Bridge deck panel

Abstract

A prefabricated bridge deck panel can be affixed to pre-existing bridge girders. The bridge deck panel includes an elongated metal deck plate stiffened longitudinally by longitudinal stiffening metal ribs. The bridge deck panel also has at least one inverted Tee rib underneath the deck plate. The vertical web member of the inverted Tee rib has its upper end structurally secured to the deck plate of the bridge deck panel. The panel also includes spaced-apart transverse floor beams underneath the deck plate. The vertical web member of the transverse floor beams has recesses fitted over the longitudinal stiffening metal ribs, and interfits with the vertical web member of the inverted Tee rib. The upper end of the transverse floor beams is structurally secured to the deck plate. In use, the inverted Tee rib is laid on and secured to a pre-existing bridge girder.

1 . A prefabricated bridge deck panel to be affixed to at least one pre-existing bridge girder, the bridge deck panel comprising:
 an elongated metal deck plate stiffened longitudinally by stiffening closed metal ribs;   at least one inverted Tee rib extending longitudinally underneath the deck plate, said Tee rib having a vertical web member and a flange plate, the vertical web member having an upper end structurally secured to the deck plate; and   spaced-apart transverse floor beams extending transversally underneath the deck plate in an interfit continuous relationship with the inverted Tee rib, each transverse floor beam comprising a vertical web member and a flange plate, the vertical web member having recesses fitted over the closed metal ribs and an upper end structurally secured to the deck plate,   
     whereby in use, the flange plate of the inverted Tee rib is laid on and secured to said at least one pre-existing bridge girder. 
   
   
       2 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stiffening open rib along a longitudinal edge of the metal deck plate. 
   
   
       3 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 2 , wherein the stiffening open rib has an L shape formed by a vertical web member and an inward flange plate, the vertical web member of the L shape stiffening open rib thereby closing the deck panel. 
   
   
       4 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper ends of the inverted Tee rib and of the transverse floor beams are welded underneath the deck plate. 
   
   
       5 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said transverse floor beams has two opposite side ends, at least one of said side ends being provided with at least one fastener receiving hole used for connecting the bridge deck panel to a side end of a similar one of said bridge deck panel. 
   
   
       6 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the stiffening closed metal ribs has opposite front and rear ends, each provided with at least one fastener receiving hole used for connecting the bridge deck panel to a rear end or a front end of a similar one of said bridge deck panel. 
   
   
       7 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 6 , comprising closure blocks press-fitted in said front and rear end of the closed metals ribs. 
   
   
       8 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the flange plate of the inverted Tee rib is provided with at least one fastener receiving hole used for securing the inverted Tee rib to at least one pre-existing bridge girder. 
   
   
       9 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the inverted Tee rib and the transverse floor beams of the deck panel are of substantially equal depth; and wherein in use, the flange plate of the inverted T rib is laid on and secured to a main longitudinal one of said pre-existing girders. 
   
   
       10 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pre-existing girder comprises a plurality of spaced apart transverse girders; said inverted Tee rib is deeper than the transverse floor beams; and wherein in use, the flange plate of the inverted Tee rib is laid on and secured to said plurality of spaced apart transverse bridge girders. 
   
   
       11 . A bridge deck panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one pre-existing girder comprises a plurality of spaced apart transverse girders, said transverse floor beams are deeper than the inverted Tee rib; and wherein in use, the flange plate of the inverted Tee rib is laid on and secured to the transverse bridge girders. 
   
   
       12 . A bridge deck comprising a plurality of said prefabricated bridge deck panels according to  claim 1  mounted side by side or end to end on pre-existing girders of a bridge. 
   
   
       13 . A method for installing a deck on pre-existing main longitudinal bridge girders, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of prefabricated bridge deck panels as defined in  claim 9 ;   b) mounting said bridge panels side-by-side or end-to-end on said main longitudinal bridge girders with the flange plate of the inverted T rib of each of said bridge deck panels laying on top of a portion of one of said main longitudinal girders; and   c) securing the flange plate of inverted T ribs to the main longitudinal girder.   
   
   
       14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of;
 d) securing adjacent transverse floor beams and end to end inverted Tee ribs of the bridge deck panels using connecting plates; and   e) sealing end to end stiffening closed metal ribs of the bridge deck panels using press fit closure blocks.   
   
   
       15 . A method for installing a deck on pre-existing transverse bridge girders, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a plurality of prefabricated bridge deck panels as defined in  claim 10 ; and   b) mounting said bridge panels side-by-side or end-to-end on said main transverse bridge girders with the flange plate of the inverted T rib of each of said bridge deck panels bridging a plurality of following ones of said transverse girders.   
   
   
       16 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of:
 d) securing adjacent transverse floor beams and end to end inverted Tee ribs of the bridge deck panels using connecting plates; and   e) sealing end to end stiffening closed metal ribs of the bridge deck panels using press fit closure blocks.   
   
   
       17 . A prefabricated bridge deck panel to be affixed to at least one pre-existing bridge girder, the bridge deck panel comprising:
 an elongated metal deck plate stiffened longitudinally by longitudinal stiffening metal ribs;   at least one inverted Tee rib extending longitudinally underneath the deck plate, said Tee rib having a vertical web member and a flange plate, the vertical web member having an upper end structurally secured to the deck plate; and   spaced-apart transverse floor beams extending transversally underneath the deck plate in an interfit continuous relationship with the inverted Tee rib, each transverse floor beam comprising a vertical web member and a flange plate, the vertical web member having recesses fitted over the longitudinal stiffening metal ribs and an upper end structurally secured to the deck plate,   
     whereby in use, the flange plate of the inverted Tee rib is laid on and secured to said at least one pre-existing bridge girder.