Partially Replaceable Orthotropic Steel Bridge Deck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Orthotropic steel bridge decks face challenges such as high initial cost, strict control of welding quality, and fatigue performance, particularly in stress concentration areas like welded joints, which can lead to structural failure and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A partially replaceable orthotropic steel bridge deck structure is designed with a rivet connection for the heavy-vehicle lane instead of traditional weld seams, and a friction bearing connection between diaphragms and U-shaped ribs to reduce stress concentration and deformation. This modular design allows for quick replacement of damaged components without replacing the entire deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to connect U-shaped ribs and diaphragms to the deck, then the structural strength is improved, but the fatigue performance deteriorates due to stress concentration and welding defects
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge deck is divided into multiple modular units, each with its own U-shaped ribs and diaphragms connected to the deck through standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows for easier inspection, maintenance, and replacement of individual modules without affecting the entire structure, thereby improving fatigue performance while maintaining structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the welding process from the connection method and replaces it with alternative connection techniques such as mechanical fasteners or pre-assembled modular units. This removal of the welding step eliminates welding-induced stress concentrations and defects, directly addressing the fatigue performance issue while preserving structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the entire orthotropic steel deck is replaced when damaged, then the structural safety is ensured, but the maintenance cost and traffic interruption time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge deck is divided into multiple modular units that can be independently inspected, maintained, and replaced. When damage occurs, only the affected module needs to be removed and replaced, rather than replacing the entire deck. This segmentation significantly reduces maintenance time and traffic interruption while ensuring structural safety through regular inspection and timely replacement of damaged components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables selective replacement of damaged modular units while retaining undamaged units. The standardized interfaces and connection methods allow for efficient removal and installation of individual modules, minimizing the time required for maintenance and reducing the impact on traffic while ensuring continuous structural safety.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If welding quality is strictly controlled, then the structural durability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the welding process from the manufacturing sequence and replaces it with alternative connection methods such as mechanical fasteners, bolts, or pre-assembled modular units. This extraction eliminates the need for strict welding quality control procedures, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining or improving structural durability through more reliable and easier-to-inspect connection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are pre-assembled and pre-tested in the factory before installation on the bridge. This preliminary action ensures that all connections are properly made and inspected under controlled conditions, eliminating the need for complex on-site welding quality control procedures while ensuring durable and reliable structural connections.
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 solution significantly extends the service life of the bridge deck by improving fatigue resistance and structural stability, reduces maintenance costs and traffic interruption time, and enables more efficient and economical maintenance through standardized production and simplified replacement processes.
Implementation Method 1
a friction bearing connection between diaphragms and U-shaped ribs to reduce stress concentration and deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A partially replaceable orthotropic steel bridge deck structure is provided, including a bridge deck laid on a top of a main girder along a longitudinal direction. The bridge deck includes a heavy-vehicle lane, a medium-vehicle lane, a light-vehicle lane and an emergency lane. A top plate structure of the bridge deck includes a first top plate and a second top plate. The heavy-vehicle lane includes a first diaphragm and the first top plate. A bottom of the first top plate is connected to a longitudinal rolled U-shaped rib arranged via a blind rivet. The medium-vehicle lane, the light-vehicle lane and the emergency lane each include a second diaphragm and the second top plate. A bottom of the second top plate is welded with a longitudinal cold-formed U-shaped rib. An erection method of such orthotropic steel bridge deck structure is also provided.