METHOD FOR DRIVING INTO A BRIDGE SUPERSTRUCTURE

Description

[0001] The present application relates to a method for driving in a bridge superstructure to complete a bridge structure spanning a lower roadway.

[0002] Various methods for constructing or replacing bridge structures are known in the prior art. In one of these known methods, the superstructure of the bridge to be completed or replaced is erected on a construction site adjacent to the existing bridge and a roadway spanned by the bridge. From this construction site, the superstructure is moved across the roadway to the area of ​​the bridge being completed, lifted, and placed onto the bridge's abutments.

[0003] A significant disadvantage of the method is that for each bridge structure to be completed in this way, a separate construction site must be set up in the immediate vicinity for the erection of the bridge superstructure.

[0004] Another method for assembling bridge superstructures is known from DD 288 514 A7. However, this method is only suitable for multi-span bridges. The individual components of the multi-span bridge are moved using rail-guided rolling structures and lowering structures similar to a gantry crane. The lowering structures are positioned on abutments or piers of the multi-span bridge. This makes the method relatively complex and limited to bridge superstructures with relatively low weight and relatively small dimensions.

[0005] From DE 12 33 898 B, a device for laying prefabricated bridge sections on previously erected piers of a multi-span bridge structure is known. The device is designed as a laying bridge that can be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the bridge on two transverse guide rails arranged one behind the other on piers positioned one behind the other along the bridge's longitudinal axis. After the prefabricated bridge sections have been laid in one span, the laying bridge is advanced into the next span. The laying bridge has longitudinally movable lifting devices for picking up and setting down the prefabricated bridge sections. At the end facing forward when advanced into the next span, the laying bridge is equipped with an elongated auxiliary beam that is supported on the next pier during the advance. The laying bridge and the associated laying method are only suitable for multi-span bridges. The laying bridge and the laying method are relatively complex.

[0006] DE 42 32 126 C1 discloses a method for bridge dismantling and assembly in which girder bundles consisting of girders from the main structure of a new bridge superstructure are used to form supports for longitudinal sliding tracks for dismantling an old bridge superstructure. The old superstructure is lifted and moved longitudinally along the bridge. The girder bundles are then separated into individual girders by lateral movement, and these are assembled in their final position as the main girders. The new superstructure is then completed. This method is relatively complex, particularly since the bridge superstructure still requires extensive completion on site.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for driving in a bridge superstructure to complete a bridge structure, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0008] According to the invention, the problem is solved by a method according to claim 1. According to the method according to the invention, a temporary auxiliary bridge structure is erected in the area of ​​the bridge structure to be completed, for the temporary bridging of the area to be spanned by the bridge structure to be completed. In particular, the auxiliary bridge structure spans the entire area to be spanned by the bridge structure to be completed. The bridge structure is preferably designed as a single-span bridge. Preferably, the bridge superstructure is designed as a solid bridge superstructure, in particular as a reinforced concrete bridge superstructure. The bridge structure can be completed, in particular, by driving in a single bridge superstructure. The method is therefore particularly efficient.

[0009] The prefabricated bridge superstructure is arranged on a transport system, which preferably comprises at least one vehicle, and more preferably at least one self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT). Alternatively, the transport system can be designed as at least one launching device. Specifically, the prefabricated bridge superstructure is transferred from the transport system to a construction site. The bridge superstructure is then transported by the transport system to the temporary bridge structure and positioned there relative to the abutments of the bridge structure to be completed. In particular, the bridge superstructure can be positioned by the transport system in a plane parallel to the roadway leading over the bridge structure, both longitudinally and transversely relative to the abutments.The transport device is preferably designed to be movable in the transverse direction of the bridge superstructure, for which purpose it particularly includes a steering unit. This allows for the simple compensation of a lateral offset between the abutments and the bridge superstructure, thus eliminating the need for complex rail guides.

