A trigger release connector for use in bridge expansion joints

Abstract

The application discloses a trigger type unlocking connector for bridge expansion joints, relates to the field of connectors, and comprises bridge deck pavement concrete layers and asphalt concrete layers which are sequentially laid on a bridge one and a bridge two from bottom to top, a reserved joint is arranged between the bridge one and the bridge two and is used for preventing the bridge one and the bridge two from deforming, and the surface of the bridge deck pavement concrete layer on the side close to the expansion joint is arrayed with a connector assembly which is used for increasing the displacement length of the bridge one and the bridge two by breaking, and the surface of the connector assembly on one side is provided with a high polymer mortar. The application forms a multi-stage deformation and energy dissipation mechanism by taking the EP100 high polymer mortar as the core, and is suitable for the thermal expansion and cold contraction of the bridge one and the bridge two under daily working conditions, and prevents the bridge one and the bridge two from being deformed due to mutual extrusion caused by temperature influence; when an earthquake occurs, the sleeve pipe and the sliding pipe are broken along the predetermined breaking groove under strong extrusion force, and large displacement of the bridge one and the bridge two is allowed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of connector technology, and in particular to a trigger-type unlocking connector that can be used for bridge expansion joints. Background Technology

[0002] In bridge engineering, expansion joints are key components that adapt to beam deformation and ensure driving comfort; their performance directly affects the durability and safety of the bridge. Traditional expansion joint devices (such as modular and comb-type) can meet daily expansion and contraction needs, but they have significant drawbacks under extreme loads such as earthquakes: on the one hand, rigid connection structures easily transmit seismic forces directly to the piers, leading to pier damage or even collapse; on the other hand, post-earthquake repairs require complete replacement of the expansion joints, resulting in long construction periods and high costs due to traffic disruption. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the issues of seismic damage to bridge piers and the long repair cycles, this application provides a trigger-type unlocking connector that can be used for bridge expansion joints.

[0004] The trigger-type unlocking connector for bridge expansion joints provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] A trigger-type unlocking connector for bridge expansion joints includes a bridge deck pavement concrete layer and an asphalt concrete layer laid sequentially from bottom to top on bridge one and bridge two. A reserved joint is provided between bridge one and bridge two to prevent deformation of bridge one and bridge two. The surface of the bridge deck pavement concrete layer near the expansion joint is arrayed with connector components for increasing the displacement length of bridge one and bridge two through fracture. One side of the surface of the connector components is provided with polymer mortar.

[0006] The connecting component assembly includes mounting shells that are symmetrically fixed to the surfaces of the two bridge deck concrete layers and are fixed by concrete. The interiors of the two mounting shells are slidably connected with sleeves and sliding tubes that allow bridge one and bridge two to move under normal working conditions. The interior of the sleeves and the exterior of the sliding tubes are arrayed with fracture grooves to allow bridge one and bridge two to increase displacement in the event of an earthquake.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, with polymer mortar as the core, combined with the installation shell, corrugated elastic rubber strip, and sleeve and sliding pipe with fracture groove, a multi-level deformation and energy dissipation mechanism is formed. After the earthquake, there is no need to demolish the structure on a large scale, and the repair time can be controlled within a few hours.

[0008] Preferably, each of the two mounting shells has a first sliding groove through one side of its surface that slides against the surface of the sleeve and the slide tube, respectively, and rubber strips that abut against the sleeve and the slide tube are fixedly connected inside the two first sliding grooves.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the first chute restricts the sleeve / sliding pipe to slide only along the bridge axis, preventing lateral instability.

[0010] Preferably, a connector that is threadedly connected to the surface of the tube is fixedly connected to one side of the tube surface, and a screw that penetrates the connector and extends into the tube is threaded inside the connector.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the connector allows for quick disassembly and replacement of broken parts, and the screws prevent the connector from loosening, ensuring structural stability under daily working conditions.

[0012] Preferably, a second sliding groove is provided on one side of the surface of the connector, penetrating the connector and extending into the inside of the sleeve, and the inner wall of the second sliding groove is slidably connected to one end of the sliding tube located inside the connector.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the second chute allows the sliding tube to slide freely within the connector, adapting to the lateral composite displacement of the bridge.

[0014] Preferably, the surface of the slide tube is provided with an annular auxiliary groove.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the annular design evenly disperses the surface stress of the slide tube, preventing local breakage.

