Adjustable Concrete Support System for Bridge Deck Haunches
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bridge deck forming methods, particularly with stay-in-place forms, face challenges in adjusting haunch heights without welding, which increases labor costs and complicates future deck replacements due to corrosion and the need for skilled labor, and obstructs sandblasting and painting operations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable support system using a support angle with multiple holes, a rod or bar, and a coupler with internal threading, allowing for vertical adjustments without welding, using bolts to extend through holes in the support angle and coupler, enabling easy repositioning for precise haunch height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to attach steel angles to bridge girders for stay-in-place forms, then the connection strength and stability are improved, but the labor cost increases due to skilled labor requirements and the complexity of future deck replacements increases due to corrosion and obstruction during sandblasting and painting
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into separate components: support angles with multiple holes, rods or bars, and couplers with internal threading. These segmented parts can be assembled and disassembled without welding, allowing for easy installation, adjustment, and removal while maintaining connection strength through mechanical fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system incorporates adjustability through multiple holes in support angles and threaded couplers, allowing the haunch height to be dynamically adjusted during construction. This dynamic feature enables contractors to make precise elevations changes without welding, improving ease of installation and future maintenance.
2Strength
If welded steel angles are used for support structures, then the structural integrity is improved, but the time and cost for future bridge deck replacements increase due to the need to break and re-weld connections
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support system into removable components (support angles, rods, couplers), the structure maintains integrity during use but allows for rapid disassembly during deck replacement, eliminating the time-consuming process of breaking and re-welding connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system components can be removed and recovered for reuse in future bridge deck replacements. The support angles, rods, and couplers can be disassembled without damage and reused, reducing both time and material costs for subsequent construction projects.
3Manufacturing precision
If welded connections are used to achieve precise haunch heights, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for welding operations and protective coating removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses adjustable support angles with multiple holes and threaded couplers to achieve precise haunch height adjustments. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides manufacturing precision without the complexity of welding operations, as components can be easily positioned and secured using bolts and nuts.
Solution Approach 2:
Threaded couplers and bolts serve as intermediaries between support angles and rods, providing a simple mechanical connection that achieves precise positioning without welding. This intermediary mechanism reduces device complexity by replacing complex welding procedures with straightforward assembly operations.
4Reliability
If steel straps are welded to bridge girders, then the connection reliability is improved, but the adaptability decreases because the entire surface must be exposed for sandblasting and painting
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into removable components that can be easily removed during deck replacement, allowing the entire girder surface to be exposed for sandblasting and painting. This segmentation maintains connection reliability during use while providing adaptability for future maintenance and replacement operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for adjusting a haunch height includes a support angle, a rod or bar, a coupler, and a bolt. The support angle includes a horizontal portion and a vertical portion, and the vertical portion includes a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other. At least one end of the rod or bar is threaded. The coupler includes an internal threading. The bolt is configured to extend through one of the plurality of holes in the support angle and into a portion of the coupler.