[0010] The bridge superstructure is repositioned using a lifting device so that the transport device can subsequently be removed from the bridge area. The repositioning of the bridge superstructure can be accomplished by lifting it with the lifting device or by lowering it with the transport device. According to the invention, the lifting device is arranged at the same level as, and in particular next to, the lower roadway passing under the bridge structure being completed. Advantageously, after the repositioning, the bridge superstructure rests at least indirectly on the lifting device. In particular, after the repositioning, the underside of the bridge superstructure facing the lower roadway rests at least indirectly on the upper side of the lifting device facing away from the lower roadway. Thus, the weight of the bridge superstructure can advantageously be distributed via the lower roadway.The lifting mechanism allows for the diversion of loads to the subsoil adjacent to the lower roadway without placing additional stress on the abutments. Furthermore, the design and dimensions of the lifting device are independent of the abutments. This eliminates the need for gantry cranes, which, due to their limited lifting capacity, are unsuitable for relatively large and heavy bridge superstructures. It also allows for the installation of a bridge superstructure with a width greater than the width of the abutments.

[0011] The lifting device comprises, in particular, several lifting elements. Preferably, the lifting device, and especially each lifting element, is designed as a jack system, particularly preferably as a so-called "cube jack system". The lifting device can thus, for example, have a lifting capacity of 2500 tons and lift or lower comparatively large and heavy bridge superstructures, especially reinforced concrete bridge superstructures.

[0012] The temporary support bridge structure will then be removed or dismantled. After the transport equipment and the support bridge structure have been removed from the bridge area, the bridge superstructure can be lowered onto the bridge abutments of the bridge structure to be completed using the lifting device.

[0013] The method according to the invention offers significant advantages for large construction projects involving the renewal or replacement of multiple bridge structures. A typical application is the renewal or expansion of motorway sections. On such projects, which typically encompass several kilometers to several dozen kilometers, numerous bridge structures regularly need to be renewed or replaced. The largest proportion of bridge structures are single-span bridges, which can be completed particularly easily using the method according to the invention by inserting a bridge superstructure. In particular, the method according to the invention can be used to complete single-span bridges with comparatively large superstructures with a width of approximately 16 to 24 meters.

[0014] Since the superstructures of several bridges can be constructed together on one or a few central construction sites, costs for setting up and developing the infrastructure of the otherwise necessary individual construction sites can be saved. Furthermore, the load on the typically smaller roads running under the bridges being renewed or completed, where the individual construction sites would otherwise be located, is reduced.

[0015] Preferably, the method includes a further step in the construction of a bridge superstructure. Particularly preferably, the bridge superstructure is constructed at the level of the roadway leading over the bridge structure to be completed. In this case, the bridge superstructure can be transported to the bridge structure to be completed using the transport equipment on the roadway leading over the bridge structure to be completed. Thus, particularly in the case of highways, cost-effective transport of the bridge superstructure can be achieved.

[0016] This method allows for the use of central construction sites for erecting the necessary bridge superstructures at highway level. From these sites, a bridge superstructure can be transported across the highway being worked on to a temporary support bridge structure erected in the area where the bridge is being completed. Existing highway rest areas, for example, can be converted into suitable central construction sites. It is no longer necessary to establish a separate construction site for each bridge superstructure. The number of such construction sites for erecting bridge superstructures can be reduced. A highway being worked on provides a simple and convenient transport route with sufficient width and a straight alignment, making the transport of the prefabricated bridge superstructures across the highway easy and cost-effective.

[0017] Preferably, the method includes the further steps of removing an existing old bridge superstructure and at least partially renewing or constructing a bridge substructure, in particular the bridge abutments. If the roadway crossing a bridge structure is widened, the bridge substructure is completely replaced with a wider version.

[0018] The method is particularly suitable for replacing bridge structures, since in this case there is typically already a roadway that leads over the bridge structure to be replaced and which can be used for transporting the bridge superstructure using the transport device.

[0019] Preferably, the method comprises the further steps of constructing temporary abutments for the temporary bridge structure and removing these abutments. Particularly preferably, the temporary abutments for the temporary bridge structure are erected next to a roadway passing under the bridge structure being completed, such that they minimize any disruption to the roadway. In this further development, the roadway passing under the bridge structure is only minimally affected. The bridge structure can be completed or renewed with only short closure times of this roadway. The temporary abutments are then completely removed.

[0020] Preferably, crossbeams arranged under the bridge superstructure are used, on or with which the bridge superstructure is placed on the transport device.

