EP4274931B1 - Construction which can be passed by a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drivable structure with a first substructure and a second substructure that is movable relative to the first substructure. The first substructure comprises a first substructure and a first roadway structure that forms a first drivable surface, and the second substructure comprises a second substructure and a second roadway structure that forms a second drivable surface. There is an expansion joint between the first substructure and the second substructure - the respective substructure can also be referred to as a "supporting structure" - and a bridging structure that spans the expansion joint extends between the first roadway structure and the second roadway structure and has a support plate and an expansion body that is supported by the expansion body and is cast on site from polymer-based casting compound and forms a drivable surface.

Bridges or similar structures are considered to be drivable structures in the above sense, but in particular access roads or access paths to (earthquake-proof) buildings and traffic routes between parts of a building complex (e.g. airports, train stations and the like). In this respect, "drivability" and "roadway" in the sense of the present invention do not necessarily mean drivability with motor vehicles, in particular with heavy motor vehicles; rather, less stressed applications that can only be driven on or walked on with light vehicles (bicycles, scooters or the like), including walkways, are also included. In the case of an (earthquake-proof) building access road or an (earthquake-proof) building access path, the first substructure can be a structure firmly connected to the ground and the second substructure be designed as a part of the building that is seismically decoupled from the subsoil. In the case of a bridge, however, the first part of the structure can be designed as an abutment and the second part of the structure as the superstructure of the bridge.

The bridging structure bridges the expansion joint, which changes in size (e.g. due to thermal expansion and/or seismic activity and/or shrinkage or creep phenomena), by means of a support plate and expansion body, and in this way enables the expansion joint to be driven over on an uninterrupted surface. Such bridging structures with a support plate and an expansion body supported by this, cast on site from casting compound, forming a drivable surface, or drivable structures in the above sense, are known from the state of the art - as an example, reference is made here to the EP 2 483 477 B1 , from which the preamble of claim 1 is derived, and the CH 691 496 A5 In this context, the working direction of an expansion joint is a direction in which the dimensions of the expansion joint (expansion joint width) change as intended. The working range of such a bridging structure is limited by the minimum extension of the expansion joint in the working direction (with maximum permissible compression of the expansion body) on the one hand and the maximum extension of the expansion joint in the working direction (with maximum permissible expansion of the expansion body) on the other. Depending on the design of the structure and the individual requirements, further relative movements of the two substructures to each other cannot be ruled out, namely transverse and/or vertical displacements.

From the EP 0 506 196 A1 and the US 5 024 554 A There are known trafficable structures in which an expansion joint between two substructures is spanned by a bridging structure which comprises a multi-layered asphalt-based expansion body supported by a support plate.

The US 5 649 784 A discloses a drivable structure in which an expansion joint between two substructures is spanned by a bridging structure which comprises an expansion body made of sealant and aggregate. A strip of a flexible membrane extends beneath the expansion body, which has an abrasion-resistant covering layer.

The present invention is based on the object of providing a drivable structure of the type described above, which is characterized by improved practical suitability compared to the prior art, in particular with regard to low manufacturing, installation and maintenance costs and a particular suitability for the cost-efficient and rapid renovation of an existing bridging structure.

This task is solved by the expansion body having a multi-layer structure produced in several successive casting processes in a drivable structure of the type described above, and at least two of the layers of the expansion body having different compositions. In synergistic interaction with each other and with the other characteristic properties of the inventive These special features of the structure result in a previously unknown practical suitability.

While in the bridging structures that have been widely used in connection with generic buildings, the expansion body consists of bitumen, in the implementation of the present invention the expansion body casting compound has a polymer base, which in particular - in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention - can be formed by PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), by PU (polyurethane) and/or by polyurea. and to which additives can optionally be added. An additive can in particular comprise fillers that include hard grain (e.g. corundum) and/or rubber granulate (e.g. EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) granulate). The expansion body has several layers, whereby the compositions of at least two layers of the expansion body (or the compositions of the associated expansion body casting compounds) differ in particular in the polymer base used and/or the additives used. In this way, the material properties of the expansion body can be adapted layer-specifically by selecting the composition of the expansion body casting compounds for each layer.

