Expansion Joint Bridging Device Seismic Overload Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion joint bridging devices for bridges are inadequate in withstanding abrupt changes in position caused by earthquakes, leading to potential damage, loss of trafficability, and complex repair processes.
Innovation Solution
An expansion joint bridging device with an overload safety device positioned between slats, featuring support profiles and a filling profile that secures relative positions and releases to allow upward displacement when excessive forces are applied, distributing seismic impact forces and enabling adaptive reconfiguration post-seismic events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the expansion joint bridging device uses fixed slats to maintain structural integrity, then the strength and stability are improved, but the ability to withstand abrupt seismic position changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slats are designed to be movable relative to the crossbeams and to each other, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt to seismic displacements. The slats can slide along the crossbeams and move relative to one another, transforming the static structure into a dynamic system that can accommodate abrupt position changes without loss of structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridging device is divided into multiple independent slats that can move relative to each other, rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows each slat to independently respond to seismic forces, distributing the stress and enabling the structure to withstand abrupt position changes while maintaining overall integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the expansion joint bridging device is designed to accommodate large thermal expansion gaps, then the adaptability to thermal changes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable slat design allows the structure to dynamically adjust to varying gap widths caused by thermal expansion without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The slats simply slide to new positions, providing adaptability through motion rather than through complex reconfigurable structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates thermal expansion by allowing changes in the position parameters of the slats rather than changing the structural configuration. The slats move to new positions along the crossbeams, adapting to different gap widths through parameter change (position) rather than structural transformation.
3Reliability
If the expansion joint bridging device uses rigid connections to ensure stability, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of repair after seismic damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented slat design creates naturally separable components that can be independently removed and replaced. Each slat is a discrete element that can be individually accessed, removed, and replaced without affecting the entire structure, greatly simplifying repair operations after seismic damage while maintaining stability through the collective arrangement of slats.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connection design allows slats to be easily extracted from the structure without requiring destruction of rigid connections. The slats can be removed by simply disengaging from the crossbeams, enabling quick replacement of damaged components while the remaining slats continue to provide structural stability.
4Strength
If the expansion joint bridging device uses multiple fixed components to ensure load-bearing capacity, then the strength is improved, but the ease of operation during maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented slat structure divides the load-bearing function into multiple independent components that can be individually accessed and maintained. Each slat can be removed and replaced without affecting the load-bearing capacity of the remaining structure, as the other slats continue to support the load, greatly facilitating maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable slats can be easily displaced to access underlying components for maintenance. The dynamic nature of the slat connections allows maintenance personnel to remove and reposition slats without requiring complex disassembly procedures, improving accessibility to hidden components while the remaining slats maintain load-bearing capacity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances safety against seismic forces, maintains trafficability with minimal repair effort, and allows for simplified adaptation to new tectonic conditions by distributing forces and enabling the filling profile to be easily reconfigured.
Implementation Method 1
distributing seismic impact forces and enabling adaptive reconfiguration post-seismic events
Implementation Method 2
releases to allow upward displacement when excessive forces are applied
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an expansion joint bridging device (1) in the form of a slat bridge transition (2) which bridges an expansion joint (4) existing between two construction work parts (3) of a traversable construction work. The expansion joint (4) is spanned by at least two crossbeams (5) which are supported in a load-bearing manner on both construction work parts (3), wherein at least one of the load-bearing supports (6) allows a displacement movement of the respective crossbeam (5) relative to the respective construction work part (3). A plurality of slats (11) arranged above the crossbeams (5) and oriented at least substantially parallel to one another are supported on the crossbeams (5) so as to be displaceable relative to the crossbeams (5) and relative to one another. An overload-safety device (17) is provided between two of the slats (11) that are displaceable relative to the crossbeams (5) and relative to one another. The overload safety device (17) comprises two supporting profiles at a distance from one another and supported on the crossbeams, and a fill profile bridging the gap between the support profiles. Between the two support profiles, at least one fixing device is acting, stabilising the relative position thereof to one another. If a threshold value for the force that would effect the two support profiles to approach one another is exceeded, the fixing device releases the positional stabilisation such that the two support profiles can be moved towards one another by displacing the fill profile upwards out of the gap.