, the length of the ship lock 300 along the extension direction of the channel 001 is not less than the sum of the width of the central pontoon platform 1111 and twice the length of the ship;

[0122] The length of the lock 300 in the width direction of the channel 001 is not less than 2 times the width of the ship 50;

[0123] The clear height of the lock chamber 34 should not be less than the height required for safe navigation of the vessel 50 .

[0124] It is understandable that in order to ensure navigation safety, the size of the ship lock 300 needs to ensure that the ship 50 does not touch the floating bridge structure when in the lock chamber 34.

[0125] Specifically, along the extension direction of the channel 001, the ship 50 needs to enter the lock chamber 34, pass through the main bridge section 100, and then exit the lock chamber 34. Therefore, along the extension direction of the channel 001, the length of the ship lock 300 is at least not less than the sum of the width of the central pontoon platform 1111 and twice the length of the ship.

[0126] Along the width direction of the channel 001 , the length of the lock 300 is not less than 2 times the width of the ship 50 to ensure that the ship 50 can pass through.

[0127] The clear height of the lock chamber 34 should not be lower than the height required for safe navigation of the ship 50. Specifically, it can be set according to the size and cargo situation of the ship 50 traveling along the channel 001.

[0128] In summary, the floating bridge structure provided by the present invention achieves at least the following beneficial effects:

[0129] In the embodiment provided by the present invention, the main bridge section and the approach bridge section are combined. The main bridge section floats on the water surface, which can raise the center of gravity of the structure and improve the stability of the floating bridge structure. At the same time, the approach bridge section is set at the junction of water and land, which can improve the rigidity of the structure and further increase the stability of the floating bridge structure. Ensure the traffic on the floating bridge structure. The floating bridge structure provided by the present invention is suitable for deep water and soft foundation waters, and the bridge span is larger than that of traditional floating bridges. Furthermore, a floating ship lock is set under the main bridge section to achieve navigation in the channel without being restricted by water depth.

[0130] 1-6 , the construction method of a floating bridge structure for navigable waters according to the present invention specifically includes three parts: a main bridge section 100, an approach bridge section 200, and a ship lock 300. Specifically, in the main bridge section of the floating bridge, the pontoon pier 120 is prefabricated in a prefabrication yard, and the pier columns 130 composed of steel piers are prefabricated as a whole with the pontoon pier 120, and then transported to the construction site for positioning and installation; the steel box girder 140 adopts a segmented assembly process to connect several pontoon piers together; and the approach bridge section adopts conventional bridge construction technology.

[0131] Again, referring to Figures 9-12, combined with the above structural description and usage process description, it is necessary to further emphasize the construction steps of the floating bridge structure. The specific steps are as follows:

[0132] 1-6 , in this embodiment, the overall construction sequence of the floating bridge structure is as follows:

[0133] 1) constructing the second support structure 21 in the approach bridge section 200;

[0134] In this embodiment, since the second support structure 21 includes a main pier 211, an onshore pier 212, and abutments 213 arranged in sequence along the waterway 001 pointing to the land 002, the construction here is carried out first by constructing the support structure of the approach bridge section to ensure safety protection at both ends. In this embodiment, the main pier is composed of bored cast-in-place piles, concrete caps, and piers. The main pier is located at the junction of land and water. A pile driving platform is required for the bored cast-in-place piles, and a water-stop cofferdam is required for the concrete caps and piers. The pile driving platform is a steel structure, with rock-embedded steel pipe piles as the foundation, H-shaped steel as the main crossbeam, I-shaped steel as the upper longitudinal beam and secondary beam, and patterned steel panel as the panel. The bored cast-in-place pile construction adopts the reverse circulation drilling process; the pier construction adopts a double-row steel sheet pile cofferdam as a water-stop structure. After pumping out water to form a dry environment, the concrete cap and pier construction are carried out. The concrete caps and piers are constructed using traditional cast-in-place techniques. The concrete caps utilize a water-stop cofferdam as formwork and are constructed in layers, with each layer no more than 3 meters high. The piers are constructed in layers using standardized steel formwork, with each layer no more than 8 meters high. This allows the main pier 211, land pier 212, and abutment 213 to be constructed to their designated positions, thereby preliminarily determining the support heights of the main bridge section and approach bridge section. In this embodiment, the short land piers and main piers of the approach bridge are both concrete piers for ease of construction.