The individual layers of the expansion body are each produced in an independent casting process in which pourable expansion body casting compound is cast on site, i.e. in-situ on the construction site, and "solidifies" or "cures" in the desired shape - whereby, given the intended compressibility/extensibility of the finished expansion body, "solidification" or "curing" is to be understood in the sense of a relative hardening compared to the state of the casting compound during processing (pourable consistency!). Two consecutive casting processes are timed in such a way that the expansion body layer produced in the previous casting process can "cure" - i.e. in particular, crosslink and/or polymerize to such an extent that the layers do not mix, i.e. there is no mixing at the layer boundary - before it is covered by the next, adjacent expansion body layer in the course of a subsequent casting process.

In synergistic interaction with the other features according to the invention, the layered structure of the polymer-based expansion body consisting of different types of layers makes it possible to realize a particularly durable and highly resilient bridging structure particularly quickly, easily and inexpensively.

The larger surface-to-volume ratio of the individual layers of the expansion body cast in several casting processes - compared to the complete expansion body - can have a very positive effect on the reaction time, especially in the case of an exothermic polymer base. In this way, i.e. as a result of the accelerated curing/polymerization, the bridging structure created according to the invention or the associated drivable structure can be put into use or traffic more quickly, which can be a very big advantage, especially in the case of renovation or repair work - which often involves significant impairment of the use of the structure and considerable traffic disruption.

Furthermore, the larger surface-to-volume ratio of the individual layers of the expansion body and the associated efficient and rapid heat dissipation also enables the use of casting compounds that were previously unsuitable for expansion bodies of the application in question due to their highly exothermic curing characteristics, namely because the exothermic heat development during curing at comparatively poor heat dissipation would have led to heat damage in the structure or would have been accompanied by unacceptably long cooling or curing times. The same applies to certain additives that denature or experience other adverse changes in their properties when exposed to excessive and/or long-term heat. In this respect, too, the present invention results in increased flexibility and an expanded spectrum of base polymer/additive material pairings, which in turn enables optimal adaptation of the (multi-layer) expansion body to the individual requirements of the respective specific application.

In the sense of the above explanation, the use of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) as a polymer base for the expansion body casting compound is made possible. However, the plastic used is not the plastic commonly referred to as "acrylic glass", but rather a PMMA with modified properties, namely a much higher elasticity (so-called "elastic PMMA"). The corresponding modification can, as is known, typically be carried out using suitable copolymers, whereby 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, for example, can produce elasticity-enhancing effects. Elastic PMMA - all of the following statements refer to this regarding the use of PMMA as a base polymer for the expansion body - or PMMA-based polymer systems for producing highly elastic structures are already the subject of the patent literature and are also available in the relevant trade as PMMA systems for producing fleece-reinforced coatings (cf. for example the 2-component PMMA liquid plastic "BauderLIQUITEC PMMA Universal" from the range of Paul Bauder GmbH & Co.KG, Stuttgart or the 2-component PMMA sealing resin "ALSAN 770" from the range of Soprema GmbH, Mannheim).

By using PMMA as a base polymer, expansion bodies with significantly improved expansion and compression properties (compared to PU) can be created. With the same dimensions in the working direction (width of the expansion body), it has been determined that a PMMA expansion body can compensate for larger changes in length than a PU expansion body (of the same width) without suffering damage in long-term applications. Or to put it another way: a certain, specified working range can be realized with a narrower expansion body when using a PMMA polymer base for the expansion body than when using a PU polymer base. Given the significant cost share of the polymer material in the total cost of the bridging structure, this leads to a significant cost advantage compared to the state of the art.

It is particularly advantageous if PMMA forms the polymer basis of the polymer-based expansion body casting compound for all layers of the expansion body. According to a further advantageous development, the expansion body has an elongation at break (average value!) of at least 100%, particularly preferably at least 120%, in each of its layers, whereby the elongation at break is determined in accordance with EN ISO 527-2 (1B) for non-aged samples without any other conditioning and a sample temperature of 23°C.

Since, as explained, more compact, less wide bridging structures can be realized using PMMA as an expansion body polymer base than with the state of the art, in a renovation project in which a defective bridging structure - corresponding to the state of the art - is replaced with a new one according to the invention, a basic structure (in particular made of polymer concrete) is typically applied to the substructure in question in at least one of the two partial structures, with a section having a drivable surface, which can extend in the finished structure between the roadway structure of the partial structure in question and the expansion body. The smaller width of the new bridging device to be installed can then be easily compensated for by the basic structure having a drivable surface. The basic structure is explained in more detail below, in particular with regard to further preferred details.

