Decorative edge trim for bridge, comprises lightweight shell extending between both sides of bridge in its span direction

摘要

#CMT# #/CMT# The trim comprises a lightweight, self-supporting shell (1) which encloses a cavity (5) extending from one side of the bridge (4) to the other in the bridge span direction. #CMT# : #/CMT# An independent claim is also included for a method for securing the trim to the edge of a bridge using metal fixtures, preferably a console (13) with an adjustable bracket which is cast into the edge of the bridge. #CMT#USE : #/CMT# For providing a decorative finish on the edge of a bridge (claimed). #CMT#ADVANTAGE : #/CMT# The trim represents a flexible and easily replaceable decorative finish for the edge of the bridge and can be used to install radar speed detectors and cameras, which are well protected against vandalism and hidden from road users. Decorative lights can also be installed inside the trim in order to illuminate it and electrical wires, communication cables and water or gas pipes can be laid inside it. The trim can also be used as a (lost) shuttering section during casting of the edges of a concrete bridge. #CMT#DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : #/CMT# The figure shows a cross-section of an edge trim secured to a bridge. 1 : shell 4 : bridge 5 : cavity 13 : console #CMT#INORGANIC CHEMISTRY : #/CMT# The skin can comprise a metal (preferably aluminum or steel) or an inorganic polymer, preferably cold-curable, solvent-free, non-alkaline polymers comprising dilute phosphoric acid, commercially available under the product name Vubonite, as well as cold-curable, solvent-free alkaline polymers based on aluminum silicate, sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide, commercial available under the product name Geopolymeer. #CMT#POLYMERS : #/CMT# The shell comprises an organic polymer, preferably a heat-curable polymer (e.g. unsaturated polyester, epoxy or vinyl ester) or a thermoplastic polymer (e.g. polycarbonate, polysulfone, modified polyphenylene ether, polyoxymethylene, styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) polymer, polyamide, polyamide-imide, polyether imide, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polypropylene). The polymer can be reinforced by multifilaments comprising glass, aramid, carbon, polyester, flax, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) and/or polyethylene fibers. The shell has a sandwich construction containing a lightweight shear-resistant core comprising balsa wood, a syntactic foam filled with lightweight hollow filler bodies such as hollow glass beads, an inorganic polymer foam or an organic polymer foam (preferably polyurethane, polystyrene, polyimide or polyether imide foam). The overhanging edge is coated with a relatively thin decorative layer comprising metal (preferably stainless steel) or fiber-reinforced plastic material (preferably glass fiber-reinforced polyester or epoxy resin).