WO2006106370A2

WO2006106370A2 - Protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences

Info

Publication number: WO2006106370A2
Application number: PCT/HR2006/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Darko Horvat
Original assignee: Darko Horvat
Priority date: 2005-04-06
Filing date: 2006-03-22
Publication date: 2006-10-12
Also published as: WO2006106370A3; HRP20050311A2; HRPK20050311B3

Abstract

The laws of aerodynamics and air cirulation around the aeroprofile (1) are transposed from aviation technology into the area of land traffic to be applied for generating air circulation around the bridge (9) by placing the bridge inside the aeroprofile (1) , where the bora wind as the main cause of bridge closures is actually dealt with as a velocity vector used by means of the aeroprofile desing to achieve a lifting force FzI which with its force hepls relieve the bridge and the aeroprofile structure.

Description

PROTECTION OF BRIDGES FROM THE BORA WIND

AND OTHER EXTERNAL INFLUENCES DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Area of application This Invention applies to land-land, island-land and island-island bridges.

Technical task

Over years the Adriatic strong, cold, dry northern or northeastern wind, called "bora", has been causing a lot of troubles to bridges. Due to bora, bridges had to be closed every so often with the resulting traffic jams, high costs and frustrations. State-of-the-art

Of many proposed solutions the best known is the bora windbreak, which , however, will not prevent bridge closures, because it basic principle is to redirect lateral gusts of wind into a resulting lateral-front force. There are other attempts to solve the problem, but none is as practical as the one presented here. The essence of the Invention

The primary goal is to prevent bora wind strikes on the surface of the bridge carriageway. The secondary goal is to provide a bora windbreak which will shield the bridge and the vehicles from the bora. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences, which is the subject-matter of this Invention, is what is called here the aeroprofile structure composed of many components being mounted on and around the existing old or a new bridge.

The principle will be easy to comprehend if we know something about the flight of an aircraft, specifically about the functioning of wings as the main lifting surface of the carrying part of the aircraft, the interior of which is also used for housing various parts (fuel tank, passenger space, installations, etc.).

Therefore, the solution relies on the laws of aerodynamics and air circulation around the aeroprofile, transposed from aviation technology into the area of land traffic, to be applied for generating air circulation around the bridge by "placing" the bridge inside the aeroprofile. In this way, bora as the main culprit for bridge closures is actually dealt with as a velocity vector used by means of the aeroprofile design to achieve a lifting force F₂, which (running counter to the bridge and aeroprofile forces F₉) contributes with its force to unload the bridge and the aeroprofile structure.

With its aeroprofile structure mounted on and around the bridge, the system allows traffic in its inside and wholly protects it from high wind, rain, fog, ice, etc and thus prolongs the life of the bridge, unburdens the bridge when the bora wind strikes. It does so owing to the appearance of force Fz, allows the installation of lighting inside the structure and, generally, a smoother flow of traffic.

The aeroprofile structure is composed of the outer lining which shields from the impact of bora on the bridge lanes.

Its shape reduces the frontal resistance to a minimum and, at the same time, reduces the (not at all insignificant) frontal resistance of the bridge, thereby relieving the bridge structure of complex stresses. On its surface the system helps achieve the lifting force Fz and transversely distributes the load over the whole structure.

Further, this aeroprofile structure is composed of ribs serving as a supporting part of the lining and a link to the bridge structure. What can be applied here is duralumin or tubing.

The aeroprofile structure is also composed of a longitudinal section as an additional bracing of the structure as a whole, serving for connecting the ribs, the lining, as well as force and stress transitions along the whole structure axis V. Lift force neutralization are installed on the upper and lateral sides of the lining.

Between the lining and the bridge support structure and between the structure and the bridge, elastometers are installed to offset the vibrations of the bridge. Mounted on the supporting piers are protective aerodynamic linings rotating automatically or by the force of wind.

