Road structure comprising a road joint and method of installing such a joint

Abstract

Part of a road structure comprising a roadway joint and method for installing such a joint Part of a road structure comprising at least two deck portions separated by a gap (4) and at least one roadway joint (10) extending between them, the joint comprising: Two anti-punching strips (11) of an elastomeric material arranged respectively on each side of the gap (4) on the deck, an elastomeric strip (12) resting at least partially on the anti-punching layers (11), comprising a generally lyre-shaped part extending above the gap (4), a rigid plate (15) arranged above the generally lyre-shaped part of the elastomeric strip Figure for the abstract: Fig.1

Description

Title of the invention: Road structure comprising a road joint and method for installing such a joint Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to roadway joints, and more particularly but not exclusively to those equipping the coupled spans of viaducts with independent spans with prestressed beams (VIPP). Prior art

[0002] VIPPs are road structures capable of supporting any type of traffic, comprising coupled spans. Coupling the spans prevents the expansion of the structures and therefore eliminates the need for high-blast road joint solutions such as mechanical joints, which comprise metal parts in the form of combs with interlocking teeth, positioned in a cantilever and anchored in the supporting concrete.

[0003] Whatever the road joint chosen, it is necessary to allow free rein to the residual rotations of the spans while proposing a waterproofing treatment at the junctions between them.

[0004] Lip seals, also called “lip seals with material filling” "elastic" are applicable to all types of traffic, comprise an elastomer profile, box-shaped or V-shaped, filling the void between the lips and allowing sealing between the spans, without acting as a wheel support. The tolerable blast is generally limited to 50 mm for reasons of comfort, noise and durability. Even with a small distance between the lips, the vehicle's jump when crossing the joint remains a source of nuisance.

[0005] This context has favored the use of lightweight solutions, such as improved coating seals (JRA), more comfortable for motorists, and less expensive than mechanical seals or lip seals.

[0006] Improved coated gaskets are also known as “non- exposed with improved coating” and generally consist of the following elements: - A foam joint base positioned in the gap, to prevent leaks of coating when pouring the coating, - a bridging plate forming the junction between the two spans, most often made of aluminium or steel and 10 to 20 cm wide, - a bonding primer to improve the adhesion of the joint to the concrete deck and to the asphalt layers, - a special asphalt coating composed of binders and aggregates.

[0007] These seals are designed for low blows, less than 20 mm.

[0008] Although they are also very comfortable for motorists, they are different from under-surface road joints, as they make it impossible to maintain the continuity of the road surface material. The bridging between the road surfaces is achieved by the special asphalt coating, which allows slight structural movements without causing cracking.

[0009] However, since the ban on the use of coal tar pitch for health reasons, an essential material in the composition of binders for improved coatings, this type of joint tends to lack rigidity, which impacts its longevity.

[0010] There is thus a need to benefit from a road joint capable of withstanding all types of road traffic, of replacing joints with improved coating, and having a satisfactory service life and comfort.

[0011] We also know a sealing complex for expansion joints in roof and floor structures, developed by the company Siplast, consisting of: - Two Paradienne SW strips on either side of the breath, - a lyre-shaped Neodymium strip ensuring the passage of breath, - a cord made of a compressible material placed in line with the lyre, - a sheet of Paradial S, applied in excess thickness, to protect the underlying complex.

[0012] The installation of this complex requires the creation of a recess on the support, as well as chamfering of the edges on either side of the breath.

[0013] This complex operates in deformation without notable effort to equip terraces accessible to pedestrians, technical roofs, garden terraces or vehicle-accessible terraces, but its use is limited to buildings and it is not intended for use on civil engineering structures subject to any type of traffic, including in particular the passage of heavy vehicles. Statement of the invention

[0014] There is therefore a need to benefit from a road joint which overcomes all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art, and in particular which is comfortable for users, capable of withstanding heavy road traffic, and of satisfactory durability. Summary of the invention

[0015] The invention meets this need thanks to a part of road structure comprising at least two deck portions separated by a gap and at least one roadway joint extending between them, the joint comprising: - Two anti-puncture strips of elastomeric material arranged res- respectively on each side of the clearance on the apron, - an elastomer strip resting at least partially on the anti-punching layers, comprising a generally lyre-shaped part extending above the clearance, - a rigid plate placed above the generally lyre-shaped part of the elastomer strip.

[0016] The invention offers numerous advantages, and in particular the joint is comfortable to cross, since it is located under a rolling coating of the road structure, and does not generate significant vibrations, and is therefore silent.

[0017] Its elasticity makes it durable. It is also relatively easy to install and maintain, as well as to replace if necessary.

[0018] It also uses components already marketed on a large scale, which reduces its cost.

