ASSEMBLY SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING GIRDER MODULES, MODULAR BRIDGE GIRDER AND SPAN COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM
The present invention relates to an assembly system for connecting adjacent
5 girder modules forming a modular bridge girder. The invention also relates to a girder and
a modular bridge span comprising such an assembly system. The invention relates to the
field of modular, containerizable bridges, adapted for being deployed throughout the
world, in particular modular railroad bridges.
In the context of the invention, the term "bridge" designates any essentially metal
10 construction resting on at least two separated supports, such as abutments or pillars, in
order to cross a valley, a waterway or another road or railroad travel path.
FR-A-2,858,338 describes a modular bridge span, formed by assembling three
sets of prefabricated construction elements, namely a first set of girder modules, a second
set of transverse connecting spacers between girders, and a third set of planking
15 elements bearing on the girders to form a roadway. The assembly system between
adjacent girder modules on the one hand comprises a connecting device articulated to
connect the modules at their lower sole plate, and on the other hand comprises a wedging
device provided so that the modules bear against one another at their upper sole plate.
The connecting device comprises a female yoke secured to a first module and male yoke
20 secured to a second module, as well as a securing rod to connect the yokes to each
other.
In railroad applications, the bridge span is subject to significant fatigue.
Furthermore, the span has a particular sheer and curvature based on the length of the
bridge and the environment in which that bridge is installed.
25 The aim of the present invention is to propose an improved assembly system
between girder modules.
To that end, the invention relates to an assembly system for connecting adjacent
girder modules in order to form a modular bridge girder, characterized in that the
assembly system includes at least one connecting plate comprising four lateral
30 protuberances and a central body, the connecting plate being adapted for transmitting a
bending moment and shearing stress between adjacent girder modules.
Thus, the assembly system according to the invention has significant fatigue
resistance, while making it possible to adapt the assembly between girder modules as a
function of the sheer and curvature of the bridge. Due to its particular configuration, the
35 connecting plate has an improved behavior under bending and shearing stresses. The
invention improves the fatigue resistance of the girder equipped with such an assembly
2
system between adjacent girder modules. The invention is particularly adapted for railroad
applications, in which fatigue resistance is an essential parameter.
According to other advantageous features of the invention, considered alone or in
combination:
5 - The specific configuration of each connecting plate is defined by its position
within the assembly system.
- The specific configuration of each connecting plate is defined by its position in the
longitudinal direction of the girder and its position on the inner side or outer side of the
assembly system, those sides being defined relative to the curvature of the adjacent
10 girder modules connected by the assembly system.
- The assembly system comprises at least one pair of connecting plates, provided
to be positioned on the inner side and the outer side of the assembly system, respectively.
- The assembly system comprises at least two pairs of connecting plates, each
pair including a connecting plate positioned on the inner side and a connecting plate
15 positioned on the outer side of the assembly system.
- The connecting plate comprises an inner face that is planar, hollow or protruding,
as a function of the position of the inner side or the outer side of the assembly system.
- The connecting plate is coupled with two connecting rods or with another
connecting plate, the assembly system comprising four axles each positioned in a first
20 bore arranged in one of the lateral protuberances of the connecting plate on the one hand,
and in a second bore arranged in one of the two connecting rods or in the other
connecting plate on the other hand.
- The connecting plate includes two upper bores that are arranged in upper lateral
protuberances and separated by an upper center distance on the one hand, and two lower
25 bores that are arranged in lower lateral protuberances and separated by a lower center
distance on the other hand, the ratio between the upper center distance and the lower
center distance being chosen as a function of the desired sheer between adjacent girder
modules connected to the assembly system and as a function of the position of the
connecting plate within the assembly system.
30 - For each connecting plate, the assembly system comprises reinforcing elements
fastened to the adjacent girder modules and provided to receive lateral protuberances of
the connecting plate by bearing.
The invention also relates to a modular bridge girder, comprising at least two girder
modules, and an assembly system as mentioned above, to connect two adjacent girder
35 modules.
3
Advantageously the specific configuration of each connecting plate is defined by its
position along the girder.