[0135] (2) laying out anchoring assemblies for anchoring the ship lock and the first supporting structure around the ship lock;

[0136] During construction, anchor assemblies were deployed at the central support structure and the ship lock, and buoys were set for positioning. Specifically, the first anchor assembly 13 and the second anchor assembly 35, installed below the main bridge section 100 in step S2), were prepared for subsequent ship lock construction. Specifically, the first anchor assembly was located outside the riverbed, while the second anchor assembly was located inside.

[0137] (3) Construction of the pontoon cap (i.e., the central support structure and the intermediate support structure) and the first support structure located in the main bridge section;

[0138] Located in the main bridge section 100 of this embodiment, since the first supporting structure 11 includes a central supporting structure 111, an intermediate supporting structure 112 and a truss 113, during construction, the construction of the central supporting structure and the intermediate supporting structure can be carried out simultaneously, and then the adjacent intermediate supporting structures and the intermediate supporting structures and the central supporting structure can be connected using trusses.

[0139] (4) Prefabricate in sections and install the pontoon caps on the first support structure one by one from the approach section toward the center of the main bridge section, and then connect and tighten the first anchoring assembly for anchoring the first support structure;

[0140] In this embodiment, the pontoon piers (i.e., the center pier and the intermediate pier) are prefabricated and installed. The pontoon piers are prefabricated in sections, hoisted and shipped as a whole, and floated to the construction site for positioning and installation. The installation sequence is carried out from the shore side to the water. After the intermediate pier 1122 at the end is installed in place, it is connected to the main pier 211. After the second intermediate pier 1122 is installed in place, it is connected to the first intermediate pier 1122, and so on. After the center pier 1112 is installed in place, the first anchor assembly 13 is connected and tensioned. At this time, after the various pontoon piers are hoisted, positioned, and floated from the shore side to the water side, the adjacent intermediate piers and the intermediate piers and the center pier, or the adjacent intermediate pontoon pedestals, or the intermediate pontoon pedestals and the center pontoon pedestals are connected by steel trusses (i.e., trusses 13). The first anchor assembly 13 on the outside of the main bridge section 200 is tensioned and fixed.

[0141] Specifically, when the main bridge section 100 needs to be anchored, the middle pier 1122 near the middle of the main bridge section 100 is connected to the first anchoring assembly 13 to achieve the connection to form an integrated pontoon pier.

[0142] In this embodiment, in order to achieve the fixation of the pontoon pier, pier columns (i.e., the piers in the intermediate support structure and the central support structure, at this time the intermediate support structure and the central support structure both include pontoon pedestals and piers) are provided on the pontoon pier. The pier column close to the center of the main bridge section 100 is the central pier, and the rest are intermediate piers.

[0143] To connect with the pontoon pier as a whole, the pier columns are cast concrete steel piers, which are stacked and welded with the pontoon pier composed of the empty box structure to form a stepped structure. The stepped structure enables the connection support of different sizes at the top and bottom.

[0144] In this embodiment, the main bridge section 100 is first connected to form a whole through the intermediate piers and the intermediate supporting structure at the end, and the second time is achieved through the connection of the pier columns on the floating box piers. Specifically, along the bridge deck structure, several intermediate piers or the intermediate piers and the central pier are connected by steel box girders located on the upper surface of the pier columns.

[0145] (4) Before the steel box girders are connected, the installation of the steel box girders is carried out, specifically: the uniform cross-section segmental steel box girders 140 are transported to the construction site by means of a flat barge, the steel box girders located on the piers are hoisted and installed by means of a floating crane, and the steel box girders between the piers are symmetrically installed by means of a floating crane, thereby completing the construction of the first box girder 11 and the second box girder 12.

