초록 ▼

A shield for shielding a structural member from an explosive blast or accidental or malicious destruction is provided. The shield includes a plurality of shield members which include cast ultra high strength concrete, wherein the shield members are capable of being assembled to enclose at least a po

A shield for shielding a structural member from an explosive blast or accidental or malicious destruction is provided. The shield includes a plurality of shield members which include cast ultra high strength concrete, wherein the shield members are capable of being assembled to enclose at least a portion of the structural member to provide protection to the enclosed portion from, for example, an explosive blast. In one embodiment, the shield members include a chassis, at least one ballistic liner disposed on the energy absorbing layer, and a concrete-integrating structure.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A shield for shielding an exposed structural member of a pre-existing structure from an explosive blast, said shield comprising: at least two shield members which are pre-formed and not initially assembled to a structural member of a pre-existing structure, said shield member

What is claimed is: 1. A shield for shielding an exposed structural member of a pre-existing structure from an explosive blast, said shield comprising: at least two shield members which are pre-formed and not initially assembled to a structural member of a pre-existing structure, said shield members being pivotably connected to each other via a hinge assembly to enclose at least a length of said structural member upon being retrofitted to said structural member, said shield members defining an annular space between said structural member and said shield members to provide protection to said enclosed portion from an explosive blast, each of said shield members comprising; (a) a metal plate having an interior surface and an outer surface, (b) at least one ultra high strength concrete ballistic liner cast on said outer surface of said metal plate such that said metal plate is more proximal to said structural member than said ballistic liner, and (c) a concrete-integrating-structure attached to said outer surface of said metal plate and embedded in said concrete ballistic liner, said concrete-integrating-structure and said outer surface of said metal plate forming a plurality of concrete retaining pockets, said interior surface of said metal plate being spaced from and facing said structural member and said concrete ballistic liner having an exterior surface facing the exterior environment where a blast can occur, and wherein said shield comprises at least two discrete concrete ballistic liners, at least one concrete ballistic liner being provided for each metal plate. 2. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said metal plate comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, and alloys or mixtures thereof. 3. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said concrete comprises metallic fibers. 4. A shield according to claim 3, wherein said metallic fibers are present in an amount of up to about 120 kg/m3 per volume of concrete. 5. A shield according to claim 4, wherein said metallic fibers are present in an amount of about 20 to about 120 kg/m3 per volume of concrete. 6. A shield according to claim 5, wherein said metallic fibers are present in an amount of about 40 to about 100 kg/m3 per volume of concrete. 7. A shield according to claim 3, wherein said metallic fibers comprise steel fibers. 8. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said concrete comprises: (a) a flexure strength Rfl measured on prismatic samples, higher than or equal to 15 MPa; and (b) a compression strength Rc measured on cylindrical samples, higher than of equal to 120 MPa, said flexural strength and compression strength being evaluated at the end of a 28 day time period. 9. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said concrete-integrating-structure comprises a plurality of metal v-shaped members having apices attached to said plate, said v-shaped members and said plate forming said plurality of concrete retaining pockets. 10. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said shield members are capable of being interlocked around said enclosed portion. 11. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said hinged assembly comprises a hinge pivotably connecting one edge of each metal plate together and a pin interlocking an opposite edge of each metal plate together. 12. A shield according to claim 1, wherein at least one shield member comprises at least one data sensor embedded in said concrete for detecting a threat to said shield and/or the protected structural member. 13. A shield according to claim 12, wherein said sensor detects a threat selected from the group consisting of an elevated temperature, excessive vibrations, an explosive blast and others events affecting the integrity of said shield assembly. 14. A shield according to claim 13, further comprising a system for transmitting threat data to a remote receiver. 15. A shield according to claim 12 further comprising a source of electrical energy which is solar powered for operating said as least one sensor. 16. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said structural member is a tension cable and said shield has a substantially annular shape with an inner surface adjacent to said cable and an outer surface facing outward towards a potential explosive blast. 