In particular, the specific configuration of each connecting plate may be defined by
its position in the longitudinal direction of the girder and its position on the inner side or the
5 outer side of the girder, those sides being defined relative to the curvature of the girder.
In the event the girder is straight, i.e., when the girder has a certain sheer but no
curvature, the specific configuration of each connecting plate is simply defined by its
position in the longitudinal direction of the girder, i.e., its position relative to the sheer.
The invention also relates to a modular bridge span, comprising at least two
10 modular bridge girders as described above, positioned side by side.
The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description,
provided solely as a non-limiting example and done in reference to the appended
drawings, in which:
figure 1 is a top view of a modular bridge span according to the invention, said
15 span comprising two bridge girders also according to the invention, as well as a
planking supporting a railroad track;
figure 2 is a top view similar to figure 1, enlarged, the planking and the railroad
track not being shown so as to better show the curvature of the girders;
figure 3 is a cross-section along line Ill-Ill in figure 1;
20 - figure 4 is a cross-section along line IV-IV in figure 1;
figure 5 is an enlarged side view similar to figure 4, diagrammatically showing the
sheer of the girders;
figure 6 is a cross-section along line VI-VI in figure 2;
figure 7 is a cross-section along line VII-VII in figure 2;
25 - figure 8 is an enlarged top view of detail VIM of figure 2, showing assembly
systems according to the invention, provided to connect adjacent girder modules in
order to form the girders;
figure 9 is an enlarged view of detail IX of figure 6, showing one of the assembly
systems between girder modules, that system comprising a connecting plate,
30 connecting axles and reinforcing elements;
figure 10 is an enlarged view of detail X in figure 8;
figure 11 is an enlarged side view of one of the axles shown in figure 9;
figure 12 is a longitudinal axial section of the axle of figure 11;
figure 13 is a view similar to figure 10, showing an alternative connecting axle;
35 - figure 14 is an enlarged view of detail XIV in figure 10, showing only the
connecting plates;
4
figure 15 is a cross-section along line XV-XV in figure 9;
figure 16 is a sectional view similar to figure 15, showing an alternative connecting
plate;
figure 17 is a smaller partial view similar to figure 9, showing another alternative of
5 the connecting plate; and
figure 18 is a sectional view similar to figures 15 and 16, showing the connecting
plate of figure 17.
Figures 1 to 7 show a modular bridge span 1 according to the invention.
The span 1 supports a railroad track 2 and rests on two supports 3 and 4.
10 Alternatively, the span 1 can support a road, a waterway, etc. Furthermore, the span 1
rests on any appropriate support means, in particular based on its length and any
obstacles to be crossed. For example, intermediate piles can be positioned below the
span 1.
The span 1 comprises two girders 10 also according to the invention, more
15 specifically an inner girder 11 and an outer girder 12. These inner and outer sides are
defined relative to the curvature of the span 1. As an example, the span 1 has a curve
radius equal to 800 meters. Alternatively, the span 1 may comprise more than two girders
10, for example three or four girders 10, as a function of the desired width.
The span 1 also comprises a system of spacers 13 arranged between the girders
20 10, as well as a planking 14 positioned bearing on the girders 10. The planking 14 can be
mixed (steel and concrete) or metal based on the targeted application. The planking 14
supports a bed of materials 15, such as dirt and gravel, supporting the railroad track 2.
Intermediate support devices 16 are positioned between the girders 10 and the supports 3
and 4. As a non-limiting example, this span 1 has a length equal to 40.20 meters, for a
25 maximum span of approximately 39.20 meters.
The girders 11 and 12 are positioned side by side, globally parallel to each other.
in practice, each girder 11 and 12 has a particular curvature and sheer. The curvature of
the girders 11 and 12 is shown in figures 1 and 2. The sheer of the girders 11 and 12 is
shown diagrammatically in figure 5, but girders the 11 and 12 are shown horizontal in
30 figures 4, 6 and 7 for simplification purposes.
Alternatively, the span 1 may be straight, i.e., each girder 11 and 12 has a
particular sheer, but no curvature.