[0146] (5) Prefabrication and installation of the ship lock. After the ship lock 300 is prefabricated as a whole in a professional steel structure prefabrication yard, it is floated to the site for installation. After installation in place, the second anchor assembly 35 is connected and tightened. At this time, the prefabricated ship lock 300 is assembled as a whole, floated to the set position, and the anchor assembly on the inner side of the ship lock 300 is connected and tightened. In this embodiment, the lock ship 300 includes a lock ship bottom plate 310, and upper and lower lock heads (i.e., upper lock head 32 and lower lock head 33) respectively connected to the lock ship bottom plate 31 and the box-type pier in the main bridge section 100. The upper and lower lock heads are respectively provided with a pumping system 36 to prepare for the subsequent passage.

[0147] (6) Finally, the construction of the bridge deck system and auxiliary structures is carried out.

[0148] In this embodiment, the core lies in how to form a balanced force on the multiple structures floating on the water surface. At this time, water injection holes are specifically provided on the pontoon pier. During the floating installation, the water injection holes are used to adjust the buoyancy of the pontoon, and the deadweight of the pontoon and the deadweight of the pier column, the tugboat load and the tensioning of the anchor assembly are combined to form a balanced force system.

[0149] When positioning the pontoon piers, the overall force balance of the pontoon bridge is first analyzed. The pontoon bridge is primarily subject to the deadweight of the structure, the buoyancy of the pontoons, and the tension of the anchor cables. The deadweight of the structure is calculated based on the design plan, while the anchor cable tension and buoyancy of the pontoons need to be adjusted according to the different construction stages. Therefore, the ballast water level and anchor tension of the pontoons are calculated and adjusted during the construction process. Secondly, during the pontoon positioning construction, two positioning vessels are symmetrically positioned on either side of the pontoon to perform rough positioning. Then, a crane vessel is used to tow the installed anchor cables of the anchor system to the pontoon connection point and tension the cables to precisely position the pontoon. If the pontoon deviates horizontally, the anchor cables are adjusted by hoisting them. If the deviation is excessive in any direction, the anchor cables are tensioned in the opposite direction to correct the deviation. The pontoon's submerged height is controlled by ballast water. As long as the floating operation is stable, the ballast water level is not adjusted during the pontoon positioning process. After the pontoon is stabilized, with the subsequent hoisting of steel piers and steel box girders, the force balance is broken and the structural system becomes unstable, posing a greater safety risk. At this time, it is necessary to adjust the height of the pontoon in stages by reducing the ballast water and tightening the anchor tension.

[0150] This embodiment also includes pontoon prefabrication, shipment, and installation, specifically:

[0151] The prefabrication yard is located on the shore near the water, equipped with a jetty-type shipping dock. Components are shipped using two large gantry cranes. The prefabrication yard is equipped with two concrete pontoon production lines, each housing a rebar processing plant, rebar tying area, formwork storage area, and concrete pouring area. Production and transportation within the yard are handled by two large gantry cranes, supplemented by a small gantry crane for rebar and formwork installation. Before concrete pouring, embedded steel pier components must be installed to facilitate subsequent welding and installation. A single steel pier production line is also in place, with piers fabricated and welded on-site. Welding quality must meet relevant steel structure welding specifications. Steel pier components are hoisted using two small gantry cranes. After forming, they are transported within the yard using tire-mounted gantry cranes and welded to the concrete pontoon. Once the piers and pontoon are fully cured, they are transported to the shipping dock by two large gantry cranes and then transported to the construction site by self-floating.

[0152] Floating tank into place

[0153] The main bridge section pontoon should be floated along the designated navigation channel. Prior to operation, a floatation stability calculation must be performed. Transport is permitted only when the fixed inclination height is ≥ 0.2. The pontoon is an empty structure. Before operation, water must be added to the pontoon to ensure floatation stability. Water is introduced through pre-reserved holes. A large tugboat is used to tow the pontoon in front, while two smaller tugboats are positioned behind it.

[0154] Positioning and installation of pontoon piers

[0155] The installation of the pontoon is a complex process. The pontoon is a floating structure that provides buoyancy. Ultimately, the weight of the pontoon, the weight of the superstructure, vehicle loads, and the tension of the lower anchoring components form a balanced force system. Therefore, the entire process, from initial installation to the installation of the upper steel box girder, involves adjusting the pontoon's submerged height.

