The present invention relates to a viaduct for a track such as a railway line, and
comprising successive spans resting on supports such as piers.
US-A-4 142 468 discloses a viaduct of the above-specified type in which each span is
substantially U-shaped in cross-section.
This U-shaped section corresponds to a load-carrying slab forming the web of the U-
shape and connected on either side to respective upwardly extending flanges.
Each flange is surmounted on top by a substantially horizontal soleplate forming a
shelf that extends transversely, at least towards the opposite flange.
After such a viaduct has been built, it may be necessary to build additional structures,
for example a new station comprising, on one side at least, a slab forming a platform for
passengers.
Such new structures require major work in order to establish new supports standing on
the ground, one or more slabs, and superstructures that are provided in conventional manner
in such stations.
The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of known viaducts and
to propose a viaduct of the above-specified type adapted to make it very easy and quick to
build new superstructures on at least one side of the viaduct without impeding use of the line.
The present invention accordingly provides a viaduct for a track such as a railway
line, comprising a deck formed by successive spans resting on supports such as piers,
each span having a substantially U-shaped cross-section comprising a load carrying slab
forming the web of the U-shape and connected on either side to an upwardly-extending side
flange the top portion of each flange being surmounted by a substantially horizontal shelf-
forming soleplate extending transversely at least towards the opposite flange, the top
surface of each soleplate being situated at substantially the same level as the floor of a
transport vehicle, so that said soleplate is adapted to constitute a front platform portion of a
platform-forming shelf of a railway station.
Thus, these transverse beams made when the viaduct
is initially built make it possible at a later date,
without any lead time, to build additional structures
suitable for fixing on such transverse beams, and to do
> so in any conventional known manner.
Thus, using the transverse beams for support, it is
possible to erect any kind of additional structure,
whether temporary or permanent, e.g. a new station with
platforms, and superstructures, without there being any
need to dig the ground and install new foundations or to
mount bulky scaffolding in order to build such new
structures.
Other features and advantages of the present
invention appear from the following detailed description.
In the accompanying drawings, given purely by way of
non-limiting example:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-section view
through an embodiment of a viaduct in accordance with the
present invention;
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view similar to
Figure 1 showing platforms and superstructures for a new
station;
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing
another embodiment of a viaduct of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a section view through another
embodiment of a viaduct of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic section view through
another embodiment of a viaduct of the present invention;
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing
another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing
another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing
another embodiment of the present invention.
In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the viaduct 1
for a railway or other line comprises successive spans 2
resting on supports such as piers 3 themselves built on
foundations 4 e.g. standing on piles 5 engaged in
conventional manner in the ground.
In cross-section, each span 2 is substantially U-
shaped, comprising a load-carrying slab 7 forming the web
of the U-shape and connected on at least one side, and on
both sides in the figures, to a respective upwardly-
extending side flange 8, 9.
The top of each flange 8, 9 is surmounted by a
substantially horizontal corresponding soleplate 10, 11
forming a shelf which extends transversely in the
direction of arrow 12, at least towards the opposite
flange 9, 8.
As shown diagrammatically, the top surface 10a, lla
of each soleplate 10, 11 is situated at a level that is
substantially equal to the level of the floor of a
transport vehicle 13 traveling on the railway or other
line carried by the viaduct 1.
In the example shown, the vehicles 13 run on rails
14, themselves laid on conventional supports 15 of known
type, e.g. transverse or longitudinal sleepers (ties) .
Naturally, the vehicles 13 can be mounted on wheels
fitted with pneumatic tires, in a manner that is known
per se and need not be described herein (see below).
In the example shown, at least some of the spans 2
of the viaduct 1 include transverse beams 16, 17
projecting outwards transversely in the direction of
arrow 12 on either side of each span 2 beyond the
corresponding side flanges 8, 9 and shelves 10, 11.
In the transverse direction of arrow 12, each beam
16, 17 is of predetermined length and strength that are
sufficient to enable additional structures to be
installed subsequently on said beams 16, 17, e.g. slabs
18, 19 which preferably extend said soleplate 10, 11
outwards.
In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the transverse
beams 16, 17 are secured to joists or "trimmers" 2 0
placed on top of the piers 3 and supporting the deck 21
of each span 2.
This is advantageous and enables spans 2 to be built
that are identical and fully prefabricated or that are
made up of identical prefabricated arch members, with
only certain piers carrying joists 20 fitted with
transverse beams 16, 17 of the invention at locations
that are decided in advance.