Each girder 10 is formed by end-to-end assembly of metal and monolithic
prefabricated elongated girder modules 20. Each module 20 is in the form of a box with a
35 rectangular section, comprising a horizontal longitudinal upper and lower sole plate,
5
connected by two vertical longitudinal cores. Advantageously, vertical transverse spacers
are arranged between the sole plate and the cores.
In the example of figures 1 to 7, the girder 11 comprises four girder modules 21,
22, 23 and 24, while the girder 12 comprises four girder modules 31, 32, 33 and 34. The
5 end modules 21, 24, 31 and 34 are shorter than the central modules 22, 23, 32 and 33.
Advantageously, the modules 21, 24, 31 and 34 are prefabricated with a same length, for
example approximately 6.50 meters, and the modules 22, 23, 32 and 33 are prefabricated
with a same length, for example approximately 11.50 meters. Furthermore, the modules
20 have a same height, for example 2 meters or 2.30 meters.
10 Defined along the span 1 are: a zone Z0 in which the modules 21 and 31 rest on
the devices 16 and the support 3; a zone Z1 in which the modules 21 and 31 are
respectively connected to the modules 22 and 32; a zone Z2 in which the modules 22 and
32 are respectively connected to the modules 23 and 33; a zone Z3 in which the modules
23 and 33 are respectively connected to the modules 24 and 34; and a zone Z4 in which
15 the modules 24 and 34 rest on the devices 16 and the support 4.
To connect the modules 20, each of the girders 10 is equipped with assembly
systems 40 according to the invention, each comprising at least one connecting plate 60.
More specifically, in each zone Z1 to Z3, each of the girders 10 comprises an assembly
system 40.
20 As shown in figures 6 and 7, an assembly system 41 is arranged between the
modules 21 and 22, an assembly system 51 is arranged between the modules 31 and 32
in the zone Z1; an assembly system 42 is arranged between the modules 22 and 23, and
an assembly system 52 is arranged between the modules 32 and 33 of the zone Z2; an
assembly system 43 is arranged between the modules 23 and 24 and an assembly
25 system 53 is arranged between the modules 33 and 34 in the zone Z3.
Figures 8 to 18 provide a more detailed view of the component elements of the
assembly systems 40, i.e., the connecting plates 60, connecting axles 80 and reinforcing
elements 90, as well as different alternatives of those elements.
The description below is done primarily in reference to the system 42 and the plate
30 64 shown in figures 8 and 9, with the understanding that each system 40 has component
elements similar to the system 42, while each plate 60 has a structure similar to the plate
64. The differences between systems 40 and between plates 60 will be described later.
As shown in figure 8, in the zone Z2, the system 42 comprises four plates 61, 62,
63 and 64, while the system 52 comprises four plates 65, 66, 67 and 68. The axles 80 are
35 shown diagrammatically in dotted lines, while the reinforcing elements 90 are not shown
for simplification purposes. The system 42 comprises four axles 80 and four reinforcing
6
elements 90 for each pair of plates 60, in other words a total of eight axles 80 and eight
reinforcing elements 90.
Alternatively, the system 42 may comprise one, two or three plates 60, in any case
at least one plate 60. These plates 60 can be replaced by traditional connecting rods. In
5 that case, the system 42 preferably comprises two plates 61 and 64 respectively
positioned on the inner side and the outer side of the girder 11, while between the plates
61 and 64, the two plates 62 and 63 are each replaced by two traditional connecting rods.
As shown in figure 9, the system 42 comprises the plate 64, four axles 81, 82, 83
and 84, and four reinforcing elements 91, 92, 93 and 94 in the form of piates. The system
10 42 makes it possible to connect the modules 22 and 23. The module 22 comprises, inter
alia, a core 221, an upper sole plate 222, a lower sole plate 223 and a spacer 224. The
module 23 comprises, inter alia, a core 231, an upper sole plate 232, a lower sole plate
233 and a spacer 234.
