Two wide redwood bridges, 36’L x3’W were rotting out and were replaced every two to five years that were not just expensive but highly inconvenient. The redwood bridges cross from the shore to the boat in the centre of the dolphin tanks resulting in the dolphin shows being shut down for two weeks for bridge replacement.
Problem Solution
Jay Dowsett, Sea Life Park GM and his staff discovered a suitable solution when they chose bridges fabricated from fiberglass support structures with treated douglas fir decks. The bridge key support is a 24" I-beam made from EXTREN structural shapes. For each gangway, two I-beams are used. Sea Life Park is situated close to the ocean and the bridges cross over the salt water dolphin tanks.
This environment is naturally corrosive and aluminium, steel and stainless steel get corroded easily. Except for the stainless steel fasteners the fiberglass bridges were completely corrosion-free.
Furthermore around 100 lineal feet of EXTREN® 2" x 1/4" round tube that was installed four years ago for fiberglass fences and gates, some of which were totally immersed in water, are still high-performing and have a “good as new” appearance. The facilities management director, Steve Kaiser said the fiberglass bridge fencing and superstructure looks great. He also added that the wood decks will be replaced several times before the fiberglass ever needs to be replaced.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Strongwell Corporation.
For more information on this source, please visit Strongwell Corporation.