[0021] Crossbeams allow the load of the bridge superstructure to be distributed more evenly, particularly across multiple lifting elements of the lifting device. The lifting device for transferring and lowering the bridge superstructure is brought into contact with the crossbeams. The use of such crossbeams simplifies the process. For example, a bridge superstructure with bridge superstructure connections projecting downwards towards the bridge abutments can be placed on such crossbeams without the bridge superstructure connections being obstructed or damaged. For this purpose, the crossbeams have a height greater than the length of the projecting connection reinforcements.Other, but preferably the same, crossbeams are designed such that, when the bridge structure is positioned on the transport device, they project laterally beyond the transport device. A lifting device, preferably located in the area of ​​the bridge structure to be completed below the roadway leading over the bridge structure, can easily pick up and transfer the bridge superstructure, which has been transported on the transport device into the area of ​​the bridge structure to be completed, by means of the projecting crossbeams. The transport device can then be easily removed from the area of ​​the bridge structure to be completed.

[0022] Further advantages of the invention can be seen in the following exemplary embodiments. These show Fig. 1A + Fig. 1B: The erection of a temporary auxiliary bridge structure in the area of ​​the bridge structure to be completed; Fig. 2A + Fig. 2B: The transport of the prefabricated bridge superstructure onto the auxiliary bridge structure using a transport device; Fig. 3A + Fig. 3: The lifting of the bridge superstructure using a lifting device; Fig. 4A + Fig. 4B: The removal of the temporary auxiliary bridge structure with the bridge superstructure lifted by the lifting device; Fig. 5A + Fig. 5B: The bridge superstructure lifted by the lifting device with the transport device and the auxiliary bridge structure removed from the bridge area; Fig. 6A + Fig. 6B: The bridge structure with the bridge superstructure lowered onto the bridge abutments.

[0023] In each case, A denotes a variant in which the bridge structure is designed as a supported, single-span girder. B denotes a variant with a bridge structure designed as a frame structure.

[0024] Fig. 1A or Fig. 1B Figures 2 and 3 show a bridge structure 2 to be completed, comprising a bridge substructure with two bridge abutments 4. A temporary auxiliary bridge structure 6 is erected in the area of ​​the bridge structure 2 to be completed. The auxiliary bridge structure 6 comprises two temporary auxiliary abutments 8, which are arranged on both sides of a lower roadway U adjacent to the bridge abutments 4, so that the lower roadway U is not, or only minimally, affected by the auxiliary bridge structure 6. At least one temporary roadway 10 is placed on the temporary auxiliary abutments 8. In the embodiments shown in Figure 3, the auxiliary bridge structure 6 is constructed as follows: Fig. 1A or Fig. 1B This is done by a mobile crane K. The temporary roadway 10 rests on the two temporary abutments 8. It extends over the temporary abutments 8 into the area of ​​an upper roadway O, on which it also rests. The temporary roadway 10 spans the entire area to be spanned by the bridge structure 2 to be completed. The temporary auxiliary bridge structure 6 thus forms a kind of three-span bridge.

[0025] In the procedural step after Fig. 2A or Fig. 2B A prefabricated bridge superstructure 12, mounted on a transport device 14, is transported by the transport device 14 onto the temporary auxiliary bridge structure 6. The auxiliary bridge structure 6 can comprise several auxiliary roadways 10. In the case of an auxiliary bridge structure 6 comprising several auxiliary roadways 10 and a transport device 14 comprising several vehicles, in particular SPMTs, one vehicle is specifically arranged on each of the auxiliary roadways 10. However, several vehicles can also be arranged on the same auxiliary roadway. The vehicles are coupled together, in particular for synchronous transport. The prefabricated bridge superstructure 12 is aligned with the bridge abutments 4 of the bridge structure 2 to be completed using the transport device 14.

[0026] The bridge abutments 4 have bridge abutment connections 16, which in variant A are designed as bridge abutment connection bearings and in variant B as bridge abutment connection reinforcements. The prefabricated bridge superstructure 12 has bridge superstructure connections 18, which in variant A are designed as bridge superstructure connection bearings and in variant B as bridge superstructure connection reinforcements, each projecting downwards from the prefabricated bridge superstructure 12. The bridge superstructure 12 is mounted on the transport device 14 via two crossbeams 20. This ensures that the bridge superstructure connections 18 are not damaged. The crossbeams 20 project beyond the transport device 14.A lifting device 22, which is located below the upper roadway O in the area of ​​the bridge structure 2 to be completed and next to a lower roadway U passing under the bridge structure 2 to be completed, can be brought into contact with the parts of the crossbeams 20 that project beyond the transport device 14, and the prefabricated bridge superstructure 20 can be transferred by the transport device 14 by lifting. This is shown in . Fig. 3A or Fig. 3B As shown. Alternatively, the prefabricated bridge superstructure 20 can be reloaded by lowering the transport device 14. The lifting device 22 can comprise several lifting elements. Preferably, the lifting device 22 is designed as a press system, particularly preferably as a so-called "cube jack system".

