Arched supporting structure

Abstract

The invention relates to an arched supporting structure for bridging a span, comprising at least one substantially compression-resistant supporting-arch element (1) and at least one substantially tensile-resistant suspension-arch element (2), wherein the supporting-arch element (1) and the suspension-arch element (2) follow the shape of a catenary curve, in particular a hyperbolic cosine function, and the suspension-arch element (2) touches the supporting-arch element (1) at a contact point (3) and is preferably connected to the supporting-arch element (1) exclusively at this contact point (3) so that, when the arched supporting structure is loaded, the supporting-arch element (1) is predominantly under compression and the suspension-arch element (2) is predominantly under tension.

Description

[0001] Arched structure

[0002] The invention relates to an arched structure for bridging a span.

[0003] Bridges and other structural designs have been known for centuries. There are a wide variety of designs and approaches to constructing such structures. Structures such as bridges are often constructed as arched structures, which utilize circular, basket, or parabolic arches. However, such structures require increased material input to primarily support their own weight. Furthermore, they are prone to buckling if their cross-sectional area is too small and the spans are too long.

[0004] Structural designs that follow a catenary shape, such as the hyperbolic cosine, can bridge large spans using less material. They are also not affected by their own weight. The disadvantage of structural designs that follow a catenary shape, however, is that they have a very steep initial gradient near the support. This is particularly disadvantageous for pedestrian or bicycle bridges, where such a structural design can be used.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to at least partially or completely resolve this or other problems. One object of the invention may be the reduction of resources for long spans. Another object of the invention may be the reduction of costs through efficient structural design. One or more of these objects are achieved by a device according to the independent patent claims.

[0006] An arched supporting structure according to the invention for bridging a span comprises at least one essentially compression-resistant supporting arch element and at least one essentially tension-resistant suspended arch element. A supporting arch element refers to a supporting structure that is curved upwards and supported between two support points. A suspended arch element refers to a supporting structure that is curved downwards and supported between two support points.

[0007] The supporting arch element and the suspended arch element each follow the shape of a catenary, in particular a hyperbolic cosine function. The suspended arch element is tangent to the supporting arch element at a point of contact. The suspended arch element is preferably connected to the supporting arch element exclusively at this point of contact. As a result, when the arch structure is loaded, the supporting arch element is predominantly subjected to compressive stress, and the suspended arch element is predominantly subjected to tensile stress. The connection at the point of contact can be point- or surface-shaped. The connection at the point of contact can be designed to be tensile- and compressive-resistant.

[0008] The supporting arch element or the hanging arch element in particular follow a two-dimensional or three-dimensional hyperbolic cosine function or an arc hyperbolic cosine function.

[0009] In certain embodiments of the invention, the radius of curvature of the support arch elements and the hanging arch elements may be the same.

[0010] In other embodiments of the invention, the radius of curvature of the supporting arch elements and the suspended arch elements can be different. In particular, the radius of curvature of the suspended arch elements can be larger than that of the supporting arch elements. The supporting arch elements and suspended arch elements can follow any desired length of the catenary shape. One effect of an arch structure designed in this way can be that transverse forces and bending moments are kept as small as possible. The arch structure can thus support its own weight with minimal material consumption. Furthermore, the initial gradient of an arch structure with at least one suspended arch element can be reduced, thus making crossing easier, for example in the case of a bridge with an arch structure according to the invention.

[0011] An arched structure can also comprise at least one supporting arch element and at least two suspended arch elements. This can further increase stability.

[0012] Optionally, the supporting arch element of the arched structure may have two endpoints located at the bottom and one apex located at the top, with the contact point located in the area between one of the endpoints and the apex. Preferably, the contact point is closer to the apex than to the endpoint.

[0013] This design can improve stability.

[0014] If necessary, a further supporting arch element is provided, with the two supporting arch elements each touching the two ends of the suspended arch element at a point of contact and preferably being connected to the suspended arch element at these points in a tension- and compression-resistant manner. The contact points can again be located in the area between one of the end points and the apex. Preferably, the contact points are again closer to the apex than to the respective end point of the supporting arch.

[0015] If necessary, a large number of supporting arch elements and suspended arch elements are arranged alternately, with at least three suspended arch elements and at least two supporting arch elements being provided. This allows a larger span to be bridged. By using at least three suspended arch elements, the arch structure can be designed to be particularly stable.

[0016] If necessary, the arched structure is designed as a linear structure or as a surface or net structure.

[0017] A linear structure transfers the load one-dimensionally. Surface structures can be designed as curved plates or shells. Mesh structures are formed by three-dimensionally arranged structural elements.

[0018] If necessary, the support arch element and the hanging arch element are mounted at any desired location, preferably in the area of ​​at least one end point of the support arch and in the area of ​​at least one end point of the hanging arch.

[0019] If necessary, the supporting arch element and / or the suspended arch element is constructed in several pieces.

[0020] This simplifies the fabrication of the individual elements of the arched structure, and also makes their arrangement easier.

[0021] Optionally, the support arch element is made of a compression-resistant material, in particular wood, metal, stone, concrete, plaster, and / or plastic. The support arch element can, for example, be cast, assembled, or bent into its shape.

[0022] Optionally, the suspended arch element is formed from a tensile-resistant material, in particular wood, metal, stone, concrete, plaster, plastic, and / or a fiber material, for example, a woven textile. According to the invention, a roadway surface can be arranged directly on the surface of the arched supporting structure. The roadway surface then runs along the surface of at least one suspended arch and at least one supporting arch.

[0023] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the following description of the embodiments and the figure.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an arched structure according to the invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an arched structure according to the invention which is designed as a bridge.

