Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

Les Fisher

Alan K Miller

Chris Dumlao

Eric Abrahamson

Kristina Lauraitis

Michael Jacoby

Bryan Hurlbut

A load bearing deck structure is made from at least one sandwich panel formed of a ploymer matrix composite material. The sandwich panel comprises a plurality of substantially hollow, elongated core members having side walls, the core members being provided with an upper facesheet and a lower facesheet. Each facesheet is formed integrally with the side walls of the core members and at least one of the side walls is disposed at an oblique angle to one of the upper and lower facesheets so that the side walls and facesheets define a polygonal shape when viewed in cross section.

Modular polymeric matrix composite load bearing deck structure

A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the at least one beam containing a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The at least one beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. Each of the flanges of the at least one beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. Alternatively, the load bearing deck containing at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section and support members are also provided.

Modular polymer matrix composite support structure and methods of

A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications. Methods of constructing a support structure utilizing the modular structural section and support members are also provided.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Les Fisher