[0027] The transport device 14 is then removed from the area of ​​the bridge structure 2 to be completed. The temporary auxiliary bridge structure 6 with the temporary auxiliary abutments 8 is dismantled beneath the prefabricated bridge superstructure 12, which has been transferred via the lifting device 22 and, in this case, lifted. The temporary roadway 10 is removed laterally using a mobile crane K, as shown in Fig. 4A or Fig. 4B As shown. When dismantling the temporary bridge structure, movable temporary abutments 8 can be helpful, as shown in Fig. 4A or Fig. 4B depicted.

[0028] Fig. 5A or Fig. 5B The figures show the procedure after the transport device 14 and the temporary auxiliary bridge structure 6 have been removed from the area of ​​the bridge structure 2 to be completed. The prefabricated bridge superstructure 12 has been lifted by the lifting device 22 and can now be lowered onto the bridge abutments 4 to complete the bridge structure 2. Fig. 6A or Fig. 6B Each shows the completed bridge structure 2 with the bridge superstructure 12 placed on the bridge abutments 4.

[0029] The lifting device 22 can then be removed from the area of ​​the bridge structure 2 and the bridge superstructure 12 can be connected to the upper roadway O or the upper roadway O can be completed.

[0030] The method shown in the exemplary embodiments has only a minimal impact on the lower roadway U. The upper roadway O, especially if it is a section of highway, can be used particularly easily for transporting the prefabricated bridge superstructure 12 with the transport device 14. The transport device 14 preferably consists of at least one, and more preferably two, so-called SPMTs (Self-Propelled Modular Transporters). By adjusting the height of the axles of the transport device 14, this allows the prefabricated bridge superstructure 12 to be moved onto the temporary bridge structure 6 at a more or less constant height and in a horizontal orientation. The risk of damage to the prefabricated bridge superstructure 12 is reduced.

[0031] Using the upper roadway O to transport the prefabricated bridge superstructure 12 allows a central construction site to be used for manufacturing prefabricated bridge superstructures for several bridge structures 2 to be completed. The effort required to set up and operate such a construction site is reduced compared to using individual construction sites for each bridge structure. The completed bridge structure 2 can then be used to transport further prefabricated bridge superstructures 12 from the construction site to the respective bridge structures to be completed, which are located further away from the central construction site, via the upper roadway O.

Claims

1. A method for installing a bridge superstructure (12) to complete a bridge structure (2) spanning a lower roadway (U), comprising the steps of: - constructing a temporary auxiliary bridge structure (6) in the area of the bridge structure (2) to be completed for temporarily bridging the area to be spanned by the bridge structure (2) to be completed, - arranging a prefabricated bridge superstructure (12) on a transport device (14), transporting the bridge superstructure (12) with the transport device (14) onto the auxiliary bridge structure (6), and positioning the bridge superstructure (12) relative to bridge abutments (4) of the bridge structure (2) to be completed, - transferring the load of the bridge superstructure (12) via a lifting device (22), - removing the transport device from the bridge area, - removing the temporary auxiliary bridge structure (6), - lowering the bridge superstructure (12) onto the bridge abutments (4) via the lifting device (22), characterized in that the lifting device (22) is arranged at the same height level as the lower roadway (U) passing under the bridge structure to be completed.

2. The method according to claim 1 characterized by the further step of: - constructing a bridge superstructure (12), in particular at the height level of the upper roadway O leading over the bridge structure to be completed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the further steps of: - removing an existing old bridge superstructure, - constructing or at least partially renewing the bridge substructure, in particular the bridge abutments (4).

4. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the further steps of: - constructing temporary auxiliary abutments (8) for the auxiliary bridge structure (6), in particular next to a lower roadway U passing under the bridge structure (2) to be completed, - removing the auxiliary abutments (8).

5. The method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the use of cross beams (20) arranged under the bridge superstructure (12), on or with which the bridge superstructure (12) is placed on the transport device (14), wherein the lifting device (22) is brought into contact with the cross beams (20) for transferring and lowering the bridge superstructure (12).