Structures and methods for controlling road temperature over an underpass space are disclosed, including a structure comprising: footings underlying the road supporting a support assembly comprising: an inner shell; a plurality of beams surmounting the inner shell; an insulating material for thermally isolating the road and the remainder of the support assembly from the underpass space; an outer shell; a temperature control assembly; temperature sensors disposed in the road and the support assembly; and a computer processor configured to receive temperature and weather forecast data; predict changes to the temperature of the support assembly and the road based on the temperature and forecast data; and control the application or removal of heat to the support assembly, based on the predicted changes to the temperature of the support assembly and the road, resulting in the road maintaining a temperature within a predetermined range.

A bridge displacement calculating apparatus comprises a DC component removing part, a high-pass filter part, a first integration part, and a second integration part. The DC component removing part outputs DC-removed acceleration data. The high-pass filter part uses, as a cutoff frequency, the reciprocal of a time in which a vehicle has passed between the frame bodies of the bridge. The first integration part integrates input data thereto. The second integration part integrates input data thereto and outputs displacement data. The high-pass filter part receives DC-removed acceleration data, the first integration part receives the output of the high-pass filter part, the second integration part receives the output of the first integration part, or the first integration part receives the DC-removed acceleration data, the high-pass filter part receives the output of the first integration part, and the second integration part receives the output of the high-pass filter part.

The invention discloses a method and a system for predicting the corrosion fatigue life of prestressed concrete bridges. A corrosion level of the strand is predicted to obtain the residual tension force of a structure. A stress concentration factor is integrated to consider the stress concentration effect caused by pitting corrosion, and a growth model of the elastic stress of the strand under the coupled effect of corrosion and fatigue is proposed. A growth model of the plastic stress of the strand is established using a cross-section loss of the strand as a fatigue damage parameter based on a degenerated elastic modulus of the concrete after fatigue. Failure criteria for the concrete, the strand, and a longitudinal tension bar are defined, so that a set of methods for analyzing the life of a prestressed concrete bridge subjected to corrosive environment and fatigue load are formed.

The invention discloses a method and a system for predicting the corrosion fatigue life of prestressed concrete bridges. A corrosion level of the strand is predicted to obtain the residual tension force of a structure. A stress concentration factor is integrated to consider the stress concentration effect caused by pitting corrosion, and a growth model of the elastic stress of the strand under the coupled effect of corrosion and fatigue is proposed. A growth model of the plastic stress of the strand is established using a cross-section loss of the strand as a fatigue damage parameter based on a degenerated elastic modulus of the concrete after fatigue. Failure criteria for the concrete, the strand, and a longitudinal tension bar are defined, so that a set of methods for analyzing the life of a prestressed concrete bridge subjected to corrosive environment and fatigue load are formed.

The present invention relates to a cable using cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires, which facilitates concrete prestressing or other operations, and has excellent adhesion to concrete and manufacturability. The cable using cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires includes: a core wire configured by a cold-drawn shape memory alloy deformed by cold drawing to have an increased length; and a plurality of peripheral wires configured by cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires which are deformed by cold drawing to have an increased length and are couple to the core wire while being wound in a same direction along the circumference of the core wire.

The present invention relates to a cable using cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires, which facilitates concrete prestressing or other operations, and has excellent adhesion to concrete and manufacturability. The cable using cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires includes: a core wire configured by a cold-drawn shape memory alloy deformed by cold drawing to have an increased length; and a plurality of peripheral wires configured by cold-drawn shape memory alloy wires which are deformed by cold drawing to have an increased length and are couple to the core wire while being wound in a same direction along the circumference of the core wire.

Structures, systems, and methods for controlling water flow in relation to an underpass space of a road support structure are disclosed, including a method comprising receiving precipitation forecast data; receiving water volume data for water flowing toward an underpass space of a support assembly underlying a road, wherein a first culvert is positioned through the underpass space and a second culvert positioned around the support assembly configured to transfer water around the support assembly, and wherein one or more barriers are positioned to control flow of water within the first and second culvert; predicting water volume input to the underpass space based on the water volume data and the precipitation forecast data; and controlling the position of the one or more barriers to control flow of water within the first culvert and the second culvert based on the predicted water volume input.

A precast concrete structure formed of a cementitious mixture is provided, the cementitious mixture comprising a mixture of: (a) cement, (b) silica fume, (c) supplemental material (limestone and/or slag), (d) masonry sand, (e) water and ice (f) plasticizers and (g) workability admixtures. The result is an improved concrete for use in the formation of long span bridge elements that are simple and safe to manufacture and having improved properties. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

A precast concrete structure formed of a cementitious mixture is provided, the cementitious mixture comprising a mixture of: (a) cement, (b) silica fume, (c) supplemental material (limestone and/or slag), (d) masonry sand, (e) water and ice (f) plasticizers and (g) workability admixtures. The result is an improved concrete for use in the formation of long span bridge elements that are simple and safe to manufacture and having improved properties. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

The present invention relates to a system for preventing semitrailer collisions with a loading ramp (10). The system comprises a sensor (100) and guide block (200). The sensor (100) is configured for sensing when the rear end of a semitrailer (12) is approaching a loading ramp (10). The guide block (200) is adapted to be positioned on the ground, and is here shown positioned laterally to the opening of the loading ramp (10). The guide block (200) comprises wheel blocking means (210) configured for supporting the tread of a rear tire of the semitrailer (12). The wheel blocking means (210) is configured to move from a forwarded position relative to the loading ramp (10) to a retracted position relative to the loading ramp (10) as the semitrailer (12) is reversing towards said loading ramp (10). The sensor (100) is configured to send a blocking signal to the guide block (200) when the distance between the rear end of the semitrailer (12) and the loading ramp (10) is below a preset threshold, thereby blocking the movement of the wheel blocking means (210).