Abstract: The global positioning system (GPS), using navigational satellites, can now be used for the real-time monitoring of bridges and other large-scale engineering structures. This paper describes how the UK's Humber Bridge was monitored using 'kinematic GPS'. Remarkable accuracies, of the order of a few millimetres in each direction, as determined through a zero-baseline test, were obtained. They show that the kinematic GPS technique allows the collection of real-time deflection data, which could be used to determine the deformation characteristics of the bridge and eventually provide a structural failure alarm capability. To obtain real-time deformation results for the bridge deck, a GPS receiver was placed on the west side rail of the deck, at midspan. A static reference receiver was placed on top of the bridge's control tower, which had previously been positioned through static GPS processing. Charts show samples of longitudinal, vertical, and lateral movements of the bridge deck during two trials. Some problems were presented by the effect of the wind, when it caused a vibration of the pole linking the GPS antenna to the deck. To overcome these problems, future tests need to be planned and conducted more carefully.

Abstract: A three-dimensional dynamic finite element model is established for the Tsing Ma long suspension Bridge in Hong Kong. The two bridge towers made up of reinforced concrete are modeled by three-dimensional Timoshenko beam elements with rigid arms at the connections between columns and beams. The cables and suspenders are modeled by cable elements accounting for geometric nonlinearity due to cable tension. The hybrid steel deck is represented by a single beam with equivalent cross-sectional properties determined by detailed finite element analyses of sectional models. The modal analysis is then performed to determine natural frequencies and mode shapes of lateral, vertical, torsional, longitudinal, and coupled vibrations of the bridge. The results show that the natural frequencies of the bridge are very closely spaced; the first 40 natural frequencies range from 0.068 to 0.616 Hz only. The computed normal modes indicate interactions between the main span and side span, and between the deck, cables, and tower...

Abstract: Box-girder decks are very effective solutions for long span cable-stayed bridges, due to their high torsional stiffness and streamlined profile, which usually lead to a good aerodynamic behaviour. A study on the optimization of such structural system is presented in this paper. The deck is modelled through the assembly of planes of plate-membrane elements. A multicriteria approach is considered for the optimization itself, with constraints on maximum stresses, minimum stresses in stays and deflections under dead load condition. Two illustrative examples are shown.

Abstract: A treadmill (10) includes a frame on which are mounted transverse forward and rearward roller assemblies (14, 16). An endless belt (18) is trained about the forward and rearward roller assemblies. A deck (20) is positioned between the upper run of the belt and the frame. The rearward portion of the deck (20) is mounted to the frame by a pivot connection (24) to allow pivoting of the deck about an axis transversely to the length of the deck. Elongate springs (26) of adjustable stiffness are mounted either along the sides of the frame to underlie the side margins of the deck, or transversely of the deck, to support the deck in conjunction with the pivot connection (24) and to absorb impact loads imparted on the deck by the user.

Abstract: A design consideration that probably receives too little attention in bridge design and in concrete mixture design as well, is durability. One of the primary factors affecting concrete bridge durability is cracking. This cracking results primarily from thermal and drying shrinkage and from static and dynamic truck loadings. Structural designers have greater control of the ultimate cracking and durability performance of bridges than any other group. Specific actions are recommended in this article for the consideration of structural designers to mitigate concrete cracking and thus to enhance bridge durability. Most of the actions pertain to the deck, which is the bridge component that typically exhibits the greatest deterioration rate. An example illustrates dramatic improvements in bridge deck performance in the transverse direction for only a 2.54 cm (1 in.) increase in thickness. In the longitudinal direction, a 2.54 cm (1 in.) deck thickness increase also results in significant beneficial effects.

Abstract: A method of installing an integrated deck onto an offshore platform substructure. The integrated deck is held by a support structure on a barge and transported to a preinstalled offshore platform substructure which is adapted to receive the barge and allow aligning of the integrated deck with the substructure for mating operations. Once the barge is positioned within the substructure, tethers are connected between the barge and anchoring foundation elements to moor the barge. Then the tethers are tensioned to minimize both vertical movement and lateral movement caused by wave action. Mating of the integrated deck and the substructure proceeds while tension loads in the tethers are maintained.

