Bridge construction method and composite girder for use in same

Abstract

A composite girder comprises an elongate member of concrete having a substantially u-shaped or c-shaped cross-section. The girder has a pair of spaced legs connected together by a bridging portion. The legs have substantially flat elongate end faces and exterior reinforcing, such as a steel plate, extends along at least one of said end faces. A method of constructing a bridge using the girder is also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composite girder comprising an elongate member of concrete, wherein the concrete member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section including a pair of spaced concrete legs extending transversely of the longitudinal dimension of the concrete member, the spaced legs being connected by a concrete bridging portion formed integrally with the legs, either one of the legs having a pair of opposed elongate sides and an elongate end face extending between the opposed sides and including a reinforcing member mounted on the end face of the leg and extending along the end face of the leg.  
     
     
         2 . The girder according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is in the form of a elongate plate.  
     
     
         3 . The girder according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate is flush with the elongate sides of the leg.  
     
     
         4 . The girder according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate forms a flange projecting from at least one elongate side of the leg.  
     
     
         5 . The girder according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate forms flanges extending from both elongate sides of the leg.  
     
     
         6 . The girder according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate is attached to the end face of the leg by means of a plurality of stud connectors spaced along the end face.  
     
     
         7 . The girder according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate is at least partially embedded in the end face.  
     
     
         8 . The girder according to  claim 2 , wherein the plate is a steel plate.  
     
     
         9 . A method of constructing a bridge, comprising the steps of laying a plurality of composite girders in parallel relationship across an expanse to form a bridge deck, each girder comprising an elongate member of concrete, wherein the concrete member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section including a pair of spaced concrete legs extending transversely of the longitudinal dimension of the concrete member, the spaced legs being connected by a concrete bridging portion formed integrally with the legs, either one of the legs having a pair of opposed elongate sides and an elongate end face extending between the opposed sides and including a reinforcing member mounted on the end face of the leg and extending along the end face of the leg; and wherein each girder spans the expanse along its longitudinal dimension and said girders are arranged with their legs facing downwardly on support means at the opposite ends of the girder.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcing member is in the form of an elongate plate.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the plate is a steel plate.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the legs of adjacent girders are in side-by-side abutment.  
     
     
         13 . A method of constructing a bridge, comprising the step of laying a composite girder across an expanse to form a bridge deck, the girder comprising an elongate member of concrete, wherein the concrete member has a substantially U-shaped cross-section including a pair of spaced concrete legs extending transversely of the longitudinal dimension of the concrete member, the spaced legs being connected by a concrete bridging portion formed integrally with the legs, either one of the legs having a pair of opposed elongate sides and an elongate end face extending between the opposed sides and including a reinforcing member mounted on the end face of the leg and extending along the end face of the leg; and wherein the girder spans the expanse along its longitudinal dimension and the girder is arranged with its legs facing downwardly on support means at the opposite ends of the girder.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the reinforcing member is in the form of a steel plate.