Modular Bridge

Abstract

The description relates to modular bridges. On example of a modular bridge includes multiple parallel longitudinal modules. An individual module includes a steel superstructure embedded in a concrete deck that includes a longitudinal keyway. The concrete deck serves to maintain a longitudinal camber of the steel superstructure rather than diminishing the longitudinal camber. Adjacent parallel longitudinal modules are bolted together at adjacent opposing longitudinal keyways.

1 . A bridge module, comprising:
 a concrete deck; and,   a steel superstructure that is embedded in the concrete deck, wherein the concrete deck contributes to maintaining a longitudinal camber of the superstructure and wherein the concrete deck includes at least one longitudinal keyway configured to be fastened to the bridge module and to another adjacent bridge module.   
     
     
         2 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the steel superstructure comprises a single steel beam or a single steel truss. 
     
     
         3 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the steel superstructure comprises multiple parallel steel beams or multiple parallel steel trusses. 
     
     
         4 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete deck completely maintains the longitudinal camber of the superstructure that existed at the time the concrete deck was poured around the superstructure. 
     
     
         5 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the concrete deck is bonded to the superstructure in a manner that increases a load bearing capacity of the bridge module when compared to the superstructure alone. 
     
     
         6 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal keyway comprises a pair of longitudinal keyways on opposing sides of the concrete deck. 
     
     
         7 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal keyway comprises a single longitudinal keyway on one side of the concrete deck and the bridge module further comprises a guard rail on an opposing side of the concrete deck. 
     
     
         8 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal keyway includes hardware configured to secure the bridge module to the adjacent bridge module. 
     
     
         9 . The bridge module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal keyway includes mounting plates configured to receive hardware configured to secure the bridge module to corresponding hardware of the adjacent bridge module. 
     
     
         10 . The bridge module of  claim 9 , wherein a first set of the hardware is configured to allow vertical adjustment of the bridge module relative to the adjacent bridge module, and wherein a second set of the hardware is configured to structurally interconnect the module and the adjacent module. 
     
     
         11 . A bridge comprising the bridge module of  claim 1  attached to the another bridge module along an individual longitudinal keyway. 
     
     
         12 . A bridge module that is transportable in a fully assembled configuration and that includes a steel superstructure and a concrete bridge deck. 
     
     
         13 . The bridge module of  claim 12 , wherein the bridge module is a width of a lane or is less than the width of the lane. 
     
     
         14 . The bridge module of  claim 12 , wherein the bridge module is configured to be fastened to other bridge modules to supply an overall bridge width. 
     
     
         15 . The bridge module of  claim 12 , wherein the bridge module has a length that is equal to or greater than a bridge span. 
     
     
         16 . The bridge module of  claim 12 , wherein the bridge module includes a longitudinal keyway that is configured to facilitate vertical adjustment of the bridge module relative to an adjacent bridge module. 
     
     
         17 . The bridge module of  claim 12 , wherein the bridge module includes a steel guard rail or barricade. 
     
     
         18 . The bridge module of  claim 12 , wherein at least some of the steel superstructure is embedded in the concrete bridge deck. 
     
     
         19 . The bridge module of  claim 18 , wherein the steel superstructure includes structures configured to increase bonding between the steel superstructure and the concrete bridge deck. 
     
     
         20 . A bridge comprising multiple parallel longitudinal modules, wherein an individual module comprises a steel superstructure embedded in a concrete deck that includes a longitudinal keyway and wherein the concrete deck serves to maintain a longitudinal camber of the steel superstructure rather than diminishing the longitudinal camber, and wherein adjacent parallel longitudinal modules are bolted together at adjacent opposing longitudinal keyways.