[0016] Preferably, the two fracture grooves are respectively formed on the surfaces of the second slide groove and the auxiliary groove, and the thickness of the two fracture grooves is one-third of the thickness of the sleeve and the slide tube, respectively.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, when the displacement exceeds the threshold, the fracture groove breaks, releasing the constraint of the connecting parts, allowing the bridge to move significantly and avoiding structural damage.

[0018] Preferably, the rubber strip is in the shape of a multi-layered corrugated fluororubber.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solutions, the multi-layer corrugated structure can adapt to repeated expansion and contraction, and the fluororubber is resistant to high temperature and chemical corrosion, making it suitable for outdoor environments.

[0020] Preferably, an epoxy resin layer is laid between the outer side of the polymer mortar and the surface of the mounting shell and the outer side of the asphalt concrete layer, a sealing strip is provided between the two layers of polymer mortar, and a sealant is laid between the surface of the sealing strip and the polymer mortar on both sides.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the sealing strip and sealant adapt to the gap changes after the connector breaks, thus providing continuous waterproofing.

[0022] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0023] 1. By using EP100 polymer mortar as the core, combined with an installation shell, corrugated elastic rubber strips, and sleeves and sliding pipes with fracture grooves, a multi-stage deformation and energy dissipation mechanism is formed. Under normal working conditions, the EP100 polymer mortar, sealing strips, and rubber strips work together to compress, adapting to the thermal expansion and contraction of Bridge 1 and Bridge 2, preventing deformation caused by mutual compression due to temperature changes. During an earthquake, under strong compressive force, the sleeves and sliding pipes fracture along predetermined fracture grooves, allowing Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 to undergo large displacements (greater than conventional expansion and contraction). The seismic energy is dissipated through the plastic deformation of the EP100 polymer mortar and sealing strips, preventing force transmission to Bridge 1 and Bridge 2. After the earthquake, only the sealing strips and sealant need to be removed, the broken sleeves and sliding pipes removed, and new sleeves and sliding pipes installed and rotated for fixation. Large-scale structural demolition is not required, significantly improving repair efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the expansion joint structure in this application;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a breakdown diagram of the bridge layer in this application;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connector assembly of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a disassembled diagram of the sleeve and slide tube of this application;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the sleeve and slide tube in this application.

[0029] Attached reference numerals: 1. Bridge 1; 2. Bridge 2; 3. Bridge deck concrete layer; 4. Asphalt concrete layer; 5. Epoxy resin layer; 6. Polymer mortar; 7. Sealing strip; 8. Sealant; 9. Reserved joint;

[0030] 10. Connector assembly; 101. Mounting housing; 102. First slide groove; 103. Rubber strip; 104. Sleeve; 105. Slide tube; 106. Connector head; 107. Screw; 108. Second slide groove; 109. Fracture groove; 110. Auxiliary groove. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1-5 This application will be described in further detail.

[0032] This application discloses a trigger-type unlocking connector that can be used for bridge expansion joints.

[0033] Reference Figure 1A trigger-type unlocking connector for bridge expansion joints includes a bridge deck pavement concrete layer 3 and an asphalt concrete layer 4 laid sequentially from bottom to top on bridge 1 and bridge 2. A pre-reserved joint 9 is provided at the adjacent ends of bridge 1 and bridge 2 to prevent deformation due to temperature changes. Multiple connector assemblies 10 are laid above the two adjacent bridge deck pavement concrete layers 3 on bridge 1 and bridge 2. The connector assemblies 10 are arranged in an array and are used to increase the displacement length of bridge 1 and bridge 2 through fracture. A polymer mortar 6 is laid on top of the connector assembly 10. An epoxy resin layer 5 is laid between the side of the two polymer mortar layers 6 that is far apart from each other and the bottom surface, and between the side of the two asphalt concrete layers 4 that are close to each other and the top of the connector assembly 10. The epoxy resin layer 5 is used for the polymer mortar 6 and the connector assembly 10. A sealing strip 7 is inserted between the two polymer mortar layers 6. A sealant 8 is injected between the top of the sealing strip 7 and the two polymer mortar layers 6. The top of the two polymer mortar layers 6 near the reserved joint 9 is ground with a 45-degree chamfer. The height of the sealant 8 is parallel to the bottom of the chamfer.