[0156] When positioning the pontoon pier, the ballast water and anchor tension of the pontoon (i.e., pontoon pier 120) at different construction stages are calculated and adjusted during the construction process. During the pontoon positioning construction, two positioning ships are first symmetrically arranged on both sides of the pontoon for rough positioning, and the horizontal deviation is controlled within 50 cm. Then, the installed anchor system anchor cable is pulled to the pontoon connection using a crane ship, and the anchor cable is tensioned to accurately position the pontoon. Steel rod lifting rings are set at the connection between the pontoon and the anchor cable. Each pontoon is equipped with lifting rings in eight directions: east, south, west, north, northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest. The anchor cable tensioning is completed by a winch, pulley block, and traction cable. After the pontoon is connected to the anchor system, it is slowly towed using a winch. The anchor cable in the opposite direction of the deviation is tensioned. For example, if the pontoon deviates to the southeast, the anchor cable in the northwest direction is tensioned to adjust the pontoon's horizontal position to within 5 cm. The anchor system is then temporarily fixed to the pontoon connection using a fixing device. The ballast water in the pontoon is not adjusted for the time being, provided that it ensures stable floating operation. The pontoon freeboard height is maintained at no less than 1 meter, ensuring that the pontoon's deadweight, ballast water weight, anchor tension, and buoyancy are in a state of force equilibrium.

[0157] Once the pontoon stabilizes, the subsequent installation of the steel piers and steel box girders disrupts the equilibrium. The structure's deadweight increases, the anchor tension decreases, and the buoyancy increases, rendering the system unstable and posing a significant safety risk. Therefore, during the installation of the steel piers and steel box girders, the floating crane vessel must gradually release the hook and release the force in stages. Each release must be coordinated with the de-ballasting of the ballast water and the tensioning of the anchor cables. Once the structure is balanced, the next stage of release and release can be continued, repeating this process until the installation of the steel piers and steel box girders is complete. Throughout this process, the freeboard height of the pontoon must not be less than 0.5m.

[0158] After the construction of the column pier is completed, the pontoon is installed in sequence from the shore to the water center. After the first pontoon pier is installed in place, it is connected to the main pier. After the second pontoon pier is installed in place, it is connected to the first pontoon pier, and so on. After the center pier is installed in place, the anchoring system is connected and tightened.

[0159] This embodiment also includes detailed construction such as the installation of the ship lock and box girder, which are described in detail as follows:

[0160] Lock construction

[0161] The lock project is relatively independent of the pontoon bridge. However, because the lock is prefabricated and floated for installation, the pontoon bridge's steel box girder must be closed and installed after the lock is in place. The lock is prefabricated at a specialized dock prefabrication yard. The lock floor, lock chamber, upper and lower gates, and pumping system are prefabricated as a single unit. Water is then injected into the dock and the lock undergoes a watertightness test. Once leak-proof, the lock is towed and floated to the construction site for installation. A positioning vessel drops anchor to position the lock, then connects the lock structure to the upstream and downstream anchoring assemblies and secures them with tension.

[0162] Steel box girder installation

[0163] The steel box girders for the main bridge section (i.e., the first box girder 12) were prefabricated at a specialized steel structure prefabrication yard. They were constructed in uniform, segmented configurations and transported to the construction site via flatbed barges. The steel box girders above the pontoon piers were hoisted by a floating crane, while the steel box girders between the piers were symmetrically installed using two floating cranes.

[0164] After the next steel box girder is hoisted into place, it is connected to the already installed steel box girder using a beam hoisting device. Once the steel box girder is initially stable, the slings on the floating crane are released, and the two sections of steel box girder are fully welded. Simultaneously, the floating crane hoists the next section of steel box girder, improving the crane's construction efficiency. Once all the steel box girders are in place, the ballast water is partially pumped out based on force balance calculations to adjust the overall force balance of the bridge.

[0165] Approach bridge construction

[0166] The approach section of the floating bridge of the present invention adopts a more traditional bridge structure, and the construction process can refer to bridge construction. The main pier of the present invention is located at the junction of land and water. The pile foundation and pier construction require a steel sheet pile cofferdam structure. After the cofferdam is formed, the pile foundation and the pier are constructed in a dry environment.