By implementing the present invention, the properties of the expansion body and its operating behavior over long periods of time can be designed so positively that in typical applications, stabilizers embedded in the expansion body and extending across the expansion joint, as are regularly provided in the state of the art (e.g. in the form of coil springs cast into the expansion body), can be dispensed with. Compared to the state of the art, this not only leads to cost advantages, but also in particular to a further easier and faster installation of the Bridging structure with correspondingly positive effects, particularly for renovation cases (reduced disruption to traffic).

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the casting compounds of the layers of the expansion body having different compositions are filled with different additives, with the casting compounds (of the layers of the expansion body having different compositions) particularly preferably having a matching polymer base. The common polymer base enables the layers of the expansion body to adhere particularly well to one another while at the same time achieving layer-specific material/operating properties due to layer-specific additives.

It is particularly preferred that an aggregate in the top layer of the expansion body forming the drivable surface has harder fillers than an aggregate in a deeper layer of the expansion body. The top layer of the expansion body forming the drivable surface can thus be designed to be particularly abrasion-resistant and non-slip, while the deeper layers of the expansion body have particularly good expansion and compression properties. The fillers in the top layer of the expansion body can in particular comprise hard grain (e.g. corundum).

Preferably, the top layer of the expansion body consists of at least 80 percent by weight (wt. %), particularly preferably 95 percent by weight, of polymer and hard grain (in total), since in this way - with good expansion and Compressibility of the expansion body layer in question and thus very low tendency to crack formation - a particularly abrasion-resistant and non-slip surface can be achieved. In particular, the weight ratio of hard grain to polymer is between 0.75 and 0.95, preferably between 0.8 and 0.9.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the structure according to the invention, the fillers of the aggregate of a deeper layer of the expansion body comprise EPDM granulate and/or rubber granulate. A deeper layer of the expansion body advantageously consists of at least 80% by weight, particularly preferably at least 95% by weight, of polymer and EPDM or rubber granulate (in total), the weight ratio of EPDM or rubber granulate to polymer being in particular between 0.15 and 0.35, particularly preferably between 0.2 and 0.3.

Furthermore, within the scope of a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the bridging structure has two basic structures (already mentioned above) connected to the substructure of the respective substructure, wherein the support plate is accommodated between sections of the two basic structures that form a border. The support plate can thus be embedded in the borders of the basic structures. In particular, if the upper edges of the borders are essentially level with the surface of the support plate, an expansion body with an (at least almost) continuously flat underside - and accordingly over the entire extent largely the same height. The resulting absence of protruding edges and recessed recesses or other geometric discontinuities on the underside of the expansion body promotes a homogeneous stress distribution without stress peaks and stress concentrations and thus contributes to the long-term stability and durability of the bridging structure and to the very good operating behavior.

Furthermore, the base structures can advantageously be designed in a stepped manner such that they have support sections extending under the support plate. The base structures can thus serve both as enclosures for the support plate and as supports (i.e. for the transfer of vertical loads). By means of these support sections for the support plate, the base structures ensure a largely equalized load transfer, which - as a result of the reduction of load and stress peaks - benefits the service life of the bridging structure. The base structures are advantageously made of polymer concrete, particularly preferably of a PMMA-based polymer concrete (e.g. ROBO ^® -DUR 42 from Mageba SA, CH-Bülach). This is because its characteristic material properties favor the function described above.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, holding means for the expansion body are attached to the respective substructure (or to the basic structure placed on it), which support the edge-side fixation of the expansion body. Such holding means can also be used to connect Stabilizers embedded in the expansion body serve as stabilizers. Such stabilizers (or reinforcements) can, for example, comprise telescopic tubes which - fixed at the end to the angle rails forming the said holding means - are preferably each surrounded by a spiral hose and/or are held in pre-tension by means of internal, pressure-loaded helical springs.

