Low-Box Girder Reinforcing Support for Minimal-Weight Bridge Strengthening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reinforced concrete low-box girders in old bridges face issues of aging, poor traffic capacity, and low design load standards, making them unsuitable for modern transportation needs, with traditional reinforcement methods increasing the bridge's cross-section and dead weight.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent reinforcing support system with a first and second main body, one-way rotation and lifting structures, and automatic control mechanisms, allowing minimally invasive installation within the box girder to enhance bearing capacity without significant weight increase, using sensors and wireless communication for precise extension and lifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional reinforcement methods (increasing section, increasing reinforcement) are used, then the bearing capacity of the bridge is improved, but the cross-section of concrete and dead weight of the bridge structure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebridge bearing capacityVSAvoiddead weight of bridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement system is segmented into multiple independent carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bundles arranged in a specific pattern on the bridge structure. Each bundle acts as an independent reinforcement element, allowing precise placement of tensile strength where needed without adding unnecessary concrete volume or dead weight to the entire bridge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials for reinforcement. These composite materials provide high tensile strength with minimal weight addition compared to traditional concrete or steel reinforcement, directly addressing the contradiction between improving bearing capacity and minimizing dead weight increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of stationary object

If minimally invasive drilling is used to install reinforcing supports inside box girders, then the dead weight increase is reduced, but the installation complexity and precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedead weight increaseVSAvoidinstallation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing supports are pre-assembled with CFRP bundles and anchoring mechanisms outside the bridge structure. Holes are pre-drilled at precise locations using laser guidance. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the supports are installed inside the box girders through minimally invasive drilling, the precision requirements are met without requiring complex in-situ assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment and positioning methods with laser guidance systems and automated drilling equipment. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical and automated systems enables minimally invasive drilling with high precision, reducing the need for large access openings while maintaining installation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The system effectively reduces cracks and improves bridge bearing capacity while minimizing weight increase, enabling precise installation and monitoring through sensors and wireless communication.

Implementation Method 1

a ratchet, a pawl, a torsion spring, and the supporting rod; a first end and a second end of the connecting shaft are horizontally mounted in supporting bases on the first main body or the second main body, respectively; the ratchet is mounted on the connecting shaft through the torsion spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 2

the pawls mounted on the first main body or the second main body are arranged above and below the ratchet, respectively, and are connected to the first main body or the second main body through a compression spring; the pawls fit with the ratchet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12590425B2Intelligent reinforcing support for reinforced concrete low-box girders and method for minimally invasive reinforcement

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 SHANDONG UNIV

AI summary

An intelligent reinforcing support for reinforced concrete low-box girder and method for minimally invasive reinforcement, including first main body, second main body, one-way rotation support structure, one-way lifting structure and control device; first and second main bodies arranged up and down, first main body used to transfer load on bridge deck to second main body, second main body used to transfer load to bottom plate, lower part of first main body inserted into second main body and matched with second main body through one-way lifting structure; outer wall of upper part of first main body and outer wall of second main body respectively provided with one-way rotation support structure and automatic lock, automatic lock connected to lock catch of corresponding one-way rotation support structure, communicated with control device, automatic lock unlocks after receiving instruction, supporting rod of first main body moves upwards, supporting rod of second main body moves downwards.