[0167] The main effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0168] The main section of the floating bridge in this invention utilizes a separate concrete rectangular pontoon, low steel piers, and a steel box girder structure, resulting in a light weight, low center of gravity, and excellent stability. Furthermore, the main piers of the approach section utilize a traditional pile foundation and abutment structure, significantly increasing the structural rigidity of the bridge and contributing to its overall stability.

[0169] The floating bridge of the present invention has a wide range of applications and can be used in deep water and soft foundation waters. The bridge span is larger than that of traditional floating bridges.

[0170] The floating bridge structure of the present invention cleverly applies the ship lock structure to the floating bridge, and adjusts the water level in the lock chamber through the ship lock pumping system to meet the navigation needs;

[0171] The present invention proposes a floating bottomed box-type steel ship lock structure with an anchoring assembly underneath. Compared with traditional ship locks, it is not restricted by water depth, has a simple structure, and is easy to construct.

[0172] The steel bridge piers and pontoons of the present invention are integrally prefabricated, and the steel box beams are prefabricated and assembled in sections, so the construction speed is fast.

[0173] The present invention forms a complete set of floating bridge construction methods. The construction of this floating bridge is different from the traditional pile foundation-pier type bridge project. The construction process of the pontoon pier is far more complicated than that of the traditional bridge. The installation of the pontoon is greatly affected by water dynamics. Its positioning process is a dynamic control process. With the construction of the floating bridge in different stages, the load borne by the pontoon will change accordingly. The control of the ballast water weight in the pontoon is quite difficult and is the most important part of the entire construction method.

[0174] In the construction method of the present invention, the entire pontoon bridge box-type foundation is constructed using a precast concrete process. Steel pier connectors (not shown) are pre-embedded on top of each pier. To ensure the accuracy of the connectors, they are constructed using steel pipe piles of the same specifications as the steel piers (i.e., the pontoon piers). The pre-embedded connectors require precise positioning using a positioning device constructed by welding holes in steel sections. The hole size is determined based on the actual dimensions of the steel piers being manufactured. During hoisting, the steel piers (i.e., the pontoon piers) are welded to the pre-embedded connectors located within the piers.

[0175] In this embodiment, a steel top plate structure is designed on the top of the steel pier (i.e., the pontoon pier). The steel top plate is a circular steel plate with a diameter larger than the diameter of the pier steel pipe pile. The top plate and the pier steel pipe pile are connected by a stiffening plate. The steel top plate has two main functions. The first function is to adjust the top elevation of the steel pier (i.e., the pontoon pier), and the second function is to be welded to the steel box girder (i.e., the first box girder 12 and the second box girder 22). During the construction process, errors are inevitable, including structural manufacturing errors and construction operation errors. When the top elevation of the steel pier is too high, the excessively high part of the structure is cut and then the steel top plate is welded; when the top elevation of the steel pier is too low, the thickness of the steel top plate is increased to adjust it. After the top elevation of the steel pier is adjusted to the design requirements, the upper structure steel box girder is installed. The steel box girder and the steel top plate are connected by welding. The welding method is full welding along the four sides of the steel top plate, and the height of the welding rod is not less than the thickness of the steel plate.

[0176] The construction scheme and floating bridge structure of the present invention realize the smooth passage of navigation in the floating bridge. Specifically, the main bridge section and the approach bridge section are combined, and the main bridge section floats on the water surface, which can raise the center of gravity of the structure and improve the stability of the floating bridge structure. At the same time, the approach bridge section is set at the junction of land and water, which can improve the rigidity of the structure and further increase the stability of the floating bridge structure. Ensure the passage of traffic on the floating bridge structure. The floating bridge structure provided by the present invention is suitable for deep water and soft foundation waters, and the bridge span is larger than that of traditional floating bridges. Furthermore, a floating ship lock structure is set under the main bridge section to realize navigation in the channel without being restricted by water depth.

[0177] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above and that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, not the foregoing description, and all variations within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included therein. Any reference sign in a claim should not be construed as limiting the claim to which it relates.

