Connecting Plate Geometry for Bridge Beam Fatigue Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modular bridge systems, particularly in railway applications, face significant fatigue and require adaptability to camber and curvature, which existing assembly systems fail to adequately address, leading to suboptimal performance under bending and shear stresses.
Innovation Solution
An advanced assembly system featuring a connector plate with a specific configuration defined by its position along the beam and relative to the curvature, utilizing connecting plates with unique geometries and reinforcing elements to enhance fatigue resistance and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard connecting device with male and female brackets is used to join beam modules, then the assembly is simple to manufacture, but the fatigue resistance is insufficient under railway loading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate incorporates localized reinforcement elements (such as stiffening ribs or thicker plate sections) specifically at high-stress zones where the plate connects to the beam web and flanges. This allows the connecting device to achieve high fatigue resistance through targeted local strengthening rather than uniformly increasing the entire plate's thickness or complexity throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting plate is designed as a composite structure combining base plate material with integrated reinforcement elements that may be of different geometries or materials. This composite approach optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio and fatigue performance by placing material strategically where needed, rather than using a homogeneous design throughout.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal connecting plate design is used for all beam modules, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to camber and curvature variations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate design incorporates variable geometric parameters (such as plate thickness, reinforcement location, hole positions for bolting, or contour shapes) that can be adjusted based on the specific camber and curvature requirements of different bridge spans. This allows a single base design template to be adapted to multiple applications by modifying key dimensional parameters rather than creating entirely different designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting plate geometry is designed to accommodate dynamic variations in beam configuration. The plate may include flexible connection zones, adjustable positioning features, or geometric configurations that can adapt to different angular relationships between adjacent beam modules, enabling the same connecting device to work across a range of camber and curvature conditions.
3Strength
If the connecting plate has uniform thickness throughout, then the manufacturing is simple, but the performance under bending and shear stresses is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate features non-uniform thickness distribution with localized thickening or reinforcement elements positioned precisely at regions subjected to highest bending and shear stresses (such as near connection points to the beam web). This localized strengthening optimizes structural performance while minimizing additional manufacturing complexity compared to a uniformly thick plate.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly system (40) for connecting adjacent beam modules (22, 23) to form a modular bridge beam. The assembly system (40) is characterized in that it includes at least one connecting plate (60) comprising four lateral protrusions (71, 72, 73, 74) and a central body (76), this connecting plate (60) being adapted for transmitting a bending moment and a shear force between adjacent beam modules (22, 23). The invention also relates to a modular bridge beam and span comprising at least one such assembly system (40).