According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile bridge module comprising a reinforcement applied in a non-destructive manner. This might alternatively and/or additionally be defined as a non-destructively reinforced mobile bridge module.

A bridge or other construction comprising a deck, in which the deck is designed to be lightweight and durable, such as by including aluminum, and readily installable on a main bearing structure of the bridge or other construction (e.g., without welding and/or without drilling or otherwise creating holes into the main bearing structure of the bridge or other construction), even if the main bearing structure of the bridge or other construction is based on different material (e.g., steel).

A portable modular bridge system that is configured to be easily assembled, disassembled and transported so as to facilitate the transportation of the bridge system to a remote location for installation. The bridge system of the present invention includes a deck member having a first end and a second end. The deck member is operably coupled to a two support members wherein the support members are located at opposing ends of the deck member. The support members a are formed from a plurality of structural members to create an elongated polygon shape having a central opening configured to have a human pass therethrough. A pair of side rails are structurally coupled to the bottom portion of the two support members. A top frame member is superposed the top portion of the two support members and is operably coupled thereto. A lateral stability component is further included.

A portable modular bridge system that is configured to be easily assembled, disassembled and transported so as to facilitate the transportation of the bridge system to a remote location for installation. The bridge system of the present invention includes a deck member having a first end and a second end. The deck member is operably coupled to a two support members wherein the support members are located at opposing ends of the deck member. The support members a are formed from a plurality of structural members to create an elongated polygon shape having a central opening configured to have a human pass therethrough. A pair of side rails are structurally coupled to the bottom portion of the two support members. A top frame member is superposed the top portion of the two support members and is operably coupled thereto. A lateral stability component is further included.

This invention is an improved side section for a marine gangplank/gangway structure. This side section has a unique visually appealing design and provides gangplanks with resistance to twisting and increased live load capacity. The side sections of this invention can be used to reduce the weight and cost of gangplanks while improving durability. This marine structure comprises (1) a horizontal base section, (2) a vertical base, (3) a horizontal spacer, (4) a sigma spring section which extends upwardly from the inside end of the horizontal spacer in a circumferential manner, (5) a lower deck support, wherein the lower deck support extends horizontally from the top end of the sigma spring section, and wherein the lower deck support includes a fulcrum which is situated on the top of the lower deck support, (6) a vertical deck support, and (7) an upper deck.

A mobile bridge module includes a reinforcement applied in a non-destructive manner. This might alternatively and/or additionally be defined as a non-destructively reinforced mobile bridge module.

A self alignment structure for joining extruded members. The self-aligning structure includes one or more decking members including an upper panel and a lower panel connected by webbing members. One side of the decking member has a void space between the upper panel and lower panel and another side the decking member may have a vertical webbing member between the upper panel and the lower panel. The self aligning structure further includes an upper shelf and lower shelf, each shelf extending horizontally relative to the vertical webbing member. The shelves being operable to align a neighboring decking member, forming abutment joints in preparation for a friction stir welding process.

A modular bridge deck system supported on a plurality of cooperating girders and the deck system that comprises a plurality of deck panels secured together to form a modular bridge deck. Each deck panel is preferably formed by longitudinally shop friction-stir welding a plurality of elongated, multi-void, extruded aluminum structural elements. A top surface of each respective deck panel and the longitudinal shop-welding form a substantially continuous top surface of the modular bridge deck. In addition, the modular bridge deck has a depth and weight that is substantially equal to a weight of a steel open-grid deck of a moveable bridge or fixed span bridge to be replaced by the modular bridge deck system.

A self alignment structure for applications joining extruded members is provided. The self-aligning structure may comprise one or more bridge decking members including an upper panel and a lower panel connected by webbing members therebetween. One side of the bridge decking member have a void space between the upper panel and lower panel and an other side the decking member may have a vertical webbing member between the upper panel and the lower panel. The self aligning structure may further include an upper shelf and lower shelf, each extending horizontally away from the vertical webbing member, operable to align a neighboring decking member, forming abutment joints in preparation for the application of a joining application, such as a friction stir welding tool.