A further advantageous embodiment of the drivable structure according to the invention can be characterized in that the base structures each have an adhesion surface for the expansion body that is essentially parallel to the working direction of the expansion joint, i.e. typically horizontally oriented. In the area of the adhesion surface, the expansion body can thus adhere to the respective base structure, which also remains the case when the expansion body is compressed or expanded. In the area of the adhesion surfaces, there is no relative movement between the expansion body and the base structure, even when the expansion body is deformed. The ingress of dirt and water between the expansion body and the base structure (and thus further to the support plate) can be minimized in this way. If the adhesion surfaces are also arranged in those areas of the expansion body near the edge where it borders the roadway structures, this can counteract a gaping of the transition between the roadway structure and the expansion body when the expansion body is expanded - regardless of the deformation state of the expansion body. Furthermore, it can be provided that a seal existing between the substructure and the roadway structure of a partial structure extends under the associated basic structure.

The corresponding overlap of the base structure (especially made of polymer concrete) and the waterproofing prevents moisture from creeping under the base structure.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a support plate that is not divided in the working direction of the expansion joint can be provided, with a highly compressible filling strip extending along at least one end face of the support plate - related to the working direction of the expansion joint. In particular in applications in which the bridging structure only has to provide a comparatively small working area, a simple and cost-effective drivable structure according to the invention can be realized in this way. In specific installation situations, it can be particularly advantageous if the support plate is fixed to the substructure of one of the two substructures.

Alternatively, it can be provided that the support plate is divided in the working direction of the expansion joint and has two support plate sections each fixed to the substructure of one of the two substructures. In this sense, the "support plate section" is considered to be - in the case of an asymmetrical division of the support plate such that only one of the two parts spans the expansion joint - not only the part spanning the expansion joint, but also the other part. In a particularly advantageous manner, the two fixed support plate sections can be designed to interlock with one another, whereby a wave-like gap is formed between the two support plate sections. It has It has been shown that a gap shaped in such a wave-like manner substantially improves the driving characteristics and durability of the bridging structure compared to a straight gap, since the risk of the - intended deformable - expansion body being "pressed" or "walked" into the gap when driving over the bridging structure with heavy vehicles can be significantly reduced.

In particular, if a larger working area has to be covered by the bridging device, it can alternatively be provided that a third, free support plate section is accommodated between the two fixed support plate sections, which is interlocked on both sides with the adjacent fixed support plate section, in particular in the above sense. With such a three-part design of the support plate, the number of gaps between the support plate sections increases from 1 to 2 compared to the two-part design, which means that the specific gap width can be halved. This smaller gap width has advantages with regard to the crossing characteristics and durability of the bridging structure. The advantages of the wave-shaped gap described above also apply here.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, there can be support bodies cast on site on the respective substructure below the support plate. Such support bodies can in particular be designed as leveling layers cast from polyurethane, whereby the support bodies in question have advantageous shock-absorbing characteristics.

Support bodies of the type mentioned can be associated with advantages in terms of equalized load transfer in particular when basic structures of the type described above (with lateral borders and lowered support sections for the support plate) (cast on site in particular from polymer concrete) are not implemented.

In order to prevent the expansion body from sticking to the support plate, it can also be provided that there is a separating layer between the support plate and the expansion body, in particular in the form of an elastomer sheet (e.g. EPDM film). The free and as low-friction as possible sliding ability of the expansion body on the support plate promotes the uniform deformation of the expansion body to compensate for a change in the expansion joint width. It is sufficient if the EPDM film fulfils the separating function when the lowest layer of the expansion body is cast. The separation between the expansion body and the support plate is maintained, even if the EPDM film gradually dissolves during the use of the bridging structure. This can even have a positive effect, as the resulting EPDM powder has a friction-reducing effect.

Fig. 1

im Vertikalschnitt den hier relevanten Bereich eines befahrbaren Bauwerks nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 2

ebenfalls im Vertikalschnitt den hier relevanten Bereich eines befahrbaren Bauwerks nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel,

Fig. 3

wiederum im Vertikalschnitt den hier relevanten Bereich eines befahrbaren Bauwerks nach einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel und

Fig. 4

einen Horizontalschnitt durch das dritte Ausführungsbeispiel.

Three embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, in which the drivable structure can each comprise, for example, a bridge structure and an abutment.

Fig.1

in vertical section the relevant area of a drivable structure according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 2

also in vertical section the relevant area of a drivable structure according to a second embodiment,

Fig.3

again in vertical section the relevant area of a drivable structure according to a third embodiment and

Fig.4

a horizontal section through the third embodiment.

