Honeycomb protective device for attachment to a bridge girder

Abstract

Protective device (100) for protecting bridge girders (20) against collisions with motor vehicles, comprising at least one sandwich panel formed from at least two honeycomb structures and a cover plate, as well as an outer plate (10) covering the sandwich plate, characterized in that one sandwich panel is designed as a projection part (5) and another sandwich panel is designed as a hull (6), by means of which the protective device (100) can be fastened to a bridge girder (20).

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective device comprising a honeycomb structure which can be attached to a bridge girder to protect the bridge from collisions. State of the art

[0002] A significant proportion of bridge damage is caused by collisions with vehicles. These collisions can even lead to the partial destruction of the bridge structure. Collisions can be caused, among other things, by vehicles leaving the roadway and crashing into bridge piers, or by oversized vehicles that cannot pass under the bridge girder and therefore collide with it.

[0003] There are numerous patents and utility model documents concerning protection against vehicles colliding with bridge piers. For example, document CN 209292873 U describes a device for protecting bridge piers from collisions. The device consists of a sandwich element with a honeycomb structure, a shell, and an energy-dissipating layer. The disadvantage of the device is that it is not suitable for protecting the bridge's supporting piers against oversized vehicles, but only against vehicles that pass under the bridge, leave the road, and collide with the bridge's supporting elements.

[0004] Document CN 213709187 U describes a device for protecting bridge railings from impacting vehicles, primarily using steel plates. The disadvantage of this device is that it does not protect against impacts of oversized vehicles on the bridge girder.

[0005] Consequently, there is a need for a device to protect bridge girders from the impact of oversized vehicles on the road. Brief description of the invention

[0006] The present invention is based on the knowledge that the bridge girders of bridges are equipped with a protection consisting of honeycomb elements in order to absorb at least part of the impact force in the event of a collision of oversized vehicles with the bridge girder and to prevent damage to the bridge structure.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a protective device for protecting bridge girders from collisions with motor vehicles, comprising a sandwich panel with at least two honeycomb structures and a cover plate and an outer plate covering the sandwich panel, characterized in that one sandwich panel is designed as a projection and another sandwich panel is used as a body by which the construction can be attached to a bridge girder.

[0008] The figures each show Fig. 1 a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the protective device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective side view of another preferred embodiment of the protective device according to the invention; Fig. 3 a perspective front view of part of the honeycomb structure of the projection part according to the invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective side view of the first embodiment of the protective device according to the invention, attached to the bridge girder; Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective front view of the second embodiment of the protective device according to the invention, attached to the bridge girder; Fig. Figure 6 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the protective device according to the invention, attached to the bridge girder. Detailed description of the invention

[0009] Within the scope of the invention, an uncovered side is understood to be the sides of the bridge girder that do not rest on the bridge. In the case of a road (land or waterway, on which vehicles travel) running under a bridge, this typically means that the side of the bridge girder opposite the road, by which it is attached to the bridge, is covered.

[0010] The basic idea of ​​the device according to the invention is that the protective elements with honeycomb structure protect the bridge girder from a significant portion of the damage caused by collisions.

[0011] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows two different embodiments of the protective device 100 according to the invention. The protective device 100 consists of a sandwich panel comprising a honeycomb core and a covering plate, as well as an outer plate 10 as a cover. In the first embodiment, one sandwich panel is designed as a projection 5 that rests on the lower part of the bridge girder 20. The second sandwich panel is attached to this projection 5 as a body formation 6, which bears the impact force and protects the bridge girder 20 from collisions with motor vehicles. The protective device 100 also has fastening elements 7 on the body 6 and / or on the projection 5.

[0012] In the embodiment of the Fig. 1. The hull 6 has the shape of a cuboid, while in the embodiment of the Fig. 2. The lower part of the cuboid has a truncation / chamfer 6a. The advantage of the cuboid shape is that the protective device 100 has more space to press down and absorb the impact force. In the case of the truncated cuboid shape, the design helps to direct the impact force away from the bridge girder 20 through the protective device 100 and also to steer the direction of travel of the impacting vehicle if the vehicle's height falls below the height of the protective device 100 due to the collision. Of course, we do not rule out the possibility that the truncation 6a of the body 6 is rounded, i.e., designed as a transition without sharp corners. Furthermore, a parallelepiped cuboid shape, another slotted shape, or even a conical shape is also conceivable.The use of a cutout 6a is also advantageous because, in a fuselage 6 without a cutout 6a, the honeycomb core is the primary energy collector and absorber. Conversely, in the case of a cutout 6a, the plate covering the honeycomb core can also absorb significant energy from the impact.

