Patent ID: 8104130

Claim:
A bridge structure having an assembly of structural elements, said structural elements acting together to provide a bridge structure of high strength and durability; said bridge structure comprising: at least two box girders comprised of a pair of left and right side box girders, each having respective upper and lower girder chords connected together by side plates and diaphragms to form a boxed girder assembly with a respective upper portion having a partially sloped section acting as a highway barrier; each said box girder forming a barrier structure; deck support beams being attached between said lower chords of said at least two girders supporting a respective orthotropic deck panel, said orthotropic deck panel being fastened to respective tops of said deck support beams, said orthotropic deck panel forming a bridge deck made of at least one surface plate supported by longitudinal ribs underneath; said orthotropic deck panel being attached directly to respective lower vertically extending portions of said partially sloped sections of said at least two box girders, said orthotropic deck panel being connected to the vertically extending portion of each of said box girders below said partially sloped section thereof, whereby said left and right side box girders have relatively smooth walls facing said orthotropic deck panels, said orthotropic deck panels providing a riding surface of the bridge and serving as a horizontal diaphragm accommodating horizontal forces to which the bridge is subjected; wherein said longitudinal ribs supporting said orthotropic panel comprise undulating arcuate ribs; said bridge structure having projecting corner angle members with one leg attached to said orthotropic panel and an adjacent leg extending up along the vertical portion of each side girder and past where said sloping section begins.