The connecting plate 64 is generally in the shape of a long bone, such as the
15 femur, humerus or tibia. The plate 64 comprises four lateral lugs or protuberances 71, 72,
73 and 74, as well as a central body 76. The body 76 is elongated along a vertical axis
X76 between two heads 77 and 78. The plate 64 has no frontal protuberance extending
perpendicular to the axis X76 and the lateral protuberances 71-74. The head 77 is formed
at an upper end of the body 76 by the two protuberances 71 and 72, while the head 78 is
20 formed on the lower end of the body 76 by the two protuberances 73 and 74. The
protuberances 71-74 extend in pairs on either side of the body 76. More specifically, the
upper protuberances 71 and 72 extend on either side of the axis X76, and likewise the
lower protuberances 73 and 74 extend on either side of the axis X76 of the body 76. The
protuberances 71 and 73 are provided to cooperate with the module 22, while the
25 protuberances 72 and 74 are provided to cooperate with the module 23. The
protuberances 71-74 are connected to the body 76 by round parts 79, so as to limit the
stress concentrations. Furthermore, the outer profile of the protuberances 71-74 is
preferably rounded.
In the context of the invention, the term "long bone" refers to the general shape of
30 the plates 60, each comprising a body 76 and four protuberances 71-74. This shape is
also comparable to an uppercase " I " or a sideways "H". In anatomical terms, the body 76
may be described as a diaphysis, the heads 77-78 can be described as epiphyses and the
lateral protuberances 71-74 can be described as tuberosities.
The connecting plate 64 includes two upper bores 710 and 720 that are arranged
35 in the upper lateral protuberances 71 and 72, respectively, and two lower bores 730 and
740 that are arranged in the lower lateral protuberances 73 and 74, respectively. The
7
upper bores 710 and 720 are separated from each other by an upper center distance e1,
while the lower bores 730 and 740 are separated from each other by a lower center
distance e2. The center distance e1 is larger than the center distance e2. Furthermore,
the upper bores 710 and 720 are separated from the lower bores 730 and 740 by a
5 vertical center distance e3.
For each plate 61 to 64 of the system 42, the ratio e1/e2 between the upper center
distance e1 and the lower center distance e2 is chosen as a function of the desired sheer
between adjacent girder modules 22 and 23 connected by the system 42 as a function of
the position of the plates 61 to 64 within the assembly system 42.
10 Furthermore, the center distance e3 is associated with the length of the body 76 in
the vertical direction, in other words, with the height of the plate 64, and therefore the
height of the modules 20. For a given height of the modules 20, the center distance e3 is
the same for each plate 60.
As shown in figure 10, the plates 63 and 64 have distinct upper center distances
15 e1-63 and e1-64. Likewise, these plates 63 and 64 have distinct lower center distances.
As shown in figures 9 and 10, the axles 80 make it possible to connect the plates
60 and 90 to each other, and thus to connect the modules 20 to each other. The axle 81
comprises a cylindrical outer surface 810 adjusted in the cylindrical bore 710 arranged in
the protuberance 71 of the plate 64 on the one hand, and in a cylindrical bore 910
20 arranged in the plate 91 on the other hand. Likewise, the axles 82, 83 and 84 each
comprise a cylindrical outer surface 820, 830 and 840 adjusted on the one hand in the
cylindrical bore 720, 730 and 740 arranged in the protuberance 72, 73 or 74 of the plate
64, and on the other hand in a cylindrical bore 920, 930 or 940 arranged in the plate 92,
93 or 94.
25 As shown in figures 10 to 12, the axle 81 is centered on an axis X80 and extends
between two ends 811 and 812. Each end 811 and 812 comprises an orifice 813 and 814,
respectively. The ratio between the length of the axle 81 between its ends 811 and 812,
on the one hand, and the diameter of the surface 810, on the other hand, is approximately
1.5. The axle 81 is secured to the plates 63, 64, 91 and 92' by using two washers 815 and
30 816 and two screws 817 and 818, so as to limit the movement of the axle 81 parallel to
the axis X80. The washer 815 is pressed against the end 811 by the screw 817 positioned
in the orifice 813, while the washer 816 is pressed against the end 812 by the screw 818
positioned in the orifice 814. Likewise, the axle 82 is fastened to the plates 63, 64, 92 and
91' by similar means.