This in Fig.1 The illustrated first embodiment of a drivable structure 1 according to the invention comprises two substructures 2, namely a first substructure 2.1 and a second substructure 2.2. Each of the two substructures has a substructure 3 and a roadway structure 4, which forms a drivable surface 5. In the usual way, a seal 6 is provided between the respective substructure 3 and the associated roadway structure 4.

The two substructures 2.1 and 2.2 are decoupled from each other in the sense that they are movable relative to each other. The - typically single-axis or two-axis, but possibly also three-axis - mobility of the two substructures 2.1 and 2.2 relative to each other results from the respective individual structure bearings. In the embodiment according to Fig.1 There is a uniaxial mobility that can be defined via the working direction A. To enable this, there is an expansion joint 7 extending transversely to the working direction A between the substructure 3.1 of the first substructure 2.1 and the substructure 3.2 of the second substructure 2.2.

In order to ensure that the road can be driven on, a bridging structure 9, which spans the expansion joint 7 and forms a surface 8 that can be driven on, extends between the roadway structure 4.1 of the first substructure 2.1 and the roadway structure 4.2 of the second substructure 2.2 and has a deformable expansion body 10 that can be stretched and compressed from a stress-free neutral configuration in the working direction A. The expansion body 10 and the other components of the bridging structure 9 are accommodated in a "trough" which is delimited by the end faces 11 of the first roadway structure 4.1 and the second roadway structure 4.2 and the surfaces 12 of the first substructure 3.1 and the second substructure 3.2 that project relative to these in the direction of the central plane M.

Below the actual bridging structure 9, a base structure 13 made of polymer concrete is applied to the respective substructure 3 of each of the two substructures 2.1 and 2.2. The expansion joint between the first substructure 2.1 and the second substructure 2.2 continues upwards between the first base structure 13.1 and the second base structure 13.2. The two base structures 13 are designed in such a stepped manner that they each have a recessed section 14 near the central plane M and a raised section 15 away from the central plane M. The two raised sections 15 form frames 16 for a support plate 17 accommodated between them, which - via EPDM foils F placed between them - rests on the recessed sections 14 of the two base structures 13; the recessed sections 14 of the two base structures 13 represent in this sense The surfaces 18 of the surrounds 16 are essentially level with the surface 19 of the support plate 17.

In the Fig.1 In the neutral configuration illustrated, the support plate 17 does not completely fill the space between the borders 16. Rather, there is a gap 20 on both sides between the front side of the support plate 17 and the associated border 16, into which a highly compressible filling strip 21 (e.g. made of foam rubber band) is inserted. The support plate 17 is thus movable relative to both substructures 2.1 and 2.2 in the working direction A of the expansion joint 7 and is therefore mounted in a floating manner.

In each of the two substructures 2.1 and 2.2, an angle perforated strip 23 is firmly connected to the associated substructure 3.1 or 3.2 by means of anchors 22 penetrating the respective base structure 13 in the area of the relevant raised sections 15. The respective horizontal leg 25 - provided with openings 24 - is supported in the area of its fastenings via spacer plates 26 on the surface 18 of the raised section 15 of the respective base structure 13, so that the angle perforated strips 23 are raised above the surface 18 of the associated base structure 13. The vertical legs 27 of the angle perforated strips 23, which each maintain a distance from the front surface 11 of the associated roadway structure 4, also have openings 28. The support plate 17 and the two filling strips 21 are covered on their upper side facing the expansion body 10 by a separating layer 29 in the form of a (preferably self-adhesive) EPDM film 30.

The expansion body 10 fills the space remaining above the surface 19 of the support plate 17 (including the separating layer 29) and the surfaces 18 of the base structures 13 between the end faces 11 of the first roadway structure 4.1 and the second roadway structure 4.2. It is cast in situ on site from polymer-based casting compound, namely in three separate layers 31, 32 and 33, each approximately 2 cm thick. In the present case, PMMA is used as the base polymer for all three layers 31, 32 and 33. However, the PMMA-based casting compounds of the uppermost expansion body layer 33 - which forms the drivable surface 18 of the bridging structure 9 - and the two deeper expansion body layers 31 and 32 differ from one another in that they contain different additives Z. The additive Z of the casting compound of the topmost expansion body layer 33 comprises harder fillers than the additive of the casting compound of the deeper expansion body layers 31 and 32, in that the fillers in the topmost expansion body layer 33 comprise hard grain (e.g. corundum), while in the two deeper expansion body layers 31 and 32 they comprise EPDM granulate and/or rubber granulate. The topmost layer 33 of the expansion body 10 consists of approximately 98% by weight of the PMMA-based polymer resin and hard grain (in total), with the weight ratio between hard grain and the PMMA-based polymer resin being approximately 0.85; the catalyst which is reactive with the polymer resin forms a further component. The two deeper layers 31 and 32 of the expansion body 10, on the other hand, each consist of about 98 wt.% of the PMMA-based polymer resin and the EPDM or rubber granulate (in total), whereby the weight ratio between EPDM/rubber granulate and the PMMA-based polymer resin is about 0.25. Here, too, the catalyst that is reactive with the PMMA forms another component.

