Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Vertically curved arch with terminal support – Stonelike modules form arch
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-03-27
Chilcot, Richard (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Vertically curved arch with terminal support
Stonelike modules form arch
C052S169600, C052S294000, C052S299000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205717
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a bunker construction and, more particularly, to a bunker construction of the type which may be used for the storage of munitions and other explosive or dangerous materials.
Heretofore, it has been a usual practice to store munitions and other explosive materials in bunkers, for example, underground excavations, cast in place concrete enclosures or reinforced concrete enclosures covered with earth. The cost of fabricating or constructing such bunker facilities is often extremely high because of the rigorous safety factor requirements. Additionally, such construction is very time consuming. Thus, there has remained the need to develop improved methods for making or constructing bunkers quickly. Another need and desire is to provide a bunker construction which may be quickly assembled on a site of immediate need.
The key element of the invention is the manner in which the prefabricated components are designed and assembled. The innovative design provides a cost-effective solution for meeting Government safety requirements, specifically electrical continuity or lightning protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention comprises a bunker construction which is, in part, made from precast concrete components thereby reducing cast-in-place concrete requirements. The bunker construction includes multiple, side-by-side, precast concrete arch elements which are assembled in combination with footings and which engage each other along a center line at the apex of the semicircular roof formed by the arch elements. Front and back plates (cast-in-place concrete walls), as well as a bottom plate (cast-in-place floor and footings) in combination with the arch elements form the internal enclosure of the bunker. The precast arch elements are connected, in part, to the bottom plate by a concrete block. The concrete blocks, at least one block per precast arch unit, comprise elements containing reinforcement bars which interconnect the bottom plate with the arch units. Similarly, the precast arch elements are connected to each opposing arch element along the apex by a continuous crown element. The continuous crown element comprises an element containing reinforcement bars which tie opposing arch elements together. These interconnections, between the arch elements and the bottom plate, and the arch elements to each other, provide the effect of a Faraday Cage which provides electrical continuity to thereby avoid discharge of any static electricity present in the environment of the bunker, and particularly to provide protection from the effects of lightning.
The front plate of the bunker is defined by a vertical cast-in-place concrete wall with a rectangle protective door. To each side of the front plate a wing wall is constructed. Each of the two wing walls is comprised of a series of precast concrete panels of a mechanically stabilized earthen structure, the purpose of which is to retain the earth over and around the bunker. This earth is placed, compacted, and then stabilized by steel strips attached to the precast concrete panels, and this further enhances the integrity and protection of the bunker.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to find an improved bunker construction made, at least in part, from prefabricated construction elements, which when installed, provides adequate lightning protection.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a bunker construction having improved or enhanced performance capabilities under catastrophic conditions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a bunker construction which can be quickly and easily assembled from various precast concrete elements with construction equipment that is highly mobile.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a bunker construction comprised of a series of almost semicircular, precast arch elements that may be easily and quickly assembled at various sites and with the minimum amount of construction equipment.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1223266 (1917-04-01), Dyer
patent: 2755630 (1956-07-01), Freyssinet
patent: 3173387 (1965-03-01), Cree, Jr.
patent: 4686804 (1987-08-01), Smith
patent: 5685115 (1997-11-01), Colfer
patent: 6032421 (2000-03-01), Yamada
patent: 539978 (1941-10-01), None
Shall John S.
Truong Kim
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Chilcot Richard
Freyssinet International (Stup)
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