Naturally, the beams 16, 17 can be replaced by slabs
of length in the longitudinal direction of the viaduct
matching the length of said joists 20.
In the diagrammatic example of Figure 2,
longitudinal beams shown diagrammatically at 22 are
placed on the joists 20 of two adjacent piers and support
the slabs 18 and 19 which extend the soleplates 10 and
11.
As shown diagrammatically in Figure 2, it is thus
possible to build a station 23 having a platform-forming
shelf 24, 25 on either side. Each platform 24, 25 has a
front platform portion constituted by the correspond
soleplate 10, 11, and a rear platform portion constituted
by the corresponding slab 18, 19 adjacent to said
soleplate and at the same level.
In conventional manner, the station also has a roof-
forming superstructure shown diagrammatically at 26,
which superstructure is supported, like the slabs 18 and
19, by the transverse beams 16, 17, and all of these
elements can be built or installed without interrupting
operation of the transportation line.
Thereafter, it suffices to install conventional
means for moving passengers in both directions beneath
ground level 6 and the slabs 18, 19 and also, where
appropriate, to install any such premises, offices, etc.
as may be required for housing station staff and users of
the line.
In the embodiment of Figure 3, the deck 27 rests directly on the capital 28 formed at
the top of each pier 3.
The transverse beams 29, 30 are secured to the deck 27 and are situated
substantially at the same level as the load-carrying slab 7.
It is quite possible to choose to fit the deck 27 of each span with transverse beams 29,
30. It is also possible, in a variant, to provide transverse beams 29, 30 only for those spans
that might subsequently receive an additional structure such as a station.
In the embodiment of Figure 4, there can be seen two parallel viaducts each carrying
a single track. It is then possible to envisage installing a central platform only, as shown
diagrammatically at 31 and of arbitrary width, depending on requirements.
To this end, transverse beams 32, 33 are provided on one side only of the
corresponding deck and they extend transversely towards the other deck. The slab 34 may
be constituted by a single piece or built up using a plurality of individual slabs. This slab 34
is placed between the two adjacent soleplates 10, 11 of the two adjacent viaducts and the
longitudinal beams 22 supporting the slab 34 are fixed to the transverse beams 32, 33 as
shown in Fig.4.
It is also possible to provide a roof-forming superstructure bearing on the transverse
beams 32, 33, either directly or else via the slab 34.
Figure 5 shows a single track viaduct receiving a vehicle that is mounted on wheels
fitted with pneumatic tires.
This viaduct can be fitted equally well with transverse beams such as 17
secured to joists 20 or transverse beams such as 29 secured to spans 2 or
arch members constituting said spans. Each flange 8, 9 has a shape 37 on
its bottom wall facing towards the other flange, which shape forms a
substantially vertical guide serving as a runner and
bearing surface for guide wheels 38 on the vehicle 13.
The vehicle 13 is itself mounted on tires 39 running
on longitudinally extending sills referenced 40.
It would also be possible to provide rails (not
shown) suitable for supporting conventional flanged
railway wheels in the event of a tire puncturing (not
shown) . • ' ¦ ¦
In the embodiment of Figure 6, the span 2 which is
mounted joists 20 has a load-carrying slab 7 with metal
flanges 8, 9 connected thereto, the web being connected
in any known manner to the slab 7 together with filler
concrete 41 that is put into place on site.
In this case, the soleplates 10 and 11 are
themselves supported by metal sheet 42.
In the embodiment of Figure 7, corresponding
particularly to building the viaduct by means of fully
prefabricated spans carried by joists 20, each new span
can be brought to its site for installation by a
transport vehicle, referenced 43, adapted to travel along
the load-carrying slab 7 of spans that are already in
place. Such a vehicle can naturally be fitted with
pneumatic tires, as shown in the figure, prior to laying
the railway tracks, or it can be provided with flanged
wheels and run along the railway track that has already
been put into place.
In the embodiment of Figure 8, which corresponds to
a single track viaduct in this example, a gantry 44
suitable for running on the soleplates 10, 11 and
provided with hoists shown diagrammatically at 45 serves
to transport, lay, and adjust rails 14 on the sleepers
15. ' ' ¦
A viaduct has thus been described which is provided
with transverse beams that project outwardly, said beams
being placed either along the entire length of the
viaduct, or else only at particular locations specified
in advance.
Such beams make it possible subsequently to build a
new station or to extend an existing station quickly,
easily, and at reduced cost.
