Claims:Claims
I/We Claim
1. An F-shaped strip seal expansion joint for use in highways, bridges or the like, comprises:
at least two F-shaped expansion joints;
a strip seal configured to be inserted between two effective joints to effectively seal the said F- shaped expansion joints;
an anchoring loop with plurality of shapes configured to be affixed to the said F-shaped expansion joint to increase the life of the bridge; and
wherein, installing the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint in the plinth beam strengthens and increases the life of the bridge.

2. The F-shaped expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized to be an edge beam, hot rolled structural steel conforming to ASTM/IS standards as recommended by MORTH with a suitable profile to mechanically lock the sealing element in place throughout the normal movement of the cycle.

3. The F-shaped expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized to use a material suitable ofIS 2062 steel equivalent to ASTM A36/37.

4. The anchoring loop according to claim 1, characterized to be made of a solid unit that increases the life of expansion joint that in turn increase the life of the bridge.

5. The strip steel according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring loop with plurality of shapes based on customer requirement include but not limited to :
Rectangular;
Circular; and
Triangular or the like;

6. The F-shaped expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized to be robust and suitable for all loads and sustains under all weather conditions.

7. The F-shaped expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized to permit the expansion and/or contraction of the spans to which it is fixed without causing any distress or vibration to the structure.

8. The strip seal according to claim 1, characterized to be designed to suit the steel groove provided in the edge beam is made of chloroprene rubber compound.

9. A method for arranging the F-shaped strip seal expansion joint for highway, bridge or the like, wherein the method comprises steps of:
providing, at least two F-shaped expansion joints;
inserting, a strip seal between two effective joints to effectively seal the said F- shaped expansion joints;
affixing, an anchoring loop to the F-shaped expansion joint to increase the life of the bridge; and
wherein, installing the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint in the plinth beam strengthens and increases the life of the bridge.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein addition of anchoring loop impacts on the load bearing capacity that results in more life of the bridge.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint is capable to withstand the traffic loads including dynamic effects.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the surface exposed to traffic is skid free and resistant to polishing.
, Description:Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] Present invention relates to an F-shaped edge beam strip seal expansion joint. More particularly, relates to a method for assembling the F-shaped edge beam strip seal expansion joint for highway, bridge or the like to increase the life.

Background of the Invention

[0002] An expansion joint is a main member used in the construction of a bridge and as well as a bridge support. It is also designed to safely absorb heat induced expansion and contraction of construction materials to absorb vibration and to hold parts together. The expansion joints are commonly found between sections of buildings, bridges and railway tracks, etc. Due to different climatic conditions expansion and contraction takes place due to warming and cooling from seasonal variations.

[0003] The expansion joint can frequently get damaged among bridge members due to increase in traffic load, improper installation and carless repair. However, frequent damage of expansion joints may lead to bad rides, damage of vehicles and traffic accident. Due to frequent damage, frequent repairs are required; this may cause traffic congestion and waste of money and time. Therefore, it is required to increase the durability of expansion joints.

[0004] In present condition, there is a problem in obtaining more economical and efficient supporting expansion joints. In the available expansion joints seals a problem occurred during use, the mounted bead portions get dislodged with each other at the edge members over the part or all over the length with this the seal no longer functions for its intended purpose.

[0005] Prior art U.S. Patent No discloses an expansion joint structure in which a pair of rolled steel frames on opposite sides of the joint and a continuous elastomeric strip spanning the joint and interlocked along its opposite edges in slotted openings in the frames by a bead of triangular cross-section on each edge of the strip. Each metallic frame for use in such strip seal is fabricated by roll forming that is from a flat plate by rolling operations that is relatively an expensive manufacturing procedure. The elastomeric strips illustrated are also used in conjunction with metallic frames that are formed by extrusion which is an expensive manufacturing procedure.

[0006] Therefore, in order to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks there is need to develop a unique F-shaped strip seal expansion joint design that increase the life of expansion joint that ultimately strengthens the life of the bridge.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention recognizes the limitations of the prior art and the need for systems and methods that can provide assistance to users in a manner that overcomes these limitations.

[0008] A principle object of the present invention is to develop an F-shaped strip seal expansion joint.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an F-shaped strip seal expansion joint for use in highways, bridges or the like comprises at least two F-shaped expansion joints and a strip seal configured to be inserted between two effective joints to effectively seal the F- shaped expansion joints.