[0026] Figure 1 shows an arched structure comprising a central supporting arch element 1, two outer supporting arch elements 1', and two suspended arch elements 2. The supporting arch elements 1, 1' follow an inverted catenary, namely a hyperbolic cosine function of their horizontal extent, and absorb mainly or exclusively compressive forces. The central supporting arch element 1 has a vertex 5 and two end points 4. The outer supporting arch elements 1' each rest on a support. However, they can also be supported differently. If necessary, the end points 4 of the central supporting arch element 1 can also be supported. The supporting floor elements 1 are made of a compression-resistant material.

[0027] The two suspended arch elements 2 follow the shape of a catenary and absorb mainly or exclusively tensile forces. The suspended arch elements 2 are essentially tensile-resistant. The two suspended arch elements 2 are each arranged between an outer support arch element 1' and the middle support arch element 1. At a contact point 3, where the suspended arch elements 2 touch the support arch elements 1, the support arch elements 1, 1' and the suspended arch elements 2 are connected to one another. The connection can be force-fitting, form-fitting, and / or material-fitting. The connection is preferably tensile- and compressive-resistant. For example, the elements can be welded.

[0028] The point at which the outer support arch elements T are supported can also be the contact point 3. In this case, both the support arch element T and the suspended arch element 2 are supported on the same support.

[0029] In one embodiment, the arched supporting structure is designed as the roof of a carport. The supporting arch elements 1, 1' and the hanging arch elements 2 are both made of wood, whereby the supporting arch elements 1, 1' and the hanging arch elements 2 can be flat or beam-shaped. Other materials, such as metal, especially steel, are also possible. A roof covering can be attached to the arched supporting structure to provide protection against the weather.

[0030] In one embodiment, the arched supporting structure is designed as a sun sail. The supporting arch elements 1, 1' can be made of wood, concrete, or metal. In this case, the suspended arch elements 2 can be formed from a fiber material, for example, a weather-resistant textile, or from a flexible plastic. Preferably, the supporting arch elements 1 are beam-shaped, and the suspended arch elements 2 are flat. In this case, the supporting arch elements 1, 1' are connected to the suspended arch elements 2 in a tensile-resistant manner, for example, by stitching.

[0031] Figure 2 shows an arched structure whose structure essentially corresponds to that of Figure 1. However, it has two inner supporting arch elements 1, two outer supporting arch elements T, and three hanging arch elements 2.

[0032] In this case, the arched structure forms a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. The supporting arch elements 1, T, and suspended arch elements 2 are made of wood, steel, or reinforced concrete, for example, and can be flat or beam-shaped. A roadway surface 6 is arranged directly on the arched structure, so that the roadway surface 6 is undulating. The inclines and declines of the roadway surface 6 are designed so that pedestrians or cyclists can cross them without great effort. The roadway surface can be made of wood, concrete, or asphalt, for example.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the arched structure is designed as a covered truss bridge. In this embodiment, an arched structure comprises supporting arch elements 1, 1' and suspended arch elements 2 arranged parallel to one another. The parallel supporting arch elements 1 and suspended arch elements 2 are connected by truss struts.

[0034] In particular, the roadway surface 6 of the roadway formed by a truss bridge can be arranged, preferably halfway up, between the truss struts and secured to them. A roof can be provided on the upper supporting arch elements 1, 1' and suspended arch elements 2.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but also includes further embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the following patent claims.

[0036] List of reference symbols

[0037] 1, 1' support arch element

[0038] 2 hanging arch elements

[0039] 3 Point of contact

[0040] 4 endpoints

[0041] 5 Vertex

[0042] 6 Road surface

Claims

Patent claims 1. An arched supporting structure for bridging a span, comprising a. at least one substantially compression-resistant supporting arch element (1), and b. at least one substantially tensile-resistant suspended arch element (2), characterized in that c. the supporting arch element (1) and the suspended arch element (2) follow the shape of a catenary, in particular a hyperbolic cosine function, d. the suspended arch element (2) is tangent to the supporting arch element (1) at a point of contact (3) and is preferably connected to the supporting arch element (1) exclusively at this point of contact (3), e. such that when the arched supporting structure is loaded, the supporting arch element (1) is predominantly subjected to compression and the suspended arch element (2) is predominantly subjected to tension.

2. Arched supporting structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting arch element (1) has two end points (4) and one apex (5), wherein the contact point (3) is arranged in the region between one of the end points (4) and the apex (5).

3. Arched supporting structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a further supporting arch element (1) is provided, wherein the two supporting arch elements (1) each touch the two ends of the suspended arch element (2) at a contact point (3) and are connected at these points to the suspended arch element (2) preferably in a tensile and compressive manner.

4. Arched supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of supporting arch elements (1, 1') and suspended arch elements (2) are arranged in a row, wherein preferably at least two suspended arch elements (2), one inner supporting arch element (1) and two outer supporting arch elements (1') are provided.

5. Arched supporting structure according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the arched supporting structure is designed as a linear supporting structure or as a surface or net supporting structure.

6. Arched supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the supporting arch element (1, T) and the suspended arch element (2) are mounted at any desired location, preferably in the region of the end points (4).

7. Arched supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the supporting arch element (1) and / or the suspended arch element (2) is formed in several pieces.

8. Arched supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the supporting arch element (1) is formed from a pressure-resistant material, in particular wood, metal, stone, concrete, plaster, and / or plastic.

9. Arched supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the suspended arch element (2) is formed from a tensile material, in particular wood, metal, stone, concrete, plaster, plastic and / or a fiber material, for example a woven textile.

10. Arched supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a roadway surface (6) is arranged directly on the surface of the arched supporting structure.

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