Cover for prestressed concrete member

Abstract

A prestressed structural concrete system is disclosed that includes a prestressed concrete structural member and a cover configured to securely engage a cavity of the member to substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment. The cover includes a surface configured to achieve a substantially fluid tight seal with the concrete member.

1 . A prestressed structural concrete system comprising
 a prestressed concrete structural member comprising a cavity; and   a cover configured to securely engage the cavity and substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , the prestressed concrete structural member further comprising a fitting at least partially disposed in the cavity. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises at least one protruding feature configured to engage the cavity and a sealing surface that substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a layer of adhesive material. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a rib. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the body is composed of a resilient material. 
   
   
       8 . A cover for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member, comprising
 at least one protruding feature configured to engage the cavity; and   a sealing surface that substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member.   
   
   
       9 . The cover of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a layer of adhesive material in contact with the sealing surface.   
   
   
       10 . The cover of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a rib protruding from the sealing surface.   
   
   
       11 . The cover of  claim 8 , wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity. 
   
   
       12 . The cover of  claim 8 , wherein the body is composed of a resilient material. 
   
   
       13 . A method for sealing a cavity of a prestressed concrete structural member, comprising:
 providing a prestressed concrete structural member comprising a cavity;   at least partially inserting a cover into the cavity to substantially seal the cavity from an outside environment.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the prestressed structural concrete member further comprises a fitting at least partially disposed in the cavity. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cover achieves a substantially fluid tight seal with the prestressed concrete structural member when the cover is securely engaged with the cavity. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one protruding feature of the cover releasably engages the cavity. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a sealing surface of the cover substantially conforms to a surface of the prestressed structural member to form a substantially fluid tight seal. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a layer of adhesive material is disposed between the cover and the prestressed concrete structural member to improve the seal between the cavity and the outside environment. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein a rib protrudes from the cover and contacts the prestressed concrete structural member to improve the seal between the cavity and the outside environment. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the protruding feature comprises at least two protruding portions separated by a discontinuity, the protruding portions including a surface that conforms to and engages a surface of the cavity to securely engage the cover to the prestressed concrete structural member.