17. A shield according to claim 16, further comprising at least one end cap which fits around said tension cable sufficiently snugly to substantially prevent weather or debris from entering annular space within said inner surface. 18. A shield according to claim 1 further comprising a heat resistant coating disposed on at least one of said interior surface and said exterior surface of said shield. 19. A shield according to claim 1 said shield further comprising a blast defeating layer disposed on the surface exposed to said blast. 20. A shield according to claim 19 wherein said blast defeating layer is a metal layer. 21. A shield according to claim 20 wherein said metal layer comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, and mixtures or alloys thereof. 22. A shield according to claim 1 which further comprises at least one solar collector as a source of energy for use with and/or in said shield. 23. A shield according to claim 1 which further comprises a heat tracing wire. 24. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said cast ultra high strength concrete has a lower thickness limit of not less than about 0.5 inches. 25. A shield according to claim 24 wherein said lower thickness limit is not less than about 1.0 inches. 26. A shield according to claim 25 wherein said lower thickness limit is not less than about 1.5 inches. 27. A shield according to claim 1, wherein said ultra high strength concrete has an upper thickness limit of not greater than about 4.0 inches. 28. A shield according to claim 27 wherein said ultra high strength concrete has an upper thickness limit of not greater than about 3.0 inches. 29. A shield according to claim 28 wherein said ultra high strength concrete has an upper thickness limit of not greater than about 2.5 inches. 30. A shield as defined in claim 1, wherein said metal plate and said ballistic liner are substantially longitudinally and laterally coextensive along the enclosed length of the structural member. 31. A tubular shield for protecting an exposed structural member of a pre-existing structure from an external explosive blast, the shield including two shield members pivotably connected to each other via a hinge assembly for substantially enclosing at least a length of the structural member, each of said shield members comprising: (a) a metal chassis including a plate having an inner surface for facing the structural member and a plurality of v-shaped members having apices attached to an outer surface of said chassis plate, said v-shaped members and said outer surface of said chassis plate forming a plurality of concrete retaining pockets; and (b) an ultra high strength concrete ballistic liner cast on said outer surface of said chassis plate and retained on said chassis by said concrete retaining pockets of said chassis, and wherein said hinged assembly includes a hinge pivotably connecting one edge of each chassis together and a pin interlocking an opposite edge of each chassis together, and wherein said shield members are pre-formed and not initially assembled to the structural member of a pre-existing structure, said shield members defining an annular space between said structural member and said shield members upon being retrofitted to said structural member to provide protection to said enclosed portion from an explosive blast, and wherein said shield comprises at least two discrete concrete ballistic liners, at least one concrete ballistic liner being provided for each metal chassis plate. 32. A shield as defined in claim 31, wherein the exposed structural member is a tension cable of a suspension bridge. 33. A shield as defined in claim 31, wherein said metal plate and said ballistic liner are substantially longitudinally and laterally coextensive along the enclosed length of the structural member. 34. In combination: an exposed structural member of a pre-existing structure; and a shield for protecting the structural member from an explosive blast, said shield including at least two shield members which are pre-formed and not initially assembled to said structural member of said pre-existing structure, said shield members being pivotably connected to each other via a hinge assembly to enclose at least a length of said structural member upon being retrofitted to said structural member, said shield members defining an annular space between said structural member and said shield members to provide protection to said enclosed portion from an explosive blast, each of said shield members comprising; (a) a metal plate having an interior surface and an outer surface, (b) at least one ultra high strength concrete ballistic liner cast on said outer surface of said metal plate such that said metal plate is more proximal to said structural member than said ballistic liner, and (c) a concrete-integrating-structure attached to said outer surface of said metal plate and embedded in said concrete ballistic liner, said concrete-integrating-structure and said outer surface of said metal plate forming a plurality of concrete retaining pockets, said interior surface of said metal plate being spaced from and facing said structural member and said concrete ballistic liner having an exterior surface facing the exterior environment where a blast can occur, and wherein said shield comprises at least two discrete concrete ballistic liners, at least one concrete ballistic liner being provided for each metal plate. 35. A shield as defined in claim 34, wherein said metal plate and said ballistic liner are substantially longitudinally and laterally coextensive along the enclosed length of the structural member. 36. A shield as defined in claim 34, wherein said exposed structural member is a tension cable of a suspension bridge.