Tub girders and related manufacturing methods

Abstract

Improved tub girders and related manufacturing methods are provided, such as for example for use in road construction in connection with concrete bridges. Disclosed improved tub girders may include upper flanges that extending inwardly or outwardly. Disclosed improved tub girders may be provided with camber along the length of the girders. Ends of the disclosed improved tub girders may be provided with diaphragms. Disclosed improved tub girders may include a base section including one more access ports for enabling inspection of the interior of the girders after installation. Disclosed improved tub girders may include a plurality of stud members extending upwardly from upper flanges for engaging with a concrete bridge deck. Disclosed tub girders may be providing with a coating, such as galvanized, aluminized or metalized, to fight corrosion and extend life and limit need for inspection.

1 . A method of applying camber to an improved tub girder, the tub girder having a central axis and a girder length in the range from 20 to  100  feet, a base, an outwardly inclining left support member extending upwardly away from a left end of the base, an outwardly inclining right support member extending upwardly away from a right end of the base, a left flange extending from an upper end of the outwardly inclining left support, the left flange being disposed in generally parallel relationship to the base, a right flange extending from an upper end of the outwardly inclining right support member, the right flange being disposed in generally parallel relationship to the base, the method comprising:
 supporting the tub girder at a first position on the tub girder; 
 supporting the tub girder at a second position on the tub girder; 
 applying pressure to the tub girder at a location between the first tub girder support position and the second tub girder support position; and 
 deforming the tub girder into an arch shape by a distance C at the central axis from an original shape of the tub girder, the distance C being in the range from 0 to 8 inches. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure is applied parallel to the central axis of the tub girder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein pressure is applied to the tub girder at a first location on the tub girder and at a second location on the tub girder, the first location and second location being disposed between the first tub girder support position and the second tub girder support position. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first location where pressure is applied and the second location where pressure is applied are centered around a central axis of the tub girder. 
     
     
         5 . A method of applying camber to an improved tub girder, the tub girder having a central axis and a girder length in the range from 20 to 100 feet, a base, an outwardly inclining left support member extending upwardly away from a left end of the base, an outwardly inclining right support member extending upwardly away from a right end of the base, a left flange extending from an upper end of the outwardly inclining left support, the left flange being disposed in generally parallel relationship to the base, a right flange extending from an upper end of the outwardly inclining right support member, the right flange being disposed in generally parallel relationship to the base, the method comprising:
 supporting the tub girder at a first position on the tub girder;   supporting the tub girder at a second position on the tub girder;   applying pressure to the tub girder at a location between the first tub girder support position and the second tub girder support position, wherein the pressure is applied parallel to the central axis of the tub girder; and   deforming the tub girder into an arch shape by a distance C at the central axis from an original shape of the tub girder, the distance C being in the range from 0 to 8 inches.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein pressure is applied to the tub girder at a first location on the tub girder and at a second location on the tub girder, the first location and second location being disposed between the first tub girder support position and the second tub girder support position. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first location where pressure is applied and the second location where pressure is applied are centered around a central axis of the tub girder. 
     
     
         8 . A method of applying camber to an improved tub girder, the tub girder having a central axis and a girder length in the range from 20 to  100  feet, a base, an outwardly inclining left support member extending upwardly away from a left end of the base, an outwardly inclining right support member extending upwardly away from a right end of the base, a left flange extending from an upper end of the outwardly inclining left support, the left flange being disposed in generally parallel relationship to the base, a right flange extending from an upper end of the outwardly inclining right support member, the right flange being disposed in generally parallel relationship to the base, the method comprising:
 supporting the tub girder at a first position on the tub girder; 
 supporting the tub girder at a second position on the tub girder; 
 applying pressure to the tub girder at a first location on the tub girder and at a second location on the tub girder, the first location and second location being disposed between the first tub girder support position and the second tub girder support position; and 
 deforming the tub girder into an arch shape by a distance C at the central axis from an original shape of the tub girder, the distance C being in the range from 0 to 8 inches. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure is applied parallel to the central axis of the tub girder. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first location where pressure is applied and the second location where pressure is applied are centered around a central axis of the tub girder.