In the interest of a good edge-side fixation of the expansion body 10, the two basic structures 13 each have an adhesive surface 34 for the expansion body 10 that extends essentially parallel to the working direction A of the expansion joint 7. These adhesive surfaces 34 are formed by the surfaces 18 of the raised sections 15 of the basic structures 13. It is also important that the casting compound of the lowest layer 31 of the expansion body 10 fills the space between the angle perforated strips 23, i.e. their respective horizontal legs 25, and the associated adhesive surface 34 as well as possible. This can be helped in terms of assembly technology if the angle perforated strips 23 are pressed into the still fresh casting compound immediately after the lowest layer 31 of the expansion body has been poured - or at least after the lateral corner areas E have been filled with the appropriate casting compound - and are fixed to the previously placed anchors 22 using the nuts 35. Furthermore, it is relevant for the long-term good edge-side fixation of the expansion body 10 that the casting compound passes through the openings 24 and 28 of the angle perforated strips 23, which counteracts detachment phenomena.

The spacer plates 26 and the angle perforated strips 23 are dimensioned and designed so that the upper side of the horizontal legs 25 of the angle perforated strips 23 on a level of about 20mm and the upper edges 36 of the vertical legs 27 of the angle perforated strips 23 are about 40mm above the adhesive surfaces 34. The upper side of the horizontal legs 25 of the angle perforated strips 23 and the upper edges 36 of the vertical legs 27 of the angle perforated strips 23 are each suitable as a support for removing the bottom layer 31 or the middle layer 32 of the expansion body 10.

For those in Fig. 2 on the one hand and the Figures 3 and 4 on the other hand, the above explanations of the other embodiments apply, unless otherwise stated in the following explanations. Fig.1 and the first embodiment shown therein in a corresponding manner. Repetitions are omitted. Matching reference symbols indicate (functionally) identical parts.

In deviation from the first embodiment in the second embodiment according to Fig. 2 the support plate 17' is not mounted in a floating manner. Rather, it is fixed on one side - in this case to the first substructure 2.1' - by being firmly connected to the base structure 13.1' and the substructure 3.1 of the first substructure by means of the screws 37. The entire working movement of the bridging structure 9' is thus compensated by the movement of the support plate 17' with respect to the second substructure 2.2. The gap 20' and the filling strip 21' accommodated therein made of highly compressible material are accordingly made wider - in the working direction A.

Furthermore, the following three special features can be seen, which can obviously also be implemented (independently of one another) with the same advantage in the other two embodiments shown: The seal 6' protrudes under the first roadway structure 4.1 and extends a little way under the basic structure 13.1' of the first substructure 2.1'. The basic structure 13.1' of the first substructure 2.1' has, compared to the first embodiment, a greater extension in the working direction A and comprises a section 38 with a drivable surface 39 - at the same level as the drivable surfaces 5 of the two roadway structures 4.1 and 4.2. The basic structures 13.1' and 13.2' are additionally fixed to the associated substructure 3.1 or 3.2 via anchors 40, illustrated here only using the basic structure 13.2'.

The Figures 3 and 4 The third embodiment shown has the special feature that here the support plate 17" is divided into three parts. It comprises a first edge section 41, which is firmly connected by means of screws 42 to the base structure 13.1" and the substructure 3.1" of the first partial structure 2.1", and a second edge section 43, which is firmly connected in a corresponding manner by means of screws to the base structure 13.2" and the substructure 3.2" of the second partial structure 2.2". The third part of the support plate 17", namely a free support plate section 44, is accommodated (freely floating) between the first edge section 41 and the second edge section 43.