35 in an alternative that is not shown, a threaded plate can be screwed in each of the
orifices 813 and 814, at each end 811 and 812 of the axle 81. According to another
8
alternative that is not shown, the axle 81 is provided with no orifices 813 and 814, while
the surface 810 is threaded at each end 811 and 812, such that a tapped plate can be
screwed to each of the ends 811 and 812 of the axle 81. Alternatively, the system 42 can
comprise any suitable means to limit the axial movement of the axle 81 relative to the
5 plates 63 and 64.
Figure 13 shows a particular alternative of the axle 81'. Each end 811' and 812' of
this axle 81' comprises an annular slot 813' or 814', respectively, provided to receive a
circlips.
As shown in figures 9 and 10, the reinforcing plates 90 have a different
10 configuration from the connecting plates 60. The upper plate 91 is welded to the core 221
and the upper sole plate 222. Likewise, the upper plate 92 is welded to the core 231 and
the upper sole plate 232, the lower plate 93 is welded to the core 221 and the lower sole
plate 223, while the lower plate 94 is welded to the core 231 and the lower sole plate 233.
Other alternatives of reinforcing plates 190 and 290 are outlined below.
15 As shown in figure 14, the connecting plates 63 and 64 comprise outer faces 631
and 641, respectively, positioned opposite one another, as well as inner faces 632 and
642, respectively, positioned across from one another. The outer faces 631 and 641 are
planar. The inner face 632 is convex because the plate 63 is positioned on the inner side
of the girder 11, while the inner face 642 is concave because the plate 64 is positioned on
20 the outer side of the girder 11. These inner and outer sides are defined relative to the
curvature of the girder 11.
The inner faces 632 and 642 of the plates 63 and 64 are preferably formed by
machining. The face 632 comprises two planar surfaces 633 and 634 provided
respectively to bear against the reinforcing plates 92' and 91, while the face 642
25 comprises two planar surfaces 643 and 644 provided respectively to bear against the
reinforcing plates 91 and 92', shown in figure 10. Between the surfaces 633 and 634, the
face 632 comprises a convex curved surface 635. Between the surfaces 643 and 644, the
face 642 comprises a concave curved surface 645. The curved shape of the surfaces 635
and 645, compared to acute or obtuse angles, reduces the stress concentrations in the
30 plates 63 and 64. Alternatively, the face 632 can comprise two planar surfaces 633 and
634 directly connected to one another, with no surface 635, and likewise for the face 642.
If the span 1 is straight, the inner faces 632 and 642 are planar. In other words, the inner
faces of the plates 60 can be planar, hollow or protruding, in particular as a.function of the
position of the plate 60 on the inner or outer side of the system 40 and as a function of the
35 curvature of the span 1.
9
Figure 15 shows two reinforcing plates 93 and 94' welded on either side of the core
221. Next, the spacer 224 is welded between the reinforcing piate 94' and three other
plates 90.
Figure 16 shows an alternative single-piece reinforcing plate 190, provided to
5 replace two plates 93 and 94' shown in figure 15. This plate 190 next grips the core 221,
then is welded to the core 221. Next, the spacer 224 is welded between four plates 190.
Figures 17 and 18 show another alternative single-piece reinforcing plate 290,
provided to replace four plates 91, 92', 93 and 94' shown in figures 9, 10 and 15. The
plate 290 and the core 221 form an integral single piece. In other words, the piate 290
10 forms a reinforcing block.
In an alternative that is not shown, the plate 290 of figure 17 can be secured to the
core 221 in the same way as in figure 16.
According to another alternative that is not shown, a reinforcing plate with a profile
similar to the plate 290 can be positioned on each side of the core 221, as in figure 15. In
15 that case, the reinforcing plate replaces two plates 90, i.e., an upper plate and a lower
plate.
In the context of the invention, when the span 1 is curved, each of the assembly
systems 41, 42, 43, 51, 52 and 53 has a specific configuration as a function of its position
within the span 1, so as to adapt optimally to the curvature and sheer of the girders 10.
20 More specifically, each connecting plate 60 has a specific configuration as a
function of its position along the girder 10, in particular:
its position in the longitudinal direction of the girder 10, i.e., its position in one of
the zones Z1, Z2 or Z3, in other words, its position relative to the curvature of the
girder 10; and
25 - its position on the inner side or the outer side of the girder 10, i.e., its position
relative to the curvature of the girder 10.
