Continuous travel track on a viaduct structure

Abstract

A continuous running track to be supported by a bridge structure includes at least two bridge segments, a load-bearing structure to support the segments, a continuous slab extending from one end to the other end of the bridge and resting on the segments, an antifriction layer beneath the continuous slab, acting as an interface between the upper surface of the segment and the lower surface of the continuous slab and defining a slip plane for the continuous slab, and a crossing plate beneath the continuous slab, extending from one end of a segment to an end of a directly adjacent segment. At least one anti-lift device to be fixed to a segment is capable of limiting a movement of the slab in a direction perpendicular to the slip plane while providing for freedom of movement of the slab on the slip plane.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A continuous running track to be supported by a bridge structure having at least two bridge segments and a load-bearing structure for supporting the at least two bridge segments, the continuous running track comprising:
 a continuous slab extending from one end of the bridge structure to another end of the bridge structure and configured to rest on an upper surface of the at least two bridge segments;   an antifriction layer disposed beneath said continuous slab and configured to act as an interface between the upper surface of the at least two bridge segments and a lower surface of said continuous slab, said antifriction layer defining a slip plane for said continuous slab;   a crossing plate disposed beneath said continuous slab and positioned to extend from an end of one of the at least two bridge segments to an end of another directly adjacent one of the at least two bridge segments; and   at least one anti-lift device configured to be fixed to one of the at least two bridge segments, for limiting a movement of said continuous slab in a direction substantially perpendicular to said slip plane but providing for freedom of movement of said continuous slab on said slip plane.   
     
     
         17 . The running track according to  claim 16 , wherein said anti-lift device includes a stop for limiting said movement of said continuous slab in said direction perpendicular to said slip plane. 
     
     
         18 . The running track according to  claim 17 , wherein said anti-lift device is configured to permit a non-zero movement of said continuous slab in said direction perpendicular to said slip plane as far as said stop. 
     
     
         19 . The running track according to  claim 16 , wherein said anti-lift device is one of a plurality of anti-lift devices distributed along a length of the running track, said anti-lift devices being disposed at least one of laterally to each side of said continuous slab or anchored in said continuous slab. 
     
     
         20 . The running track according to  claim 16 , wherein said antifriction layer includes a first geotextile layer and a second geotextile layer sandwiching one or more Polyane layers therebetween. 
     
     
         21 . The running track according to  claim 16 , wherein said continuous slab is self-draining. 
     
     
         22 . The running track according to  claim 16 , which further comprises electrical cable ducts implanted in said continuous slab. 
     
     
         23 . The running track according to  claim 16 , which further comprises at least one abutment pier disposed at each end of said continuous slab along a length of said continuous slab. 
     
     
         24 . The running track according to  claim 16 , wherein said anti-lift device includes a body configured to be fixed to one of said at least two bridge segments and a head configured to limit a movement of said continuous slab in said direction substantially perpendicular to said slip plane. 
     
     
         25 . The running track according to  claim 24 , wherein said body is a plate configured to be fixed to said one bridge segment and said head is fixed to an end of said plate so as to be positioned opposite to and overhanging at least one part of one lateral side of an upper face of said continuous slab. 
     
     
         26 . The running track according to  claim 25 , wherein said head is substantially parallelepiped in shape and includes a layer of antifriction and compression-resistant material configured to contact said continuous slab when said continuous slab moves in said direction substantially perpendicular to said slip plane. 
     
     
         27 . The running track according to  claim 24 , wherein said head of said anti-lift device envelops at least a part of said body so as to create a coupling providing for a relative movement of said head in relation to said body in a direction parallel to said slip plane, while limiting a relative movement of said head in relation to said body in said direction substantially perpendicular to said slip plane. 
     
     
         28 . The running track according to  claim 27 , wherein said body of said anti-lift device includes a base configured to be fixed or anchored to said one bridge segment and a rod having one end rigidly fixed to said base and another end with an approximately horizontal structure, said approximately horizontal structure and at least a part of said rod being enclosed in said head of said anti-lift device. 
     
     
         29 . An anti-lift device for a continuous running track disposed on a bridge structure having at least two segments configured to support a continuous slab of the track, the anti-lift device comprising:
 a body configured to be fixed to one of the at least two segments; and   a head configured to limit a movement of the continuous slab in a direction substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the continuous slab but permitting a movement of the continuous slab in a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the continuous slab.   
     
     
         30 . The anti-lift device according to  claim 29 , wherein said head includes a stop for limiting a non-zero movement of the continuous slab in the direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the continuous slab.