The two on either side of the free support plate section 44 between this and the adjacent edge section 41 or 43 are not designed to be straight and continuous, but rather in a zigzag shape. The (trapezoidal) alternating projections and recesses of the three parts of the support plate 17" are so long (in the working direction A) that the free support plate section 44 and the two fixed edge sections 41 and 43 engage in the area of two mutually corresponding toothings 46 - while maintaining the said zigzag-shaped gap 45.

Taking into account the above explanations of the invention and in particular the three exemplary embodiments implementing it, a person skilled in the art will readily be able to devise other configurations corresponding to the inventive concept. In particular, the support plate can also be designed in two parts (asymmetrically divided), with each of the two support plate sections being fixed to one of the two partial structures; the gap between the two support plate sections, offset from the expansion joint, can be straight or - preferably - in the sense of the above third exemplary embodiment in a zigzag shape (e.g. with wave-shaped, trapezoidal, triangular or similar interlocking teeth).

To avoid any misunderstandings, it should also be noted that - especially in the case of correspondingly long expansion joints (e.g. expansion joints with a length of more than three metres) - the various components extending in the longitudinal direction of the joint (namely the support plate and/or any angle or other profiles) can be clearly designed in a "piecemeal" manner in the sense that they comprise several segments arranged in a row, as is the case in Fig.4 for the support plate 17". The (lower) layers of the expansion body can also be cast in sections (e.g. in 3m sections each), which has significant manufacturing advantages, especially for the lowest of the layers; because this facilitates the execution of the various work to be carried out after the casting compound for the first expansion body layer has been introduced into the trough (e.g. mounting the angle hole profiles, stripping the surface of the first, lowest layer of the expansion body, etc.) within the reaction time of the polymer base material. In any case, the topmost of the layers of the expansion body is preferably cast in one piece over the entire length of the expansion joint.

Claims (22)

1. A drivable construction (1) with a first partial construction (2.1; 2.1'; 2.1'') and a second partial construction (2.2; 2.2'; 2.2'') that is movable relative to the first partial construction, wherein

   - the first partial construction (2.1; 2.1'; 2.1'') comprises a first substructure (3.1; 3.1'; 3.1'') and a first roadway structure (4.1), which forms a first drivable surface (5), and the second partial construction (2.2; 2.2'; 2.2'') comprises a second substructure (3.2; 3.2'; 3.2'') and a second roadway structure (4.2), which forms a second drivable surface (5),

   - an expansion joint (7) exists between the first substructure (3.1; 3.1'; 3.1'') and the second substructure (3.2; 3.2', 3.2''), and

   - a bridging structure (9; 9'; 9'') spanning the expansion joint (7) extends between the first roadway structure (4.1) and the second roadway structure (4.2) and has a support plate (17; 17'; 17'') and an expansion body (10) that is supported by the support plate, cast on site from a polymer-based casting compound and forms a drivable surface (8),

   having the following characteristics:

   - the expansion body (10) has a multi-layer structure that is produced in a plurality of successive casting operations;