[0019] Preferably, the road joint comprises a sealing layer at least partially covering the anti-puncture layers and the elastomeric seal. This sealing layer is preferably made of SBS elastomeric bitumen self-protected on its upper face by an embossed metal layer.

[0020] Preferably, the rigid plate is arranged under this sealing layer, the rigid plate advantageously being metallic, preferably made of aluminum.

[0021] Preferably, an elastomer cord is received in the generally lyre-shaped portion. Alternatively, the space inside the lyre is filled in another way.

[0022] The part of the structure advantageously comprises a reprofiling layer above the joint, as well as a layer of wearing asphalt. Preferably, the wearing layer incorporates an anti-cracking complex extending above the joint and on either side of it.

[0023] The deck may be covered by a general waterproofing layer extending above the joint, under the reprofiling layer. Preferably, the general waterproofing layer is a waterproofing sheet based on SBS bitumen binder, reinforced by a non-woven polyester reinforcement, the underside being made of a thermofusible binder, the upper side being protected by ceramic granules. The invention may allow for the absence of resealing of the general waterproofing sheet at the roadway joints.

[0024] Preferably, the two apron portions have recesses, in particular in the form of chamfers, on their edges facing each other on either side of the clearance.

[0025] The anti-puncture strips are preferably formed from SBS elastomeric bitumen sealing sheets having a synthetic reinforcement, in particular a non-woven polyester reinforcement.

[0026] The sealing strip is preferably made of unreinforced elastomer, based on ca synthetic fabrics, covered on both sides with non-woven synthetic fibers.

[0027] The invention also relates, according to another of its aspects, to a method for producing a roadway joint of a part of a road structure, comprising at least two deck portions separated by a gap, in particular a part of the structure according to the invention as defined above, the roadway joint extending between said portions, this method comprising: - The installation of two anti-punching strips of an elastomeric material placed respectively on each side of the gap on the deck, - the installation of an elastomer strip resting at least partially on the anti-punching layers, comprising a generally lyre-shaped part extending above the gap, - the installation of a rigid plate placed above the generally lyre-shaped part of the elastomer strip.

[0028] The method advantageously comprises the installation of a sealing layer at least partially covering the anti-puncture layers and the elastomer strip. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] The invention may be better understood by reading the detailed description which follows, a non-limiting example of its implementation, and by examining the attached drawing, in which:

[0030] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a longitudinal, partial and schematic section, taken in a vertical plane, of an example of a road joint according to the invention. Detailed description

[0031] [Fig.l] illustrates an example of a road structure 1 comprising a deck formed of spans 2 connected by couplings 3, this structure being for example of the VIPP type.

[0032] The spans 2 are separated by a clearance 4 corresponding to the gap of the joint and the width of which ranges for example from 0 to .. .30 mm, being for example of the order of 20 mm.

[0033] The deck is covered by a reprofiling layer 6, itself covered by a wearing course 5.

[0034] The bays 2 have respective chamfers 8 at their upper edges.

[0035] The deck has a general sealing layer 9 at the interface between the reprofiling layer 6 and the concrete of the spans 2.

[0036] An example of a seal 10 in accordance with the invention is shown schematically in [Fig. 1]. The actual proportions are not always respected in the drawing, for the sake of clarity.

[0037] The joint 10 comprises strips 11 forming a sealing underlayer, which are applied on either side of the gap 4 on the ends of the bays. These strips 11 have a role anti-punching and provide a flat surface for a sealing sheet 12 fixed on it, placed in a lyre at the level of the chamfers 8.

[0038] A compressible bridging cord 13 is received in the concavity of the lyre and makes it possible to substantially fill the void present at the right of the lyre.

[0039] A rigid plate 15 covers the sheet 12 and the bead 13 and makes it possible to avoid the risk of punching the underlying sheet 12. This plate 15 is preferably striated, and metallic, for example aluminum, being centered on the breath of the joint.

[0040] A protective sealing sheet 16 covers the stack formed of the strips 11, the sheet 12 and the plate 15. This protective sheet 16 may be wider than the sealing sheet 12, as illustrated, and have lateral edges which are located substantially at the level of the outer edges of the strips 11.

[0041] The general sealing layer 9 covers the whole.

[0042] An anti-cracking complex 17 is arranged at the base of the wearing course 5, above the ends of bays 2.

[0043] The invention is well suited to the renovation of a road structure.

[0044] To install a joint according to the invention, after demolition of the existing joints, the deck can be stripped and then the edges can be smoothed if necessary, in order to provide the flattest possible surface for installing the joint.

[0045] The chamfers 8 can be made by sawing.

[0046] A bonding primer can be applied to the concrete of the spans 2, at the location intended to receive the strips 11.