[0010] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the expansion joint comprises an anchoring loop configured to be affixed to the F-shaped expansion joint to increase the life of the bridge and in installing the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint in the plinth beam strengthens and increase the life of the bridge.

[0011] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the F-shaped expansion joint is hot rolled structural steel conforming to ASTM/IS standards as recommended by MORTH, with a suitable profile to mechanically lock the sealing element in place throughout the normal movement of the cycle.

[0012] In accordance with the first aspect of present invention, the F-shaped expansion joint characterized to use a material suitable of IS 2062 steel equivalent to ASTM A36/37.

[0013] In accordance with the first aspect of present invention, anchoring loop is characterized to be made of a solid unit that increases the life of expansion joint that in turn increase the life of the bridge.

[0014] In accordance with the first aspect of present invention, the anchoring loop with plurality of shapes based on customer requirement include but not limited to rectangular, circular and triangular or the like.

[0015] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, F-shaped expansion joint is characterized to be robust and suitable for all loads and sustains under all weather conditions and permits the expansion and/or contraction of the spans to which it is fixed without causing any distress or vibration to the structure.

[0016] In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the strip seal is characterized to be designed to suit the steel groove provided in the edge beam is made of chloroprene rubber compound.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for arranging the F-shaped strip seal expansion joint for highway, bridge or the like is disclosed. The method comprises steps of providing at least two F-shaped expansion joints, inserting a strip seal between two effective joints to effectively seal the F- shaped expansion joints and affixing an anchoring loop to the F-shaped expansion joint to increase the life of the bridge.

[0018] In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, wherein installing the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint in the plinth beam strengthens and increases the life of the bridge.

[0019] In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises steps of adding the anchoring loop to the expansion joint that impacts on the load bearing capacity that results in more life of the bridge.

[0020] In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint is capable to withstand the traffic loads including dynamic effects and the surface exposed to traffic is skid free and resistant to polishing.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements, and wherein

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of F-shape strip seal expansion joint according to the present invention.

FIG. 2a &2b illustrates sectional view and isometric view after installing F-shaped strip seal expansion joint in the plinth beam according to the present invention.

FIG. 3a-3p illustrates a finite model analysis, transient structural analysis and results according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0022] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding systems, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0023] According to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an F-shaped strip seal expansion joint for use in highways, bridges or the like comprises at least two F-shaped expansion joints and a strip seal configured to be inserted between two effective joints to effectively seal the said F- shaped expansion joints.

[0024] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, further the expansion joint comprises an anchoring loop configured to be affixed to the said F-shaped expansion joint to increase the life of the bridge and in installing the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint in the plinth beam strengthens and increase the life of the bridge.

[0025] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the F-shaped expansion joint is an hot rolled structural steel conforming to ASTM/IS standards as recommended by MORTH, with a suitable profile to mechanically lock the sealing element in place throughout the normal movement of the cycle.

[0026] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the F-shaped expansion joint characterized to use a material suitable of IS 2062 steel equivalent to ASTM A36/37.

[0027] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anchoring loop is characterized to be made of a solid unit that increases the life of expansion joint that in turn increase the life of the bridge.

[0028] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the anchoring loop with plurality of shapes based on customer requirement include but not limited to rectangular, circular and triangular or the like.
[0029] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, F-shaped expansion joint is characterized to be robust and suitable for all loads and sustains under all weather conditions and permits the expansion and/or contraction of the spans to which it is fixed without causing any distress or vibration to the structure.

[0030] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, further the strip seal is characterized to be designed to suit the steel groove provided in the edge beam is made of chloroprene rubber compound.

[0031] In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, further the strip seal is characterized to be made of chloroprene seal element.

[0032] According to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method for arranging the F-shaped strip seal expansion joint for highway, bridge or the like is disclosed. The method comprises steps of providing at least two F-shaped expansion joints, inserting a strip seal between two effective joints to effectively seal the F- shaped expansion joints and affixing an anchoring loop to the F-shaped expansion joint to increase the life of the bridge.

[0033] In accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein installing the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint in the plinth beam strengthens and increases the life of the bridge.

[0034] In accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises steps of adding the anchoring loop to the expansion joint that impacts on the load bearing capacity that results in more life of the bridge.

[0035] In accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the F-shaped striped seal expansion joint is capable to withstand the traffic loads including dynamic effects and the surface exposed to traffic is skid free and resistant to polishing.