[0034] The polymer mortar 6 is composed of EP100 epoxy resin and high-strength aggregate. EP100 epoxy resin is a two-component, solvent-free, moisture-insensitive, high-strength, non-shrinking, and durable environmentally friendly polymer material with a certain degree of elasticity. The sealing strip 7 is used to elastically fill the gaps between the layers of EP100 polymer mortar 6. The sealant 8 is used to cover the sealing strip 7 to form a secondary waterproof layer. There is no V-shaped rubber strip structure. A special sealant is used instead, which is not easy to accumulate garbage, is easy to clean, easy to replace (maintain), and has little impact on traffic. Under normal circumstances, the time from removing the original rubber strip to opening the road to traffic is short. After the EP100 polymer mortar 6 is cured, it has a certain degree of elasticity, which greatly reduces the noise of tires driving over the expansion joint.

[0035] The connecting component assembly 10 includes mounting shells 101 symmetrically fixed to the surfaces of two layers of bridge deck pavement concrete 3 and secured by concrete. The mounting shells 101 are located above the bridge deck pavement concrete 3, and the space between each mounting shell 101 is filled with concrete. The interiors of the two mounting shells 101 slide through the outer surfaces of sleeves 104 and sliding tubes 105, respectively. The sleeves 104 and sliding tubes 105 slide through each other at their closest points, allowing bridge 1 and bridge 2 to move under normal operating conditions. Three fracture grooves 109 are provided inside the sleeves 104 and outside the sliding tubes 105, arranged in an array at the ends of the sleeves 104 and sliding tubes 105 located outside the mounting shells 101. The fracture grooves 109 are designed to allow bridge 1 and bridge 2 to move in the event of an earthquake. Bridge 2 increases displacement. The two mounting shells 101 are provided with a first sliding groove 102 on their sides that are close to each other. The surfaces of the first sliding grooves 102 inside the two mounting shells 101 are slidably connected to the outer walls of the sleeve 104 and the sliding tube 105, respectively. The size of the end of the sleeve 104 and the sliding tube 105 inside the first sliding groove 102 is adapted to the size of the first sliding groove 102 to avoid unstable sliding under normal working conditions and premature breakage of the fracture groove 109. The end of the inner wall of the two first sliding grooves 102 away from the sleeve 104 and the sliding tube 105 is fixed to one end of the rubber strip 103. The other ends of the two rubber strips 103 are respectively abutted to the end of the sleeve 104 and the sliding tube 105 inside the mounting shell 101. The shape of the rubber strip 103 is multi-layered corrugated fluororubber, which has better aging resistance.

[0036] Under normal operating conditions, when Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 expand due to temperature changes, they synergistically compress the EP100 polymer mortar 6, sealing strip 7, and sealant 8. Initially, the sleeve 104 and sliding tube 105 are fixed. When Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 expand and move, the sleeve 104 and sliding tube 105 will slide inside the mounting shell 101 and squeeze the rubber strip 103. This is to prevent Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 from deforming due to mutual compression caused by temperature. The displacement distance of the sleeve 104 and sliding tube 105 inside the mounting shell 101 is less than the width of the reserved gap 9. The degree is used to distinguish between displacement under normal working conditions and displacement during an earthquake. During an earthquake, under the strong extrusion force of Bridge 1 and Bridge 2, both the sleeve 104 and the slide tube 105 compress the rubber strip 103 until they come into contact with the bottom of the first slide groove 102. The strong extrusion force of Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 causes the sleeve 104 and the slide tube 105 to break along the predetermined fracture groove 109, allowing Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 to produce a large displacement (greater than the normal expansion and contraction). The seismic energy is consumed by the plastic deformation of EP100 polymer mortar 6 and sealing strip 7, preventing the force from being transmitted to Bridge 1 and Bridge 2.

[0037] One surface of the sleeve 104 is fixed to the surface of the connector 106. The inner wall of the connector 106 is threaded to one end of the slide tube 105 located inside the connector 106. The connector 106 is located on the side of the sleeve 104 near the slide tube 105. The side of the connector 106 near the slide tube 105 is threaded to a screw 107. The screw 107 passes through the connector 106 and extends into the sleeve 104. The screw 107 is used to bolt the 100EP100 polymer mortar 6 to the sleeve 104. The side of the connector 106 near the slide tube 105 has an opening. The second sliding groove 108 penetrates the connector 106 and extends into the sleeve 104. The inner wall of the second sliding groove 108 slides against the surface of one end of the sliding tube 105 located inside the connector 106. The size of the end of the sliding tube 105 located inside the connector 106 matches the size of the second sliding groove 108. An auxiliary groove 110 is provided in the middle of the sliding tube 105. The auxiliary groove 110 is annular and reduces the size of the middle part of the sliding tube 105. The auxiliary groove 110 is located on the right side of the threaded portion of the sliding tube 105 inside the connector 106. Figure 5 As shown, the auxiliary groove 110 is used to prevent the threaded protrusion inside the connector 106 from blocking the sliding of the slide tube 105 inside the second slide groove 108 when the slide tube 105 rotates into the interior of the second slide groove 108 and is not threadedly connected to the connector 106. Two fracture grooves 109 are respectively opened on the surfaces of the second slide groove 108 and the auxiliary groove 110, and the thickness of the two fracture grooves 109 is one-third of the thickness of the sleeve 104 and the slide tube 105, respectively. This ensures both daily strength and instantaneous fracture at the critical point.