[0047] These may be waterproofing sheets of SBS elastomeric bitumen, with a reinforcement contributing to resistance to punching. These strips may be made of Paradiene®, marketed by the company SIPLAST, with a non-woven polyester reinforcement.

[0048] These strips are hot-glued to the concrete of the spans.

[0049] The sealing sheet 12 with the lyre can be made of unreinforced elastomer, based on synthetic rubbers, covered on both sides with non-woven synthetic fibers, preferably being the sealing sheet marketed under the name Neodyl by the company SIPLAST.

[0050] The sheet 12 is hot-glued onto the strips 11, being positioned untensioned so as to remain free at the level of the chamfers and to form the lyre.

[0051] It allows the sealing function to be carried out, while allowing rotation of the two spans relative to each other.

[0052] The cord 13 may be an elastomer cord, which is unwound in the bottom of the lyre. It may be the one marketed by the company SIPLAST under the name Neodyl.

[0053] The protective sheet 16 is preferably made of SBS elastomeric bitumen self-protected on its upper face by an embossed aluminum layer, with self-compensated expansion.

[0054] This is advantageously Paradial S, marketed by the company SIPLAST.

[0055] The general waterproofing sheet 9 may be a waterproofing sheet based on SBS bitumen binder, reinforced by a non-woven polyester reinforcement, the underside being made of a thermofusible binder, and the upper side being protected by ceramic granules, such as that marketed by the company SIPLAST under the reference Parafor ponts.

[0056] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described.

[0057] For example, the deployment of the cord 13 can be replaced by the casting of a suitable material into the lyre of the sheet 12.

[0058] The plate 15 can be replaced by a rigid plate of another material having the necessary rigidity, for example a plate of a composite material or of a metal other than aluminum.

[0059] The chamfers 8 can be replaced by recesses of different shape, allowing the lyre to spread out freely.

Claims

Claims

1. Part of a road structure comprising at least two deck portions separated by a gap (4) and at least one road joint (10) extending between them, the joint comprising: - Two anti-puncture strips (11) of an elastomeric material arranged respectively on each side of the gap (4) on the deck, - an elastomeric strip (12) resting at least partially on the anti-puncture layers (11), comprising a generally lyre-shaped part extending above the gap (4), - a rigid plate (15) arranged above the generally lyre-shaped part of the elastomeric strip.

2. Part of the work according to claim 1, comprising a sealing layer (16) at least partially covering the anti-punching layers (11) and the elastomer strip (12).

3. Part of the structure according to claim 2, the sealing layer (16) being made of SBS elastomeric bitumen self-protected on its upper face by an embossed metal layer.

4. Part of the structure according to claim 1 or 2, the rigid plate (15) being arranged under the sealing layer (16).

5. Part of a structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the rigid plate (15) being metallic, preferably made of aluminum.

6. Part of work according to any one of the preceding claims, an elastomer cord (13) being received in the generally lyre-shaped part.

7. Part of a structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a layer of reprofiling layer (6) above the joint, as well as a layer of wearing surface coating (5).

8. Part of the structure according to claim 7, the wearing course incorporating an anti-cracking complex (17) extending above the joint and on either side of it.

9. Part of the structure according to one of claims 7 and 8, the deck being covered by a general sealing layer (9) extending above the joint under the reprofiling layer (6), the sealing layer general being preferably a waterproofing sheet based on SBS bitumen binder, reinforced by a non-woven polyester reinforcement, the underside being made of a thermofusible binder, and the upper side being protected by ceramic granules.

10. Part of work according to any one of the preceding claims, the two portions (2) having recesses (8), in particular in the form of chamfers, on their edges facing each other of the clearance (4).

11. Part of a structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the anti-puncture strips (11) being formed from sealing sheets made of SBS elastomeric bitumen having a synthetic reinforcement, in particular a non-woven polyester reinforcement.

12. Part of a structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the sealing strip (12) being made of unreinforced elastomer, based on synthetic rubbers, covered on both sides with non-woven synthetic fibers.

13. Method for producing a roadway joint of a road structure comprising at least two deck portions separated by a gap (4), in particular a structure according to any one of the preceding claims, the roadway joint (10) extending between said portions, this method comprising: - The installation of two anti-punching strips (11) of an elastomeric material arranged respectively on each side of the gap (4) on the deck, - the installation of an elastomeric strip (12) resting at least partially on the anti-punching layers (11), comprising a generally lyre-shaped part extending above the recesses and the gap, - the installation of a rigid plate (15) arranged above the generally lyre-shaped part of the elastomeric strip.

14. Method according to claim 13, comprising the installation of a sealing layer (16) at least partially covering the anti-puncture layers (11) and the elastomer strip (12).

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