[0178] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A floating bridge structure, characterized in that: include, A main bridge section located above the waterway, an approach bridge section connecting the end of the main bridge section and the land, and a ship lock located in the middle of the waterway and below the main bridge section; The main bridge section comprises a plurality of first support structures arranged at intervals along the width direction of the waterway and a pontoon cap with a first box beam arranged on top of the plurality of first support structures; The approach bridge section comprises a second supporting structure arranged along the width direction of the waterway and a second box girder arranged on the top of the second supporting structure; The ends of the first box girder and the second box girder are connected, and the bridge deck is laid on the top of the first box girder and the second box girder; The ship lock is located between the first supporting structures on both sides of the symmetric center of the main bridge section; A first anchoring assembly and a second anchoring assembly are distributed under the main bridge section and are used for anchoring the main bridge section and the ship lock respectively.

2. The floating bridge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first support structure includes a truss, and the pontoon cap includes a central support structure and an intermediate support structure; The central support structure is located in the direction of the main bridge section close to the ship lock, and the intermediate support structure is located between the central support structure and one end of the main bridge section close to the approach bridge section; The truss is connected between the central support structure and the intermediate support structure, or connected between adjacent intermediate support structures; The first box beam is disposed on top of the central support structure and the intermediate support structure.

3. The floating bridge structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The central support structure includes a central pontoon cap and a central pier located on the top of the central pontoon cap; The intermediate support mechanism includes an intermediate pontoon support and an intermediate pier located on the top of the intermediate pontoon support; The truss is connected between the central pontoon cap and the intermediate pontoon cap, or connected between adjacent intermediate pontoon caps; The first box girder is arranged on the top of the central pier and the intermediate pier.

4. The floating bridge structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second supporting structure includes a main pier, an onshore pier and a bridge abutment arranged in sequence along the channel toward the land; The main pier is located at the end of the approach bridge section close to the main bridge section and is arranged downward at the junction of the waterway and the land; The second box girder is arranged on the top of the main pier, the land pier and the abutment; The truss is connected between the intermediate pier and the main abutment.

5. The floating bridge structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock ship comprises a lock ship bottom plate, and upper and lower lock heads respectively connected to the lock ship bottom plate and the box-type pier in the main bridge section, and pumping systems are respectively arranged in the upper and lower lock heads.

6. The construction process of the floating bridge structure according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The steps include: 1) Construction of the second supporting structure in the approach bridge section; 2) laying out anchoring components for anchoring the ship lock and the first supporting structure around the ship lock; 3) Construction of the pontoon cap and the first supporting structure in the main bridge section; 4) Prefabricate in sections and install the pontoon caps on the first supporting structure one by one from the approach section toward the center of the main bridge section, and then connect and tighten the first anchoring assembly for anchoring the first supporting structure; 5) Construction of the first box girder and the second box girder; 6) After the lock is prefabricated and installed, the second anchoring assembly for anchoring the lock is connected and tensioned; 7) Bridge deck construction.

7. The construction process of the floating bridge structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pontoon foundation comprises a central pontoon foundation and a central pier which are welded to form a stepped structure, and an intermediate pontoon foundation and an intermediate pier which are welded to form a stepped structure.

8. The construction process of the floating bridge structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: Adjacent pontoon caps are connected by horizontally arranged trusses.

9. The construction process of the floating bridge structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The central pier and the intermediate pier are both provided with water injection holes. During floating installation, the water injection holes are used to adjust the buoyancy of the pontoon, and a balanced force system is formed by combining the deadweight of the pontoon and the deadweight of the pier column, the load of the tugboat and the tensioning of the anchoring assembly.

10. The construction process of the floating bridge structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes pier positioning, specifically, first using a positioning ship to roughly position the center pontoon foundation, the center pier, the middle pontoon foundation and the middle pier, and then using a crane ship to pull the anchor cable of the installed anchor assembly to the pontoon foundation, tensioning the anchor assembly to fix the pontoon pier, and adjusting the balance system so that the center pier, the middle pier, the ballast water in the center pier, the ballast water in the middle pier, the anchor assembly and the buoyancy are in a balanced stress state.

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