Modular fiber reinforced plastic enclosed bridge

Abstract

A method for fabricating a fiber reinforced composite bridge module is described which in one preferred embodiment includes the steps of selecting a cross-sectional shape for the bridge module defined by an outer substantially tubular shell having a top side and a bottom side, and a floor deck near the bottom side and at least one keel beam beneath the floor deck and extending lengthwise of the outer shell, the outer shell, floor deck and keel beams defining a plurality of passageways along the length of the module, winding fiber and impregnating material on mandrels in a plurality tubular sections defining the plurality of passageways, joining the plurality of tubular sections in side-by-side relationship in an assembly substantially defining in cross section the cross-sectional shape of the module, winding fiber and impregnating material around the assembly to a preselected thickness for the outer shell; and curing the fiber and impregnating material.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for fabricating a fiber reinforced composite bridge module, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a source of fiber and a source of impregnating material;   (b) selecting a cross-sectional shape for the bridge module defined by an outer substantially tubular shaped shell having a top side and a bottom side, and a floor deck near said bottom side, said outer shell and floor deck defining a plurality of passageways along the length of said module;   (c) winding on mandrels said fiber and impregnating material in a plurality tubular sections defining said plurality of passageways;   (d) joining said plurality of tubular sections in side-by-side relationship in an assembly substantially defining a cross section said cross-sectional shape of said module;   (e) winding said fiber and impregnating material around said assembly to a preselected thickness of said outer shell; and   (f) curing said fiber and impregnating material.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein said module has a width up to about fifteen feet and a length of up to about seventy feet. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 wherein said fiber comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphite, boron, an aromatic polyamide, glass, and aluminum. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 wherein said impregnating material is selected from the group consisting of thermosetting polymers, thermoplastic polymers, and polyimide material. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 wherein said impregnating material is phenolic polyimide or furan. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of incorporating thermal insulation into said outer shell during the step of winding said fiber and impregnating material around said assembly to produce a multi-layered structure of winding and insulation in said outer shell. 
     
     
       7. A method for fabricating a fiber reinforced composite bridge module, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a source of fiber and a source of impregnating material;   (b) selecting a cross-sectional shape for the bridge module defined by an outer substantially tubular shaped shell having a top side and a bottom side, and a floor deck near said bottom side;   (c) winding said fiber and impregnating material to separately form said outer shell and said floor deck;   (d) curing said fiber and impregnating material in each of said outer shell and floor deck; and   (e) joining said outer shell and floor deck in an assembly defining in cross section said cross-sectional shape of said module.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7 wherein said module has a width up to about fifteen feet and a length of up to about seventy feet. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 7 wherein said fiber comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbon, graphite, boron, an aromatic polyamide, glass, and aluminum. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 7 wherein said impregnating material is a thermosetting resin. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 7 wherein said impregnating material is phenolic polyimide or furan. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of incorporating thermal insulation into said outer shell during the step of winding said fiber and impregnating material to form said outer shell to produce a multi-layered structure of winding and insulation in said outer shell.