Abstract: A lubricating system for a four-cycle engine positioned within an engine compartment of a personal watercraft for powering a water propulsion unit thereof, is disclosed. The engine compartment, and engine therein, is accessible through a maintenance opening in deck of the watercraft. Preferably, the lubricating system includes an oil filter which is positioned at other than the bottom of the engine for access through the maintenance opening, such as at the front or rear end of the engine. In addition, the engine preferably includes an oil drain which is positioned below the oil filter for draining the oil from the engine.

Abstract: This paper presents the findings of a study on the use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for nondestructive evaluation of concrete bridge decks. A previously developed radar synthesis model and inversion procedure was modified to account for the variation in concrete properties along the depth of the deck. A geometric attenuation factor was also incorporated in this improved model. Several simulated bridge deck specimens of varying internal conditions, such as with/without reinforcement and with air and water-filled cracks, were cast in the laboratory. Radar waveforms obtained from these specimens were compared to study the effect of subsurface anomalies on the waveforms. Waveforms corresponding to all the specimens were synthesized using the theoretical model and compared with experimental waveforms. Also, waveform inversion for all the specimens was conducted to determine the accuracy of the inversion procedure in predicting the internal conditions of the concrete specimens. The inversion procedure has been shown to be quite accurate in estimating the concrete cover for the top longitudinal reinforcement. However, the usefulness of the inversion procedure for directly determining the location and thickness of cracks and delaminations has been found to be limited. Therefore, a more prudent approach has been proposed as one where spatial mapping of the computed porosity, chloride content, and top rebar cover is used to identify deteriorated areas in the bridge deck.

Abstract: A deck of cards, tiles, or similar playing pieces, real or simulated on a computer or other device, chiefly characterized by a trilateral organization comprising three independent aspects: suit, value, and color or color group. The plurality of cards representing each element of each aspect comprise approximately equal pluralities of each element of each of the other aspects. Except for auxiliary cards, each card in a single deck represents a unique combination of a single suit, a single color group, and a single value or rank. The preferred form of the invention is a series of related triadic decks of playing cards comprising three suits and three color groups (20R, 20G, 20B), nonsexist or gender-neutral picture cards (22, 24), an improved layout, and indicative card backs (32). The layout improvement typically involves additional set designation markers (16) in the two commonly vacant corners of a card face (FIG. 2A). Backs (32) are uniform for all cards in a deck but different from deck to deck; the use of the elements of the back (26, 28, 30) is sufficient to remind a player of the general configuration of the deck being used (FIGS. 4A to 4D).

Abstract: A surface foot section is provided for a bed which includes a base frame and an articulating deck coupled to the base frame. The articulating deck includes a generally planar foot deck section and is movable from a bed configuration to a chair configuration. A foot section control module is provided to deflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the chair configuration and to inflate the surface foot section when the articulating deck is in the bed configuration. The surface foot section includes a first air bladder configured to collapse in a first direction generally parallel to the foot deck section when the first air bladder is deflated, and a second air bladder located adjacent the first air bladder. The second air bladder is configured to collapse in a second direction normal to the foot deck section when the second air bladder is deflated so that the surface foot section has a substantially reduced thickness and a substantially reduced length when the first and second bladders are deflated.

Abstract: A roof includes a deck, an insulating layer over the deck and a base sheet comprising a laminate of aluminum and unwoven polyester overlaying the insulating layer such that the aluminum layer faces the insulating layer. The base sheet and insulating layer are fastened to the deck by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. A conventional built-up roof composite, which may include a plurality of alternating layers of a bituminous material and felt, is then formed over the base sheet.