[0036] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view 100 of F-shape strip seal expansion joint according to the present invention. The F-shaped strip seal expansion joint edge beam 100 is a hot rolled structural steel mostly used in highways, bridges or the like. The expansion joint is manufactured with at least two F-shaped expansion joints 102. The monolithic edge beam coated with epoxy paint is inserted with strip seal to effectively seal the F-shaped expansion joint 102 and an anchoring loop comes with the solid unit.

[0037] The F-shaped strip edge beam 100 is a hot rolled structural steel conforming to ASTM/IS standards as recommended by MORTH, with a suitable profile to mechanically lock the sealing element in place throughout the normal movement of the cycle. The anchoring loop with distinct shapes includes rectangular, triangle and circle etc 108 is affixed to the expansion joint 102 to increase the life of the bridge. Due to this unique design 100 the fatigue life of the expansion joint 102 increases that ultimately strengthen the life of the bridge. The F-shaped expansion joint use a material is suitable of IS 2062 steel equivalent to ASTM A36/37.

[0038] FIG. 2a & 2b illustrates a sectional view 200a and isometric view 200b after installing F-shape strip seal expansion joint in the plinth beam according to the present invention. The F-shape strip seal expansion joint 202a & 202b is inserted in the plinth beam 210b with an edge beam 212b. In between the F-shape expansion joint 202a & 202b a strip seal 204a & 204bis inserted to effectively seal the F-shaped expansion joint 202a & 202b. The strip seal inserted into the F-shape expansion joint is made of chloroprene seal element. The strip is designed to suit the steel groove provided in the edge beam is made of chloroprene rubber compound. The edge beam 212b is clamped with a clamp plate 214b to the plinth beam 210b to support the whole structure.

[0039] An anchoring loop 208a & 208b is added to the F-shaped strip seal 202a & 202b expansion joint. Due to this the impact load bearing capacity increases those results in the more life of the bridge. The insertion of F-F-shaped striped seal expansion joint in the plinth beam strengthens and increases the life of the bridge.

[0040] FIG. 3a-3p illustrates a finite model analysis, transient structural analysis and results according to the present invention. The material of construction (MOC) and mechanical properties of the component used for analysis are as follows.

Component Name Material Young’s Modulus Yield Stress (Mpa) Allowable Stress (Mpa)
Strip seal expansion joint ASTM A 36/
IS 2062 Gr.B 200x103 205 184.5
Table 1

• Allowable stress=0.9xYield stress =18405Mpa
• Poisson’s Ratio:0.30
• Assumption is yield of weld and parent material is same for safe design

Design Data:
Fatigue loading condition:
Total time span=15 years
Frequency=5.55Hz
Total number of cycles =2 million
Load 165Mpa
15 years = 15 x 365 x (24 x 3600) = 473.04 x 106sec

1 cycle = 15 years by 2000000 = 236.52sec

5.55Hz = 0.1801sec
Results & Observations:
1. Transient structural and fatigue is carried out to check F-shape strip seal expansion joint.

2. Total time span for the F-shape strip seal expansion joint is taken to be 15 years over the frequency of 5.55Hz and for the two million load cycles at the given load.
3. The observed information is that at the pick of the load 85KN vertically and 10KN in transverse direction, stress induced in the geometry is less than allowable stress (184.5Mpa) so design is safe.

4. FIG. 3h shows stress region above allowable stress (184.5Mpa) because of stress concentration.

5. FIG. 3k shows linearization across loop rod cross section at high stress (332.89Mpa) we observe that actual stress around 160Mpa by drawing tangent line to total stress which is below allowable (184.5Mpa). Hence design is safe for transient structural.

6. FIG. 3m shows stress region below allowable stress (18405Mpa).

7. As the material is surface finished and surrounding temperature will be ambient temperature so the fatigue strength factor (kf) considered to be1.

8. Maximum deformation found 0.094554mm which is negligible and within allowable limit.

9. Fatigue damage=Design life by Fatigue life as shown in FIG. 3o.

10. FIG. 3m shows that fatigue life of component is 4.730E8sec means components life is 15 years. Hence that region can sustain cycle load for 15 years.

11. FIG. 3p shows that the fatigue life of component is 6.3072E8 sec means components life is 20 years. Hence that region can sustain cyclic load for 20 years.

12. From all above given conditions i.e. frequency, load cycle and structure load design is safe.

[0041] In one embodiment, the F-shaped strip seal expansion joint is robust and suitable for all loads and local actions that sustain under all-weather conditions. The F-shape strip seal is also capable to withstand the traffic loads including dynamic effects.

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The aim of the appended claims, therefore, is to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.