When the transverse beams 16, 17 are secured to
joists 20, the platforms of new stations are independent
of the deck of each span, thus making it simpler both to
design each span and to design each platform, in
particular concerning vibration, bracing, etc.
Naturally, all kinds of electric cable suitable for
use in operating the line can be placed beneath the
soleplates 10, 11 as represented by reference 46 in
Figure 6.
The flanges 8, 9 and the soleplates 10, 11 are
preferably designed in such a manner as to be capable of
holding a train or a vehicle that has derailed or that
has escaped from the guide means provided.
The station shown in Figures 2 and 3 which rest
directly on the beams 16, 17 or 29, 30 has minimum visual
impact in the surroundings given that its own outline is
not added to that of the viaduct and the vehicles, but on
the contrary replaces said outline.
Finally, the flanges 8, 9 serve in conventional
manner as screens against noise.
Naturally, the present invention is not limited to
the embodiments described above and numerous changes and
modifications can be made thereto without going beyond
the ambit of the invention.
Naturally, one-piece arch members or spans that are
prefabricated prior to being installed can be made of
prestressed concrete. The same applies to all of the
other prefabricated elements used in the context of the
present invention.
WE CLAIM :
-1. A viaduct (1) for a track such as a railway line, comprising a deck (21) formed by
successive spans (2) resting on supports such as piers (3), each span (2) having a
substantially U-shaped cross-section comprising a load carrying slab (7) forming the web of
the U-shape and connected on either side to an upwardly-extending side flange (8,9), the top
portion of each flange (8,9) being surmounted by a substantially horizontal shelf-forming
j soleplate (10, 11) extending transversely at least towards the opposite flange, the top surface
, (10a, 11a) of each soleplate (10,11) being situated at substantially the same level as the
^floor of a transport vehicle (13), so that said soleplate (10, 11) is adapted to constitute a
/ front platform portion of a platform-forming shelf (24, 25, 31) of a railway station (23).
-2. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein beams (16, 17, 29, 30,32, 33) extend
transversely outwards from at least one side of some of said spans (2) beyond the
corresponding side flange (8,9) and shelf (10,11), each beam (16, 17, 29, 30, 32, 33) being
of length in the transverse direction and of strength that are predetermined to be sufficient to
enable additional structures (24, 25, 31) to be built subsequently on said beams (16, 17, 29,
30, 32, 33).
-3. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said beams (16, 17, 29, 30, 32, 33)
extend outwards from said soleplates (10,11).
-4. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said additional structures (24, 25,31 ) to
be built comprise said platform-forming shelf (24, 25,31 ) of said railway station (23).
-5. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said beams (29, 30) are secured to the
deck (21) and are situated at substantially the same level as the load carrying slab (7).
-6. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said beams (16, 17, 32, 33) are secured
to joists (20) supporting the deck (21) at the location of each pier or support (3).
-7. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein it has ai least one station (23) comprising
at least one platform-forming shelf (24, 25,31 ) made up of a front platform portion
constituted by the corresponding soleplate (10,11) and of slabs (18, 19, 34) forming a rear
platform portion adjacent to the front platform portion and placed on a structure (22) which is
fixed to the transverse beams (16, 17, 29, 30,32, 33) in such a manner that the slabs
(18,19,34) forming the rear platform portions are at substantially the same level as the
corresponding soleplate (10,11).
-8. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the slab (34) forming a portion of the
platform (31) is placed between two adjacent soleplates (10,11) of two adjacent viaducts
and the structure supporting the slab (34) is fixed to transverse beams (32,33) of the two
adjacent viaducts so that the shelf constitutes a central platform (31) common to both
viaducts.
-9. A viaduct (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a roof-forming superstructure (26) is
supported on the transverse beams (16, 17, 29, 30).
-10. A viaduct for a track such as a railway line, suostantiaiiy as nerein descnoed,
particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A viaduct for a track such as a railway line, comprise a deck (21) formed by successive
spans resting on piers (3) and each having a U-shaped cross-section comprising a load
carrying slab (7) forming the web connected on either side to an upwardly-extending side
flange (8,9), the top portion of each flange (8,9) being surmounted by a horizontal shelf-
forming soleplate (10, 11) extending transversely at least towards the opposite flange, the
top surface (10a, 11a) of each soleplate (10,11) being situated at substantially the same
level as the floor of a transport vehicle (13), so that the soleplate (10, 11) forms a front
platform portion of a platform-forming shelf (24) of a railway station (23).