Form, system and method for forming concrete diaphragms

Abstract

A form or a series of forms for forming the bridge diaphragm from concrete material includes one or more bottom walls having an inner surface thereof abutting a bottom surface of the diaphragm. There is at least a pair of side walls upstanding on the inner surface of the bottom wall or walls at a respective longitudinal edge thereof and has an inner surface thereof abutting a respective side surface of the diaphragm. The at least the pair of side walls define each of a generally open top and a generally hollow interior of the form. There is also means for securely attaching each end of the form or series of forms to one of a side surface of at least one of the pair of longitudinal members and an end of another form for forming the diaphragm from the concrete material. Bracing of upper edges is also provided.

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         16 . A method of forming a diaphragm from a concrete material, said diaphragm spanning a transverse distance between a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members employed in a construction of a structure affording vehicle or pedestrian traffic, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing one or plurality of forms having at least one bottom wall and at least a pair of side walls, each of said least pair of side walls upstanding on said inner surface of said least one bottom wall at a respective longitudinal edge thereof and defining each of a generally open top and a generally hollow interior of said one or said plurality of forms, said one or each of said plurality of forms further having means for securely attaching each end thereof to one of a inner vertical surface of at least one of said pair of longitudinal members and an end of another form for forming said diaphragm from said concrete material;   (b) positioning said one or plurality of forms provided in step (a) substantially transverse to a direction of said pair of spaced-apart support longitudinal members at a location preselected for receiving said diaphragm;   (c) securing, with said securely attaching means, ends of said form or outermost ends of said plurality of forms positioned in step (b) to a respective inner vertical surface of said pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members;   (d) depositing concrete material in a liquid form into said one or plurality of forms; and   (e) solidifying said concrete material deposited into said one or plurality of forms in step (d).   
     
     
         17 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said method include an addition step of reinforcing, with at least one elongated L-shaped member, an upper edge of said one or said plurality of forms. 
     
     
         18 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said step (c) include a step of substantially matching a shape of said inner surface of said each of said pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members. 
     
     
         19 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said step (c) include steps of providing at least a pair flanges, the step of upstanding said at least pair flanges on a respective side wall at an outer end thereof and step of securing said at least pair flanges to said respective inner vertical surface of said pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members. 
     
     
         20 . The method, according to  claim 16 , wherein said method include an addition step of leaving said one or said plurality of forms in place after solidification of said concrete material in step (e). 
     
     
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         24 . A method of forming a diaphragm from a concrete material, said diaphragm spanning a transverse distance between a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members employed in a construction of a structure affording vehicle or pedestrian traffic, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a bottom wall having a pair of upstanding longitudinal flanges and an inner surface thereof abuttingly engageable with a bottom surface of said diaphragm;   (b) providing a pair of side walls, each of said pair of side walls;   (c) securing said pair of side walls in an upstanding manner on said inner surface of said bottom wall at a respective longitudinal edge thereof, said each of said pair of side walls having an inner surface thereof abutting a respective side surface of said diaphragm and defining each of a generally open top and a generally hollow interior of said form;   (d) positioning said form substantially transverse to a direction of said pair of spaced-apart support longitudinal members at a location preselected for receiving said diaphragm;   (e) securing ends of said form or outermost ends of said bottom wall and/or said pair of side walls to a respective inner vertical surface of said pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members;   (f) depositing concrete material in a liquid form into said one or plurality of forms; and   (g) solidifying said concrete material deposited into said form positioned in step (d).   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein step (c) includes the step of abutting an inner surface of each flange to an outer surface portion of a respective side wall. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein step (b) includes the step of manufacturing at least one of said pair of side walls from corrugated metal. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further including the step of securing at least one brace on said open top of said form. 
     
     
         28 . A method of forming a diaphragm from a concrete material, said diaphragm spanning a transverse distance between a pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members employed in a construction of a structure affording vehicle or pedestrian traffic, said method comprising the steps of::
 (a) providing a bottom wall having an inner surface thereof abuttingly engageable with a bottom surface of said diaphragm;   (b) upstanding a pair of side walls, each of said pair of side walls on said inner surface of said bottom wall at a respective longitudinal edge thereof, said each of said pair of side walls having an inner surface thereof abutting a respective side surface of said diaphragm and defining each of a generally open top and a generally hollow interior of said form;   (c) providing a predetermined contour of one end edge of said each side wall so as to position said one end edge of said form in operative mating alignment with a contour of a side surface of one of said pair of longitudinal members;   (d) providing at least a pair of L-shaped brackets, each of said at least pair of L-shaped brackets having a first leg thereof secured to said side surface of said one of said pair of longitudinal members and having an opposed second leg thereof generally abutting exterior or interior surface portion of a respective side wall;   (e) securing, with mechanical fasteners, said opposed second leg of said each bracket to said exterior or interior surface portion of said respective side wall so as to complete a form;   (f) securing ends of said form to a respective inner vertical surface of said pair of spaced-apart longitudinal support members;   (g) depositing concrete material in a liquid form into said one or plurality of forms; and   (h) solidifying said concrete material deposited into said form.