Waterslide steel supports
Waterslide steel supports
(OP)
I posted this in "corrosion engineering" earlier today, but no responses yet. I trust other structural engineers have dealt with steel structures in contact with pool water...
I am working on a job where an existing wood platform with steel supports for a water slide (appx 32' tall) has severe corrosion of all the steel members used to support and connect the wood. The steel beams and columns are experiencing large amounts of section loss. The pool operator says it is from the chlorinated water that drips off the bodies of the people waiting, but also because when someone sits in the slide at the top the water jets will shoot the water at their back and it will reflect back and pour down over the platform.
The slide design is set, and we will have this problem with large amounts of chlorinated (or maybe it's bromine?) water pouring down the steel and wood. They will be replacing much of the platform and stairs. What is the best way to protect this steel and the steel fasteners in wood? Is galvanizing enough? Stainless steel or galvanized fasteners? Do we just have them prime and paint on regular intervals? Any suggestions?
I am working on a job where an existing wood platform with steel supports for a water slide (appx 32' tall) has severe corrosion of all the steel members used to support and connect the wood. The steel beams and columns are experiencing large amounts of section loss. The pool operator says it is from the chlorinated water that drips off the bodies of the people waiting, but also because when someone sits in the slide at the top the water jets will shoot the water at their back and it will reflect back and pour down over the platform.
The slide design is set, and we will have this problem with large amounts of chlorinated (or maybe it's bromine?) water pouring down the steel and wood. They will be replacing much of the platform and stairs. What is the best way to protect this steel and the steel fasteners in wood? Is galvanizing enough? Stainless steel or galvanized fasteners? Do we just have them prime and paint on regular intervals? Any suggestions?






RE: Waterslide steel supports
RE: Waterslide steel supports
this twenty years, to my knowledge is theoretical only. These products do not have long usability history yet.
RE: Waterslide steel supports
RE: Waterslide steel supports
I did not mean to offend u in any way. Just want to learn my self too. I only know steel, aluminium and Concrete as structural member's material. Recently I am getting so many lunch and learn seminar on this new FRP's seminar etc
Thing I hate is they have there own structural engineer to design and you cannot verify that by picking up any internationally recognized code and also there is no history of successful usage. So what these companies are claiming is yet to be proved and you never know.
RE: Waterslide steel supports
How long did the original project last??? If its 10 or 15 years then what are they complaining about??
RE: Waterslide steel supports
RE: Waterslide steel supports
I would think hot dip galvanizing is best for this application, combined with using heavier than structurally necessary members in the worst corrosion areas. In addition to increasing the metal thickness, this has the advantage of more zinc protection, as thicker sections automatically retain more zinc in the process.
RE: Waterslide steel supports
Both chlorinated and brominated water will cause corrosion.
You can go to stainless steel; however,I've worked on 4 or 5 major water slides and they were performing as expected with galvanized steel. A couple of them had some stainless parts, but if there is a good annual inspection program (as required in my home state) stainless is probably not worth the extra cost.
RE: Waterslide steel supports
CAN/CSA S806 "Design and Construction of Building Components with Fibre-Reinforced Polymers"
and for Fibre Reinforced Pulltruded Plastics (the stuff you're really talking about in this thread), I know that there was a model ASTM code in the works five years ago. I would expect it is either about to be released, or perhaps is already available. The draft code document was X-20-43 "Draft Structural Grade Plastic Lumber Standard"
And good luck with the project; I would not hesitate to specify/recommend/use structural plastics for this application.
Cheers,
YS
B.Eng (Carleton)
Working in New Zealand, thinking of my snow covered home...
RE: Waterslide steel supports
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Cheers,
YS
P.S. One caveat on the plastic lumber front:
My draft copy is marked "Not for Public Distribution" just about everywhere on it, so I would never give it to another engineer. That said, I do find it reasuring to review when considering a manufacturer's literature. I've asked a sharp question of twelve along the way in using these products. Be smart. Think it through. It is YOUR stamp, and if you rely upon obviously flawed documentation/literature, I doubt you'll stand much of a chance if anything goes wrong.
B.Eng (Carleton)
Working in New Zealand, thinking of my snow covered home...
RE: Waterslide steel supports
I think that chlorinated water is more of a problem to steel in an indoor facility. I assume this waterslide is outdoors.