[0038] The threaded connection between connector 106 and slide tube 105 facilitates the replacement of sleeve 104 and slide tube 105. After an earthquake, only the sealing strip 7 and sealant 8 need to be removed, and the broken sleeve 104 and slide tube 105 need to be taken out. The sleeve 104 and slide tube 105, initially in their contracted state, are placed inside the pre-reserved slot 9 and moved horizontally until one end of sleeve 104 is inserted into the first sliding groove 102. When the sleeve 104 and slide tube 105 are stretched, the slide tube 105 is inserted into the first sliding groove 102 on the other side. The sleeve 104 and slide tube 105 are connected to the rubber strip. 103 is engaged, then the sleeve 104 and slide tube 105 are rotated, and the slide tube 105 is threadedly connected and fixed to the connector 106. No large-area structural dismantling is required, and the repair time can be controlled within a few hours. The sleeve 104 and slide tube 105 are made of bainitic isothermal hardened steel (such as S7 tool steel), with an ultimate strength >1500MPa and high fracture toughness. The fracture groove 109 is laser hardened, and the bottom of the groove is hardened to HRC60 to avoid stress corrosion cracking. The inner wall of the mounting shell 101 is coated with PTFE (friction coefficient <0.05).

[0039] EP100 polymer mortar 6 achieves a compressive strength of 10.3 MPa after 24 hours of curing and 15.3 MPa after 7 days of curing, ensuring it will not collapse or dent when subjected to wheel impacts. Simultaneously, after curing, the rebound rate of a 100mm test block should exceed 95%.

[0040] According to the Texas TEX-618-J standard, the rebound rate = (s + fi) / s

[0041] s: Maximum displacement. If it exceeds 2.5mm, then only compress until a displacement of 2.5mm occurs.

[0042] f: Final height of the test block

[0043] i: Initial height of the test block

[0044] Before testing, measure the initial height (i) of the specimen. To begin the test, apply a static load of 100kN to the 100mm*100mm specimen at a rate of 4mm / min until the maximum displacement or 2.5mm displacement is reached. After the displacement is achieved, release the load and allow the specimen to stand for 5 minutes. The measured height is the final height (f). Then, calculate the rebound rate using the formula described above.

[0045] After repeating the above steps 50 times, the compressive resilience rate must consistently remain above 95%. This proves that EP100 polymer mortar 6 possesses both strength and excellent deformation recovery capability.

[0046] Meanwhile, in the ultimate load failure test, after reaching the maximum load and continuing to apply load, the specimen continued to compress, and the compression displacement increased to 15mm without failure. After unloading, the deformation recovery rate of the 100mm*100mm specimen was still 99.8%. This indicates that the EP100 expansion joint system can also withstand traffic conditions under extreme circumstances (such as extremely overloaded vehicles).

[0047] The implementation principle of a trigger-type unlocking connector for bridge expansion joints in this application embodiment is as follows: A bridge deck concrete layer 3 and an asphalt concrete layer 4 are laid sequentially above Bridge 1 and Bridge 2. After the asphalt concrete layer 4 is laid, the actual width of the expansion joint is confirmed, and the width of the reserved joint 9 is determined according to the actual situation. Markings are made, ensuring the lines are accurate and straight to guarantee a neat joint appearance. Then, the connector assembly 10 is installed onto the bridge deck concrete layer 3, and the connector assemblies 10 are fixed together with concrete. An epoxy resin layer 5 is applied to the sides of the asphalt concrete layer 4 and the top of the mounting shell 101 using a brush. Then, polymer mortar 6 is laid and manually compacted with a wooden tamping rod. After the expansion joint construction is completed, depending on the immediate construction environment, after the surface has solidified, a trowel is used to chamfer and smooth the edges of the expansion joint at a 45-degree angle. A foam sealing strip 7 is embedded into the reserved joint 9 using a tool, ensuring the foam strip fits snugly against the expansion joint without protrusions or damage. A sealant 8 is injected using a glue gun, ensuring it is below the road surface level.