[0013] To form the protective device 100, the projection 5 and the stem 6 are glued to the outer plate 10. Additionally, it is preferred to glue the projection 5 and the body 6 together to increase stability. Of course, we do not rule out the possibility that the individual parts of the protective device 100 may also be connected to each other by other permanent joints.

[0014] Of course, we are not excluding other forms of protective device 100. In the design of the hull 6, it is important to absorb or redirect the impact energy and protect the structure of the bridge girder 20 from damage. And the role of the projection 5 is to provide a mounting point for the protective device 100 on the bridge girder 20.

[0015] The honeycomb structure of the protective device 100 can be made of aluminum, polymer, aramid fabric, various metal foams, or various composite materials such as a mixture of metal, ceramic, glass, and carbon. In the case of polymeric materials, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyurethane, for example, can be used. Furthermore, it is important that the honeycomb structure is designed so that the honeycomb orientation absorbs the maximum energy from the impact. For this purpose, as shown in... Fig. Figure 3 shows the honeycomb structure of the projection 5 oriented perpendicular to the roadway, while the direction of the honeycomb structure for the body 6 is parallel to the roadway. This design helps the honeycomb structure absorb most of the impact energy.

[0016] The cover plate is made of steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, Kevlar, or similar solid materials. It is important that the cover plate is able to protect the honeycomb core material and absorb at least some of the impact energy. Another function of the cover plate is to provide support for the core material and protect it from UV radiation and other environmental influences. The outer plate 10 is preferably made of an aluminum 3003 alloy.

[0017] The material of the outer plate 10 is steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, Kevlar, or a similar rigid structural material, preferably steel. The purpose of the outer plate 10 is to protect the bridge girder 20 from being pushed against it by the protective device 100.

[0018] The protective device 100 is, as in the Fig.Figures 4 to 6 show the guard 100 being attached to the uncovered side of the bridge girder 20, such that the projection of the guard 100 rests on the side 21 of the bridge girder 20 facing the road. The fastening elements 7 are attached to the uncovered sides of the bridge girder 20 such that the body 6 faces outwards from the bridge, i.e., towards the approaching traffic. Preferably, the entire length of the bridge girder 20 is covered by the guard 100 or by more than one guard 100. However, we do not exclude the possibility of covering only certain sections of the bridge girder 20 with one or more guards 100 where vehicles are likely to collide with the bridge girder 20.

[0019] The fastening is typically achieved with a fixing screw, so we create connection points on the side of the bridge girder 20 by drilling and inserting chemical anchors into which the fastening elements 7 of the guard 100 are attached. Of course, we do not rule out other common permanent connections. Preferably, the bridge girder 20 is also subjected to a surface treatment so that the guard 100 rests as perfectly as possible on the surface of the bridge girder 20. Additionally, the application of adhesive can reinforce the fastening. The guard 100 can also be equipped with other safety elements, such as a wire rope, to prevent parts of the guard 100 from falling onto the road in the event of a collision.

[0020] The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that it protects the bridge girder from damage caused by collisions with oversized vehicles or reduces the extent of such damage. Furthermore, it is easy to install, easy to replace in case of damage, and its condition is easy to check.

[0021] Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that different designs are possible, so that even a device can be manufactured that is aesthetically adapted to the bridge. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CN 209292873 U

[0003] CN 213709187 U

[0004]

Claims

[1] Protective device (100) for protecting bridge girders (20) from collisions with motor vehicles, comprising at least one sandwich panel formed from at least two honeycomb structures and a cover plate as well as an outer plate (10) covering the sandwich panel, characterized by , that one sandwich panel is designed as a projection part (5) and another sandwich panel as a body (6) by which the protective device (100) can be attached to a bridge girder (20). [2] Protective device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that it is further equipped with fastening elements (7) for attachment to the bridge girder (20). [3] Protective device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the honeycomb structure consists of at least one of the following materials: aluminum, polymer, aramid fabric, metal foam or metal, ceramic, glass or a carbon-based composite mixture. [4] Protective device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the cover plate is made of at least one of the following materials: steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, Kevlar. [5] Protective device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the material of the cover plate is an aluminum alloy 3003. [6] Protective device (100) according to one of claims 1-5, characterized by , that the outer plate (10) is made of at least one of the following materials: steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, Kevlar. [7] Protective device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the outer plate (10) is made of steel. [8] Protective device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the hull (6) has a cut-off (6a). [9] System with a bridge girder (20), characterized by, that it also has at least one protective device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, which is attached to an uncovered surface of the bridge girder (20). [10] System according to claim 9, characterized by , that at least 80% of the length of the side (21) of the bridge girder (20) is covered by one or more protective devices (100). [11] System according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that essentially the entire length of the side (21) of the bridge girder (20) is covered by one or more protective devices (100).

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