Abstract: The wind loads induced by the bu eting action of the turbulence on long span bridges are the object of this thesis The study focused on the description of the spatial distribution of the aerodynamic forces for closed box girder bridge decks with cross sections that have been designed with emphasis put on aerodynamics and have therefore the appellation streamlined Central to this research is a series of wind tunnel experiments that provided an instantaneous image of the wind loading across the span of a two dimensional motionless bridge deck in a turbulent ow eld The experiments were organised in a parametric study that aimed at de ning the in uence of the width of the deck in relation to the scales of the turbulence on the dynamic loading The experiments illustrated the importance of the three dimensionality of the lift and overturning forces The current bu eting theory based on the strip assump tion did not su ce to represent the measured wind loading A three dimensional analytical model of the gust loading on a thin airfoil that departs from the strip assumption explained the observed larger span wise coherence of the forces when compared to the span wise coherence of the incident velocity uctuations Based on the parametric study an empirical model of the gust loading on closed box girder bridge decks was proposed The empirical formulations included expres sions for the aerodynamic admittance as a function of the ratio of the scale of the turbulence to the deck width The span wise coherence of the forces was also found to be a function of the ratio of the turbulence scale to the deck width and a function of the slenderness of the deck

Abstract: The invention concerns a system (4) for quickly converting at least part of the main deck of an aircraft from one of two configurations to the other, which includes: static means (6) for locking at least one seat pallet (7), for a passenger transport configuration, constantly flush with the deck (5) and rigidly secured to the latter; and static means (8) for anchoring means a cargo loading assembly (9), for a freight transport configuration Movable means attached to the pallet or assembly are also provided for

Abstract: A multi-functional linear motion shaker includes a rectangular outer support frame with a tank, often referred to as a "possum belly", for receiving the incoming drilling fluid flow. A set of adjustable louvers and a tray is positioned on the side of the tank. The adjustable louvers and tray serve to screen out the larger and stickier drill cuttings or solids. A vibrating deck assembly is positioned within the outer support frame adjacent the tank and tray assembly. The vibrating deck assembly is of a double deck design whose upper and lower decks include cross members to support the mud screens. The upper and lower decks are vertically spaced apart and connected together into one unit by vertical structural members. A moveable plate is positioned on the upper deck adjacent the adjustable louvers and tray. This moveable plate can be positioned to direct drilling fluid flow to the upper deck or repositioned to redirect fluid flow to the lower deck and bypass the upper deck. The moveable plate allows the shaker to function as a multi-functional linear motion shaker which allows configuration of the shaker as a single or double deck flowline shaker, as a drying shaker or as a combination simultaneous flowline shaker and drying shaker. The multi-functional linear motion shaker allows easy replacement of upper or lower screens independently of one another when used in a double deck shaker configuration.

Abstract: A railing assembly (25) for use in association with a deck (26) having a deck surface (27) and including at least one post (100) extending vertically upwardly from the deck surface. The railing assembly (25) includes at least one plastic post cover (30, 31, 32, 33, 34) for covering the post and at least one plastic rail (40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48) extending from the plastic post cover. The railing assembly (25) further can include fastening members for securing the rail to the post and the post cover. The railing assembly (25) also can include a unique picket assembly wherein the pickets (50) of the picket assembly is generally vertically oriented and spaced from and secured to the plastic rail. A method of assembling the railing assembly (25) for the deck (26) having the deck surface (27) is also provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing VIV is disclosed for a spar platform having a deck, a cylindrical hull having a buoyant tank assembly, a counterweight and an counterweight spacing structure. The overall aspect ratio of the hull is reduced by providing one or more abrupt changes in hull diameter below the waterline.

Abstract: A composite structural member with a thin deck portion. The composite structural member comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending girders with a plurality of composite members disposed thereon. The composite structural member comprises a plurality of transversely extending beams with a molded deck structure thereon. In one embodiment, the composite member is a prefabricated composite unit which is installed on the girders and attached thereto. In a second embodiment, the beams are positioned on the girders, and the deck portion is poured in place. In both embodiments, the molded deck portion is substantially thinner than for the prior art structures, but the present invention has greater strength characteristics. A preferred thickness of the deck portion is in the range of about 4 inches to less than about 6.5 inches, with a preferred thickness of five inches. The thickness of the deck portion is such that a single layer of reinforcing material may be used.

