Crawler Bridge Structure for Single-Side Gap Crossing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary bridges for tunnel construction require access to both sides of a gap for installation, which is often not feasible, leading to time-consuming and difficult installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A crawler bridge with a support structure of elongate beams and a bridge section that can switch between modes of operation, allowing it to move forward and backward along the beams while elevating or lowering relative to the ground, enabling it to span gaps without needing access to both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a temporary bridge is installed over a gap in the road deck to allow passage of construction vehicles, then vehicle passage is enabled, but the bridge requires access to both sides of the gap for installation which is often not feasible and requires heavy lifting machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge is designed with movable support legs that can be extended and retracted. The support legs can be extended to reach the ground on one side of the gap, allowing the bridge to be positioned and stabilized without requiring access to both sides of the gap. This dynamic adjustment capability simplifies installation while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge structure is divided into separate components including the bridge deck and independently movable support legs. This segmentation allows the support legs to be positioned and adjusted independently to reach the ground on either side of the gap, enabling installation from a single side while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Speed
If the bridge section is elevated above the ground surface to allow movement along the beams, then the bridge can traverse the gap, but the bridge cannot provide a stable road surface for vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge operates in two dynamic states: during traversal, the support legs are retracted and the bridge section is elevated to move along the beams; during vehicle passage, the support legs are extended to contact the ground and the bridge section is lowered to provide a stable road surface. This dynamic state change allows the bridge to fulfill both movement and stability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The support legs act as intermediaries between the bridge section and the ground. When extended and lowered, they provide direct contact with the ground surface, creating a stable road surface for vehicles. When retracted, they allow the bridge section to be elevated for movement along the beams without ground contact.
Data Source
AI summary
A crawler bridge (10) having a bridge section (12) for bridging across opposite sides of a gap G. The bridge section (12) being connected to a support structure (14) which has a pair of elongate beams (16,17), that are spaced apart and generally parallel. The beams (16,17) each including leading and trailing feet (18,19). The bridge section (12) is attached to the beams (16,17) for relative movement forward and backward along the beams (16,17) and vertically up and down. The crawler bridge (10) has a first mode of operation when the leading and trailing feet 18,19 of the beams (16,17) are in engagement with a ground surface, in which the bridge section (12) is supported by the support structure (14) elevated above the ground surface and is movable forward and backward along the beams (16,17) and vertically up and down. The crawler bridge (10) has a second mode of operation when the bridge section (12) has been moved downward relative to the beams (16,17) and into engagement with a supporting surface, in which the leading and trailing feet (18,19) of the beams (16,17) are lifted away from the supporting surface and the beams (16,17) are movable forward and backward relative to the bridge section (12) and vertically up and down relative to the bridge section (12).