This patent should in no way be compared with the conventional tunnels, because it is not that with its shape nor with its entire design which is based on the theory of aerodynamics and wing structure. Material for the lining is polycarbonate plate, light, flexible, UV resistant, shock-resistant, thermoinsulated, or similar thermocomposite materials. At the selected places of the ribs are hollows to ensure minimum own weight and to accommodate other elements inside.

The known "bora windbreaks" are posted at the entry to or exit from the aeroprofile structure, for the adaptation of driving from the conditions of side strikes of the bora wind to the conditions of full protection, and vice versa.

The final shape of the aeroprofile structure and its relative curvature

(which will be greater than that of the wings due to the "height" of the interior for the traffic of vehicles of the size of a truck or a bus) should be a result of computer-aided theoretical elaboration and computation, as well as experimental checking. Due to its size, the structure can be fabricated in several collapsible parts.

Drawings

The attached drawings, which constitute the description of the Invention, should illustrate the best way of putting the Invention to practical use and help explain its basic principles.

Fig. 1 side view of the aeroprofile structure rib

Fig. 2 cross-section of the aeroprofile structure on and around the bridge

Fig. 3 side view of the bridge Detailed description of at least one way in which the Invention can be applied

Fig. 1 shows the rib (1) of the aeroprofile structure with hollows (2) and a longitudinal section (3) for connecting the ribs (1) and bracing the whole structure. Fig. 2 shows the lining (4) fixed to the rib (1), the hollows (2), the supporting piers (12) with the rotary protective aerodynamic lining (14), the carriageway (9) with vehicles (6 and 7), the traffic tunnel (5) and the tunnel lighting (8) On the upper and lateral sides of the lining (4) are the lift force neutralization units (13). Between the bridge lining (4) and the bridge support structure (1) and between the bridge support structure (1) and the bridge (9) is the elastometer to offset the bridge vibrations.

Fig. 3 offers a side view of the bridge with the outer lining (4) and the longitudinal section (3) which connects all ribs (1). At the bridge (9) entry and exit 100 are the conventional bora windbreaks (16). The bridge (9) rests on the base (17) and the whole bridge on the supporting piers (12) having on them installed rotary (automatic or self-rotary) protective aerodynamic linings (14).

The material of the lining (4) is a polycarbonate plate, whereas at selected places are the hollows (2), Fig. 1 and 2, to ensure minimum own weight and to

105 accommodate other elements inside. How to apply the Invention

As described above, the Invention enables to make at a reasonable cost a practical, durable and useful device which incorporates essential improvements compared with previously known solutions.

110 To experts it will be obvious that many modifications of and changes in the aeroprofile structure for the protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences without departing from the scope and essence of the Invention.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences by a relatively curved, wing-like Aeroprofile Structure (1) is characterized in that the Aeroprofile Structure (1) is mounted on and around the bridge (9).

2. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 1, is characterized in that the Aeroprofile Structure incorporates ribs (1) as a link to the bridge structure (9).

3. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 2, is characterized in that the Aeroprofile Structure as a ribbed structure (1) has hollows (2) inside.

4. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 3, is characterized in that the Aeroprofile Structure (1) incorporates longitudinal bracing sections (3)

5. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 4, is characterized in that the Aeroprofile Structure (1) incorporates the lining (4) to generate the lifting force, which is made of a polycarbonate plate and which protects the carriageway and the bridge.

6. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 5, is characterized in that in the upper and lateral sides of the lining (4) the lift force neutralization units (13) are provided.

7. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 6, is characterized in that between the lining (4) and the bridge support structure (1) and between the structure and the bridge (9) the elastometers are installed to offset the bridge vibrations.

8. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 7, is characterized in that on the supporting piers (12) the protective aerodynamic linings (14) are mounted.

9. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 8, is characterized in that inside the Aeroprofile

Structure (1) above the carriageway (9) lighting (8) is installed. 0. The protection of bridges from the bora wind and other external influences according to claim 9, is characterized in that at the bridge (9) entry and exit the external lateral bora windbreaks /16) are placed.