Abstract: A composite reinforced roof is formed by applying to a roof deck a preformed membrane which has a tacky lower layer formed from rubberized asphalt. The second layer of the preformed membrane is a reinforcing mesh material embedded in the surface of the rubberized asphalt. This is applied to a roof deck and subsequently overcoated with a molten coating of rubberized asphalt. The self-adherent rubberized asphalt membrane prevents formation of bubbles and pinholes in the molten rubberized asphalt layer. This is particularly beneficial when the roof deck surface is lightweight structural concrete which releases gas when heated.

Abstract: SUMMARY This paper describes a numerical analysis to clarify the effectiveness of rubber type restrainers to mitigate pounding effect between adjacent decks. Rubber pads are provided at both ends of prestressing cables so that they resist further relative displacement exceeding an initial gap. The stiffness of rubber pad was pre-determined from uniaxial compression loading test of two types of specimens subjected to stress as large as 120MPa. In optimizing the shock absorbing capability, it is required to carefully choose the stress-strain relation of rubber pads. Since various relations are available by properly choosing material and shape of rubber pad, it was assumed in this analysis that the stress-strain relation of the rubber pads be either strain-hardening, strain-softening or elastic type restrainers. A series of nonlinear dynamic analysis was conducted for a bridge system consisting of two five-span continuous bridges with total deck length of 200m supported by elastomeric bearings. Acceleration and relative displacement response of two decks, the impact force, the restrainer force and the curvature ductility factor at the bottoms of piers were analyzed. The multi-degree-of-freedom-lumped-mass model was used to idealize the nonlinear behavior of the bridge. The pounding effect was idealized by the impact spring. The following conclusions were deduced from the analysis; the effect of restrainers is significant in reducing deck response and plastic curvature at pier bottoms; the effect of the energy dissipation in the devices to the total energy dissipation is less significant because poundings occur only twice or three times during an excitation; and the strain-softening device is favorable in reducing the deck response displacement and pounding force.

Abstract: A dock leveler, typically powered by an electric actuator or other motive source has a frame and a deck pivotally mounted to the frame. The source of power to move the deck is coupled to the underside of the deck. An extendable lip is pivotally mounted to one end of the deck and an arm assembly is coupled at one end to the lip and at another end to a crank carried by the deck to utilize movement of the deck to raise said lip into an extended position. A cam-latch arm is resiliently coupled to the arm assembly and selectively bearing on the crank by means of a spring coupling to the arm assembly. A linkage is coupled between the frame and said cam-latch arm to urge said cam-latch arm into contact with the crank as the deck is raised. This tends to cause movement between the cam portion and a roller on the crank which in turn provides a component of force to assist in raising said lip into the extended position.

Abstract: Seismic fragility is estimated for an existing conventional reinforced-concrete highway bridge using nonlinear-dynamic finite element analysis. The bridge selected for analysis is the Meloland Road Overcrossing located near El Centro, California. It is representative of a large class of two-span continuous bridges in California and other locations in the United States. The column supporting the deck is assumed to govern the damage state for the entire bridge. The column is about 20 feet high and has an outside diameter of 5 feet. Flexure is assumed to be the critical damage mode for the column. The fundamental response modes of the bridge affecting this damage mode involve a three-dimensional interaction between deck flexure/torsion and column flexure. A beam-column damage element is used which allows for such an interaction between the column element and the plate elements used to represent the multi-cell hollow box girder deck. The column element uses a practical fiber modeling approach that models the basic kinematic interaction between axial force and biaxial bending moments using one-dimensional nonlinear constitutive relations that require only a few basic stress and strain parameters. Confinement effects are specified through the concrete parameters and an effective dimension for the confined zone. The constitutive relations consist of envelope curves and loading/unloading rules which permit time and load-path dependent modeling of key damage mechanisms including concrete cracking, concrete crushing, concrete spalling and reinforcing steel plasticity. The damage element is first shown to adequately predict the capacity and ductility of cantilever specimens tested by others without showing sensitivity to either scale or geometry effects. The selected bridge is then analyzed using the damage elements. By tuning the elastic moduli for the deck plate elements to match measured frequencies for the bridge under the moderate seismic event, a fixed-base model is able to predict acceleration time history records for the event. A soil-structure interaction model is developed from the fixed-base model by adding lumped spring and lumped mass effects of the foundations at the abutments. The predicted column base moments of the soil-structure interaction model are shown to be in excellent agreement with the fixed-base model considering the complexities of the foundation response. Artificially generated random motions are input to the soil-structure model to predict damage response over a range of input intensities. A damage index analogous to interstory drift is computed and is shown to correlate well with peak ground acceleration of the simulated time histories. Fragility curves are computed on the basis of linear regression analysis of the simulated data. The effect of span length on the curves is examined using the identical time histories applied to replicas of the bridge proportioned according to California Department of Transportation design guidelines.

