Reinforcement rib and overhead structure incorporating the same

Abstract

A reinforcement rib for an overhead structure comprises a pair of sidewalls and a top wall that bridges one end of each sidewall. A lower flange extends outwardly from an opposite end of each sidewall. Each lower flange is adapted to be secured to the overhead structure.

1 . A reinforcement rib for an overhead structure comprising:
 a pair of sidewalls;   a top wall bridging one end of each sidewall; and   a lower flange extending from an opposite end of each sidewall, each lower flange adapted to be secured to the overhead structure.   
   
   
       2 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 1  wherein said overhead structure is formed of corrugated plate and wherein said lower flanges are secured to different crests of said corrugated plate. 
   
   
       3 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 2  wherein said lower flanges are secured to adjacent crests of said corrugated plate. 
   
   
       4 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 2  wherein said top wall overlies at least one crest. 
   
   
       5 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 2  wherein said reinforcement rib has an enclosed configuration. 
   
   
       6 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 5  said lower flanges accommodate fasteners that secure the reinforcement rib to the crests. 
   
   
       7 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 2  further comprising at least one structural element on said top wall. 
   
   
       8 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 7  wherein said at least one structural element is secured to said top wall by releasable fasteners. 
   
   
       9 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 8  wherein said at least one structural element is one of an I-beam, a channel member and a plate member. 
   
   
       10 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 8  wherein said at least one structural element is welded to said top wall. 
   
   
       11 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 4  wherein said top wall has at least one longitudinal feature thereon. 
   
   
       12 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 11  wherein said at least one longitudinal feature is at least one groove. 
   
   
       13 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 4  further comprising at least one spacer extending between said at least one crest and said top wall. 
   
   
       14 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 4  further comprising at least one structural element on said top wall. 
   
   
       15 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 14  wherein said at least one structural element is secured to said top wall by releasable fasteners. 
   
   
       16 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 2  further comprising at least one shear stud thereon. 
   
   
       17 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 16  comprising a plurality of shear studs thereon. 
   
   
       18 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 17  wherein said shear studs extend from inner surfaces of at least one of the sidewalls and top wall. 
   
   
       19 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 17  wherein said shear studs extend from exterior surfaces of at least one of said sidewalls and top wall. 
   
   
       20 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 2  wherein said sidewalls and top wall form defined angles. 
   
   
       21 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 21  wherein said sidewalls and top wall merge at curves. 
   
   
       22 . A reinforcement rib according to  claim 2  wherein said reinforcement rib is curved in a longitudinal direction. 
   
   
       23 . An overhead structure comprising:
 a corrugated structure having corrugations extending transversely of the longitudinal length of said corrugated structure; and   reinforcement ribbing extending transversely of the longitudinal length of said corrugated structure at, at least one location along said corrugated structure, said reinforcement ribbing being secured to a pair of crests of said corrugated structure and spanning at least one trough of said corrugated structure.   
   
   
       24 . An overhead structure according to  claim 23  wherein said reinforcement ribbing comprises at least one rib fastened to said crests. 
   
   
       25 . An overhead structure according to  claim 24  wherein said at least one rib comprises a plurality of ribs. 
   
   
       26 . An overhead structure according to  claim 25  wherein said ribs are arranged end-to-end. 
   
   
       27 . An overhead structure according to  claim 26  further comprising at least one splice spanning adjacent ribs. 
   
   
       28 . An overhead structure according to  claim 26  wherein end regions of adjacent ribs are nested. 
   
   
       29 . An overhead structure according to  claim 24  wherein reinforcement ribbing extends transversely of the longitudinal length of said corrugated structure at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along said corrugated structure. 
   
   
       30 . An overhead structure according to  claim 29  wherein said at least one rib comprises a plurality of ribs. 
   
   
       31 . An overhead structure according to  claim 30  wherein said ribs are arranged end-to-end. 
   
   
       32 . An overhead structure according to  claim 31  further comprising at least one splice spanning adjacent ribs. 
   
   
       33 . An overhead structure according to  claim 31  wherein end regions of adjacent ribs are nested. 
   
   
       34 . An overhead structure according to  claim 29  further comprising material overlying said corrugated structure. 
   
   
       35 . An overhead structure according to  claim 34  further comprising formations on the exterior surface of at least one of said reinforcement ribbing and said corrugated structure to engage said material. 
   
   
       36 . An overhead structure according to  claim 35  wherein said material is concrete and said formations are shear studs.