[0048] Under normal operating conditions, when Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 expand and move, the sleeve 104 and the sliding tube 105 will slide inside the mounting shell 101 and squeeze the rubber strip 103. The EP100 polymer mortar 6, the sealing strip 7, and the rubber strip 103 work together to compress, adapting to the thermal expansion and contraction of Bridge 1 and Bridge 2, and preventing Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 from deforming due to mutual compression caused by temperature. During an earthquake, under strong compressive force, the sleeve 104 and the sliding tube 105 will break along the predetermined fracture groove 109, allowing Bridge 1 and Bridge 2 to undergo large displacement (greater than the normal expansion and contraction). The seismic energy is dissipated through the plastic deformation of the EP100 polymer mortar 6 and the sealing strip 7, preventing the force from being transmitted to Bridge 1 and Bridge 2. After the earthquake, only the sealing strip 7 and sealant 8 need to be removed, the broken sleeve 104 and slide pipe 105 need to be taken out, and new sleeve 104 and slide pipe 105 need to be installed and rotated to fix them. There is no need to dismantle the structure over a large area, and the repair efficiency is significantly improved. By using EP100 polymer mortar 6 as the core, combined with the installation shell 101, the corrugated elastic rubber strip 103, and the sleeve 104 and slide pipe 105 with fracture groove 109, a multi-level deformation and energy dissipation mechanism is formed.

[0049] The above are merely optional embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint, characterized by: The utility model provides a bridge pavement structure, including bridge deck pavement concrete layer (3) and asphalt concrete layer (4) that are laid successively from bottom to top on bridge one (1) and bridge two (2), the preformed joint (9) for preventing bridge one (1) and bridge two (2) from deforming is opened between bridge one (1) and bridge two (2), the surface of bridge deck pavement concrete layer (3) is arranged with the connecting piece assembly (10) for increasing the displacement length of bridge one (1) and bridge two (2) by breaking on one side close to expansion joint (9), the surface one side of connecting piece assembly (10) is provided with high polymer mortar (6); The connecting piece assembly (10) includes two installation shells (101) symmetrically fixedly connected to the surfaces of the two bridge deck pavement concrete layers (3) and fixed by concrete, the inside of each of the two installation shells (101) is slidably connected with a sleeve pipe (104) and a sliding pipe (105) that penetrate each other to enable bridge one (1) and bridge two (2) to move under daily working conditions, the inside of the sleeve pipe (104) and the outside of the sliding pipe (105) are both arrayed with breaking grooves (109) for breaking to allow bridge one (1) and bridge two (2) to increase displacement during an earthquake.

2. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The surface of each of the two installation shells (101) penetrates a first sliding groove (102) that slidably contacts the surface of the sleeve pipe (104) and the sliding pipe (105) respectively, and the inside of each of the two first sliding grooves (102) is fixedly connected with a rubber strip (103) that abuts against the sleeve pipe (104) and the sliding pipe (105) respectively.

3. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint according to claim 2, wherein: The surface of the sleeve pipe (104) is fixedly connected with a connecting head (106) that is threadedly connected with the surface of the sliding pipe (105), and the inside of the connecting head (106) is threadedly connected with a screw (107) that penetrates the connecting head (106) and extends into the inside of the sleeve pipe (104).

4. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint according to claim 3, wherein: The surface of the connecting head (106) is provided with a second sliding groove (108) that penetrates the connecting head (106) and extends into the inside of the sleeve pipe (104), and the inner wall of the second sliding groove (108) is slidably connected with the end of the sliding pipe (105) located in the inside of the connecting head (106).

5. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint according to claim 3, wherein: The surface of the sliding pipe (105) is provided with an auxiliary groove (110) in the form of a circular ring.

6. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two breaking grooves (109) are arranged on the surfaces of the second sliding groove (108) and the auxiliary groove (110) respectively, and the thicknesses of the two breaking grooves (109) are each one third of the thicknesses of the sleeve pipe (104) and the sliding pipe (105).

7. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint according to claim 2, wherein: The rubber strip (103) is in the form of a multilayered wave-shaped fluorine rubber.

8. A trigger release connector for use in a bridge expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outside of the high polymer mortar (6) is provided with an epoxy resin layer (5) between the surface of the installation shell (101) and the outside of the asphalt concrete layer (4), a sealing strip (7) is arranged between the two high polymer mortars (6), and a sealant (8) is arranged between the surface of the sealing strip (7) and the two high polymer mortars (6).

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