Adjustable Parapet Bracket for Bridge Formwork and Debris Catchment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scaffolding systems for bridge maintenance are non-standardized and require customization for each bridge, making them inefficient and costly, as they need to be rebuilt for demolition and reconstruction phases, posing safety risks during the process.
Innovation Solution
Development of adjustable support brackets that can be attached to a bridge's parapet, allowing for horizontal and vertical adjustment to support platforms for debris catchment during demolition and serve as formwork for reconstruction, reducing the need for multiple scaffolding setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom scaffolding is built for each bridge project, then the scaffolding fits the specific dimensions and requirements, but the cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffolding bracket is designed as a universal component that can be adjusted to fit various bridge dimensions and configurations. The telescoping mechanism allows a single bracket design to serve multiple projects with different span lengths, eliminating the need for custom fabrication for each bridge while maintaining proper fit and safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If scaffolding is rebuilt for demolition and reconstruction phases, then the scaffolding can be optimized for each phase, but project costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates telescoping sections that can be dynamically adjusted in length to accommodate different operational requirements. During demolition, the brackets can be extended to provide adequate coverage, and during reconstruction, they can be repositioned or reconfigured to serve as formwork supports, eliminating the need to discard and replace the entire scaffolding system.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-standardized scaffolding is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different bridge designs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The scaffolding bracket is divided into modular telescoping sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the bracket to maintain a simple standardized manufacturing process for each module while achieving high adaptability through the combination and reconfiguration of these standardized segments to match various bridge designs and requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket attachable to a top side of a parapet on a bridge to support a platform positioned on a horizontal element of the bracket. Vertical adjustment of the bracket allows the horizontal element to be positioned a small distance beneath the bridge deck so that the platform positioned thereon can catch falling materials, such as from demolition during bridge repair. After demolition, vertical adjustment of the bracket brings the horizontal element supporting the platform to a level directly under the bridge deck for use as a formwork for construction of a new roadway.