   - at least two of the layers (31, 32, 33) of the expansion body (10) have different compositions.
2. The drivable construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the casting compounds of the layers (31, 32, 33) of the expansion body (10) with different compositions are filled with different aggregates (Z), wherein the casting compounds of the layers (31, 32, 33) of the expansion body (10) with different compositions preferably have a corresponding polymer base.
3. The drivable construction according to claim 2, characterized in that an aggregate (Z) of the top layer (33) of the expansion body (10), which forms the drivable surface (8), contains harder filling material than an aggregate (Z) of a lower layer (31, 32) of the expansion body (10).
4. The drivable construction according to claim 3, characterized in that the filling material of the top layer (33) of the expansion body (10) comprises hard grain (e.g. corundum).
5. The drivable construction according to claim 4, characterized in that at least 80 wt%, preferably at least 95 wt%, of the top layer (33) of the expansion body (10) consists of polymer and hard grain, wherein the weight ratio of hard grain to polymer preferably lies between 0.75 and 0.95, particularly between 0.8 and 0.9.
6. The drivable construction according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the filling material of at least one lower layer (31, 32) of the expansion body comprises EPDM granulate and/or rubber granulate.
7. The drivable construction according to claim 6, characterized in that at least 80 wt%, preferably at least 95 wt%, of the lower layer (31, 32) of the expansion body (10), which contains the EPDM granulate and/or rubber granulate as filling material, consists of polymer and EPDM and/or rubber granulate, wherein the weight ratio of the sum of EPDM granulate and rubber granulate to polymer preferably lies between 0.15 and 0.35, particularly between 0.2 and 0.3.
8. The drivable construction according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it has two base structures (13.1, 13.2; 13.1', 13.2'; 13.1'', 13.2'') that are connected to the substructure (3.1, 3.2; 3.1', 3.2'; 3.1'', 3.2'') of the respective partial construction (2.1, 2.2; 2.1', 2.2'; 2.1'', 2.2''), wherein the support plate (17; 17'; 17'') is accommodated between sections (15) of the two base structures (13.1, 13.2; 13.1', 13.2'; 13.1'', 13.2''), which respectively form an enclosure (16), and wherein the upper edges of the enclosures (16) and the surfaces (18) of the base structures (13.1, 13.2; 13.1', 13.2'; 13.1", 13.2'') bordering thereon essentially are arranged at the same level as the surface (19) of the support plate (17; 17'; 17").
9. The drivable construction according to claim 8, characterized in that the base structures (13.1, 13.2; 13.1', 13.2'; 13.1'', 13.2'') are designed in such a stepped manner that they have bearing sections extending underneath the support plate (17; 17'; 17").
10. The drivable construction according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the base structures (13.1, 13.2; 13.1', 13.2'; 13.1'', 13.2'') consist of polymer concrete.
11. The drivable construction according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that holding means for fixing the expansion body (10) on the edge are arranged on the two base structures (13.1, 13.2; 13.1', 13.2'; 13.1", 13.2").
12. The drivable construction according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that at least one of the base structures (13.1') has a drivable surface (39).
13. The drivable construction according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the base structures (13.1, 13.2; 13.1', 13.2'; 13.1", 13.2") respectively have an adhesive surface (38) for the expansion body (10), which is respectively oriented essentially parallel to the working direction (A) of the expansion joint.
14. The drivable construction according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that a seal (6') existing between the substructure (3.1') and the roadway structure (4.1) of a partial construction (2.1') extends underneath the associated base structure (13.1').
15. The drivable construction according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a support plate (17; 17') is provided, which is not divided in the working direction (A) of the expansion joint, wherein a highly compressible filling strip (21; 21') preferably extends along at least one end face of the support plate (17; 17') - viewed in the working direction (A) of the expansion joint (7).
16. The drivable construction according to claim 15, characterized in that one side of the undivided support plate (17') is fixed on the substructure (3.1') and/or a base structure (13.1') of one of the two partial constructions (2.1'), which is optionally fitted on said substructure.
17. The drivable construction according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the support plate (17") is divided in the working direction (A) of the expansion joint (7) and has two support plate sections that are respectively fixed on the substructure (3.1", 3.2'') of one of the two partial constructions (2.1'', 2.2").
18. The drivable construction according to claim 17, characterized in that the two fixed support plate sections are geared into one another.
19. The drivable construction according to claim 17, characterized in that the support plate (17'') is divided into three sections in the working direction (A) of the expansion joint (7), wherein the two fixed support plate sections respectively form an edge section (41, 43), between which a free support plate section (44) is accommodated, and wherein said free support plate section is geared with the respectively adjacent edge section (41, 43) on both sides.
20. The drivable construction according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that a separation layer (29) in the form of an elastomer sheet, particularly in the form of an EPDM film (30), is located between the support plate (17; 17'; 17'') and the expansion body (10) .
21. The drivable construction according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the polymer-based expansion body casting compound particularly has PMMA, PU and/or polyurea as polymer base, wherein PMMA preferably forms the polymer base of the polymer-based expansion body casting compound for all layers (31, 32, 33) of the expansion body (10) and the expansion body (10) has a breaking elongation of at least 100%, preferably at least 120%, in each of its layers (31, 32, 33) .
22. The drivable construction according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that at least the bottom layer (31) of the expansion body (10) consists of a plurality of successively cast sections that are joined to one another in the longitudinal direction of the expansion joint (7), and in that at least the top layer (33) of the expansion body (10) is cast continuously in a single operation over the entire length of the expansion joint (7) .

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