The configuration of the set of plates 60 equipping the girder 10 determines the
curvature and the sheer of that girder 10, and therefore the span 1. The configuration of
each plate 60 in particular includes the following parameters: the dimensions of the plates
30 60 defined by the center distances e1 and e2, and the shape of the inner faces of the
plates 60 designed to bear against the reinforcing elements 90.
Furthermore, the span 1, the girders 10 and the assembly systems 40 can be
configured differently from figures 1 to 15 without going beyond the scope of the invention.
In an alternative that is not shown, the plates 60 can be connected to the modules
35 20 by means other than the axles 80 and/or the elements 90, 190 or 290.
10
According to another alternative that is not shown, at least some of the connecting
plates 60 are each coupled with two connecting rods. The four axles 80 are then each
positioned, on the one hand, in a first bore 710-740 arranged in one of the lateral
protuberances 71-74 of the connecting plate 60, and on the other hand, in the second
5 bore arranged in one of the two connecting rods.
According to another alternative that is not shown, the span 1 is straight, i.e., it has
sheer but not curvature. In that case, the plates 60 comprise planar inner faces, while the
center distances e1 and e2 can vary as a function of the position of the plates 60.
Whatever the embodiment of the invention, the assembly system 40 includes at
10 least one connecting plate 60 comprising four lateral protuberances 71-74 and a centra!
body 76.
Furthermore, the technical features of the different embodiments and alternatives
described above may be combined with one another in whole or in part. Thus, the span 1,
the girders 10 and the assembly system 60 can be adapted in terms of cost, functionality
15 and performance.

CLAIMS
1. An assembly system (40) for connecting adjacent girder modules (20) in order to form
a modular bridge girder (10), characterized in that the assembly system (40) includes
5 at least one connecting plate (60) comprising four lateral protuberances (71, 72, 73,
74) and a central body (76), said connecting plate (60) being adapted for transmitting
a bending moment and shearing stress between adjacent girder modules (20).
2. The assembly system (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific
10 configuration of each connecting plate (60) is defined by its position within the
assembly system (40).
3. The assembly system (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the assembly system (40) comprises at least one pair of connecting plates (60),
15 provided to be positioned on the inner side and the outer side of the assembly system
(40), respectively.
4. The assembly system (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the connecting plate (60) comprises an inner face (632; 642) that is planar,
20 hollow or protruding, as a function of its position on the inner side or the outer side of
the assembly system (40).
5. The assembly system (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the connecting plate (60) is coupled with two connecting rods or with another
25 connecting plate, the assembly system (40) comprising four axles (81, 82, 83, 84)
each positioned in a first bore (710, 720, 730, 740) arranged in one of the lateral
protuberances (71, 72, 73, 74) of the connecting plate (60) on the one hand, and in a
second bore arranged in one of the two connecting rods or in the other connecting
plate on the other hand.
30
6. The assembly system (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that the connecting plate (60) includes two upper bores (710, 720) that are arranged
in upper lateral protuberances (71, 72) and separated by an upper center distance
(e1) on the one hand, and two lower bores (730, 740) that are arranged in lower
35 lateral protuberances (73, 74) and separated by a lower center distance (e2) on the
other hand, the ratio (e1/e2) between the upper center distance (e1) and the lower
12
center distance (e2) being chosen as a function of the desired sheer between
adjacent girder modules (20) connected to the assembly system (40) and as a
function of the position of the connecting plate (60) within the assembly system (40).
7. The assembly system (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in
that for each connecting plate (60), the assembly system (40) comprises reinforcing
elements (90; 190; 290) fastened to the adjacent girder modules (20) and provided to
receive lateral protuberances (71, 72, 73, 74) of the connecting piate (60) by bearing.
8. A modular bridge girder (10), comprising at ieast:
- two girder modules (20); and
- an assembly system (40) according to one of claims 1 to 7, to connect two
adjacent girder modules (20).
9. The modular bridge girder (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the specific
configuration of each connecting plate (60) is defined by its position along the girder
(10).
10. A modular bridge span (1), comprising at least two modular bridge girders (10)
according to one of claims 8 or 9, positioned side by side.