Abstract: A new All-Terrain Skateboard for providing a skateboard that can be used for off-road conditions. The inventive device includes a deck, a front wheel unit disposed below the deck towards one end thereof, and a rear wheel unit disposed below the deck towards an opposite end thereof. A front suspension system and a rear suspension system each mount the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit, respectively, to an underside of the deck wherein the front suspension system and the rear suspension system permit the front wheel unit and the rear wheel unit, respectively, to independently pivot forwards and backwards and side to side relative to the deck.

Abstract: A method of operating a double deck elevator system when the trailing elevator deck (26,28) is empty, whereby the leading deck answers all registered hall calls except upon the occurrence of certain conditions

Abstract: A reinforced composite deck post comprises an elongate, hollow, extruded plastic shell, with the plastic shell being rectangular in cross-section The plastic shell has an upper end and a lower end and has a notch formed therein adjacent the lower end for receiving a wood joist of a wood deck The reinforced composite deck post also includes an elongate metal stiffening member positioned within the plastic shell and rigidly secured thereto generally adjacent the upper end of the plastic shell Upper and lower shim means are positioned within the plastic shell adjacent the metal stiffening member for securing the metal stiffening member to the plastic shell

Abstract: This invention relates to commercial roof assemblies applied over a flat roof deck, and, more particularly, to an insulation board composite capable of peel and stick application, in which the insulation board is mechanically attached to a roof deck, a release sheet is removed from the top face of the board (revealing the pressure sensitive adhesive layer), and a non-adhesive waterproofing membrane is then placed onto the adhesive face of the board.

Abstract: There is provided a self-supporting insulated deck structure for buildings whereby the deck can be constructed inexpensively and efficiently and can attain a desirable fire rating in addition to improved sound absorption properties. The self-supporting insulated deck structure is made of a cementitious material and has no exposed structural steel members. Formwork for the insulated deck structure is made of integral panels formed from foam insulation members, fire retarding boards, and sound attenuating boards. The integral panels are supported on shored steel support brackets. Once the cementitious material cures, the shoring is removed as the deck structure is self-supporting. The adjacent integral panels provide the insulated deck structure with desirable fire rating and sound absorption properties.

Abstract: Starting from a description of his four curved concrete arch bridge projects it is shown how Maillart adapted his deck-stiffened arch concept to allow for a horizontally curved deck. Based on this review possible extensions of Maillart's concepts are discussed. For shortand medium-span curved bridges the advantages of longitudinally fixed frame systems with slender inclined columns and post-tensioned deck beams are pointed out. For long-span curved bridges, arch systems with post-tensioned deck beams and generously spaced columns or cross walls are found to offer similar advantages provided that the end supports are fixed and deck and arch are appropriately connected at midspan. For moderate live to dead load ratios an interesting variant is obtained by using a suspension cable instead of an inclined arch and by attaching the hangers along the inner edge of a suitably prestressed deck beam that is clamped at the abutments.