Structure for Supporting Vehicular Traffic

Abstract

A structure for supporting vehicular traffic is supported by the ground and includes a panel and first and second longitudinally-extending foundations. The panel has a top surface on which vehicular traffic is supported, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, first and second lateral sides, a leading side and a trailing side. The leading and trailing sides space the first and second longitudinal sides from each other. The first and second longitudinally-extending foundations cooperate to support the panel such that a space is defined between the road surface panel and a surface of the ground.

1 . A structure for supporting vehicular traffic, the structure being supported by the ground, the structure comprising:
 a panel having a top surface on which vehicular traffic is supported, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, first and second lateral sides, a leading side and a trailing side, wherein the leading and trailing sides space the first and second longitudinal sides from each other; and   a first longitudinally-extending foundation and a second longitudinally extending foundation that cooperate to support the panel such that a space is defined between the road surface panel and a surface of the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second longitudinally extending foundations are laterally spaced with respect to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 the first and second longitudinally extending foundations each having a lower surface that is disposed below the surface of the ground and an upper surface that supports the panel.   
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 the first and second foundations being reinforced concrete structures; and   the panel being a reinforced concrete structure.   
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the panel being a precast concrete structure.   
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the first and second foundations being precast concrete structures.   
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 the first and second foundations being cast-in-place concrete structures.   
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 the first lateral side of the panel being disposed above and extending along the first longitudinally extending foundation; and   the second lateral side of the panel being disposed above and extending along the second longitudinally extending foundation.   
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 the first and second longitudinally extending foundations extending continuously along the first and second lateral sides of the panel, respectively.   
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a shoulder that is formed on the upper surface of the first longitudinally extending foundation for engagement with a least a portion of the first lateral side of the panel to restrain lateral motion of the panel with respect to the first and second longitudinally extending foundations.   
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one infrastructure element disposed on the surface of the ground below the panel.   
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a geothermal piping system that is disposed below the panel and at least partially below the surface of the ground.   
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 3 , wherein the geothermal piping system provides geothermal heat to the panel. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a drainage system for receiving water from the panel; and   a water retention structure located below the panel for receiving and storing water from the drainage system.   
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the water retention structure having a surface area greater than that of the top surface of the panel.   
     
     
         16 . A structure for supporting vehicular traffic, the structure being supported by the ground, the structure comprising:
 a panel having a top surface on which vehicular traffic is supported, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, first and second lateral sides, a leading side and a trailing side, the panel being a precast reinforced concrete structure, wherein the leading and trailing sides space the first and second longitudinal sides from each other;   a first longitudinally-extending foundation and a second longitudinally extending foundation that are laterally spaced with respect to one another and cooperate to support the panel such that a space is defined between the road surface panel and a surface of the ground, the first and second longitudinally extending foundations each having a lower surface that is disposed below the surface of the ground and an upper surface that supports the panel, and the first and second foundations being reinforced concrete structures;   the first lateral side of the panel being disposed above and extending along the first longitudinally extending foundation; and   the second lateral side of the panel being disposed above and extending along the second longitudinally extending foundation.   
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a geothermal piping system that is disposed below the panel and at least partially below the surface of the ground, wherein the geothermal piping system provides geothermal heat to the panel.   
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a drainage system for receiving water from the panel; and   a water retention structure located below the panel for receiving and storing water from the drainage system.   
     
     
         19 . A method for building a structure for supporting vehicular traffic comprising the steps of:
 placing a plurality of longitudinally extending foundations with respect to a surface of the ground such that a bottom surface of each longitudinally extending foundation is below the surface of the ground and a top surface of each longitudinally extending foundation is above the surface of the ground, each longitudinally extending foundation being laterally spaced with respect to an adjacent one of the longitudinally extending foundations;   positioning a plurality of panels on the longitudinally extending foundations in a tile-like manner such that the lateral sides of each panel are disposed above and extend along a respective foundation of the plurality of foundations.