The disclosed technology is a system and a method for strengthening one or more joints of a structure having a plurality of structural members forming a vacuous area at each joint. The method includes computing limit load bearing capacity for the structure, at a joint, securing a filler module to the joint, at the vacuous area, the filler module having a plurality of surfaces so that when secured within the vacuous area, some of the surfaces are tangential to the members of the structure at its joint, and one or more of the surfaces are non-tangential to the members of the structure, and applying at least one layer of continuous fiber reinforced polymer wrap about the filler module and the members at the joint. The filler module of the disclosed technology is designed and configured to dissipate energy from a load applied to the structure, and at least doubling the load bearing capacity for the structure, at the joint.

A support structure including a tension-compression element is composed of tension-compression bars that are connected in real joints as well as tension straps that extend from one joint to another. The outermost tension-compression bars are connected in one respective knot. Two pressurized hollow members that are surrounded by a cover are arranged on both sides of a plane that extends through the tension-compression element such that the linear tensions generated in the cover preload the tension straps on the plane of the tension-compression element, secure the tension-compression bars against bending, and stabilize the joints. The linear tensioning components that extend perpendicular to said plane of symmetry strut the tension-compression element against lateral bending. Air-tight, optionally elastic pneumatic elements can be inserted into the hollow members.

A support structure including a tension-compression element is composed of tension-compression bars that are connected in real joints as well as tension straps that extend from one joint to another. The outermost tension-compression bars are connected in one respective knot. Two pressurized hollow members that are surrounded by a cover are arranged on both sides of a plane that extends through the tension-compression element such that the linear tensions generated in the cover preload the tension straps on the plane of the tension-compression element, secure the tension-compression bars against bending, and stabilize the joints. The linear tensioning components that extend perpendicular to said plane of symmetry strut the tension-compression element against lateral bending. Air-tight, optionally elastic pneumatic elements can be inserted into the hollow members.

A damper for damping vibrations of a structure comprises: a first damping unit, comprising a first damping body having a first mass (m.sub.1), a first spring element having a first spring constant (k.sub.1) and a first damping element having a first damping constant (c.sub.1), wherein said first damping body is configured to be attached to said structure via said first spring element and said first damping element; and a second damping unit, comprising a second damping body having a second mass (m.sub.2), a second spring element having a second spring constant (k.sub.2) and a second damping element having a second damping constant (c.sub.2), wherein said second damping body is configured to be attached to said first damping body via said second spring element and said second damping element.

A structural panel and method of fabricating and manufacturing same comprises a top panel and a bottom panel separated by and attached to at least one, but preferably a plurality, of structural composite preforms which may be fabricated by a continuous manufacturing process and may be saturated by resin using a continuous wetting process. The composite preforms may take any cross sectional shape but are preferably trapezoidal. The top and bottom panels may be fabricated from a plurality of layers of woven fabric layers and non-woven fabric layers which are saturated with a resin that is subsequently cured using cure processes known in the art. The composite structural panel of the invention is usable as a flat structural member for use as bridge decking, ramps, trestles, and any application requiring a structural panel.

A gangway comprising a fixed platform. A support structure is connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform. A releasable position locking assembly that inhibits rotation of the support structure in a raising direction is also provided. The releasable locking assembly includes a closed-loop fluid arrangement.

A gangway comprising a fixed platform. A support structure is connected to the fixed platform in a manner that allows the support structure to rotate with respect to the fixed platform. A releasable position locking assembly that inhibits rotation of the support structure in a raising direction is also provided. The releasable locking assembly includes a closed-loop fluid arrangement.

The disclosed technology is a system and a method for strengthening one or more joints of a structure having a plurality of structural members forming a vacuous area at each joint. The method includes computing limit load bearing capacity for the structure, at a joint, securing a filler module to the joint, at the vacuous area, the filler module having a plurality of surfaces so that when secured within the vacuous area, some of the surfaces are tangential to the members of the structure at its joint, and one or more of the surfaces are non-tangential to the members of the structure, and applying at least one layer of continuous fiber reinforced polymer wrap about the filler module and the members at the joint. The filler module of the disclosed technology is designed and configured to dissipate energy from a load applied to the structure, and at least doubling the load bearing capacity for the structure, at the joint.

A movable boarding bridge includes: an inner tunnel; an outer tunnel disposed on an outer surface of the inner tunnel so as to slide on the inner tunnel; a roller arranged on the external surface of the inner tunnel; and a rainwater gutter-type rail arranged on the internal surface of the outer tunnel, and configured to guide the roller such that the roller moves along the rail and to allow inflowing rainwater from the outside to flow therethrough, wherein the rainwater gutter-type rail may be configured such that the rainwater gutter is not seen from the inner tunnel through which passengers pass.

An apparatus for de-icing the surface of a casing tube of a tendon that is exposed to weather influences, or to guard against, if not completely prevent, ice forming on the tube, where the tendon is anchored to a structure by means of an anchoring device is provided. The apparatus includes a power device, one end of which is in force transmitting engagement with the anchoring device or with a part that is connected to the anchoring device in an operationally stable manner, and the other end is in force transmitting engagement with the casing tube or with a part that is connected to the tube in an operationally stable manner. The power device is configured to move the casing tube relative to the anchoring device in the circumferential, radial and/or axial direction in relation to the longitudinal extension direction of the casing tube.